Making a Jointed Bamboo Fishing Pole

A bamboo fishing pole can bring back memories of lazy summer days spent dangling your toes and a worm in a cool stream alongside your dad or with your best pals. Durable and strong, bamboo cane has been used to fashion fishing poles for centuries. Making your own jointed bamboo fishing pole is an inexpensive way to carry on an old-fashioned tradition -- and, if you're lucky, bring home dinner.

Things You'll Need

  • Bamboo cane
  • Hunting knife
  • Handsaw
  • Sandpaper
  • String
  • Clean rag
  • Spar varnish
  • Fishing line
  • Electrical or duct tape
  • Slip bobber
  • Fishing hook
  • Split shot
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate a bamboo cane thicket. Cane grows in many hardwood forests. Select a green cane that is 10 feet long, and 1 to 1½ inches in diameter at the base. Cut it off the stalk using a hunting knife, and trim off any leaves.

    • 2

      Find a joint near the base of the cane pole. Cut through the bottom of a joint with a handsaw to square off the end of the base. Rub the base with sandpaper to smooth any sharp edges.

    • 3

      Tie a string around the tip of the pole. Tie the other end of the string around a rafter or tree branch so that the pole hangs upright with the base above the ground. Allow to the pole to dry in this position for several weeks until the bamboo turns tan.

    • 4

      Rub the pole with sandpaper to smooth any rough spots. Wipe the dust off the pole with a clean rag. Apply two or three coats of spar varnish to the bamboo, and allow each coat to dry before applying the next coat.

    • 5

      Wrap fishing line around the pole several times at the base end a few inches above where you plan to hold the rod. Tie a knot in the line, then wrap electrical tape around the pole, line and knot several times to secure it.

    • 6

      Lay the line tight along the length of the pole. Wrap electrical tape several times around the tip to secure the line. Choose two evenly spaced points along the pole, and wrap electrical tape several times around the rod and line at each point.

    • 7

      Measure the line 10 to 12 feet from the tip of the pole and cut. Slide a slip bobber onto the line., and tie a hook to the end. Secure a small split shot onto the line a few inches up from the hook.