Diamondback bamboo rods - A review

[Stew]

When I first heard that Diamondback was going to market a two tip bamboo rod for about $700 I thought we'll that's pretty cool. I figured that it would allow people to have the pleasure of fishing cane without breaking the bank.
Yesterday I got to check one of these rods out..... :hoboy:
From the cheap hardware to the crooked ferrules to the untempered cane to the poor finish I was totally disappointed. For the $700 you can get the top of the line graphite from any number of manufacturers like Sage or Winston. Or you could completely outfit yourself with rod,reel,line, waders and vest if you chose to go with a less expensive outfit from TFO.
It just goes to show that you cannot expect to get something like a high quality bamboo rod without paying the price.
I suspect the bamboo blanks are imported from overseas some place and then finished, if that's what you want to call it, over here :shrug:
My advice? Stay away from them :smash:

[deefly]

Hi Stew et al:
I have to disagree specifically, but not generally. I personally know of a boo maker who does excellent work for under 500$/rod. (Atleast at last check) He lives and works in Portland. If you want to know who Im speaking of please PM me. A few years ago, this fellow made me a super 4wt 2/2 rod for 400! It is an excellent rod with a super nice finish. Great for cutts! :wave:

[Stew]

I don't doubt you at all Dave but he is seriously undervaluing his work if he is still selling rods at that price.

[deefly]

I agree Stew: (He should be arrested!!) LOL!! His production is not large.
Dave :eek:

[mandinga]

I'd like to see one of those diamondback rods for myself.

where can the public view?

[Stew]

I agree Stew: (He should be arrested!!) LOL!! His production is not large.
Dave :eek:


I know what goes into building a cane rod and that fellow is working for next to nothing. Ifish member mmh makes the best cane rods I've ever seen and I think his superb work is under priced.
Anyone with a chance to get their hands on a Winston cane at a good price should do so because their long time cane rod builder Glenn Brackett is no longer with them.
I expect the craftsmanship of the bamboo rods will suffer.

[gottafish]

Am I Missing something :shrug: I have fished with several High dollar Bamboo rods and to be honest They wernt worth a toot. I didn't like the action or the feel. They went to grafite for a reason. Bamboo :sick: I just don't get it. Just like some of these reels Like Hardys I think they suck. I would much rather have a ross. Whats the deal??

[AndyK]

Am I Missing something :shrug: I have fished with several High dollar Bamboo rods and to be honest They wernt worth a toot. I didn't like the action or the feel. They went to grafite for a reason. Bamboo :sick: I just don't get it. Just like some of these reels Like Hardys I think they suck. I would much rather have a ross. Whats the deal??



I think it has more to do with the mysticism of tradition then functionality! That bug has never bitten me.

[deefly]

AndyK and all:
I think Stew makes some good points with his comments on Balance and esthetics and action. Something about using a handmade item made out of all natural materials. And as for weight: I am getting rid of my larger rods, but my 4wt Lohkamp 7' is the best light rod Ive fished with in years. Maybe my old Loomis was as good. Strange to me how a slower action can pitch my line further than my graphite! And Im not the best caster, but by far not the worst. Im not saying to buy a bamboo, Im just saying try a bamboo in a lighter weight. You may be surprised. :flowered: :cheers:

[AndyK]

And as for weight: I am getting rid of my larger rods, but my 4wt Lohkamp 7' is the best light rod Ive fished with in years.



I am assuming you don't fish for steelhead and salmon with a fly rod?

[Stew]

Am I Missing something :shrug: I have fished with several High dollar Bamboo rods and to be honest They wernt worth a toot. I didn't like the action or the feel. They went to grafite for a reason. Bamboo :sick: I just don't get it. Just like some of these reels Like Hardys I think they suck. I would much rather have a ross. Whats the deal??



You probably were not casting the bamboo rod correctly :shrug:
Yeah Hardy reels suck allright :rolleyes: They suck so much they have been in business for over 100 years and their reels are the most sought after fly reels out there.


I think it has more to do with the mysticism of tradition then functionality!


Mysticism? Not hardly! For trout on dry flies there is not a better rod than bamboo. Their functionality for trout is superior to graphite any day...it's better than "grafite" also!
As far as bamboo for steelhead applications they are a bit heavy but still a pleasure to cast. They don't work well with split shot though :eek:

[mandinga]

Yeah Hardy reels suck allright :rolleyes: They suck so much they have been in business for over 100 years and their reels are the most sought after fly reels out there.





who makes Hardy nowadays? I'm pretty sure someone bought them...but who?
:lurk:

[McKenzie]

3M?

[Stew]

In 1967 Hardy Brothers (Alnwick) Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Harris & Sheldon Group Ltd. a British company.

[gottafish]

Yeah Hardy reels suck allright :rolleyes: They suck so much they have been in business for over 100 years and their reels are the most sought after fly reels out there.





who makes Hardy nowadays? I'm pretty sure someone bought them...but who?
:lurk:

Its a Japanes company I think Tyco!! :grin: Just kiddin stew. LOL Honestly I don't like those reels. Just don't feel right. :shrug:

[Stew]

Going to be marketed exclusively through Wal-Mart :grin:
Actually the palming that is necessary for a drag on the older reels might not be for everyone. Got to love that loud clicker though

[deefly]

I just visited Walmart Sunday to p/u my liscence and tag. That was a scary experience! All those smiley face stickers on every row!I must have hit them on a bad day, cause all the help seemed "surley". Im sure when prices get lower, their attitude will improve as well! :eek:

[Grantspastor]

The finest reel I own is a Hardy St. George. Now discontinued I believe, it is smooth as silk, has that truly sexy agate guide, and makes me happy every time a Steelhead begins to pull line off it at a high rate of speed. As an Opthalmologist friend of mine has observed "there's no better sound in the world"

I'm less thrilled with my Hardy Princess. It isn't nearly as smooth. For a while I owned a Model Perfect that was obtained at a garage sale for 50 cents. (Good score, huh?)

My younger brother managed to lose that one on an Alaskan float trip.

[Stew]

I just recently got a Hardy Bougle MV :dance: Sweet! Sacrificed my Perfects to get it but I needed the LH retrieve and got another Ross to boot :yay:

[O Tshawytcha]

Bamboo and graphite both have thier places. Chucking nymphs or hoppers in an southern Idaho "breeze" I definetly want some NASA science involved.

I have not fished bamboo but have thrown them at shows. I could easily see situations where the extra slow action would be a real plus. I took a while to be able to cast them. I think a few Q-ludes would of helped slow me down. Once I got the hang of them I was able to throw a forty foot cast and causually put three or four mends in it before the line hit the water. These rods would be perfect for tricos on Silver Creek.

Thanks for the product review Stew.

My .02
GRIFF