Here's a very interesting video with walking fly fishing historian John Shaner talking about the history of bamboo fly rods.
27 September 2020
26 September 2020
22 September 2020
Dave Whitlock's Humpy
I was just browsing Dave Whitlock's website and I ran into Dave's painting of a Humpy.
Well he sure got the proportions spot on! 😆
Podcast interview Dave Whitlock
Here's an unusual and very interesting podcast interview (Oct 2019) with the legend Dave Whitlock. Dave has for me been an inspiration for more than 30 years. In this interview we get to hear about Dave's younger years and his hardships. Listen it here
Update Dec 3, 2022:
Update October 13, 2020:
Here's another podcast with Dave Whitlock
19 September 2020
Q&A with Hoagy Carmichael
My Q&A's started as an idea to interview some of the memorable people I've met in fly fishing, both online as well as offline. Rather than a true interview I decided to keep it simple by asking a few Q&A's.
This Q&A is really special. None other than the living legend Hoagy B. Carmichael, son of the musician of the grand days of Hollywood Hoagy Carmichael Jr., shared a few insights on his friendship with rod maker Everett Garrison, his personal rod making career and fishing in general.
Although I have had a keen interest in and fishing with bamboo only for the past 20 years or so, I wasn't aware Hoagy was an authority on bamboo rod making until I watched Trout Grass back in 2005. Then I remembered that (big & heavy) book on building bamboo rods my friend Rolf bought back in the mid 1990's, which was of course 'A Master's guide to building a bamboo fly rod'.
Along the years Hoagy has written several books (including the monumental two volume book on the Grand Cascapedia River in the Canadian province of Quebec) as well as numerous articles in various fly fishing magazines. A recent podcast April Vokey had with Hoagy is also quite interesting. Here's an older (1985) article about Hoagy on bamboo rod making. Recently I acquired a reel from Hoagy and the transaction being ever so gracefully I took the plunged and asked if he was interested in doing a Q&A.
So, without further due, let's get started!
1) Q: You wrote, together with Everett Garrison, the ‘A Master’s Guide To Building A Bamboo Fly Rod’ (Editor's note: commonly known as 'The Bible') back in 1977. Even though the art of making a 6 strip bamboo rod started around the turn of the 20th century, the knowledge of making a rod was still only known to a happy few until the book came out. Why did Garrison agree with sharing the knowledge with writing this book?
"Everett was not a man who felt threatened by others in the rod making game. He was friends with others in the trade, guys like Brenan, Payne and Gillum who often swapped ideas and materials. When I suggested that we consider marking his concepts and methods down for others to read, he had no reason to feel the need to hide his thoughts and even his tapers from others.
In all honesty, after the film gained an audience he was confident that I could handle the job as his steward were he to fish around the bend before the project was completed. I leave it to others to decide whether that confidence was warranted."
2) Q: You built rods (about a hundred?) yourself after the book came out. Your rods are highly regarded and demand some serious money in the used market. Did it ever come to your mind when you started making rods?
"When Mr. Garrison died I was deemed in line to carry on in some way the Garrison tradition of hand planing bamboo. I bought the tools with a sense of pride, and put my head and hands to the task of making a few rods.
Editor's note: Hoagy acquired Garrison's workshop after Garrison's passing. In 2014 Hoagy donated the workshop to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center.
At that time in my life it was almost all I thought about. I decided to offer my first rod or three for $475 which was, not coincidentally, the last price that Mr. G. sold two 7'0" for. It never, ever crossed my mind that my rods would be valued at anything approaching their current value. I made them because I wanted to come as close to perfecting my craft as I could, knowing full well that rod makers do not become wealthy gluing bamboo strips together."
3) Q: With the internet the knowledge on bamboo making exploded. Some say the golden era of bamboo making wasn’t the period roughly 1900 – 1950 when the companies like Leonard, EF Payne and FE Thomas were making rods but now with the best glues, tools and information available. How do rods built now compare to the rods of the past?
