An example. END
PS: There is now a treasure-trove of such artisanal rod-making at YouTube, much of which reflects the Asian cultural adeptness with bamboo -- itself suggestive. Some links and comments:
- There are many ways to attach a reel, for example PVC tubing can be heated to soften it and then wedged up to form a pocket for a reel foot. On cooling, a pair of such guides would then form a friction-fit sliding reel attachment.
- Do not overlook, using whipping with cord or thin rope to make a handle for a rod.
- Similarly, wider, thick-walled hollow bamboo can be used as a wood-source, splitting off a long strip and rounding it to make a rod.
- I will only mention the sophisticated techniques still used to make multiple strip fly rods, esp. 5-/6-strip rods. The precision to plane and match tapers and requisites for especially strong Tonkin cane take this beyond present focus.
- A two-part, more sophisticated rod is built in this video, using a bamboo insert as spigot for the friction-fit joint. Elsewhere, Guava wood is suggested for a spigot.
- Here, a multiple segment light duty pole is made, suggesting how to build a travel-style rod, and also illustrating straightening bamboo; a heat gun/hair dryer or a gas hot plate can be used with a "wooden wrench". Perfect straightness is not necessary.
- In this video, a bait casting rod with multiple segments is built, including how to do a wedge-fit reel attachment as part of a two-part handle.
- Making a 7" Shad-like minnow bait (using poplar)
- Making split-ring pliers from a cheap pair of scissors (retaining cutting ability , too), rings too, here. (This last is an exercise in learning how to bend wire to fishing-relevant 3-D shapes.)
- Making a Fly-tying style bobbin holder for thread wrapping.
