F l y F i s h i n g T r i c k s . c o m

Types of Woods Used in Fly Fishing Rods

LANCEWOOD Perhaps I am prejudiced as regards lancewood as my first fly rod was of that material and nobly did it perform. The best type of lancewood rod probably is made up with an ash butt as rods made entirely of lancewood are a trifle heavy although some anglers prefer them.

Lancewood comes from Cuba, the best sticks being light yellow in color and free from dark stains. One of the largest American tackle houses claims that lancewood has lost favor mainly because of inferior material being sold as this wood.

A first class hand made rod of lance can be bought for about six dollars; a nine footer weighs about 61/4 ounces.

DAGAMA

Dagama also comes from Cuba and is similar to lancewood but is said to be more durable and free from pin knots. It is heavier than lance, a nine foot rod weighing 6 1/2 ounces, and a rod of this material costs about one dollar more.

GREENHEART

In England greenheart is the most popular rod making material, not excepting bamboo, although the latter is making great headway as its merits become better known. Greenheart comes from South America and is of the color of walnut, being strong and fairly resilient. It takes a nice finish and makes a handsome rod but compared with bamboo it is somewhat heavy and not quite as " snappy " in action - which is true of all wood rods.

Most of the greenheart used in this country comes from England where tackle makers have become skilled in the selection, cutting and curing of this wood. A good British greenheart rod can be bought in England for a few dollars and an excellent one laid down in America costs from eight to twelve dollars, depending on fittings. A good American maker lists his greenheart rods at nine dollars. An average English-made greenheart rod of 9 feet will weigh 7 ounces.

Bethabarra

Bethabarra, or washaba, is the most expensive wood commonly used in rod making. It is a dark wood coming from British Guiana and is very strong and many anglers prefer it to any other wood. It is slightly heavier than greenheart and is said to hold its shape better. A nine foot American made bethabarra rod weighs about 6 3/4 ounces and costs eleven dollars. A superior selection is sold under the name noibwood.

Bamboo

Beyond a doubt the best fly rod material is good bamboo properly selected, cured, split, glued, and correctly proportioned. It possesses strength combined with lightness, resiliency, pliancy, power and balance in greater degree than either steel or solid woods.

Formerly anglers and rod makers could draw fine distinctions between male and female Calcutta and Tonkin " canes," but under present conditions good Calcutta is very rare and the word " Calcutta " is becoming merely a trade term. Good bamboo of all kinds is more difficult to obtain and a good piece of Tonkin is better than an indifferent one of Calcutta. Male Calcutta, however, is supposed to be superior to either the female or Tonkin. The cheapest split cane is known as steel vine or African cane. It is light colored and makes up into good, inexpensive fly rods.

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