Split Cane - does anyone still use them?

[Unimexsol]

I learnt the little that I know about fishing from my dad. Unfortunately he's ill at the moment and won't get better. He is still a wonderful fisherman and has forgotten about fishing more than I can ever hope to know. He's the sort of guy who can put a float into a rain puddle and pull out a fish!

 

Anyway, when I went to see him the other day he showed me some of my inheritance, it includes an all steel rod and plenty of split cane rods. I'll also need to learn how to use a centre pin!

 

What I was wondering is - does anyone still use a split cane for everyday fishing? I used one in my very early days of fishing but haven't seen one being used for years at the riverside.

[Newt]

I think we have several on here who use split cane rods on occasion. If yours are in good condition they should still be fun to fish with.

 

I'd retire the steel jobby though.

[Vagabond]

does anyone still use a split cane for everyday fishing?

 

Yes, frequently - and catch plenty of fish on them too !

 

 

he showed me some of my inheritance, it includes an all steel rod and plenty of split cane rods. I'll also need to learn how to use a centre pin!

 

Is that steel rod an "Apollo" ? If so, treasure it. GOOD steel rods are excellent - only follow Newt's advice if the rod is a poor one.

 

Let us know more about the split bamboo rods.

 

Centre pins? Welcome to the club.

[Newt]

Vagabond - I happily bow to your expertise on the steel rods. I wasn't aware that any of them had a particularly pleasant action.

[Dick Dastardly]

Trouble with the steel rods Ive used is that they tend to snap unexpectedly! Still use my Sharpes Impregnated cane fly rods .They have a totaly different feel to glass or carbon and I love them! Ok that dont cast long distances or are as light as my carbons but they still catch plenty of fish and out cast many!

 

Have caught on an origonal MkIV (one made by Walkers of Hythe) and that was fun but dont own any cane carp rods anymore.

 

Been looking out for a good condition cane Avon/general bottom rod for some time now just for the occaisional fun/nostalgia trips.

[GrahamHD]

A friend of mine still uses a split cane rod. He bought one from I think it was Edward Bader and had it custom built. He's into his sixties now and bought it for nostalgic reasons, swears there's nothing like playing a fish on a cane rod. It's a beautiful rod,I've had a go with it but must admit I wouldn't be tempted to buy one. He had a 23lb common on a float and centre pin with it last week, took him back years.

 

He bought the rod after the Passion For Angling series, I think quite a few cane rods were sold on the strength of that programme.

[Vagabond]

Caught this morning on one of my SU Mk4s

 

 

...and caught this afternoon on my other SU Mk4

Edited April 27, 2007 by Vagabond

[Elton]

Vagabond,

 

Have you been fishing in your neighbour's pond again?

 

Any truth in the rumour* that you actually invented split cane rods?

 

Tight lines,

 

Elton

 

* Rumour created on 27th April, 2007 by Elton Murphy

[Vagabond]

No, that was my grandson - THIS is the rod (and reel) I invented

 

Edited April 27, 2007 by Vagabond

[Elton]

 

Is that a genuine Vagabond catch?