"Rod makers today have pushed the boundaries of the craft to new and very exciting places. I have said many times that Mr. Garrison would be amazed, even thrilled, to see where the craft is today. The hollow built ised and the metal work that is being done is well beyond what Garry knew and, to some extent, what I was able to put into practice.
I love my Garrison rod, as well as my 7'6" rod made by the great Jim Payne, but today's rod tapers, and the execution of same, make much of the work that one sees on rods made in the "golden era" appear almost amateurish. We did what we could with what we knew, but the opportunity to build a "better" rod is in front of anyone interested in the craft. It is as it should be."
4) Q: Fly fishing started as a game for the lords on the British isles, became a gentlemen’s sport and eventually an everyman’s sport after The Movie. What’s your opinion about the direction fly fishing is going today with all the social media and all?
"I think that the rush to the river after "The Movie" has abated somewhat. The sport takes knowledge and practice, much like golf, and takes time and dedication that many are unwilling to submit to. I feel that our sport is in a healthy place, with the spread of techniques and knowledge that magazines and the internet have to offer.
People now realize that fish need to be returned to the rivers they came from, and such things like barbless hooks and nets made of synthetic materials that do not harm the fish are cases in point. I like where we are, and the more of us who go to the river with little interest in catching a bag full of fish the better for the sport."
5) Q: How many fly fishing destinations outside of USA have you been to and what are your fondest trip memories?
"If memory serves, I have ventured to Scotland, Ireland, England, Iceland, Norway, Canada and Germany in hopes of catching something with a fly. Some destinations were for salmon only, and over the years I have learned that although the central idea of placing a fly in the mouth of a creature with fins is the same, whether it is on a trout or salmon river, the methods are very different and could rightfully be considered different sports.
My love of the Grand Cascapedia is well known, as are several trips to Norway also in hopes of landing a salmon or two. But were I to be forced to put my finger of my favorite river experiences I would have to choose the East Branch of the Croton River - a very public trout river that runs through a small town not far from New York City, My fly was not the only imitation those fish had seen, and thus the catching part of it required a very technical approach that I, at times, was able to pull off.
Catching large fish (several salmon over thirty pounds) is exhilarating, but landing a wary 14" trout on a 7X tippet with a size 22 tricorythodes spinner is not easy. I have done it with a rod I made and a fly I have tied. That is the essence of fly fishing."
6) Q: We all know you built rods, but should we also be aware of you as a fly tier? What type of flies do (did) you like to tie?
"I have tied many flies in my day with some proficiency. I learned some from Chauncey Lively and Vince Marinaro, but most I read books and did what I could to fashion something that I felt might work. I have caught trout and salmon on flies I have tied but in truth I would grade myself as a C+ tier. As I grew into the sport I began to drift away from tying my own flies. It became too time consuming."
7) Q: Please name three bamboo rods you own(ed) you consider among the finest?
"I have had a lot of bamboo rods in my hands over the past fifty years, many of which I have admired and fished with. People who have made their own rods have a natural affinity for their own work, and they can't be blamed for admiring their craftsmanship and willingness to take example to the river. I, too, am guilty.
I have a great three-piece 7'6" rod made by the great Jim Payne, and I admire his methods and what he accomplished. I fish that rod carefully, and enjoy sitting on the bank of a nice river with that dark cane resting on my lap.
My favorite rod is a 7'9" rod made by Mr. Garrison that was a rod he fished with many times. I have caught my share of trout with it, and have loaned it to friends, but were I to have to choose only one to take to the river for my last encounter with trout - I confess that I could not make a rational choice. Heck..., I take my 8'0" Carmichael for a spin and let others be my judge."
8) Q: Final question. Where would you fish if it was the last time you would be able to fish?
"The answer is simple. The Grand Cascapedia River where a portion of my ashes will rest."
I hope this is of some help to you. I enjoyed doing it.
My best,
Hoagy"
Thank you Hoagy!
