Bamboo "Stake" Rod With Wine Cork Handle and Seven Catfish.

Decided to try something different and make a homemade fishing rod. Was a good exercise in tying rod guides; even better, found that the Rod Wrapping Jig we made last week worked like it was designed!

Did not want to "waste" a lot of money on rod building material.  Used bamboo stakes from Home Depot for the rod blank, old wine corks for the handle, and rod guides from Academy.

Spent several hours today putting the rod together.  Ended with a 5 foot light/medium weight spinning rod.  Calling it the Bamboo "Stake" Rod with Wine Cork Handle.

Bamboo "Stake" Rod With Wine Cork Handle

Tested the outfit at Bethany Lakes this evening.  Caught seven catfish including one that went 17" in size.  Really like the thought of hooking a Bruiser and landing it successfully on a homemade fishing rod!

Seven Catfish at Bethany Lakes

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Old Bamboo Fly Rod Keeps Catching 👌 - Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod Series Round 3

Back out to the local pond fishing a Muddler Minnow using vintage gear - Southbend Bamboo Fly Rod and Shakespeare Fly Reel.

Was a little slow at first but managed to catch several Bass and Bluegill. Water was clear, could sight cast to most of the time.

Was frustrating at times as I could see fish look and then turn away from the Muddler Minnow.

Overall, the series has been a fun one to do!

Fly Fishing: Quality Fly Line and a Bamboo Stake Pole

The other day decided to demo casting a quality fly line using a bamboo stake pole normally used for gardeners to support tomato plants.

This round, fished a local pond and caught a fish or two using the bamboo stake pole as a fly rod, weight forward floating 6 weight fly line, and a Near Deere fishing fly.

Fun stuff!

flyfishing #fishing #bamboostake

One-Handed Spey Wish List

Getting Started Fly Fishing | Casting Quality Fly Line with a Bamboo Stake...?

That time of year when fishing questions start coming in. This one relates to getting started in fly fishing – specifically, our thoughts on budgeting for a fly rod/reel combo.

In this video, the introduction has a past video playing in the background… yours truly is casting a OPST Commando Head and no rod or reel at the local pond. It’s a quality line that makes for some nice casting especially when our back cast is clobbered.

Then, I describe a fly line that I will demo casting using a bamboo stake like the ones used to support tomato plants in a garden.

If a quality fly line can be cast using a stiff bamboo stake, then a good fly rod should easily cast the same fly line.

PS: Our suggestion has remained constant over the years… in general, we like to first purchase a quality fly line, then will buy the fly rod, and then either buy the reel last or repurpose one we already have.

That is, unless we are planning to use the new fly rod/reel combo for larger fish that require a good drag for fighting on the reel, then we will buy the reel before the rod or repurpose a rod we already have.

More Fun Catching Catfish on the Bamboo "Stake" Rod

More fun catching Catfish this morning at Bethany Lakes using the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.  Caught over a dozen, largest went 17" in size.  Did lose bigger ones and released more than pictured below.

Good to know the Bruisers are still there; bite stayed steady despite the heat. Bread for bait continues to produce.  Fishing rod looks like it can handle a Bruiser.  Will see what happens the next round.

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Can a Bamboo Fly Rod and Muddler Minnow Combo Catch Fish...!

On a whim, tied a Muddler Minnow and headed to the local pond with the Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod. After figuring our the pattern - short pauses between short pulls of the line, caught a Bluegill and several Bass!

Lots of fun knowing that a fly rod that is older than myself can still be used. I am a little careful when landing fish. But, I do think the rod will land a good size Bass or other similar fish.

Let's see if that happens sooner than later!

Try tying one, else purchase them from Amazon!

Three Catfish Using Bread for Bait and the Bamboo "Stake" Rod!

Fished Bethany Lakes again to see how the rain affected the fishing. Bite was slower than the other day but remained steady with more missed hooksets than landed. Regardless, caught three Catfish that went 17", 15.5", and 15" in size! All were caught using Bread for bait and with the Bamboo "Stake" Rod!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Really Liking the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.... Caught And Released About a Dozen Catfish!

Returned to Bethany Lakes for more fun with the Catfish.  Used Bread for bait and the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.  Caught about a dozen Catfish and took pictures of the three largest - 19", 18.5", and 15"!  Really liking the rod, especially since it as made on the "cheap side".

