Selected History of Bamboo Fly Rods
Fly Fishing Rods were not always high technology creations of Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass or similar that you find on the market today. There was a time, not long ago, when a large stick with a string secured to the end served as an effective fishing rod. The first major evolution in fishing was the development of the split bamboo fishing rod. The era known as the “Golden Age of Fly Fishing” lasted from 1920 to 1944 and commonly featured Bamboo Rods, Silk Lines and Dry Flies. During this time period it is commonly recognized that the Bamboo Fly Rod was perfected by Jim Payne. In fact, the modern, six strip, Bamboo Fly Rod was “invented” in Easton, Pennsylvania by Gunsmith Samuel Phillipe in 1872. The development of this modern Bamboo Fly Rod enabled Theodore Gordon, in 1890 to first fish English style Dry Flies on American waters.
The craft of building Bamboo Fly Rods was subject to the mechanization that was common in the industrial era. In 1869, Thomas H. Chubb and his partner William Marsten decided to build a modern fishing rod factory in Post Mills, VT on the bank of the Ompompanoosuc River; by 1875 they had the largest fishing rod factory in the world. Chubb’s rod factory sold both wholesale metal parts for rod manufacture and Bamboo rods direct to consumers. The factory burnt down in 1875 and was rebuilt, in 1891 the factory again burnt down. This time Chubb sold the location, and his rod company along with patents to The Montague Rod Company out of Massachusetts.
The Montague Rod Company was primarily a wholesale manufacturer of Fly-Fishing Rods. Following the acquisition of Thomas H. Chubb Rod Company, Montague was able to leverage Chubb’s retail catalogs and marketing prowess. Additionally, in 1899 Montague purchased its way into reel making business. Montague’s business peaked around 1925 and began a long decline with the death of founding brothers first Leander L. Bartlett (1922) and Eugene P. Bartlett (1925). The company’s stock was publicly listed in 1927 and did not fare well in the Great Depression. In 1933, the Chubb factory in Post Mills, VT was permanently shuttered. In 1934 the company was acquired by Ocean City Reel Company.
During World War II, similar to other manufacturing concerns in the United States, Montague Rod and Reel Company re-tooled to support the war effort. Fitting to their expertise, Montague manufactured Bamboo Ski Poles for the 10th Mountain Division. After the war, Montague continued as a brand into the 1950’s when bamboo was supplanted by Fiberglass and other modern materials. The slow decline of the bamboo era was further exacerbated by the embargo on trade with China after their communist revolution, blocking the import of Tonkin Cane.
Locating Classic and Antique Fly Tackle
When I began researching antique and classic Fly Fishing rods I decided the primary goal of my adventure would be to experience Fly Fishing with a cane rod. Many of the pieces available are rare enough that they should not ever be used in the field. As such, I confined my search to used middle quality equipment not in need of restoration. This level of quality is ideal for actually experiencing what entry level cane fells like without spending a bundle or damaging a priceless artifact.
A couple of sources come to mind as places to find antique or classic Fly-Fishing equipment:
- Yard Sales
- Craigslist
- EBay
- Antique and Curios Stores
- Tackle Shows
As a rule of thumb, the below brands are generally less expensive, not as valuable and better for everyday fishing use:
- Montague
- Heddon
- Orvis
On the more valuable end of the spectrum are the following:
- Leonard
- Thomas
- Payne
Since I settled on a Montague Rod I will note that the Manitou and Red Wing, are considered
their most collectible rods. Eventually, I settled on a Montague Rapidian 5 weight nine (9) foot fly rod; not a highly sought-after Montague rod, however one in great condition at a price under One Hundred Dollars ($100) on EBay. My rod had a slight defect, it is missing a snake guide, as I am skilled at DIY repair in the garage, all I will need is the correct thread winder and some varnish to repair.
Assembly and Care of Your Bamboo
While all rods require care, Bamboo Fly Rods, especially the older ones require additional measures of care. Bamboo is a grass; it is finished like wood and can decay or mildew like wood. Besides accidental damage like snapping the rod in a car door, water will also damage the rod if it is put away wet. Additionally, loose or damaged wrappings can leave an opening for water penetration. Damaged rod wrappings should be re-varnished to prevent water incursion while Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax is applied to preserve a bamboo fly rod properly stored vertically bagged in an aluminum tube (or similar).
