vince Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Boys and Girls A short while ago, as a birthday gift from my son Paul, I received a 7’9”, 2 piece, 3 weight bamboo rod built by Don Andersen out of Rocky Mountain House. Seldom, if ever, do I post about equipment but in this case I just had to provide my thoughts on the rod. From what I understand, my bamboo rod is a stretched and modified Garrison taper. This past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Rick Lang and I headed down south to fish Michele Creek, the Carbondale Creek area as well as the Crow. A perfect trip to test out the rod on the some big Michele cutthroats as well as some smaller, small creek cutthroats. The rod was an absolute joy to hold, cast and net the cutts that were caught. I’ve used a number of 3 weights in the past and I can tell you that this one is on the faster side for bamboo and is quite bossy when it comes to landing fish. The rod casts like a dream from 20 to 60 feet with little to no effort. Mending and roll casting was done with ease. The best part and for whatever reason I noticed that the fly line and fly would land on the water very gently. The attention to detail is appreciated...a beautiful rod. My thanks go out to Don Andersen for building me a beauty….a pure delight to cast. Vince PS….as soon as I can figure out my new photo program I’ll post some pictures of our trip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamnStraigh Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Hey Vince, Nice to hear feedback on such an amazing piece of equipment. FYI I was in the store a couples week ago and borrowed some of your time picking your brain to assist me picking out my new rod (haven't decided yet) and we have discussed your bamboo a couple times. Unfortunately, my skills, wife and pocketbook would not support a purchase like that but I have heard nothing but good things about Don and his Rods (Canes that is), and the curiosity continues to grow so I hope to hear more about it as you use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry H Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 DamStraight -- with regard to the wife/flyrod issue, you might appreciate the following, which I lifted from another FF forum. Terry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamnStraigh Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hell Ya Terry, I appreciate it very much. Still working on the wife though. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 It makes me happy to hear you finally got a cane rod, buddy, and that it's serving you well. You deserve it. How would you feel about using it for some grayling? I'm thinking this fall you and I should finally break the shutout, and actually fish together. I haven't set eyes on the Little Smoky for too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 Junior For sure I'd use it for grayling...what a hoot that would be. Let's make sure we arrange a trip in late September. Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Andersen Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Vince, You're comments are the best part of building bamboo fly rods. Here are a couple of pictures from a trip in the same area. Both of the geezers are fishing 7'9" 5 wts. regards, Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 Don Very cool pictures indeed. Don, I had an absolute hoot fishing my new bamboo rod and I can't wait to get it out again. I managed a beautiful 17 to 18 inch cutthroat on Michele and the rod handled the little guy with ease....a bossy 3 weight for sure and I really like the 7'9"length....the length is not for everyone but man, oh man, is it ever for me. Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnoWolf Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I have a rod that's not (cough cough) bamboo, however it is 7' and I really like using it on the small creaks and rivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfish Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Jim, I have seen that (cough, cough) 1980's vintage Canadian Tire yellow fibreglass rod.... looks like bamboo... Roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnoWolf Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Lol....;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfish Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Congrats on your new rod Vince, after casing Mike Dell's many years ago they are a fine instrument. Mr. Andersen is one of the best amoung the Bamboo Crafters, if I didn't have an Orvis I would be very tempted. Great photos Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJL2 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Vince with his first fish on Bamboo Good net job! Can the smile get any bigger? Very nice Cutt Vince Hey Vince, where are we going next? Have a great one Vince, enjoy every cast and fish on your bamboo!!! RIck 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 Guys This is my second attempt at posting some pictures of the trip down south that Rick and I took last week. It was a great 3 days and not only did I get to use my new bamboo rod but Rick got to use his new Don Andersen built 7 foot 3 weight...a real beauty of a rod. Rick casting his new 7 foot, 3 weight bamboo Rick landing a beautiful Michel Creek Cutthroat Rick de-hooking his Michel Creek Cutthroat Nice rod bend Rick A small stream beauty Both pictures that follow are of my Michele Creek cutthroat that Rick was kind enough to hold while I snapped a few pictures. A great 3 days of fishing southern Alberta, a good time was had on the journey and many fish caught. Vince 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamnStraigh Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Vince and Rick, Very beautiful pictures of yourselves casting and catching. Vince I guess for me this proves that you don't just talk BS to your customers. Proof in the fish puddin here. Thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipperdan Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Very nice pictures there young men, keep up the great work. And I really like the last pic of the Michelle cutty. Thanks Vinny Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 Thanks guys...Rick and I had a hoot of a time. Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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