How cool is this? Grow your own bamboo fly rod!

[Further North]

  

Introducing the World's First Truly Affordable Bamboo Fly Rod!

 

 

Quote

Introducing the World’s First Truly Affordable Bamboo Fly Rod

Author Phil Monahan | Posted on April 1, 2023 | Categories Fly Fishing

 

 

Orvis has been making fine bamboo fly rods for almost 150 years, and even in today’s high-tech world, these angling tools are prized as the ultimate in craftsmanship. For many fly fishers, their first split-cane rod is a sign that they have achieved a high level of proficiency and acquired a finer appreciation for the tools of the trade.

 

There’s just one problem: Because creating a bamboo fly rod requires rare skill, materials from overseas, specialized equipment, and hundreds of hours of the rodmaker’s time, the finished product can be quite expensive. Many fly fishers–no matter how proficient–are simply priced out of the bamboo market. Until now.

 

Orvis bamboo-rod craftsman Shawn Brillon painstakingly builds split-cane rods in his Manchester, Vermont shop.

 

Introducing the Orvis HG Bamboo Fly Rod! A triumph of science and craftsmanship, this new rod puts bamboo within reach of every angler, and it makes a great project for the whole family to enjoy. The HG is for “home grown,” because you actually start with a seed and grow a complete bamboo fly rod from scratch.

 

A Chance Meeting

 

Orvis’s highly skilled bamboo-rod craftsman, Shawn Brillon, grew up just two towns south of the Orvis Rod Shop, and although he loves creating the works of angling art his customers crave, he’s often wondered if there is a way to get bamboo rods in the hands of more fly fishers. A few years ago, at a meeting of the Green Mountain Bulldog Owners Club, Shawn was introduced to Eden Poales, PhD, a researcher at the University of Vermont School of Plant Science. When she learned what Shawn does for a living, Doctor Poales grew animated and spent the whole event picking Shawn’s brain about his job.

 

Dr. Eden Poales and an assistant explore new plant uses in their lab at the University of Vermont.

 

It turned out that the focus of her research was how the unique properties of bamboo—it’s the fastest-growing plant in the world—could be combined with advances in biogenetics and cybernetics. She wondered if there were a way to grow a bamboo rod instead of building it; the new science would allow them to “program” the plant to incorporate the metal guides and ferrules, as well. Shawn was incredulous, but intrigued, and the pair began sharing their expertise. It took three years of experimenting, trial-and-error, and product testing, but they actually did it.

 

Doctor Poales explains how: “We discovered a unique subspecies of bamboo that grows tapered, instead of straight. Then, instead of altering the genetic code of the plant, we add a whole bunch of information to it. [That’s why it’s still considered ‘Non-GMO.’] These additional bio-genetic and metallurgical ‘instructions’ are what turn the regular bamboo culm into an actual fly rod.  The bamboo plant undergoes its regular fast growth, while all the other parts of the rod form around it. The science is proprietary, of course, so we can’t go into the details.”

 

 

 

Affordable Elegance

 

As a result, these rods grow to their predetermined size, straight from the soil, in about 90 days. All you need to do is attach the grip and reel seat, which are included in the Orvis HG kit, and add a reel of your choice. If you’ve planted the seed on Christmas Day, you’ll ready to start casting a Blue-winged Olive to rising trout in late March. You’ll be astonished by the slow, smooth action, which rivals some of the expensive hand-constructed rods from well-known craftsmen. When you’re out on the stream with your Orvis HG, you’ll be the envy of every other angler who sees you laying out delicate, accurate casts.

 

The best part? Because so much of what goes into the traditional cane-rod-making process has been cut out, the cost of materials, shipping, time, and labor are not passed on to the consumer. You can be a member of the ‘Boo Club for just $99.99!

 

Available in 7, 71/2, and 8-foot lengths, each fly-rod grow kit includes a seed packet, plant food, cork grip, reel seat, rod tube, and complete instructions.

 

 

 

Click here to learn more or to order your Orvis HG kit today!

 

 

 

[/quote]

 

 

[Bird]

Ha Ha wish all rods were homegrown.

[PressuredFishing]

As a horticulturalist as neat as this would be, reading the article i got a real chuckle, it must be a gag,  to grow on a piece of bamboo that can create perfectly shaped pieces of circular metal would never work for a number of scientific reasons, however, you could theoretically buy a bamboo plant that is naturally tapered, train bamboo branches into guides, and insert metal rings inside the bamboo guide, however this amount of effort would be difficult and take many hours of labor, and you would still require metal inserts as installation. To get a better idea of what I'm talking about, look up circus trees.

 

Gmo and GE are the same thing

 

 

[Further North]

11 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

...it must be a gag...

Check the date... ?

