Handcrafted Bamboo Rod update

by Gavin McAuliffe | Feb 11, 2009 | Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Equipment

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Bamboo fly fishing rod

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Bamboo fly fishing rod

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Bamboo fly fishing rod

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Bamboo fly fishing rod

Chris Carlin of Far North Rod Smiths emailed me yesterday to say that he had finished making my rod and is starting the big journey to NZ. I will be hooking up with Chris when he gets down my way and will be looking after him on the water for a day’a real New Zealand fly fishing and get him into some big South Island brown trout. Maybe I wil get a chance to cast the rod? Probably another day!

He sent me some photos of the bamboo rod, a 8’6″ 5wt 3 piece of handcrafted beauty. I greatly admire the skill and effort that goes into making rods like this. Even many of the tools required to make these stunning rods can’t be bought but have to be made by the rod maker themselves.

Check out the accompanying photos and remember to give Chris a buzz (when he finishes his NZ vacation) and order yourself one of his stunning rods – it will be a rod for life!

Tight Lines,

Simon

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Carlin on Bamboo

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Carlin on Bamboo

Brown Trout and Bamboo Rod

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Brown Trout and Bamboo Rod

Testimonials

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

I can’t tell you how much I appreciated everything you did to make my fishing trip unforgettable. That trophy brown was totally unbelievable! Frankly, I’m surprised we were able to land him. That was one of the longest fights I’ve ever had with a fish. Fighting that trout and the river current was a whole new experience for me. Your advice and help were invaluable. I will definitely call you the next time I get to New Zealand. And I really enjoyed your website article and photo. Thanks again for putting me in position to catch the fish of a lifetime. And it was almost a few fish of a lifetime. All in all…brilliant!!!

Harry Dorian

USA

15/02/2010

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

I can’t tell you how much I appreciated everything you did to make my fishing trip unforgettable. That trophy brown was totally unbelievable! Frankly, I’m surprised we were able to land him. That was one of the longest fights I’ve ever had with a fish. Fighting that trout and the river current was a whole new experience for me. Your advice and help were invaluable. I will definitely call you the next time I get to New Zealand. And I really enjoyed your website article and photo. Thanks again for putting me in position to catch the fish of a lifetime. And it was almost a few fish of a lifetime. All in all…brilliant!!!

Harry Dorian

USA

15/02/2010

Well, another trip with Fly Fishing Expeditions. They seem to get better and better. Their knowledge about the "backyard" never ceases to amaze me. As he said to me, ” we haven’t even scratched the surface yet”. In my books that means more trips. Bring it on. To bank fish after fish, some days harder than others, with the hardest giving up the fish of the trip it’s hard to go back to work. If you want bang for your buck, hot hot hot fishing, great company, superb choc chip banana bread and good old friendly hospitality, fish with this crew. We will be back next year. If not this one!

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

Brad Johnston

Australia

01/02/2010

I have been fly fishing for 30 years and over that time have been with a lot of guides world wide and I can honestly say that the guides from Fly Fishing Expeditions are among the best. Easy going natures, uncanny ability to spot fish, and willingness to put in long days on the river all combine to make fishing with guides from NZ Fly Fishing Expedition a trip to remember. I would not hesitate to recommend NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions to anyone wanting to experience South Island trout fishing at it’s best.

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

Rick Belmare

USA

10/12/2009

What a fantastic week. The only problem was it had to end. Not only did you put us on some of the best Browns and Rainbow I’ve ever seen, and showed us some of the most beautiful country NZ has to offer, but you spent the time with each of us to improve our technique and that is priceless. I would do that trip again in a heartbeat. I look forward to fishing with you again in November. New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

Andrew Rankin

Australia

10/03/2009

I’ve been back for two trips to New Zealand with NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions, the enthusiasm and knowledge of the South Island is unparalleled. Flexibility and a willingness to work with the weather seems to be key down there, and he has the means and the contacts to get you into the best fishing for any conditions. Don’t miss the opportunity to fly into Fiordland if you get the chance – imagine crystal clear azure blue rivers running through temperate rain forests, with snow capped peaks all around you – surreal – and the likelihood is no one’s been there for months. I have been put in front of several feeding 10lb+ fish – just my incompetence proving the problem………

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

James Chataway

UK

09/12/2008

Thank you for the video – it was fun to watch and was a fabulous way to remember the trip, especially that one day above the Noonya. I felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to fish with you as my guide. You not only delivered the type of stream I requested, but also presented many opportunities for me to catch huge rainbows and browns, lent me equipment and helped me with my casting technique! In 4 days you did all of the above AND we caught fish! I will never forget the one day that I hooked 20 trout and landed 14 of them, starting at noon and ending at 4:30! That memory will stick with me as long as I live. Thank you, Willie

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

Willie Drake

USA

10/11/2008

Just a quick note of appreciation for your sharing a river/stream/burn with us on Tuesday. Your professional yet personal attention to detail was exemplary, your skills outstanding and your spotting out of this world! Even a dunking didn't detract from your attention to detail, and your succinct appraisal of and advice to each fisher individually was particularly helpful. I look forward to seeing the photos which I'm sure will reflect your passion, admiration and at oneness with are natural world. Thanks again for a memorable experience.

Cheers Rod

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

Rod Garden

Lansdowne

Masterton

New Zealand

12/12/2013

Patrick and I truly hope this message finds you and your family in good health and happy. You were the major factor (person) in making our trip to New Zealand the best experience possible. Not only your overwhelming knowledge and experience as a fly fishing guide but more importantly your human kindness and personality were greatly appreciated and valued by us during the entire trip.
We can not thank you enough for making that experience as great as possible. Please stay in touch and we are interested in hearing about the growth of you and your family as time passes. You may be far away in distance but you are close in our thoughts.

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

New Zealand Fly Fishing Expeditions

Bob and Patrick Burchfiel

USA

02/02/2014