The Feather Mechanic

Just received the new book (the limited edition leather bound) from my South African friend, fly fisherman, actor & author Gordon van der Spuy with a personal note. It’s a small world indeed... Thank you Gordon

Get your copy here (outside South Africa):

UK/EU:             Cochy Bonddu books (orders@anglebooks.com)
USA/Canada:    Evan D Brant (sidelinghillhackle@gmail.com)
NZ/AUS:           FlyLife magazine

Xmas PMD No Hackle duns

 

Click here for more on the history of the No Hackle and how to tie them

Mostly Bamboo

This book, 'Mostly Bamboo', about contemporary Japanese bamboo makers by Yuki Bando just arrived before Christmas. Its size is much smaller than I expected. It's also a soft cover rather than a hard cover like most books with a subject like this. Probably to keep the book affordable.

The book consists of interview with 18 Japanese bamboo makers and also includes a few makers of fiberglass and graphite rods. It is rare to see a Japanese book about fly fishing, building bamboo rods no less, gets published in English from the start.

Although fly fishing became popular several centuries ago in Europe, it is a recent phenomenon in Japan. Historically Tenkara fishing was how people fished the tiny streams for Yamame and other native fish. Fly fishing in Japan (probably for any other Asian country) was virtually unknown until the late 1970's and bamboo rod building wasn't done until the early 1990's. The interviews in this book contains some quite interesting background stories of the makers rather than just about the rods they build.

In some chapters it looks like the stories could have gone more elaborate, but maybe the cultural aspect prevented this. Japanese culture has humbleness (almost to sheer shyness), respect and adoration of workmanship as highly regarded qualities. It's no surprise these characteristics applies to all the makers that are interviewed.

The eye for details and pure finesse these Japanese makers focus on is incredible. Most use tonkin bamboo as material for their rods, but many also use native madake or yadake bamboo for rods for fishing typical Japanese species like Yamame en Iwana where a 12 inch size is regarded as a trophy.

Although English not being the author's native language, the author did a great job. However, it is clear that syntax used has a Japanese origin. The Japanese language has a different grammar than English as well as a more philosophical 'tone' to it. Also interesting is the typical Japanese (Asian?) humour from both the author as well as the interviewed makers.

Martin Keane's book 'Classic Rods and Rodmakers' (1976) was a milestone for American bamboo fly rod aficionados and Mostly Bamboo is destined to have a similar status among Japanese bamboo fans.

The book can be bought here. If you're in Europe you can also order the book here.

Variants

Tied a few Variants using hackle from a Whiting CDL Pardo, Metz Chocolate dun and a Collins Grizzly capes. All tails are from the CDL (Coq de Leon) cape. Hooks used are all from Mustad (model 94842 and 94840) size 14, 12 and 8. Variants are usually tied with oversized hackle sizes, sometimes as large as four times the hook gape.

Art Flick suggested in his book ‘New Streamside Guide’ spade hackles for Variants. Spade hackles have long, straight and stiff barbules making them ideal for Variant type flies and tailing for dry flies. Unfortunately in this genetic hackle era spade hackles seems to have gone obsolete.

The larger upper feathers of capes are usually left unused or sometimes used for tailing material. Some feathers have nice straight barbules, others have a curve. Also check for webbing as it makes the barbules less useful for either hackling or tailing. Somehow in his time Flick managed to get very stiff spade hackles for his Variants.

Craig Mathews ties flies

 Here's a great video with Craig Mathews tying some of his favourite patterns.