Headwaters Bamboo Rods.

[jdmidwest]

Has anyone owned one of these rods that fishes on here?  Made in China with decent looking furniture.  I am looking at a 7' 4wt fast action stiff blank rod that I may like.

I have several Herters Bamboo rods with the slow tapers.  I take them out from time to time.  But I worry about the glue giving way and blowing up the rod after the 60 years that they have been glued together.  I think they were made in Japan.

 

[Gavin]

They were junk 15 years ago. The Classic Fly Rod Forum is still around. I'd ask over there. Those guys know all things bamboo and could point you in the right direction.  http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/

 

[Gavin]

There are several hobby builders around the state. I've built 7-8 of them, but haven't in years. I still have most of the tooling and a half dozen or more 12' culms of Tonkin in the basement, maybe someday, maybe sell it someone who would use it.

[jdmidwest]

I have a friend that builds too.  But he is building a house.  And I know a few more.

I have several, Heddon, Herters, and a Grainger I think.  I get them out from time to time and play with them but worry about the glue giving way on the unexpected big fish.

Headwaters was offering a 4 wt 7' fast action rod that looked fun on a sale they were emailing.  $329 for a single tip rod and a tube, pretty good price.  But, other than reviews on their site, I have no other knowledge of the company.  Websites look pretty and reviews can be altered to suit marketing.  I was looking for some real world hands on from this site.

I have always wanted to drop the coin on an Orvis.  But, my discount is pretty slim on them, and prices keep going up.  I wish I had done it back in the 90's as a dealer.  An old Wes Jordan era rod would be nice also.

But, I was looking for a beater that would not fly apart at the seams.  But, all Chinard rods are not made alike.  And even Orvis outsources some of theirs to the Chinards.  They seem to do pretty well and come in cheaper in cost.

[Gavin]

They old rods are still good . I would not waste money on a Headwaters though. It was about $250-300 each for stuff when I did that. It you want a nice Boo 4wt I’ll send you one (you pa shipping).

[jdmidwest]

6 hours ago, Gavin said:

They old rods are still good . I would not waste money on a Headwaters though. It was about $250-300 each for stuff when I did that. It you want a nice Boo 4wt I’ll send you one (you pa shipping).

So, you have owned a headwaters?  What was wrong with it?

[Gavin]

Ferrules were cheap, they may have upgraded. That's the downfall of most boo rods. 

 

[fishinwrench]

I've only handled a cane rod that would cast a line lighter than a 6wt. once, and I got the feeling that it wouldn't last a single day with me swinging it.  Just way too fragile feeling. 

They sure are pretty though.   

[Gavin]

They aren't fragile at all. They are allot tougher than graphite rods. 

 

 

[jdmidwest]

Yeah, they can take a hook nick and keep on ticking.  Graphite blows apart when you blow a cast with a heavy lure and hit the blank.

I started on slow glass, so the action of bamboo is similar to it.  I have never been a fan of fast graphite, it takes too much work to manhandle it.

Flyrods need to do the work, timing and flex is the key.