Carlin Bamboo Fly Rods - Far North Rodsmiths - Fine Bamboo Fly Rods and Blanks

Hexagonal, 6-Strip Rods

The most common geometry. Constructed of six identical tapered strips, glued together to form a hexagon. The standard in bamboo for over a hundred years. Price includes a complete and finished bamboo rod with custom made sock and aluminum rod tube.

2 Piece / 2 Tip - $1400
3 Piece / 2 Tip - $1500

Quadrate, 4-Strip Rods

Quadrate rods, though more difficult to make and a bit unusual looking compared to other geometries, have the best strength-to-weight ratio due to the slightly greater density of power fibers along their circumference. Price includes a complete and finished bamboo rod with custom made sock and aluminum rod tube.

2 Piece / 2 Tip - $1600
3 Piece / 2 Tip - $1800

Hollow Building

By removing material from the inside of a rod section, the resulting rod recovers more quickly while casting and feels more responsive, not to mention being lighter in weight. Hollowing must be done carefully however as it does change the flex characteristics, and to some extent, the strength of the rod. By modifying the tapers slightly as well as tapering and varying the interior hollowing to suit the rod taper, rods can be made lighter, snappier yet still as strong as solid built rods.

All of my hollow built rods are hollowed into the tip section using a variation of the Scalloped method pioneered by E.C. Powell. Scallop sizes, shapes and positions are strategically placed and tapered to enhance certain rod characteristics such as strength, balance and vibration dampening.

Add $200 to Rod or Blank Price
(Included in Saltwater Series Rods)

Saltwater Series Rods

Saltwater rods are hollowed as a standard feature and are made with titanium REC Recoil saltwater guides and stripping guides, ferrule overwraps to protect the nickel silver from corrosion, Struble titanium hidden-thread reel seat with fighting butt and custom turned wood insert, as well as a handful of other modifications with saltwater and big fish in mind. Pretty much any rod taper 7wt or above can be made as a Saltwater Series. Prices are the same for 2/2 or 3/2 rods.

$1850 Hex 2/2 or 3/2
$2000 Quad 2/2 or 3/2

Spiral Built Hexagonal Rods

Spiral building is a method originally conceived by Fred D. Divine and patented in 1892. Basically, during the glue up stage of making a rod, the blank is twisted so that there is a 1/6th revolution between each guide along a rod's length. The idea is the rod is 'pre-tensioned' by putting the fibers under stress so the resulting rod is stiffer and more powerful without adding any mass. Very few makers offer spiral rods for sale. An example of a spiral built rod can be found by clicking here.

2-Piece only. No hollow built option.

2 Piece / 2 Tip - $1900

Hexagonal, 6-Strip Bamboo Blanks

Varnished blank with ferrules mounted and fit,
spine marked and tip tops installed.

2 Piece / 2 Tip - $450
3 Piece / 2 Tip - $500

Quadrate, 4-Strip Bamboo Blanks

Prices include a varnished blank with ferrules mounted and fit,
spine marked and tip tops installed.

2 Piece / 2 Tip - $500
3 Piece / 2 Tip - $600

Options

Swelled Butt (Hexagonal rods only) - $250
Intermediate Wraps

- $100
Bluing

/ Bronzing

- No Extra Charge
Rod Sock (included w/ complete rod purchase) - $10
Rod Tube

(included w/ complete rod purchase) - $40

Hover mouse pointer over any option for an example

Rod and Component Details

I make each and every bamboo blank and rod from start to finish myself here in my shop in Alaska. From selecting then cutting and splitting the raw culm to varnishing the finished product, every step along the way is performed personally.

I purchase most of the hardware that I use from US suppliers and manufacturers. My philosophy behind this is until I am able to make the components myself, and can make them better in quality to what I can purchase, I'll continue to use what I can buy, but only if it is the best.

The finest quality Tonkin cane from The Bamboo Broker.

I prefer to flame or lightly oven tone my rods and blanks. Tones can range from a light, honey tan to deep chocolate brown. Blonde or mottled light/dark rods available upon request. In addition to cosmetic flaming, all rods and blanks are oven treated.

Bellinger or Struble reel seats, either up- or down-locking, screw-locking or sliding band, with choice of various wood inserts. Struble Titanium reel seats with custom turned inserts on Saltwater rods and by request. Nickel silver hardware can usually be blued or bronzed upon request. Aluminum hardware is also available.

Finest grade cork rings direct from Portugal.

Snake Brand or PacBay Ultra Lite wire snake guides. REC RECOIL guides and strippers on the saltwater series rods or by request. Struble Select Series agate guides. Mildrum-style stripping guide can be substituted on request.

Snake Brand or PacBay tip tops in chrome, blued or bronze.

Pearsall's Gossamer or YLI #100 rod wrapping silk. Wrap tipping is optional and available at no extra cost. Intermediate wraps can be added for an additional $100.

Classic Sporting Enterprises - CSE - nickel silver ferrules. Can be blued, bronzed or overwrapped with silk on request.

Wraps are finished with multiple coats of spar varnish or other sealant.

Rods are coated with 2-3 dipped coats of spar varnish and left high-gloss.

Landmark or REC aluminum rod tube with silkscreened logo.

Rod socks are custom made in house or by Todd Talsma.