Check out the unique video Hoagy made of Garrison working in his workshop back in 1973. The only existing video of a classic rod maker known.
3) Q&A with Edoardo Scapin
4) Q&A with Hoagy Carmichael
5) Q&A with Jorge Trucco
6) Q&A with Per Brandin
7) Q&A with Jack Dennis
8) Q&A with Charles Jardine
9) Q&A with Christopher Rownes
10) Q&A with Leon Hanson
11) Q&A with Joe Messinger Jr.
12) Q&A with Mike Valla
14 September 2020
Q&A with Edoardo Scapin
My Q&A's started as an idea to interview some of the memorable people I've met in fly fishing, both online as well as offline. Rather than a true interview I decided to keep it simple by asking a few Q&A's.
Well, lets start the Q&A!
1) Q: How did you get into bamboo rod making?
"I started in the early 1990's on my own. I didn't have teachers, apart from Garrison's book as a guide, it was a great adventure in those years. Today with the help of the internet everything is accessible. My stubbornness helped me keep going despite being on the verge of quitting several times.
Finding the bamboo, the materials and equipment for construction, the language problem (my English is not good), the study dedicated to design and initially understanding Garrison's calculation system, from which I later departed. Like many, I have lost nights and weekends. It's my great passion, personal satisfaction.Luckily for me I was able to acquire rods from various catalogs of Keane, Codella, Corsetti and many others, including English ones. I was therefore able to admire and study closely many rods of great rod makers, who helped me to understand the quality and what was "inside" each of them."
2) Q: How does Italian style bamboo rods (if there is such a thing) differ from American style (being the largest market for bamboo fly rods)?
"In my opinion there is no Italian style for the construction of bamboo rods, but there are some builders who have also followed in the construction of their rods the philosophy of the TLT casting technique founded by Roberto Pragliola. This technique involves high line speed, the use of short (max 7'6") and very fast rods with light lines (2 & 3 weight).
To achieve this with bamboo rods dedicated to the TLT, it is inevitably necessary to oversize the rod in many points, it happened to me at times to try rods that reported the wording for line 3, but which in reality should be calibrated for a line 6.Personally I don't use it, because I don't like rods that are too "hard" and fast, which require more physical effort and movement to keep the line in tension, when in reality with bamboo we want to achieve the exact opposite, that is the exaltation of the entire taper of the rod in all its length, a quality that allows us to appreciate the natural DNA of bamboo. It is the taper that must work with the minimum effort on the part of the caster.
If I may say I don't think there is one American Style, in the sense that we have different styles also in the United States. Look at the eastern makers from the Catskill school and those of the great builders of the West, there are many differences between them."
3) Q: Do you have a rod builder (present or past) who inspires you?"Yes, of course I was also inspired by several builders. For the aesthetic part of the rods I have always been fascinated by the Catskill school such as Leonard, Payne or more currently Marc Aroner and Bob Taylor.
For the design part my view is wider, to stay in the Catskill school I have always liked the ultralight rods which are perhaps the ones that best represent this school of thought. The tapers of F.E. Thomas and some of Payne are fantastic. I also love Dickerson's more fast and powerful tapers, I also like Paul Young and Winston tapers on longer rods."
4) Q: What makes your rods stand out (what makes a Scapin rod a Scapin rod)?
"I believe over the years that I have acquired my own style, both from an aesthetic point of view but above all from a design point of view. From the beginning I have always tried to create something of my own and the experience gained over the years has given me this possibility. It is not easy, but this has always been one of the cornerstones of my career.
My blonde or flamed rods can have different types of finish. I never liked the idea of making rods that are all the same aesthetically, I like to play with colors and combinations but always with a good taste. I think the reel seat and the varnish are also elements that distinguish my rods, and of course the tapers, which I really care about, also here I wanted to look for the ideal rod for every length and application.I like to work with tapers with medium-fast action, but with thin and sensitive tips allowing very precise presentation. The balance of the rod is moved towards the butt where there is a considerable reserve of energy. I also build saltwater rods in the unusual length of 7'6 ", in my opinion giving the rod the ease of use and the power with minimum effort. Truly amazing instruments for saltwater fly fishing."
