What To Do With That Old Cane Rod

[Nachako]

After being away from this site for a number of years and coming back

I though I would share something's I learned during that time.

Please feel free to add some things I may have missed.

 

People that know me know that I have been restoring , refurbishing or rebuilding older bamboo rods for a number of years.

They often come to me asking if they should restore the rod they found.

 

These are some of the things that you will need to consider.

What do you want to do with the rod?

Do you want to hang it on a wall A quick refurbish will work (varnish)

Do you want to restore or rebuild it to use?

Which raises the first of many questions

1) What make is the rod

a) Japanese rod they are not good to fish with after WW2 they were slapped together a dime a dozen

Mid level American rods Shakespeare,Heddon, H-I,...... which are worth about $200 ( my preference )

c) High end American classic Leonard,Payne,Hardy ext

It needs to be said that as you interfere with any of the natural material of the rod the collector value is compromised.

 

2) What shape is the rod in and it's age

Rods made before 1930's ( they usually have a metal reel seat ) I find they are good but the technology sometimes is not there.

Also older rods will have wraps all along the length of the rod to give it stiffness That will have to be replaced.

The cane is the most important componant of the rod and should have no cracks, the glue lines between the bamboo strips should have no gaps,hopefully the varnish is still intact so the cane has not dried out.

 

3) The ferrules are next

Metal ferrules can often be cleaned with a steel wool and should have a nice popping sound when the pieces are being separated.

Cracks in the ferrules are often hard to notice until the wraps have been removed and they will obviously need to be replaced.

Sometimes the ferrules can be loose at the base and not cracked and will need to re-glued . Removing the old ferrules can sometimes be a nightmare. They often have been pinned and trying to find the pins can be difficult.

 

4) After that the decision needs to be made do you want to restore it to its natural beauty or made it better than it was.

Either way take lot of pictures and a few measurements of where some of the descriptive wraps were located and the guide positions

The varnish should always be replaced it can become chipped over the years and you don't want any water to compromise the cane.

The guides are often rusted and even if they are all intact the shlack they used to seal the wraps long ago disintegrates over time and will not last long if used.

The cork handle can be cleaned with soap & water but do not sand it.

If you decide to replace the reel seat use your imagination and make it ours.

 

As for tools need for your first rod it's pretty basic a cardboard box, a couple of bobbins, sears catalogue, piece of PCV pipe, a book on bamboo rod restoration .

So if you have the time and would like to have one of the nicest rods on the water.

For those that have never fished with a cane rod I have this to say

Only though a cane rod can you truly feel the power of the prey.

 

Paul