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod - Bass and Bluegill for Round 1

Tried the Bamboo Fly Rod for some pond fishing. Put a Fenwick Large Arbor fly reel initially, then switched to an old Shakespeare bought from Oshman's Sportimg Goods in the early 80s.

Had a Bass on but lost it. Was being careful not to horse the Bass in. Later, caught Bluegill and then ended with a Bass that I did land.

So far, liking the Vintage Fishing Series and fishing a fly rod from the past. Do check back for more!

Oros Strike Indicator - No Line Kinks? | Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod Series

Old School meets New School. Learned about the Oros Strike Indicator from Oklahoma Fishing Guide Donavan Clary. Strike indicator that uses a locking mechanism like the AirLoc Strike Indicator but does not kink your leader!

Yours truly takes it out fishing with the Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod and catches a fish or two. And guess what?  No line kinks in the leader!

Oros Strike Indicators

Another Trip to Bethany Lakes Using the Bamboo "Stake" Rod

Returned to Bethany Lakes this evening for another field test of the Bamboo "Stake" Rod.  Rod held up against four Catfish.  Largest went 18.5" in size.  Really liking the feel of the Rod; has a similar feel as a graphite rod we used way back when fishing popping corks along the oyster beds down South!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod Meets Sunfish 😎 #flyfishing #fishing #fun

Updates for the day

The plan was to fish a Damsel Fly using the Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod. No Bruisers but these scrappy Sunfish were liking the pattern, even with the tail missing!

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"Picture/Video of the Day"

Slow Action This Evening; Only One Catfish On Doughbait Using The Bamboo Stake Rod!

Slow action this evening.  Caught only one Catfish on Homemade Doughbait.  Also, used the Bamboo Stake Rod in hopes of a Bruiser testing it to its limit.... No luck this round.

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Starting the Vintage Fishing Series!

Starting two new series based on the antiquing finds from this weekend! To kickoff things off, here is a brief summary. Do check back for the Vintage Lures and Vintage Bamboo Fly Rod series! #fishing #flyfishing #antiquing

Bass Liking the Muddler Minnow #vintage #flyrod #flyfishing

Fly Fishing a Muddler Minnow with the vintage Bamboo Fly Rod! Bass were liking the pattern!

This trip I decided last minute to tie a Muddler Minnow on my trusty Peak Vise. The recipe called for:

• HOOK: TMC 9395 #2-14.
• THREAD: 3/0 Monocord.
• TAIL: Matched Turkey Wing Quill Slips.
• BODY: Gold Tinsel or braid.
• UNDERWING: Tan Calf or Squirrel Tail.
• OVERWING: Matched Turkey Wing Quill Slips.
• HEAD AND COLLAR: Natural Deer Hair

After a few casts, I hooked into several Bass using a short pulls of the line. Seemed the Bass wanted movement.

Do checkout the video; it's a short snippet of the trip!

Field Team Limited Out... Trout Meet Their Waterloo at Waterloo (Denison)

Field Team limited out this afternoon at Waterloo Park in Denison! Took less than 45" to catch them. Action was fast and steady. Caught all on Pink Powerbait. Fishing Buddy fished with light Spinning Gear; opted to try the Bamboo Stake Rod. Lotta fun... and good eating, too!


Waterloo Park Pond (Inset)




Field Team Limited Out... Trout Meet Their Waterloo at Waterloo (Denison)

Made a Combination Stick Float / Slip-Bobber.

Decided to make a Bobber to replace the store bought one we used last night.  Wanted one that was more sensitive to light strikes and would have minimal drag when a fish bites.  Using material laying around the shop, was able to make one that turned out okay!  Tested it out at Celebration Park and caught three little (juvenile) Bluegill.  Calling it a Combination Stick Float and Slip-Bobber.  Similar to a Stick Float but has an eyelet on the end to allow rigging as a Slip-Bobber.

To make it, used the following material: a Wine Cork, Bamboo Skewer, Fishing Hook, Epoxy, and Dacron Fly-Tying Line.  For tools, used a Dremel Knife, Dremel Tool, Wood Rasp, Wire Cutters, and Sandpaper.  Other than the Wire Cutters to cut the Fishing Hook in half, making one is mainly shaping and sanding.

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!