How to Build a Bamboo Fly Rod

The flexibility and texture of bamboo are ideal for crafting fly fishing rods. The sport requires using rods that can withstand the rigors of intense casting. The rods are made from precisely cut strips of bamboo and are incredibly flexible. With its practitioners hip-deep in teaming rivers, fly-fishing is both an active physical sport and a deeply satisfying meditation. Though challenging, crafting your own bamboo fly rod is a time-honored tradition in the sport.

Things You'll Need

  • 8-inch length of bamboo
  • Chisel and mallet
  • Block plane
  • Planing bar
  • Tubular oven
  • 100-grit sandpaper
  • Epoxy glue
  • Rod-binding machine
  • Cotton string
  • Tip-top
  • Grip
  • Reel
  • Nylon fishing line
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Instructions

    • 1

      Split the bamboo with a chisel and mallet. Break off six 1/2-inch strips. Clean off any flesh connected to the strips.

    • 2

      Place the strips in the planing board, and plane to a 60-degree angle.

    • 3

      Use a toothbrush to cover the strips with epoxy glue. Bundle the strips, creating a rod.

    • 4

      Place the rod in the rod-binding machine. The rod-binding machine will encase the rod with cotton string. Allow the epoxy glue to dry for at least 12 hours.

    • 5

      Place the rod in a tubular oven for 2 hours at 225 degrees F.

    • 6

      Remove the rod from the oven and allow to cool. Remove the cotton binding, and sand away any dried glue using 100-grit sandpaper.

    • 7

      Attach all the fishing rod hardware, including the tip-top, grip and reel. Thread the nylon fishing line.