<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Chris Clemes Fly Rods]]></title><description><![CDATA[Chris Clemes Fly Rods — Handmade split cane and S-Glass fly rods, crafted one at a time in England. Phoenix silk fly lines, English bridle leather rod tubes, and gift certificates. Available at Farlows, 9 Pall Mall, London and select stockists in South Africa. Bespoke commissions welcome.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:48:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.chrisclemes.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The fly fisherman's retirement gift: a rod with his name on it]]></title><description><![CDATA[A handmade split cane rod is the retirement gift a keen fly fisherman will actually use for decades — built to his spec, with his name on it, the same price as a stock rod.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/the-fly-fishermans-retirement-gift-a-rod-with-his-name</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4206d83c06bdad542579a7</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 06:15:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_12cb736402624bda8795ec6d5ce6608f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Father's Day gift for the fly fisher: a rod to pass down]]></title><description><![CDATA[Still looking for a Father's Day gift for a fly fisherman? A handmade split cane rod is built to be fished and passed down, and stock rods can be collected today.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/a-father-s-day-gift-for-the-fly-fisher-a-rod-to-pass-down</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2d040b44c7bef1d02fb165</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:33:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_fbca870469c547df8a053e62ec6e3f4b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bamboo vs graphite fly rods: why anglers are returning to split cane]]></title><description><![CDATA[An honest comparison of bamboo and graphite fly rods from a working English rod maker. Where each wins, what cane really costs, and why anglers are returning to split cane.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/bamboo-vs-graphite-fly-rods-why-anglers-are-returning-to-split-cane</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e1c275c4c584cedb0696c9</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:37:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_418e80683e2740da96a6214282eb9adf~mv2_d_2000_1333_s_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A day on the Avon — the ethos behind split cane fly rods]]></title><description><![CDATA[Chris Clemes fishes a 7' #3 split cane rod on the Hampshire Avon and talks about why bamboo rods are fishing tools, not trophies. Film by Chalkstream Fly.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/a-day-on-the-river-avon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a185e91c2da9ec26849e2d7</guid><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 15:55:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S67Nsd42keI" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How are traditional English split cane fly rods made?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A step-by-step guide to how a Chris Clemes split cane rod is built — from Tonkin bamboo to the finished, inscribed rod ready for the river. Around eighty hours of bench work, by hand, in our English workshop.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/how-are-traditional-english-split-cane-fly-rods-made</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fb3e1e7c961ad0b90049d3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 13:39:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S67Nsd42keI" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to prepare a silk fly line]]></title><description><![CDATA[A short guide to dressing, fishing and looking after a silk fly line — with two films from the workshop.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/how-to-prepare-a-silk-fly-line</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fb1bfb6d919e5ce8728596</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 11:32:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://video.wixstatic.com/eaf596_6bb5894753d746debe03bc8dc01f62d4" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Buyer's Guide to Bamboo Fly Rods]]></title><description><![CDATA[A practical guide for buying your first split cane fly rod — what they cost, what to look for, when to commission one, and the mistakes most first-time buyers make.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/a-buyer-s-guide-to-bamboo-fly-rods</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e1c3a9441ae2d5fdf394ac</guid><pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 15:47:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_6174d101c4044fafbbbacff12d04eb4b~mv2_d_2000_1333_s_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fly Fishing with Bamboo: A Different Kind of Day on the River]]></title><description><![CDATA[The First Cast Is Different You've picked up a bamboo fly rod before. Maybe at a fishing show, or borrowed from a friend who wouldn't stop talking about it. You loaded the line, took your stance, and prepared to cast the way you always do. Then something unexpected happened: the rod felt heavier in your hand. Not oppressively so. Just... present. Substantial. A graphite rod of the same length and line weight would feel lighter by comparison, a mere extension of your arm. But a split cane rod...