Show f M G B JIM RHODY L s Bamboo Tops We think it a distinct compliment to the manufacturers of bamboo fly rods that the bamboo Is still tops In the fly rod field as attested by every manufacturer of glass and steel rods declaring that their product has thas the feel of the best bamboo That Thatis is manufacturing li license li- li cense sort of like editorial license in that statements may be made in generalization rather rath rath- p. p er than specifically And so it is with rods nothing but bamboo naturally can have the feel t of bamboo a and n d 4 what the makers of glass a and n d steel rods mean of course is that their products approximate approximate approximate ap proximate the feel of of the best b bamboo a This superiority of the bamboo fly rod over other type rods in the matter matter matter mat mat- ter of lightness resiliency aliveness aliveness aliveness alive ness and the supreme delight they accord the angler Isn't an accident and the fact that bamboo continues its superiority Isn't an accident either Instead it is due duc to the fact that real rod makers spare no effort effort ef ef- ef fort Cort no research no testing techniques techniques techniques tech tech- to keep bamboo In the enviable enviable enviable en en- viable position it holds in the hearts of rod fly and plug-casting plug anglers This is epitomized by manufacturers ers ens like the rod company Way up in the mile high atmosphere of Denver the people developed for the first time a guaranteed guaranteed guar guar- waterproof never-leak never glue joint The little illustration accompanying accompanying this article Is of a Phillip Philip son joint which has been submerged Ln In n water for more than two years with its bamboo sections still as strong as a weld In doing this article on bamboo rods cods which follows treatment here previously of steel and glass rods we contacted John A. A Eble Ebb sales manager of the people to ask how come on this waterproof break never glue joints He replied that this process exclusive exclusive ex ex- elusive with is one that joins the six bamboo strips together together to to- gether In an lasting ever-lasting bond that never Dever comes apart no matter how hard the service or how wet and disagreeable the weather To the angler who has never seen seena a fly rod come apart in his hands after being subjected to hours of soaking in a driving rain or after having been left out overnight In the rain Eble's statement really means mean something Too the rod bamboo maker with his own special techniques has the advantage of being able to build Into his b bamboo a rn m b boo 0 0 rods amazing strength without appreciable additional additional addi addi- weight This to the fly rod addict who appreciates light tackle Is like manna from heaven Through trial and error testing testing and testing experimenting here and there Eble says we have been able to build into our rods a smooth sensitive a action combined with backbone vitality and terrific powe per ounce of weight And that's decidedly what the fly rod angler wants wants and and to paraphrase paraphrase paraphrase para para- phrase a famous automobile slogan When better fly rods are made bamboo rod makers will make them t A A I IOne Always Learning One of the most fascinating things about fishing is that despite the ego a successful angler may build buildup up over the years despite whatever success he may have enjoyed on lake or stream there is never any me ne moment during his pursuit of the deniz denizens ns that he can pause and declare that he knows it all that tha t at last fishing has been brought to an exact science And it is that factor that keeps the intelligent angler always on the alert for a new angle a new technique technique technique tech tech- that may catch fish today even eren if it does prove ineffective to to- morrow All this is by way of being a preface preface preface ace to this suggestion Try the creeks a and n d smaller streams around your locality for white bass sometimes You may be surprised at the thc result We did and it was then that the truism co contained con tamed In the first paragraph of this article came forcibly to light For instance we knew that the white bass are found in lakes and frequently frequently frequently fre fre- fre- fre In rivers but we didn't know they came into small creeks Well they did here in Kentucky this fall and nearly everyone who tried caught plenty of them t A A t A Sometimes Pays This will 11 come as no new word to those who keep abreast of outdoor outdoor out out- door publications but It Is well to issue the reminder we think for what value it may have in filling ones one's creel The reminder is Be sure youre you're not overlooking some good fishing by staying away from some nearby stream or pond that everyone says is all fished out Instances where diligent anglers have proved the fallacy of such claims arc too many to report |