Colorado Vintage Fly Fishing

Vintage Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods

Bamboo starts life as a living organism, growing rapidly until it is harvested and then dried, split, and made into fine bamboo fly rods. You can use these rods for everyday fishing, add them to your collection or use them as period furnishings.

New fly anglers are usually not aware of one fact; the graphite rods that their friends use behave differently than bamboo fly fishing rods, which have slower actions and are more responsive. There is a good reason why Orvis has been making bamboo rods continuously for over 130 years; they just work.

Why are bamboo fly rods still so popular? Partly due to nostalgia for sure. Many people purchase vintage bamboo rods because they remember them from their youth. Maybe due to their uniqueness. Partly due to aesthetics. Similar to a fine wood desk that has taken on a patina after years of use, an heirloom bamboo rod has character. And partly due to the way bamboo fishes. Bamboo rods are slower and more responsive. They make you relax and enjoy the experience.

Some people believe that the bamboo in a rod is still alive, that it carries with it the soul of its maker, just like a finely crafted Samurai sword.

Others believe that a bamboo rod communicates with them. No other rod type gives feedback to the angler quite like bamboo.

Vintage Fiberglass Fly Fishing Rods

Fiberglass, developed during WW2 for use in making antennae for military vehicles, was used after the war to produce fiberglass fly rods. Fiberglass rods have a medium fast action, somewhere between bamboo and graphite, that many anglers appreciate. Additionally, fiberglass rods require very little maintenance.

While their run in the marketplace was cut short by the introduction of graphite rods, they are still manufactured by major tackle makers, including Orvis.

Fly Rod Appraisal and Restoration

Do you own bamboo fly rods or fiberglass fly rods that need restoration? Whether your rod needs a complete restoration or just a few replacement windings or guides, let us bring it back to its original beauty and functionality. Send us your rod for an analysis of its condition and cost for restoration.

We also appraise vintage and classic fly fishing rods and reels to determine their history, age and approximate value. This is useful if you are considering restoring or selling them but can also be quite interesting if you just want know more about them. Find out if you have a $50 wall hanger or a $5000 treasure!