Old vs New Fly Rod: Fly Fishing for Backcountry Trout!

Last summer one of my buddies told me that his grandfather had given him an old bamboo rod that he believed was made sometime in the 50’s or 60’s. He mentioned that at some point he wanted to catch a trout on the rod.. so almost a year later.. we decided to try and make that happen.
My buddy McKinley is a bass fisherman from North Carolina. His trout fishing experience is minimal and his fly fishing is not the most impressive thing you’ll see. Which is why I decided to take him on a hike down into the middle of nowhere to chase some native brook trout. Fishing these creeks usually doesn’t require any crazy casts and the fish see little pressure in comparison with most other rivers. In other words it was a perfect place to get on a fish using his grandpas old bamboo rod.
can tell you one thing for sure.. and it’s that I’m glad we’ve got our modern rods. I think even a poor quality modern rod is easier to cast and weighs a lot less than this rod did. I’m sure some purists or old timers may not like that opinion, and I’m not saying there aren’t upsides to the older bamboo rods… but my gosh that thing was so uncomfortable to fish for any decent period of time. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
This is fly fishing at it's finest! Brook Trout don't get any prettier than this! #troutfishing #flyfishing #brooktrout #outdoors #nature

[@michaelsmith7193]

To be sure, those were lovely brook trout and I’m delighted to see your friend catch his first native trout on a fly with his grandfather’s bamboo. Looked like a nice old South Bend. Yes, indeed, they were pretty hefty. But a couple things in bamboo’s defense (from a very senior angler who still loves to fly fish for natives with an old “cane”: even “back in the day,” anglers used a size bamboo rod appropriate for the species. A 6’ to 7.5” bamboo would have been the rod of choice for smaller waters (and fish). The line would have been quite different, too. What we would regard a #4 or #5 weight today would have been letter-coded as an HFH or an HEH, and these likely would have been double taper lines, not weight forwards. In many instances, even into the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, many a serious fly fisher would have still used silk fly lines. Yes, the maintenance on them was significant; but well cared for, they were thinner and very, very “slick.” They could load and shoot well on the slower bamboo rods. Obviously, easy-to-no-maintenance synthetic lines won out in the ‘60’s. To be sure, the timing of the cast between bamboo and graphite is nearly night and day. It has been my experience that I tend to false-cast less and achieve better accuracy with my beloved old bamboos. But I think modern rods are pretty awesome, too, and have well earned their place in modern fly angling. Always enjoy your excellent videos - this one was especially fun to watch. Please tell your friend to hang on to his old bamboo. He may wish to try fishing a streamer or a popping bug for bass with it one of these days.

[@hardmanfishing]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!!I knew generally that the line / reel we were using wasn't suited for that rod but I didn't have anything else to use with it so I had to make it work. I wonder if you can still buy silk fly lines? I'm sure someone sells them. But he'll definitely be holding on to the rod. Thanks for watching.

[@MrGrentch]

@@hardmanfishing Ah feck how did I miss this vid. 🙂 Yep you can still get silk lines alright.There are a few companies in Italy and France that produce them as fly guys in those parts are still keen on them. They're pricier than synthetics, but they last forever if looked after. I use silk myself. Why? Well my dad who taught me did and he'd been flyfishing since the 1930's(I'm not _that_ old, he married late. 😛), though he went to synthetics pretty quickly. As did I, but he gave me two of his old Kingfisher silks in the 90's and I tried them(I still have one). I found even with modern lines getting better and better, like Michael said silk is still thinner for the line weight. It's got almost no stretch so staying in contact is better. It's also pretty much immune to line memory, is more supple and because it uses a floatant rather than inbuilt buoyancy it floats on top of the water rather than slightly in it, so in difficult riffles you generally get more time before it drags compared to synthetics. Being thinner it also slices through the wind. Ungreased it's a _fantastic_ intermediate line. A friend of mine's fishing tackle was designed by MIT and made with secret materials from Roswell and whose rods are stiffer than a politician in a cathouse(I swear his right arm looks like Popeye's), I suggested he try one of my silk lines. He put in an order for two online that night. And this is a guy who thinks anything over three years old is horrifically traditionalist and out of date. My main rods are a pair of Hexagraphs, a Bruce & Walker invention of the early 90s(?) where they in essence made "bamboo" type rods using the old construction methods using carbon and a special foam for the inside. I believe they were made and sold in the US too by specialised builders under the Hexagraph name. They're much lighter than cane and faster in action for the tapers, but slower than modern tubular rods and heavier too. They suit me and my style of fishing tbh. Now I'd not dream of using them for real distance work(unless spey casting for salmon in longer sizes), but for rivers and streams. Or creeks for you US folks. If I pointed to most Irish rivers you'd likely say while pointing to a pic on your phone of your hometown's river: "that's not a river, _this_ is a river". 😄Except for our river Shannon that's a big bugger. One serious advantage cane or hexagraphs have for close in work is actually their weight. The tip loads even without a line. As Michael also noted you tend to false cast less and they're way more accurate with less work(and skill) required. I'd regularly lift off 30 odd feet of line(easier because again silk floats on the water) and on the back cast redirect and lay the line down upstream. OK sorry, that was a novel, with subplots. 😁TL:DR? Great vid, as usual. Cool to see his granddad's gear being used and appreciated. And yep I've a dark side, because I wanted to see himself fall in. 😄