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/fly-fishing-with-bamboo-a-different-kind-of-day-on-the-river</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e1c42d441ae2d5fdf395dc</guid><pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:03:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_d810d5edbe3a42b2a1dacf20ae3ca206~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bamboo Fly Rod Price UK]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you are researching bamboo fly rod prices in the UK, you have probably noticed a wide range — from around £1,500 to well over £3,000. Understanding what drives the cost helps you make a confident decision, whether you are buying for yourself or choosing a gift for someone special. Time.  A single split cane fly rod takes many weeks to complete. Each of the six strips is hand-planed to precise tolerances, and the rod passes through dozens of processes before it is finished. Design.  A...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/bamboo-fly-rod-price-uk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e45bc1a96d49e56ec1a041</guid><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:20:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_564c651230664df4843e00586673dd13~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Custom Fly Rod Maker — Handmade in England]]></title><description><![CDATA[Chris Clemes is one of a small number of custom fly rod makers still working in the UK. Every rod leaves our English workshop handmade from Tonkin bamboo — hand-split, hand-planed, and finished to the highest standard. We make split cane fly rods and S-glass fly rods, each one built to order. Why Commission a Custom Rod? A custom fly rod is not a luxury — it is a rod that works for you. When you commission a bespoke bamboo fly rod, the taper, length, line weight, and fittings are all chosen...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/custom-fly-rod-maker-uk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e463b843fd38a1bb73e49b</guid><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[bamboo rodmaking]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:19:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_f5be25fefbe1452bb26dac6f6acd91a0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fly Fishing Gift Ideas — Gifts for Anglers Who Have Everything]]></title><description><![CDATA[Fly Fishing Gift Ideas — Gifts for Anglers Who Have Everything Finding the right gift for a fly fisherman can be a challenge — especially if they already have a rod in every weight and a box full of flies. The best fishing gifts are the ones that feel special, last a lifetime, and remind the recipient of the person who gave them. A Handmade Split Cane Fly Rod There is no finer gift for a fly fisherman than a handmade bamboo fly rod. A split cane rod from Chris Clemes is not just a fishing...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/fly-fishing-gift-ideas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e471a08b434ed4ac302171</guid><category><![CDATA[flyfishing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:15:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_0c4f624e371e4540a4074ac1ba767431~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_600,h_420,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Makes the Best Split Cane Fly Rod?]]></title><description><![CDATA[What makes handcrafted bamboo fly rods better for trout fishing? Five reasons split cane rods still earn their keep on the river. Feel. A bamboo rod loads progressively under the weight of the line. You can sense exactly where the rod is bending and how hard you're working it — information a fast graphite rod doesn't give you. Presentation. Cane bends deeper into the rod and recovers more slowly than graphite. The result is a softer turnover and a quieter delivery — particularly useful for...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/best-split-cane-fly-rod</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e3d0ad66edabdde7117a5a</guid><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:54:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_ab6ae7a9aa174f7a83f70c12279114ef~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_947,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chris Clemes Split Cane Fly Rod Review by Richard Gill]]></title><description><![CDATA[Richard Gill shares his experience fishing a Chris Clemes split cane fly rod on English chalk streams. A detailed review covering casting, presentation, build quality and the unique feel of a handmade bamboo rod.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/chris-clemes-split-cane-fly-rod-review-by-richard-gill</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5da5b26bb7c5ad00178f6a66</guid><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[bamboo rodmaking]]></category><category><![CDATA[flyfishing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:18:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_3a39308cbb4f427498932d55b6145c5d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_509,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Safeguarding the Endangered Craft of Split Cane Rod Making]]></title><description><![CDATA[Split cane fly rod making is one of the world's most endangered artisan crafts. With fewer than a handful of professional makers left worldwide, discover why preserving this tradition matters and what Chris Clemes is doing to keep it alive.