Splitting Cane: Conversations with Bamboo Rodmakers [Hardcover]

Ed Engle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2002

"It's about time someone wrote a book about bamboo fly rods, not as works of art or as elements of an ongoing tradition (although they can certainly be that) but as the fishing tools they were always meant to be. And Ed was just the guy to do it. He understands and appreciates the romance and heritage behind these rods, but he's also a practical fisherman who-first and foremost-expects a fly rod to cast well. This is the best kind of book: one that grew naturally out of the author's interest, knowledge, and enthusiasm." --John Gierach

"Reading each chapter of Splitting Cane is much like opening a rod tube containing a fine bamboo rod. The rod and its maker come to life with the removal of the cap and the turn of each page. This book and the rod have been holding their breath, just waiting to be opened." --A.K. Best

Interviews with 16 contemporary rodmakers

Tips on caring for a bamboo rod

The old-school bamboo fly-fishing rod, with its irresistibly warm, natural, and romantic tradition, is explored through conversations with 16 bamboo rodmakers. Profiled in the book are Mike Clark of South Creek, Ltd.; Walt Carpenter; John Bradford; Jim Hidy; Homer Jennings; Joe Arguello; Jeff Wagner; Charlie and Steven Jenkins; Glenn Brackett and the R.L. Winston Rod Company; Ted Knott; George Maurer; Robert Gorman; Bernard Ramanauskas; Dwight Lyons; Don Schroeder; and Carl-Johan Anderberg. The author test-casted the rods and then interviewed the makers to get the story behind each rod's making. The in-depth stories, along with clear, detailed descriptions of bamboo rods, and a chapter on rod-making basics make this an excellent read for all who appreciate a fine bamboo rod.

(20020701)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's about time someone wrote a book about bamboo fly rods, not as works of art or as elements of an ongoing tradition (although they can certainly be that) but as the fishing tools they were always meant to be. And Ed was just the guy to do it. He understands and appreciates the romance and heritage behind these rods, but he's also a practical fisherman who-first and foremost-expects a fly rod to cast well. This is the best kind of book: one that grew naturally out of the author's interest, knowledge, and enthusiasm." (John Gierach )

"Reading each chapter of Splitting Cane is much like opening a rod tube containing a fine bamboo rod. The rod and its maker come to life with the removal of the cap and the turn of each page. This book and the rod have been holding their breath, just waiting to be opened." (A.K.. Best )

About the Author

Ed Engle lives in Colorado, where he guides and instructs fly fishers on the South Platte River. His website is www.edengleflyfishing.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (August 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811700089
• ISBN-13: 978-0811700085
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engle's friends & the lovely reed, April 19, 2005

By 

Former Rater (Nowhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Splitting Cane: Conversations with Bamboo Rodmakers (Hardcover)

This latest book on the wonders of the hand-crafted Bamboo Fly Rod and their makers is a survey of 17 (counting the Jenkins father & son team as two) men and their craft.

Ed Engle, a Colorado fly fishing guide for more than 30 years, has collected his conversations with these craftsmen. Then he includes a description of a trip to China to the only source of the "Tonkin" Bamboo. This is a book that can, largely, be told by its cover. . . and it reveals a few truths about an esoteric art as practiced by a few of the current craftsmen. It is not intended to be the definitive survey nor is it an unbiased critical review - it is what it says it is - a record of conversations between the author and some rodmakers he knows and a discussion of some of the rods, including the practice and the art of casting them.

This book has been criticized as just another publication by the John Gierach gang. It is true that the book covers rodmaker Mike Clark and his "John Gierach- A.K. Best" taper rod and Gierach wrote the introduction, but that's hardly a negative; I'd assume that the critic would have said the same of members of The Algonquin Roundtable . . . That said, Engle's writing style is his own and he derives nothing from Gierach's prose style.

Another critic remarks that there has been prior publication of some of these interviews. For this reviewer, it matters not one whit that some of the chapters are collected from other publications. The prior publications are obscure and it is unlikely that many of the readers will have had access to them.

This is a delightful insight into the worlds of a few people who make hand-made fly rods that sell for $900.00 and up (way, way up in some cases). What Engle makes clear is that the waiting time for a custom-built rod, along the hundreds of steps and tens of hours that go into the crafting of one of these gems makes the craftsman's price close to minimum wage for the time and skill expended in the process. Engle also points out that if you want a custom rod you will wait for it - there is no jumping the queue allowed. There are some things that money simply can't buy these days.

This is a book about a niche within a niche within a niche and those of us who love fly fishing and everything about fly fishing will love this book, too.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bamboo rod stories are the best..., May 29, 2007

By 

R. Rios "Uroj Leir Rods" (Placitas, NM US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Splitting Cane: Conversations with Bamboo Rodmakers (Hardcover)

Do you fish with a bamboo rod? Good, what you don't? Then you neeed to read this book about fantastic "living" bamboo rod makers. Ed does a good job of getting into the minds and work of bamboo rod makers and it doesn't hurt that he is good friends with Mike Clark. By the way Mike's rods are soooo expensive these days, if you could get one. I do understand that they are sweet though. Anyway, if you read this book and don't fish with a bamboo rod, you will be by the end of the book, whether through osmosis or the real thing.

You can't pick up books like this and never read anything else like it. After you buy this book you better think about a new bookcase for all your other "new" bamboo rod books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 2, 2011

By 

Rod Builder "Durango Custom Rods" (Durango, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Splitting Cane: Conversations with Bamboo Rodmakers (Hardcover)

This is a fantastic book. Well written and extremely interesting and informative. However, this book could totally use some color pics of the rods he's describing. Also, the author describes every single rod in the book as being silky, oily smooth with no shock waves in the loop. A little constructive criticism would make this book a lot more credible. When every single rod is the best ever, the comparisons are rendered almost totally useless. I did love the book though, and couldn't put it down till I read every single page!