5) Q: To how many countries have you shipped your rods to? What's the most unexpected destination?
"Although I have been making bamboo rods for many years, it is only recently I do it full time commercially. I know that I am very appreciated by those who know my work but perhaps not yet well known in certain circles. Beyond the Italian market, I am fortunate to have customers in various countries of Europe and the United States. I must tell you that I am very happy with my American customers who have been enthusiastic about the quality of my rods.The most unusual destination is Hong Kong. I'd like to reach Japanese customers who I know are very passionate and careful on the subject."
6) Q: What kind of fishing or destination are in your top three bucket list?
And in a couple of hours by car I am in Austria and Slovenia, all rivers that I frequent since I was a boy and that I know very well. I have been passionate about fly fishing in saltwater too and to be honest I hope to travel to Cuba, the Gardens of the Queen in 2021 but it will all depend on the course of the pandemic.
Take care and try my rods."
Thank you Edoardo!
3) Q&A with Edoardo Scapin
4) Q&A with Hoagy Carmichael
5) Q&A with Jorge Trucco
6) Q&A with Per Brandin
7) Q&A with Jack Dennis
8) Q&A with Charles Jardine
9) Q&A with Christopher Rownes
10) Q&A with Leon Hanson
11) Q&A with Joe Messinger Jr.
12) Q&A with Mike Valla
13 September 2020
The podcast with Jim McLennan in Anchored Outdoors is one of the best I’ve listened for a long time. History is a big part of the interview which is really interesting.
12 September 2020
04 September 2020
The importance of the delivery cast
The delivery cast is the cast that counts when fly fishing. All the (pretty) false casting won't mean a thing if the delivery cast fails. Accuracy and delicacy are two aspects that should go together. Sometimes it's a challenge when there's lots of wind (side wind or head wind), but also limited room behind us that prevents a good back cast. The only exception might be when you're casting a heavily weighted nymph(s) or a big wind resistant fly like a large streamer.
The delivery cast I often see is the line landing first followed by the leader and eventually the fly. On moving water this type of delivery has a huge disadvantage that the fly will instantly start dragging as the fly line is washed away by the current. Mending right away will ruin an already crappy drift...
The second disadvantage, which I wasn't aware of myself, is explained by Joe Rotter from Reds Fly Shop in this particular video. He explains (starting around 4:30) that the fish waiting for food will get distracted by the sound (and water disturbance) the the line makes when it lands and miss the presence of the fly (in this case a hopper) that will drift outside its view very soon. It's the fly we want the fish to focus on, not the fly line after all.
Another great tip Joe (starting around 2:15) gives in this video is how to twitch the hopper to get the fish's attention. When a grasshopper lands on the water, it makes a crawling movement trying to swim back to the shore. This crawling can be seen as circular waves. Learn to make this hopper crawl movement by using the tip of the rod.
Great tips Joe!
The delivery cast I often see is the line landing first followed by the leader and eventually the fly. On moving water this type of delivery has a huge disadvantage that the fly will instantly start dragging as the fly line is washed away by the current. Mending right away will ruin an already crappy drift...
The second disadvantage, which I wasn't aware of myself, is explained by Joe Rotter from Reds Fly Shop in this particular video. He explains (starting around 4:30) that the fish waiting for food will get distracted by the sound (and water disturbance) the the line makes when it lands and miss the presence of the fly (in this case a hopper) that will drift outside its view very soon. It's the fly we want the fish to focus on, not the fly line after all.
Another great tip Joe (starting around 2:15) gives in this video is how to twitch the hopper to get the fish's attention. When a grasshopper lands on the water, it makes a crawling movement trying to swim back to the shore. This crawling can be seen as circular waves. Learn to make this hopper crawl movement by using the tip of the rod.
Great tips Joe!
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