[@williamweiss6128]

Don't know how to fly fish, so, went camping a couple years ago in N Idaho, took a Montague Redwing rod that was left to me. Bamboo. So, anyhow, I picked a salmon egg looking fly, repeatedly hooked up to the cutts up there. So fun.

[@nathanchapman9836]

The South Bend 59-9 is a 9’ 7/8w rod meant to be used for bass fishing. Being a NC bass fisherman, that’s perfect for him. Tell him to take it to a bass pond and cast poppers with it on a WF7 bass taper fly line.

[@ronuhlenhopp5819]

Nathan I agree with your point: You're exactly right! If you want to better compare a bamboo fly rod with a modern graphite rod, then a two piece cane rod for 3, 4, or 5 weight fly line would be more comparable and appropriate for trout fishing.

[@terrygwilson9628]

Really enjoyed this video, mainly for nostalgia reasons. I am proud to realize I own my dad’s old bamboo rod, along with the original wooden case, and a few old flys. Sadly, no reel. It has a reel, probably a sixties, as told by my oldest brother who gave the outfit to me many years ago. No trout caught, but a few bluegills. My brother, who is 87, ( I’m 77) gifted this to me years ago. I will be gifting it to a granddaughter, who loves to fly fish with her papa. Hopefully I have a few good years left. My old bro said he thought dad purchased this as a combo at a Sears store in the late fourties’ after the war. Oh my goodness, thank you for rooting up some tear dropping memories.

[@dp-bi2ib]

That is indeed a 7/8 bass rod. It looked like you were using too light a fly line. Modern reels usually suck on bamboo because they are muck too light to balance the rod. Since bamboo loads deeper in the rod you need to slow down you casting stroke and let the rod do the work for you. If you get a chance sometime to a 7-to-8-foot rod in a 4 or 5 weight with a proper reel to balance the rod give it a try. I think you will love it.

[@patricks.6812]

I fish my 8ft, 3 piece cane rod all the time. It's my favorite all around trout rod.

[@patjordan1955]

Good gosh unbelievable colors on those fish! So pretty!

[@daletowler1354]

nice hole at the falls, I love fishing fast water

[@dangaspar1707]

I always enjoy your videos, but this is a really great one. Love the old rod and backcountry fishing

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Definitely a fun one to film

[@jacobdalziel3996]

Hay man I am still fresh to fly fishing but already loving it and got my dad's old vintage fly reel around 50 year old but love it and watching your videos inspired me more over time now

[@pierrelalonde1887]

Absolutely amazing as always buddy 👍😃👍

[@mlg2416]

I love this video. The rod is beautiful and so cool to see it in action!

[@richardjones2129]

Thanks for sharing a nostalgic bamboo rod. Yes they are different to work with. I've one and it took a little practice and various lines b4 I found one that went well with the slower actions of the bamboo rod. Then I took it out on the river in the spring n caught a small steelhead heading back out to the ocean. It was quite the experience! I agree with it being shorter for smaller streams. I've a 70+yr old glass 7.5' 5wt pack rod that I tote up on small creeks. Long is much more difficult to work with. Keep the good videos coming! God Bless n Fish on!

[@hardmanfishing]

For sure! Once I got the timing down it was fun to fish with. I'd be interested to know if the modern day bamboo rods are lighter. Thanks for watching!

