How to choose a bamboo taper?

[Bruce Berman]

I've decided to do the bamboo thing. As it turns out, a buddy of mine (whom I trust implicitly) builds rods and he's worked on a number of cane blanks from Anglers Roost Enterprises. The blanks ARE from China, but my bud says they're good, and I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive starter rod. (Cost will probably be $400.)

I've got a list of "specs" to give him, but there's a lot of decisions to make, and I won't get to cast the rod until after it's made. I'm trying to get together with a guy in Tucson who has a collection of cane.

One big question is, how the heck do you figure out what taper you want? There are 19 blanks available in my desired rod weight range, and they are patterned after some of the historic rods, Hardy, Leonard, Heddon, Orvis, Payne, etc. What's a newbie to do?

Then there's the question of 2 piece vs. 3 piece...and length. Swelled butt? (No, I'm not getting personal)

I'm not sure my buddy will be able to give me all the answers. What do y'all think?

[Fats]

If you're worried about tapers at this point... you seem to be leaping ahead of yourself. I'd steer away from the swelled butt sections (just my preference...) I couldn't tell you one taper from another, but I know a cane rod that groves with my casting stroke.

What type of rod do you prefer? (Graphite... do you like a really stiff rod, or one with a slower more progressive taper) Do the rods have specific "actions" attached to them? A rod with a stiff butt section and a delicate tip may be more descriptive at this point that saying you have a "Garrison Taper" Rod makers and real cane junkies talk about tapers... the rest of us seem to cast rods and walk away with a general impression.

You said you have a friend that has some rods? Cast some of his and get an idea of what is out there and what is available. Then you can make a more informed decision.

Enjoy the journey! It can be more fun than arriving!

[Ed Wahl]

Bruce, you may be overthinking this a bit.

Your rod making buddy will ask you a ton of questions about how and where you intend to fish his rod, what you expect to get out of it, how you like to cast, your shoe size, whether you prefer pointers or setters. When he's done he'll very likely know more than you about which taper, etc, etc.

I'd be leery about going into this with a bunch of advice you got off the internet.

Opinions are like a_ _ _ _ _ _ s, everbody has one.

I'm with Fats though, cast as many as you can. Remember what you like and don't like, that's about it.

Good luck.

Ed

[Fats]

Bruce, you may be overthinking this a bit.

Your rod making buddy will ask you a ton of questions about how and where you intend to fish his rod, what you expect to get out of it, how you like to cast, your shoe size, whether you prefer pointers or setters. When he's done he'll very likely know more than you about which taper, etc, etc.

I'd be leery about going into this with a bunch of advice you got off the internet.

Opinions are like a_ _ _ _ _ _ s, everbody has one.

I'm with Fats though, cast as many as you can. Remember what you like and don't like, that's about it.

Good luck.

Ed

Now here I thought that was good advice from a guy off the internet!

;)

[Bruce Berman]

Thanks, guys. I guess I thought I was supposed to know the entire meaning of life. I'm still grappling with Ginger or Maryann!

[Fats]

Thanks, guys. I guess I thought I was supposed to know the entire meaning of life. I'm still grappling with Ginger or Maryann!

Maryann... definitely!

[Bruce Berman]

"Often wrong, seldom in doubt"

That says it all.

(Actually I agree. Hows this: NorCal = Maryann, SoCal = Ginger?)

[Fats]

"Often wrong, seldom in doubt"

That says it all.

(Actually I agree. Hows this: NorCal = Maryann, SoCal = Ginger?)


You could say that but... I'm from Detroit!

;)

[Ed Wahl]

OOOOOh, poor SoCal.:(

How 'bout this, Genie or Agent 99?

Ed

[Fats]

OOOOOh, poor SoCal.:(

How 'bout this, Genie or Agent 99?

Ed

If you include the magic hair snap.... Genie (No Brainer!) If magic is out of the offering, you know have a debate (errr discussion!)

;)

[caltagm]

Actually, Maryann (Dawn Wells) is from Reno...but you can borrow her for NorCal if you'd like. (That kinda thing is legal over here.)

Cheers,
Mike

[Bruce Berman]

Genie or 99. Barbara Eden, I believe or Barbara Feldon? I'm wracking my brain for that one. No way I could decide there.

When I wrote "Maryann = NorCal and Ginger = SoCal" I was commenting on the stereotypes, SoCal is glamorous and fakey, NorCal is more real, simpler, laid back, outdoorsey, folksey, inbred...well, this zonie will take NorCal anyday!

[Fats]

Genie or 99. Barbara Eden, I believe or Barbara Feldon? I'm wracking my brain for that one. No way I could decide there.

When I wrote "Maryann = NorCal and Ginger = SoCal" I was commenting on the stereotypes, SoCal is glamorous and fakey, NorCal is more real, simpler, laid back, outdoorsey, folksey, inbred...well, this zonie will take NorCal anyday!


And here I was thinking your were just talking about hair color....

[590Mike]

I always liked Genies' "naughty" sister...

[Phil Synhorst]

Sorry I have no advice on the Bamboo Bruce, but I'll chime in on the Genie vs. 99 question.

For me it would be Agent 99, I've always preferred the dark haired beauties.:wink: Although it would be interesting to be called Master all the time.:lol: