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More than piece of cane
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| Henry Williamson shaves a gentle taper into a bamboo rod blank July 17 at his workshop near Sky Valley. Williamson makes homemade cane fly rods, which are favored by many fishermen for their quality craftsmanship and rich tradition. |
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
Long before the days of graphite and space-age polymers, fly rods were built of bamboo, and many fishermen still insist on catching trout the old-fashioned way - with a stick of hand-cut cane.
Rabun County fly fishing instructor Henry Williamson first dabbled in making the traditional rods about 20 years ago after a friend gave him a book on the subject.
But before he could devote more time to making the rods, family life changed his plans.
"I made a few rods, then I had a few kids and got away from it," Williamson said in his workshop near Sky Valley. "About two years ago, I got serious about it."
Williamson filled his mind with information gleaned from many hours of reading. Then he set up his shop and got to work.
A 12-foot section of Tonkin bamboo imported from China is used because of its density and strength.
"It has real tightly bundled fibers in it," Williamson said. "It's the strongest thing with its given weight."
After sanding away the outer enamel, the bamboo is split into six strips each cut to a 60-degree angle. The strips are planed and bound together to form the rod blank.
Using a complex set of dimensions, Williamson determines the rate of taper in each rod to fit his customer's specifications.
It's a painstaking process that can result in imperfections. Imperfection, however, is not in Williamson's vocabulary.
"I could use an irregular piece, but that's not what I'm trying to do," Williamson said. "I'm trying to make the best damn bamboo fly rod I can."
Next, the blanks are placed in a dust-free chamber where a homemade system of motors and pulleys slowly dips the rod into a vat of urethane to stain and seal it.
"What you end up with is the most even coat of paint you can put on something," Williamson said.
After curing, line guides are wrapped onto the rod, and high-quality reel seats made of hardwood, nickel and silver are attached. Expensive cork rings are sanded and shaped to form the handle before the rod is ready for the river.
Williamson said he invests between 40-50 hours of work and $200 worth of materials in each of his rods, which sell for about $1,100 apiece.
Billy O'Dell, of Cashiers, N.C., purchased a rod from Williamson about six months ago and said that it is made better than a more expensive cane rod he owns.
"The workmanship is just beautiful," O'Dell said. "The color is beautiful. The reel seat is very special, very pretty wood. It casts better than the other rod that cost three times as much."
O'Dell said the choice to invest in one of Williamson's bamboo rods was simple.
"You could have a chest of drawers made out of plastic or one made of mahogany. Both of 'em will work, but which one would you choose?" O'Dell said.
To order a rod or to talk with Williamson about his craft, call 706-746-5631.
Rabun County fly fishing instructor Henry Williamson first dabbled in making the traditional rods about 20 years ago after a friend gave him a book on the subject.
But before he could devote more time to making the rods, family life changed his plans.
"I made a few rods, then I had a few kids and got away from it," Williamson said in his workshop near Sky Valley. "About two years ago, I got serious about it."
Williamson filled his mind with information gleaned from many hours of reading. Then he set up his shop and got to work.
A 12-foot section of Tonkin bamboo imported from China is used because of its density and strength.
"It has real tightly bundled fibers in it," Williamson said. "It's the strongest thing with its given weight."
After sanding away the outer enamel, the bamboo is split into six strips each cut to a 60-degree angle. The strips are planed and bound together to form the rod blank.
Using a complex set of dimensions, Williamson determines the rate of taper in each rod to fit his customer's specifications.
It's a painstaking process that can result in imperfections. Imperfection, however, is not in Williamson's vocabulary.
"I could use an irregular piece, but that's not what I'm trying to do," Williamson said. "I'm trying to make the best damn bamboo fly rod I can."
Next, the blanks are placed in a dust-free chamber where a homemade system of motors and pulleys slowly dips the rod into a vat of urethane to stain and seal it.
"What you end up with is the most even coat of paint you can put on something," Williamson said.
After curing, line guides are wrapped onto the rod, and high-quality reel seats made of hardwood, nickel and silver are attached. Expensive cork rings are sanded and shaped to form the handle before the rod is ready for the river.
Williamson said he invests between 40-50 hours of work and $200 worth of materials in each of his rods, which sell for about $1,100 apiece.
Billy O'Dell, of Cashiers, N.C., purchased a rod from Williamson about six months ago and said that it is made better than a more expensive cane rod he owns.
"The workmanship is just beautiful," O'Dell said. "The color is beautiful. The reel seat is very special, very pretty wood. It casts better than the other rod that cost three times as much."
O'Dell said the choice to invest in one of Williamson's bamboo rods was simple.
"You could have a chest of drawers made out of plastic or one made of mahogany. Both of 'em will work, but which one would you choose?" O'Dell said.
To order a rod or to talk with Williamson about his craft, call 706-746-5631.
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