[@jessepritt12]

Good man !!

[@patjordan1955]

That old rod is awesome!

[@herkimerjay]

I on occasion do vintage days on the streams. I use my 2 piece horrocks ibbotson president fly rod. Still a great rod.

[@henryleslievermont6004]

My favorite Fishery :) Enjoyed the old school Flyrod.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jimgollach6202]

Yes bamboo is heavier, but that bamboo rod is nostalgic, and is a keepsake. I wish I owned one. Enjoyed watching. 👍

[@vincentphillips9252]

Excellent video. The bamboo rod has as many or more design types that the most modern modular/composite ones. There have been and are today made to suit the water and fish targeted. Your backwoods mountain spring fed brooks are a special delight and require skillfull technique. A properly sized bamboo 6',7',and up to 8' or 8 1/2' in 5wt would shine. The special feel of bamboo send the message " slow down and let me do the work",accuracy follows. The historic Montauges and the Heddon "Black Beautys" were the tools of yesteryear and remain highly prized today. You may someday come across one someday- slowly and gracefully Picking the pockets ahead of you. ky

[@agib1368]

I love seeing nostalgic rods. I have a vintage bamboo rod from the twenties, and it’s a very limber and slow rod. It’s very heavy to boot. Old school fly anglers were tough as woodpecker lips to use one all day

[@intothewild2345]

I agree! My gpa built the house I live in1950 on a 150 acre farm, barns he built in the 50's still help me in cattle today. I have his fly rod same as in this video South Bend Comfiicient grip. awesome

[@hardmanfishing]

@@intothewild2345 That's so cool!!

[@ronuhlenhopp5819]

Please consider comparing a feather light two section bamboo fly rod for 4 weight fly line with your modern graphite fly rod. The South Bend 9 foot bamboo fly rod was intended for bass and other larger fish requiring much heavier fly line to cast larger streamer flies and surface poppers, for example. The South Bend bamboo rod likely weighed 6 ounces or more. Of course it will feel tip heavy. Modern two-piece bamboo fly rods can be hollow built and are extremely pleasant to cast and fish all day. Shorter bamboo rods under 8' are a joy to use. I fish bamboo using 3, 4, and 5 weight fly lines in two-piece configurations so the assembled rod has only one metal ferrule. Long bamboo rods with three or more ferrules are quite tip heavy and are often unpleasant to cast. I hope that your readers do not push bamboo fly rods aside because you and your friend were using a heavy cane rod that was designed and meant for bass and other larger fish. Fishing with that South Bend bamboo rod for stream trout is like killing a flea with an elephant gun. Ron U.

[@intothewild2345]

I've got my grandpas fly rod same as this Comficient grip, but burl reel seat. Never met him. It was gifted to me and is what got me into fly fishing. So cool to see this one in use and catching fish. This video was great! and am going to show my dad, after all he gave me the rod 😃

[@richardjones2129]

That's good stuff. Hope ur dad appreciates the video as mu as we did.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's awesome!! This is the second comment I've seen where someone else has the exact rod (or super similar). Must've been somewhat popular back in the day

[@leemowers9395]

It was funny watching you give u on the drift with the bamboo rod and miss the take on the dry fly. Looks like something I would do. Fish on

[@daletowler1354]

Hello Hardman, some one back in the early 70's gave me a ted williams bamboo fly rod and had extra tips, be safe watch those snakes early spring

[@obozomustgo5449]

Those old bamboo rods are really cool. I actually bought my oldest brother (God rest his soul) an RL Winston bamboo rod at a garage sale in San Fran back in 1984. I think I paid $20 for it back then. Looking them up now I am shocked at how expensive they are. We used to fish in the Sierra Nevada mountains south of Lake Tahoe back then. Great memories.

[@hardmanfishing]

Some of the new bamboo rods are thousands of dollars! It's incredible. I've thought about trying to buy one just to have one though... there's a local rod maker who sells them.

[@chesterpielock8824]

Ya ,You boys are getting an education! Bamboo is alive and create wonderful rods. Always fun to watch. 6 pieces of bamboo by the way. You should be using a 7'-7.5' bamboo it would be mucho fun. That rod is for a BIG river or boat fishing. The brookies are not going to break that big bamboo. Practice boys,practice. Lotta learnin' to be done down there in West Virginy .A nice bamboo is as good ,if not better than any modern rod, even the $1000 ones.You're gettin' there. Cheers,Chet

[@hardmanfishing]

I figured as much! Thanks for watching!

