Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods

<DIV>The bamboo fly rod still represents the pinnacle of the fly-fishing art; its apparent simplicity and delicacy belie the craftsmanship and strength that are the hallmarks of all great rods. A growing number of people have tried to learn the art of making bamboo rods from a shrinking number of secretive craftsmen. The revised and expanded <B>Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods</B> is the definitive reference for beginners and experts alike. Wayne Cattanach begins by explaining the qualities that distinguish bamboo from all other materials: It has a tensile strength akin to steel yet it is very light.<br><br>He describes the process that will take anyone from lengths of hard raw bamboo to a beautiful finished rod with clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations including how to find the best supplies; select tools and materials; make heat treaters and binders; cut culms; straighten bamboo strips; plane and stagger strips; bind strips; apply finishes; mount the reel seat ferrules and tip-top; and much more. This is surely the most thorough book available for those who wish to make and fish their own bamboo fly rods.<br></DIV>