Fishing Bamboo

An Angler's Passion for the Traditional Fly Rod

By: John Gierach

Narrated by: David Colacci

Once an angler masters a graphite rod, his interests often move on to the original fly rod, pliant bamboo. Until the mid-twentieth century, nearly all fly rods were bamboo. By the 1970s, fiberglass and graphite changed the world of fly-fishing. But more and more anglers are seeing bamboo rods in retail outlets, and want to give them a try.

With this book, John Gierach, one of the nation's top fly-fishing writers, provides a philosophical guide to the angler who seeks this new "old" method. Gierach discusses how bamboo rods are built, how they differ from graphite rods, and how using one will change a fly fisher's approach to the sport. Fishing bamboo might be the pinnacle of fly-casting skill, and this book will help take you there.

©2000 John Gierach (P)2024 Tantor

Bamboo fly rods have delighted me since my aunt gave me one when I was eight.

John answered most all of my questions about vintage Bamboo. He gave a good lesson in how to tell an interesting story as well. I can’t tell you which of the lessons I’ve taken from John’s book is more valuable. I have a better knowledge of the care and maintenance of a bamboo fly rod. I feel better equipped to make an intelligent selection of an old, second hand bamboo fishing rod. So all in all, I feel smarter than I was before reading John’s book. If this review sounds half way interesting, then I have to give John credit for having improved my ability to tell an interesting story. After all a good review is nothing, if not a good story. If you’re still reading at this point, then John must have taught me something about writing a good story. Thank you John, this was a book worthy of the time it took to listen to it.