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/safeguarding-the-endangered-craft-of-split-cane-rod-making</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5d6ce2ea81d86c00181f2148</guid><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[bamboo rodmaking]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:17:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_3e091b876a434509bf529b908ae76f2f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_400,h_300,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Now in South Africa: Two Stores, One Principle]]></title><description><![CDATA[Two very different shops. One shared conviction — that things made properly, by hand, deserve a place where they are understood. Chris Clemes fly rods are now available in the Western Cape through two carefully chosen stockists. Each represents a different way of encountering a split cane or S-Glass rod — but both share the values that guide how we build them. Stream &#38; Sea — Paarl Stream &#38; Sea is a dedicated fly fishing shop on Station Street in Paarl, run by people who fish and who...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/now-in-south-africa-two-stores-one-principle</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69de5727b9feb7db43b97c1a</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:03:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_ede731842bf14417a713a3273aa9b1ec~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_292,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Jan du Toits: A River You Have to Earn]]></title><description><![CDATA[April. The last weeks of the South African trout season. The fish are in their best condition of the year — deep-bellied, strong, coloured up after months of feeding through summer. The Cape mountains are beginning to turn. There are rivers in the Western Cape you can book on a Tuesday afternoon, and then there is the Jan du Toits. Some places you plan for. Others you wait for. The Jan du Toits Kloof — the JDTs, as it is known to those fortunate enough to have fished it — runs deep in the...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/the-jan-du-toits-a-river-you-have-to-earn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69de47861847596b2f5070ed</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:17:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_41b77412140043cda920e376f77bc396~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Our Rods at Farlows, 9 Pall Mall, London]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you are in London and want to see and handle a Chris Clemes split cane fly rod before commissioning one, you can find our rods at Farlows at 9 Pall Mall, St James's. Farlows is one of the oldest and most respected fly fishing retailers in the world. They have been outfitting anglers from their St James's premises since 1840 and the standard of their stock has always reflected that heritage. Having our rods in their care is something we take considerable pride in. Farlows typically holds a...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/our-rods-at-farlows-9-pall-mall-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a915da1fb1895eb272857c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:34:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_858d505f09424b77833cb07f270497bc~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_225,h_139,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trout Fishing in the Cape Winelands with a Split Cane Fly Rod]]></title><description><![CDATA[The streams of the Cape Winelands are among the most beautiful trout waters in the world. Running cold and clear through the valleys around Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, they offer a style of fishing that rewards patience, observation and a delicate presentation — qualities that suit a split cane fly rod rather well. The water Cape streams are typically small and gin clear. The trout — predominantly browns, with rainbows in some waters — are educated and selective. Drag-free drifts...]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/trout-fishing-in-the-cape-winelands-with-a-split-cane-fly-rod</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a914d5a29c2f981477523c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:30:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_3b303b8a558c488f8406609690a80e35~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_640,h_480,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bamboo Fly rods: Too Slow, Too Soft, Too Fragile. Dont you believe it! by Ron Barch]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve witnessed similar situations with synthetic rods snapping, but not with a bamboo rod.]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/bamboo-fly-rods-too-slow-too-soft-too-fragile-dont-you-believe-it-by-ron-barch</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5d4fd31451146a0017f14fc4</guid><category><![CDATA[flyfishing]]></category><category><![CDATA[bamboo rodmaking]]></category><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 11 Aug 2019 09:43:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_fb5a56f4478f40b9a0fe8313a2ca37fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Beginner’s Guide to Bamboo Fly Rods by Phil Monahan]]></title><description><![CDATA[Although the bamboo fly rod fell out of favor in the 1950s. Some anglers continued to prize the slow action and delicate touch offered]]></description><link>https://www.chrisclemes.com/post/a-beginner-s-guide-to-bamboo-fly-rods-by-phil-monahan</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5d4fcf787cad03001799515a</guid><category><![CDATA[flyfishing]]></category><category><![CDATA[bamboo rodmaking]]></category><category><![CDATA[Split Cane fly rods]]></category><category><![CDATA[Bamboo fly rods]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 11 Aug 2019 08:31:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eaf596_a0f79e4043aa4beeaeddbf2f461e8948~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_648,h_438,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Clemes</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>