How to Straighten Warped Bamboo Fly Rods

Bamboo's fibers are more characteristics of grass than wood, and the directional "set" of the fibers are easily changed. If excessive pressure is continually placed on one side of the bamboo fishing rod for extended periods, the fibers become over-stretched, causing a permanent curve. Bamboo fishing rods can become warped due to improper storage, or just from being overworked while fishing, and once the fibers become over-stretched they cannot be "re-compressed." As such, in order to straighten a warped bamboo fly rod, you must equalize the pressure by stretching the fibers on the opposite (inside) side of the curve.

Things You'll Need

  • Bathtub
  • Straight edge
  • Section 1/2 inch of PVC pipe
  • 1-inch cotton gauze
  • Hair dryer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grasp the rod sections with your hands, just above and below the ferules, and pull them apart.

    • 2

      Place each one of the sections against the straight edge to determine the extent of the curve. Often it is only the top one or two sections that will be warped as these are the thinnest, and therefore weakest areas.

    • 3

      Fill a bathtub with tepid water and soak the warped sections for 30 minutes. Remove the rod sections from the water and dry with the towel.

    • 4

      Place the warped sections of the rod against the PVC pipe, with the inside of the curve facing the pipe. Secure the rod section to the PVC by wrapping with the cotton gauze.

    • 5

      Set the hairdryer to the low heat setting and blow-dry the rod sections until they are dry to the touch. Leave the rod sections on the pipe overnight to set.

    • 6

      Remove the sections from the pipe and check against the straight edge.