My new Fast Action Series of bamboo fly rods has been pretty popular with clients recently. I just completed a new 8′ 0″ 3 piece 5 wt. Bamboo Rod, headed to a client in Vermont. This is a wonderfully smooth casting rod with plenty of power that makes casting effortless, perfect for someone looking for a faster action rod.
An 8′ 0″ 3 piece Fast Action 5 wt. rod.
Very nice Highland Green primary wraps with Straw and Black tippping wraps.
I’ve been working with Olivia Elia for over 4 years now mentoring her in the art of building bamboo fly rods, and she is now building some incredible bamboo fly rods. She is also a talented Luthier building custom acoustic guitars and a musician. FlyFish Journal Magazine recently showcased her in an article in their magazine. And…now they have come out with a wonderful short video about Olivia…and there are a few shots of me also! You can check out the video at: SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING: Handmade Guitars and Bamboo Fly Rods crafted by Olivia Elia.
For the past few years, I’ve been working at designing and building Custom Bamboo Wading Staffs, and I’m excited to announce that I’m now offering them to customers. I build these Wading Staffs from the same Select Tonkin Bamboo that I build my fly rods with…they aren’t made from engineered bamboo flooring material. I offer these Staffs in lengths from 48″ to 52″, and build them with a custom Cork grip, an English Walnut end cap, and Pearsalls Cardinal Silk wrapping thread. I also include a retractor from Gear Keeper. The cost for these Bamboo Wading Staffs is $600.
Custom Bamboo Wading Staff
Custom Bamboo Wading Staff
For the past 4 years, I’ve been mentoring a very skilled young women here in Sisters, Oregon in the fine art of bamboo rod building. Olivia Elia works professionally as a luthier, building high end classic acoustic guitars for Preston Thompson Guitars here in Sisters, Oregon where I live. Olivia also has a tremendous passion for building bamboo fly rods, and she has become very accomplished in her rod building skills and talents. FlyFish Journal Magazine just did a profile in their latest issue on Olivia’s growth path in her rod building. Amber Keyser did a fantastic job writing the article and Toby Nolan shot some outstanding images for the article. Here is the article: Click here to see the Fly Fishing Journal Article.
Olivia splitting a culm of bamboo.
I do my best at keeping the prices of my bamboo fly rods, nets, and wading staffs down so they are affordable to many anglers. Yes, bamboo fly rods cost more than graphite fly rods of today…but really,…when did the cost of high-end graphite rods increase to $1600??? Every couple of years, I do an assessment of my costs for building my bamboo fly rods. Unfortunately, costs continue to go up. Over the past 3 years, I’m seeing these increases:
As a result of these increasing costs, I’m feeling that I need to increase the prices of my fly rods, nets and wading staffs. Any orders placed over the last days of this year will be at my current prices. Starting January 1st, 2025, the updated prices will be in place.
All two tip bamboo fly rods will be $2395
All nets will be $600
All wading staffs will be $600
Best Regards,
Dave Dozer