Bamboo Enthusiasts
During New Jersey opening day, the first Saturday in April (4/6/2019), rivers are packed shoulder to shoulder and not enjoyable for a Fly Fisherman. To beat the crowds and enjoy the day Erica and I hopped in the Yukon and took a road trip to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor, NY.
As part of opening day activities, the center was hosting the Catskill Cane Revival at the Roscoe High School gym. Mike Canazon was on hand to help people learn about bamboo, try to cast a rod and answer any questions.
The amateur Bamboo Rod making enthusiasts at the center were more than pleased to share their factory and custom-built rods. We received a short tour of the factory located at the center; the center is packed with Everett Garrison’s tools. For anyone interested in Bamboo Rod construction the center offers a week long course in September, at the conclusion of the course you have your very own Bamboo Fly Rod.
A Clean Release
Finally, after a few days of effort I managed to hook a Trout on my Montague Rapidian! Father and I went fishing on Sunday morning together. He arrived at the Lazy K Ranch early and I made my pre-fishing Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese in a Cast Iron skillet. We geared up, hopped in the truck and marched out to an unnamed tributary of the Paulinskill. The Paulinskill was flowing at over 600 CFS, twice the normal rate, due to Friday night rain; making smaller tributaries a better option to locate fish. Our tributary was flowing strong though not as high and muddy as the Paulinskill itself. We hiked down to a section of three (3) pools which I have known to produce quality Trout.
Dad took a few casts with the spinner with no luck, he sat down on a rock. I slipped into place, tied on my Black and Coffee Woolly Bugger and completed a gentle roll cast up to the foam line between the fast and slow water. As the Bugger worked its way downstream, I felt a tug, as if I had hooked on a log at the bottom. As I went to wade out and unhook the snag, I felt movement in the rod tip and completed my strip set. Now the fight was on, I began attempting to manage my large Trout through the series of pools, trying to prevent the fish from wrapping up on a log or getting caught on the bottom. Finally, I was able to wrest the fish to the surface, it flipped onto its side and to my joy I discovered that it was a wild Brown Trout!
I gingerly tried to use my rod to gently persuade the fish to come to my net and not into the dense log jam below. Landing this Trout would not happen on this day, as I moved it towards my net the beautiful animal popped off of the Woolly Bugger hooked in its jaw. My pain at this loss was palpable!
Landing the Trout
I sometimes guide Fly Fishing on the Paulinskill and have been featured in an Eastern Fly Fishing article on the Paulinskill, so it is fitting that despite my travels, prospecting my home waters on a delightful May day, I took my first Trout to the net on the Bamboo. The rivers and stream of northwest Jersey have been running high all season due to the above average rainfall. This is great for Trout and a long sustainable season; however, it is immediately limiting to stream access the period of days directly after the storm.
On a warm Sunday afternoon, I found some time to steal away from the girlfriend and farm work in order to wet my line. The water was high so I tied on a Bead Head Black and Coffee Woolly Bugger with Silly legs, this is a great fly for May on the Paulinskill. In high water it can be swung and then given slight action as it reached the end of its drift. Carefully wading out into the river, I carefully targeted the slower runs with structure next to fast water. The fast water serves as a food escalator for the Trout while the structure within the slower water provides a comfortable and lucrative holding spot for the Trout.
I did one quick false cast and tossed by Woolly Bugger out into the slower water differentiated by a bubble line. The bugger landed hard in the fast water and quickly was tossed into the slower water where it began its lackadaisical drift over the invisible structure. The line slowly straightened out down stream and then quickly pulled….Fish On! I strip set the line and felt the fighting motion of a fish. This was the moment I had been working towards, landing a fish on my 1930’s Bamboo Fly Rod! After taking a quick picture, keeping the Trout wet the whole time, I thanked it for my momentary glory and released it.
Sources
http://www.thetfordhistoricalsociety.org/Chubb.html
https://www.montaguerodandreel.com/2017/07/17/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-montague-city-rod-company/
http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=27358
https://cffcm.com/news/2019/4/7/the-song-of-bamboo-at-the-catskill-cane-revival
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