GRANTHAM TWO-HANDED BAMBOO FLY RODS
~ FOR THE TRADITIONAL SALMON & STEELHEAD ANGLER ~ "Spliced joints for cane salmon rods are not so new," wrote John G. Lynde in his 1969 book, 34 Ways to Cast a Fly. "I had occasion to see one of Farlow's 'Denham Series' spliced salmon fly rods in the hands of Major L.R. Dunne at an international casting tournament in England in 1937 as well as during many hard practice sessions which preceded the tournament.
"…The advantages of spliced rods as opposed to ferrule-jointed rods are two-fold: first, the splices do not interfere with the action of the rod, insomuch as the rod behaves as one continuous length of cane; and secondly, a spliced rod will stand up to the torsion exerted by prolonged Spey casting whereas an ordinary ferrule-jointed rod will not. It stands to reason that casting should always be carried out with the splices square on to the direction of rod movement; this habit is easily acquired."
* * * * * The Spey cast (or switch cast) was developed in Scotland by salmon anglers using large, powerful, two-handed bamboo fly rods. Bamboo rods of 15- to 18-feet in length are now considered quite heavy, but smaller two-handed bamboo rods of 11' to 13' are easily handled and are extremely useful on most North American salmon and steelhead rivers.
My tapers are all original and are based on rods that were proven on the famous rivers of North America, Great Britain and Europe. The spliced joint is the universal favorite for double-handed cane rods because of the durability, lighter weight and smooth, one-piece action.
Spliced joints are taped together and offer a one-piece action with lighter weight. Electrical tape works extremely well, comes in clear and a variety of colours, is UV- and weather-proof, and leaves no residue.
Reel seats are single sliding band and "W" fitting. Reel seats, winding check and butt box are available in brass or aluminum.
| Home | Web site created and managed by Ron Grantham. Updated 01/06/2010.