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Vintage Fly Fishing Rods
Bamboo Fly Rods
VIntage bamboo fly fishing rods are our passion! Bamboo starts life as a living organism, a member of the grass family, and is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. After harvesting, it is dried, split, and crafted into fine bamboo fly rods. These rods can be used for everyday fishing, added to your collection, or used as period furnishings.
New fly anglers are often unaware that modern graphite fly rods behave differently than bamboo fly rods, which have slower actions and are more responsive. There’s a good reason why Orvis has been making bamboo rods continuously for over 130 years; they just work.
Why do bamboo fly rods remain so popular? Partly due to nostalgia. Many people purchase vintage bamboo rods because they remember them from their youth. Uniqueness and aesthetics also play a role; similar to a fine wood desk that has developed a patina over years of use, an heirloom bamboo rod exudes character.
Some believe that the bamboo in a rod is still alive, carrying with it the soul of its maker, much like a finely crafted Samurai sword. What a beautiful thought!
Fiberglass Fly Rods
Fiberglass, developed during WW2 for use in making antennae for military vehicles, was subsequently utilized to produce fiberglass fly rods. These fly fishing rods offer a medium fast action, positioned between bamboo and graphite fly rods, which many anglers appreciate. Moreover, fiberglass rods are incredibly strong and require very little maintenance.
Although their domination of the market was cut short by the rise of graphite fly rods, major tackle manufacturers, including Orvis and Redington, continue to produce fiberglass models.
Graphite Fly Rods
Graphite was developed for use in aerospace and military applications. Fly rods made from graphite were introduced in 1974, marking a significant evolution in fishing gear. These early graphite fly rods formed a 'bridge' between fiberglass fly rods and modern graphite technology. Designed with tapers, lengths, and line weights similar to fiberglass, this new material cast and fished like fiberglass or even bamboo, while being lighter in weight.
Early graphite rods can be difficult to obtain, as collectors value them for their unique characteristics and tend to hold onto them.