A Brief History of Split Cane Rod Making
With the expansion of the British Empire came the discovery of new and exotic timbers and species of Bamboo or Cane. It was not long before those intrepid gentleman explorers began using these materials for the betterment of their own sporting pursuits.
From 1790 to 1845 solid wood was the most common material for building fly rods. Solid wood fly rods were constructed using many wood varieties the most popular being Lancewood and Dagama from Cuba, Bethabarra of British Guiana, and the South American Greenheart. These woods were chosen for their resilience and flexibility. However, they were heavy and Bamboo has gradually replaced these solid woods as the most popular and preferred choice amongst rod makers.
Bamboo is the largest growing species of the grass family and is without doubt the greatest natural rod building material. When properly selected, cured, split, glued, and proportioned, bamboo possesses strength, lightness, resilience, pliancy, power and balance to a greater degree than any solid wood blanks.
It is suggested that the first complete hexagonal fly rod was produced using Calcutta cane circa 1859. Before this split cane rods were constructed quadrate in shape, using 4 strips. During the late 1800's Tonkin cane was discovered growing along the Sui River in the Guandong province of China, this cane was to become prized by rod makers above all others.