[@chs9627]

@49 seconds in, those are ramps. They sell for about 30dollars a lb where I live. They are a perfect green to cook with your fresh caught trout.

[@daletowler1354]

that brook trout been in the water along time

[@appleseeD552]

Great vid as always....props on usin the Old School bamboo 😮👍....feel kinda bad for the dude that had trouble goin up a hill....🤔....musta been the elevation?🤷‍♂️ Either way, thanks for makin this bro. Peace✌😎

[@woofie8647]

Read "Fishing Bamboo" by John Gierach. The ins and out of old bamboo rods have never been explained better. The rod you are using was one of the cheaper rods of the era and a real bear to cast. Well made, more expensive, bamboo rods were thinner and lighter and fun to cast, but any 9 foot bamboo rod is going to be heavy compared to today's rods. Heddon, Phillipson, and Granger are three of the companies that made very good-excellent rods that did not cost a fortune, and even some good Orvis bamboo can be had today for Less than $700. But this SB is one of the worst rods you could start with. (SB did make some good bamboo though)

[@serpent6710]

That 59 is a bass taper. It was also designed by wes jordon who went on to revitalize orvis, producing some of their best cane rods.

[@matthewwhite876]

I have a hardy split cane made in 1951 that I still catch big browns on

[@intothewild2345]

The old fly rod is a South Bend 1949-1950 model they stopped the grooved Comficient Grip in 1951 in the #59 I have a 1941-42 359-9 more for dry fly similar rods.

[@jeffrey4869]

Looking at the path/trail you guys walked in on, it looke familure. Did you do a vid on this stream previously? Good on you for getting your bud onto some natives. Love it.

[@hardmanfishing]

Shoot I don't know probably! I've for sure fished down in there quite a bit as do others. It's a little slice of heaven

[@larryhudson4511]

Not to hurt anyone's feelings but shiny ferrules are a sure sign of a low quality rod. Great water and beautiful Brookies!

[@johncalabrese6467]

Fresh made bamboo rods are fine, however, as old bamboo (decades old) they lose some of their spine and sensitivity. That being said, new bamboos are great although expensive! So poignant in using grandpa's rod! love it!

[@hardmanfishing]

They're so expensive now!! But I'm tempted to try and get one... We'll see

[@user-fk8rb8ue5h]

Depends what you use it for. In England on the chalk streams, you only cast to a rising trout so you're not using it very often. Hope you found that useful

[@hardmanfishing]

I figured that may be the case. I actually cut out a section of video where I said something along the lines of "I'd bet the people who typically use these rods are site fishing for trout rather than making dozens of blind casts" which makes sense. That's just not the fishing I typically do

[@matthewwhite876]

I use my 1951 hardy split cane for euro nymphing, drys, and indicator fishing all day on big browns, it's heavy and take practice turning slow loops but it's awesome and has a shitload of backbone

[@chaoyang9080]

I think the line is an important factor for bamboo rod. Double taper maybe better?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Hey Hardman. I recently flipped a house and found an ancient looking rod that imo looks to be made of bamboo or some really really old wood colored fiberglass. What do you think would happen if I tried to fish with it? The previous home owner died in that house at the age of 93. The rod doesnt have a reel seat like i'm used to seeing, no threads, just a couple of metal rings that slid up and down. Is this normal?

[@hardmanfishing]

I think that was somewhat normal back in the day. And I have no idea if it would break or not, but only one way to find out (unless it has some sort of value).

[@matthewwhite876]

At 6mins, always set down stream bro

[@Flyrodder68]

The truth is ...a good caster can cast a willow switch

[@sammayton4872]

What’s the brand in the rod you were using?

[@briljantje9583]

Is that a straight bamboo rod? It seemed to me a splitcane rod: Split and glued bamboo.

[@hardmanfishing]

No clue. Don't have much info on it and I don't know much about bamboo rods

[@ronuhlenhopp5819]

It's a South Bend 9'0" 3 section split bamboo bass fly rod. It consists of equilateral triangular strips of bamboo glued together.

[@1790jman]

Can I ask what net that is your using

[@hardmanfishing]

Catch cam net!