Bamboo blanks and kits
When selecting a quality bamboo fly rod blank, the details matter. I have handled several imported and domestic blanks that just don’t fish well. Although the prices may be good, you can end up with a truly inferior product that does not represent the true magic of fishing bamboo. The blanks we offer are top-of-the-line heirloom quality.
A quality blank starts with quality bamboo. The standard material is Tonkin cane. Tonkin has distinctive “powerfibers” running the length of the blank, and these powerfibers provide the strength and flexibility that makes bamboo rod such a pleasure to cast. With quality bamboo in hand, the next selection is the taper.
The taper is a set of measurements to which the bamboo is planed (shaped). The taper will determine the length, line weight, and action of the rod. There are countless tapers available. We have selected three tapers* from classic (golden age) bamboo rod builders (Dickerson, Leonard, and Payne). Each taper has it own handling characteristics which we detail in the description. Once the taper is selected, we move on to the ferrules.
The ferrule is the bridge that connects the upper (tip section) and lower (butt section) of the rod. Using the correct ferrules is critical. Select the wrong type (length, size, step-down, truncated, etc…) and the taper just doesn’t work like it was meant to. A bamboo fly rod is a system and when one part does not match the whole system will not be in harmony. If the ferrule is too long, you introduce a “stiff” spot into the taper and it just doesn’t fish well. If the ferrule is too small, you create a “hinge” where the sections are out of balance with each other. Each of the blanks we offer are equipped with handmade ferrules that perfectly match the taper they were designed for.
Finally, there is the attention to detail when it comes to craftsmanship. A good rodmaker will consider how the nodes are staggered to maximize strength, what type of glue is used to construct the blank, and more. All of our blanks are made by hand, one at a time in Virginia. The maker has over 20 years’ experience and his workmanship is highly respected. The blanks we offer check every box. You will receive a top-of-the-line blank built professionally from tip to butt and every inch between.
Not sure where to start when selecting a taper? We have listed below three classic tapers. The maker we work with is able to create any taper you like. Please send us an email or give us a call for more details.
Leonard 38H 7' 4wt. bamboo fly rod blank (two-piece single tip)
H.L. Leonard (designer)
Hiram Lewis Leonard (H.L. Leonard) born in 1831 is regarded as the father of the modern fly rod. Leonard’s legacy can be traced through both his technical mastery as well as having trained so many influential rod builders in his shop.
Leonard 38H (taper)
The Leonard 38H is a classic American dry fly rod. From the taper to the ferrules this rod functions as a complete system to deliver a dry fly with both accuracy and delicacy. For small stream fishing you will be hard pressed to find a better 7’ 4wt. The medium action offers a smooth working taper that balances the difference between sensitivity and control. The blank features a medium brown/honey tone just like Leonard's original rods.
Taper: Leonard 38H
Length: 7’
Line weight: 4
Rod sections: two
Blank tone: medium brown/honey
Tip: single
Ferrule: Leonard (installed and fit)
Additional information: The spline of each section has been marked with painters tape. You will want to place the guides on the flat that is marked. The ferrules have a registration mark (a small dimple in the base of the ferrule) these function like alignment dots and make aligning your rod during assembly simple.
Payne 101 7' 6" 5wt. bamboo fly rod blank (two-piece single tip)
Jim Payne:
Jim Payne was a second generation rod builder. His father Ed Payne designed fly rods for years teaching Jim the mechanics of a well made rod. Jim's tapers have a maturity about them that comes from long hours under the watchful eye of his father. Jim's attention to detail and mastery of bamboo make his tapers some of the most sought after.
Payne 101
The Payne 101 is considered among the very top bamboo rod tapers ever made. The taper is fast and crisp. Another small/medium water rod the 101 throws dry flies with surprising accuracy. The Payne 101 is an absolute joy to cast and upon lining it up you will instantly why realize bamboo stands alone as king. This blank comes complete with fitted ferrules that maintain the integrity of the original taper. The blank features a medium brown/honey tone.
Please feel free to email us with any questions.
Taper: Payne 101
Length: 7’ 6”
Line weight: 5
Rod sections: two
Blank tone: medium brown/honey tone
Tip: single
Ferrule: Payne (installed and fit)
Additional information: The spline of each section has been marked with painters tape. You will want to place the guides on the flat that is marked. The ferrules have a registration mark (a small dimple in the base of the ferrule) these function like alignment dots and make aligning your rod during assembly simple.
Dickerson 8014 8' 5wt. bamboo fly rod blank (two-piece single tip)
Lyle Dickerson (designer)
Lyle Dickerson was born in Michigan in 1892. Dickerson started building bamboo fly rods after losing his job during the Great Depression. His characteristically fast action rods along with his impeccable attention to detail make Dickerson rods/tapers among the most sought after today. The 8014 taper was devised later in Lyle’s life and reflects both this mastery of bamboo and decades of experience.
Dickerson 8014 (taper)
The Dickerson 8014 is an excellent blank to introduce you to fishing bamboo if your background is fishing graphite rods. The 8014 offers excellent control, a quick clean action, and a light tip that will protect delicate tippet. It offers all of the benefits of bamboo, while preserving the familiar feel and tempo of fishing a modern fly rod. This blank features Dickerson ferrules that maintain the integrity of the taper. This is one of my personal favorites. The blank features a medium brown/honey tone just like Dickerson's original rods.
Please feel free to email us with any questions.
Taper: Dickerson 8014
Length: 8’
Line weight: 5
Rod sections: two
Blank tone: medium brown/honey
Tip: single
Ferrule: Dickerson (installed and fit)
Additional information: The spline of each section has been marked with painters tape. You will want to place the guides on the flat that is marked. The ferrules have a registration mark (a small dimple in the base of the ferrule) these function like alignment dots and make aligning your rod during assembly simple.