What is the difference between a bamboo fly rod and a split cane fly rod?

A bamboo fly rod and a split cane fly rod are the same thing. In the United States, these handmade fishing rods are typically called bamboo fly rods, while in the United Kingdom they are known as split cane fly rods. Both are crafted from strips of Tonkin bamboo (Arundinaria amabilis), split and glued into hexagonal sections. Chris Clemes Fly Rods builds each rod by hand in the English split cane tradition.

Where can I buy a handmade bamboo fly rod in London?

Chris Clemes handmade bamboo fly rods are available at Farlows, 9 Pall Mall, London — one of the world's oldest and most respected fly fishing shops. You can also commission a bespoke rod directly through chrisclemes.com or contact Chris via WhatsApp at +44 7700 165059.

How much does a custom bamboo fly rod cost?

Chris Clemes bespoke split cane fly rods start at £1,550 for a 2-piece, 1-tip rod and £1,850 for a 2-piece, 2-tip rod. The Sjambok S-Glass rod is available at £599 including a handmade leather rod tube. Each rod is built to order with a lead time of approximately 3 months.

How long does it take to build a bespoke bamboo fly rod?

A bespoke Chris Clemes split cane fly rod takes approximately 3 months to build. Each rod is handmade from start to finish — from splitting and planing the Tonkin bamboo cane to wrapping the guides and fitting the reel seat. A 50% deposit is required to begin the commission.

Do you ship bamboo fly rods internationally?

Yes. Chris Clemes Fly Rods ships worldwide, including to the United States, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Rods are also available at stockists in South Africa: Stream and Sea in Paarl and Handmade Life in Franschhoek, Western Cape.

What is the best bamboo fly rod for dry fly fishing?

For dry fly fishing, a lightweight split cane rod in a 3-weight or 4-weight is ideal. Chris Clemes builds bespoke bamboo fly rods tailored to your preferred fishing style, river conditions, and casting stroke. Each rod is designed in consultation with the angler to deliver the perfect presentation for dry flies on chalk streams, spring creeks, or mountain rivers.

What is the difference between a 1-tip and 2-tip split cane rod?

A 1-tip split cane rod comes with a single tip section, while a 2-tip rod includes a spare tip — traditionally included by the finest English rod makers as insurance against breakage. The spare tip can also be built to a slightly different action, giving you two rods in one. Chris Clemes 2-tip rods are priced at £1,850.

What makes a fly rod an heirloom?

An heirloom rod is one built by hand from materials that can be repaired by hand, made for a particular person, and used. A rod that has been used by no-one is not yet an heirloom; it is only stock. Most heirloom rods carry an inscription — a name, a river, a date — that ties the rod to a specific owner and to whomever the rod is meant for next.

Are bamboo fly rods worth the price?

For an angler who fishes regularly and intends to keep the rod for life or pass it on, yes. A handmade split cane rod from Chris Clemes Fly Rods is priced from £1,550 and will, if looked after, fish for several lifetimes. Hills's own Test rod was still fishing after forty years; Chaytor's grandfather fished from fifteen to eighty-four. The cost-per-cast over that span is lower than the cost of replacing a graphite rod every ten years.

What is the best retirement gift for a fly fisherman?

A custom-built split cane rod with a personal inscription is, in our experience, the gift most retired fishermen end up using and keeping. It marks the occasion permanently, it is fished rather than displayed, and it suits the slower, more deliberate fishing that retirement makes possible. A 7'6" 4-weight or 8' 5-weight covers most English chalk streams.

Can a bamboo fly rod really last for generations?

Pre-First-World-War split cane rods are still in regular use on English chalk streams today. The work needed is minimal: dry the rod after fishing, store it loose in its tube, return it for re-varnishing perhaps once a generation. The reason for the longevity is that the rod was made by hand and can be repaired by hand.

Who actually makes a Chris Clemes rod?

Chris Clemes Fly Rods is a workshop, not a single bench. Chris is the founder and designs each rod, and is the person you will speak to from your first enquiry through to delivery. The rods themselves are the work of a small team of specialist craftspeople — blank-makers, rodmakers, finishers, and leather workers — each working on the part of the build that fits their craft.

How much does a Chris Clemes heirloom rod cost?

A two-piece, one-tip Chris Clemes split cane rod is £1,550. A two-piece, two-tip configuration is £1,850. The hand-written inscription is included free of charge. A 50% deposit reserves a build slot; the balance and shipping are invoiced when the rod is ready.

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Split cane fly rods London, England by Chris Clemes

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