[PressuredFishing]

1 hour ago, Further North said:

Check the date... ?

Oh lol....

[Jar11591]

I got got about a dozen times yesterday….this one didn’t get me! 

[bulldog1935]

If you plant bamboo in your yard, you will hate yourself, your neighbors will join in, and the following generations in your neighborhood will keep up the hate tradition.  

It's impossible to remove once it's rooted.  

 

I did notice in Grant Petersen's April bicycle blog, that he owns the same-period Leonard as my c. 1915 Fairy Catskill

https://www.rivbike.com/blogs/grant-petersens-blog/april-blahg?mc_cid=9e74c24a26&mc_eid=68b5c9e546

[Fallser]

Well played by Orvis.  I didn't notice the date at first, but when I read that it would also have the guides growing as part of the plant.  Right.   I've never had the urge to own a bamboo fly rod.  Figure it's easier to break than graphite, not to mention the price.  There was one on the Orvis website that went for $4,500.  How about a poor man's bamboo fly rod.  I may have to consider it after I finish rebuilding a couple of my dark side rods.  There's some two piece bamboo fishing poles for under $5 on line.  I use single foot spinning guides on my fly rods.  A cheap cork grip and reel seat and I should be good for the chalk streams of England.  I'd have to figure out what weight rod I'd end up with.  Hopefully something in the 5 to 8 wgt range. 

[Further North]

10 minutes ago, Fallser said:

Well played by Orvis.  I didn't notice the date at first, but when I read that it would also have the guides growing as part of the plant.  Right.   I've never had the urge to own a bamboo fly rod.  Figure it's easier to break than graphite, not to mention the price.  There was one on the Orvis website that went for $4,500.  How about a poor man's bamboo fly rod.  I may have to consider it after I finish rebuilding a couple of my dark side rods.  There's some two piece bamboo fishing poles for under $5 on line.  I use single foot spinning guides on my fly rods.  A cheap cork grip and reel seat and I should be good for the chalk streams of England.  I'd have to figure out what weight rod I'd end up with.  Hopefully something in the 5 to 8 wgt range. 

I've owned one bamboo rod, a Dave Norling 5 wt.  A beautiful piece of functional art, it just wasn't the kind of rod I like to fish with.  Far to "soft" with a slow action that just doesn't suit my casting style.

I sold it to a very enthusiastic fan of bamboo rods who fishes the hell out of it, which is what the Norlings want for the rods they make.

There are "affordable" bamboo rods out there, made by custom rod makers.  A good friend just commissioned and took delivery of a full custom "musky" bamboo fly rod in 11 wt. to go with his vintage Rhinelander boat from Denver Cane ( https://www.denver-cane.com/ ) for well under $1,000.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Fallser said:

Well played by Orvis.  I didn't notice the date at first, but when I read that it would also have the guides growing as part of the plant.  Right.   I've never had the urge to own a bamboo fly rod.  Figure it's easier to break than graphite, not to mention the price.  There was one on the Orvis website that went for $4,500.  How about a poor man's bamboo fly rod.  I may have to consider it after I finish rebuilding a couple of my dark side rods.  There's some two piece bamboo fishing poles for under $5 on line.  I use single foot spinning guides on my fly rods.  A cheap cork grip and reel seat and I should be good for the chalk streams of England.  I'd have to figure out what weight rod I'd end up with.  Hopefully something in the 5 to 8 wgt range. 

You can make your own bamboo rod for low cost, the time is where the cost comes in. It’s just 6 equilateral triangles wrapped together, the rest is up to you. My buddy made one and caught a nice hybrid with it

[Further North]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

You can make your own bamboo rod for low cost, the time is where the cost comes in. It’s just 6 equilateral triangles wrapped together, the rest is up to you. My buddy made one and caught a nice hybrid with it

I know a few folks who do this as a hobby.

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, Further North said:

I know a few folks who do this as a hobby.

Stan Smart was the guru around here. It’s a great project for retirement. Much like boat building, you’ve always got more to do 

[Further North]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Stan Smart was the guru around here. It’s a great project for retirement. Much like boat building, you’ve always got more to do 

I don't have the patience for either.  I love to see the finished work though.

[bulldog1935]

My fishing buddy, retired Baptist preacher, and noted rodbuilder Floyd Burkette will attest that even a $1000 rod is working way below minimum wage.  

It's strictly a labor of love.  

Floyd builds everything himself, from butt cap to tip-top.  

The custom reel seat (to accept 2-7/8" 1917 Hardy foot) and the hex rod tube are mesquite.  

He machined his own die for wire-forming snake guides, and offers it to other rodbuilders.  

He's machined nickel-silver parts for me in repairing OP's valuable antique fly reels.  

 

[Further North]

That's very nice work!