Wayne Cattanach - Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods

Its a challenging task to make a bamboo fly rod but its just as big a challenge to write a book. Although Ive given many seminars on the subject, the transformation from spoken word to printed text has been a learning experience. Fortunately several friends have helped and encouraged me along the way. One person in particular has made this book possible Carlos Santos.

I met Carlos through our mutual interest in making fly rods. He dreamed of making his own bamboo fly rod, but he was struggling with the details and looking for advice. Through our conversations we discovered that we had many common interests, and over the years we have built a bond of friendship. Although we did not actually meet face-to-face until a year ago, I consider Carlos an old friend.

Other individuals who gave me valuable assistance and support in completing this project were Ron Barch, Glen Blackwood, Bob Hoekstra, and Joe Loverti. And at the Lyons Press I am indebted to Nick and Tony Lyons, Don Sedgwick, and Jay McCullough for their encouragement and editorial assistance.

Finally, I must thank my wife, Ben, and our children, Matt and Lyndi, for all their patience, understanding, and help.

• Length
• Line weight
• Action
• Number of pieces

• Cut culm (if needed)
• Prepare nodes (lower half for butt or midsection, upper half for tips)
• Split culm in half
  • Flame halves (if desired)

• Split
  • Each half into thirds (6 total pieces)
  • Each third in half (12 total pieces)
  • Each sixth in half (24 total pieces)

• 6 strips for butt from lower half of culm
• 6 strips for mid from lower half of culm
• 6 strips for first tip from upper half of culm
• 6 strips for second tip from upper half of culm (if needed)

• Cut to working length
• Mark butt end with red marker

• Plane diaphragm area
  • Sharpen blade (if needed)

• Press nodes and sand node areas
  • Reflame (if needed)

• Plane initial 60-degree angle
  • Check accuracy of angles
  • Sharpen blade (if needed)

• Plane second 60-degree angle
  • Check accuracy of angles
  • Sharpen plane blade (if needed)

• Bind strips for heat treatment
  • Heat-treat
  • Let cool

• Determine taper dimensions
• Double-check

• Adjust final planing forms
• Double-check

• Initiate planing of tapered strips
  • Alternate sides
  • Alternate strips
  • Sharpen plane blade (if needed)

• Ensure that corners are sharp
  • Additional planing (if needed)

• Check angles of strips
  • Measure the 3 flat-to-point combinations
  • Correct angles (if needed)

• Deal with lifting nodes (if needed)
• Use scraper (if needed)

• Plane to within 0.005 inch of target dimensions
  • Additional planing (if needed)

• Scrape strips to target dimensions