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.

Now in South Africa: Two Stores, One Principle

Chris Clemes
Apr 14
2 min read

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 & Sea — Paarl

Stream & Sea is a dedicated fly fishing shop on Station Street in Paarl, run by people who fish and who understand tackle at a level that matters. Their shelves carry everything from flies and tying materials to waders and reels, and they offer guided days on the Cape streams through their Cape Streams experience programme.

This is the place for the angler who knows what a split cane rod is and has been thinking about one for a while — or for the fly fisher who wants to pick up a Sjambok S-Glass and feel the action before committing. If you are in the Boland and want to hold a rod in your hand before you buy, Stream & Sea is where to go.

16 Station Street, Paarl, 7646

streamandsea.com | Instagram: @streamandsea

Handmade Life — Franschhoek

Handmade Life is a creative retail space on Huguenot Street in Franschhoek, founded by Cindy and Stuart Douglas. The store is built around local craftsmanship — hand-turned wooden bowls, artisan furniture, carefully made objects for the home. There is nothing mass-produced on the shelves.

A Chris Clemes fly rod belongs here in the same way that a hand-built table or a turned pen does: as a piece of craft with a purpose. If you have never considered a split cane rod but you appreciate the work that goes into making something properly, this is how you might discover one — among other things made the same way, by people who care about the same things.

26 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, 7690

handmadelife.co.za | Instagram: @handmadelife.shop

Both stores carry the Sjambok S-Glass range. Split cane rods are available to order through either stockist, or directly from us at ccc@chrisclemes.com.

If you are a retailer in South Africa — or anywhere else — and would like to discuss carrying Chris Clemes rods, we would welcome the conversation.

Now in South Africa: Two Stores, One Principle

Stream & Sea — Paarl

Handmade Life — Franschhoek

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