Bamboo rods are so special...Each one has a soul. Think about it, they are made from material found in nature and each one crafted by HAND. I own four bamboo rods that I will pass down to each of my four grandsons. I just hope they when fish with them, they, like you Mike, will look at the dirt and sweat on the natural cork grip, think about their ol' grandpa, and remember all the good times we had.
I'm a grandpa and enjoyed your story of your bamboo rod. I have 6 or so bamboo rods and and enjoy fishing with some that are 60 -80 years old. I appreciate the workmanship and ability of those 6 pieces of wood to flex who knows how many times over the years and still hold up. I've also abused some and learned that trying to push too hard into Colorado/Wyoming wind is the most likely thing to break a rod at the ferrules. Bottom line is don't be afraid to fish older rods; just give them a little respect and love. Enjoyed your story and what you are doing with your life.
Somehow I missed this before. A wonderful remembrance! Totally different side of you. I am now 70 and I cherish the times with those who has passed who gave of their time to teach me my love of the outdoors. I rebuilt my fathers bamboo flyrod that I believe he had custom built about 80 years ago. I caught my first trout with that rod as he coached me on controlling the line and I will always cherish the look on his face when I landed that 12" Brook trout. Following the rebuild, I fished it on the Ark here in Colorado and caught several browns and rainbows all the while remembering that day 63 years ago. You have discovered one of the greatest parts of life. Great video
Thanks for sharing your interesting family history. I don’t have anything as classic as a bamboo fly rod passed down to me but I still have my father’s and mine Fenwick fiberglass fly rods with fiberglass ferrules (a departure from metal ferrules in those days) purchased in the early 60s when Dad and I started getting more interested in fly fishing when taking our yearly vacations when we lived in Los Angeles. I still have the Pfluger Medalist fly reels from those years ( made in USA then, not like in China now). Dad passed away in 2012 at 97 and I turned 70 last month. Back in the 60’s we had no idea how to fish nymphs so it was all dry flys. Now when I get to go fishing it’s mostly nymphs. I can always remember catching my first trout on a family trip to South Lake Tahoe fishing a small creek close to where it enters the lake. Had a Zebco spin cast rod and reel and with a small Mepps spinner. The trout jumped out of the water. What a surprise it was, a 10” rainbow which I released. Haven’t fished a lot since junior high school but now that my wife and I full time travel in our motorhome I hope to catch up. This year so far fished some Georgia and North Carolina streams and just finished spending the whole summer in Colorado fishing various streams from the North Platte in the north to the Dolores in the southwest part of the state. Enjoy your videos a lot.
I think the beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I bet that Fenwick is worth more than its weight in gold! Those first fish kind of stories are always so hard to forget! I remember mine as well. Thank you so much for the comment and thank you so much for the support! Tight lines!
Without being patronizing, Mike you get it. Great story, well told. I’m lucky enough to fish gear that my step-father used to own. It’s a great tribute to catch a nice fish on a fly he tied 30 years ago or using his bamboo rod and a fly I tied. Living history, keeping the past present.
Your story resonates deeply within my heart. Like you, my Grandfather played a pivotal role in my life teaching me the art and discipline of fly fishing. I inherited his bamboo fly rods(Powels) and his hardy reels and since I lived in Hawaii they remained in storage for many years. My wife was a knitter,weaver and spinner and she wanted to go to a weaving conference in Jackson ,Wyoming so she asked me if I wanted to go and my response was why would I want to go to Wyoming and she asked me if I still had my Grandfather’s fly rods because Jackson Hole was also known for it’s fly fishing! Needless to say: we moved to Jackson and I rekindled my love for fly fishing. I had the opportunity to teach my nephew how to fly fish and when we had to move to Florida for my wife’s health(Parkinson’s) I gifted my nephew with my Grandfather’s Bamboo fly and reels. Hopefully, the tradition which has given my family so much joy will continue!
Thanks for sharing that awesome story of connecting the generations through fly fishing. I use my father's old bamboo rod occasionally to remind myself who taught me to love fishing and the great outdoors. Right on Bro!
It’s great to hear about the people behind the hobbies of our life! I never got to know my grandpa well, but always heard the stories of how he would be so proud and excited to hear about my stories! As I got into fly fishing I inherited many of his rods and they are the most incredible pieces of art I know! Thank you for sharing!
Great story, Mike. I also have my father's bamboo rod and automatic reel. I last fished it the day after he passed as a way to go on one last trip together. Then I cleaned it up and retired it. This video makes me think I should get it out occasionally and fish it in his memory. Thanks for making me think.
Mike, maybe it's about connection. I think all of us at times have tried to distance ourselves from connection, especially when we've experienced some disconnection from the things we admire, adore, love, and make us whole. Eventually though, we all come back, one connection at a time. I think your path back is a great example. It started with that connection to flyfishing, moved on to a connection with your grandfather and great grandfather through your time with your grandfather and the cherishing of his gift, and ended up in a connection to several thousand individuals (almost all of which you haven't met) that religiously view and listen to your stories on a weekly basis... and start their own journeys back to being connected to the things they admire, adore, love, and make them whole by being connected to you. Keep finding, and making, those connections. Thank you and tight lines.
Glad to know I’m not the only sentimental one out there…. My dad passed away 3 years ago, and every year on his birthday, I go to his favorite alpine lake in Rio Gramde national forest and fish with his bamboo rod…. Crazy thing is this year 8/4/21, I ran into his old fishing buddy up there doing the same thing, fishing a bamboo my dad gifted him. (BTW he was WAY too old to be that high up and we just about had to carry him out!). Something nostalgic about those bamboo rods for sure…
We are birds of a feather Andy.. It is really hard not to get feelings intertwined with something special like that. There are many layers of emotions and memories that encapsulate it all in a strange way.
Every bamboo fly rod has a story and that was a good one. I believe that bamboo rods, like wooden boats, have a soul because it was once a living organism and has been shaped by human hands. Your grandparents were lucky to have a grandson who told them all the things you told them. I am a grandparent and an owner of my 7'/4 Orvis bamboo rod which I intend to pass to my granddaughter. I hope she will treasure it like you do your rod.
@@FLYALLSZN the ADD is text book innovation. Not just a silly fly. You have no idea how much time you have saved me from having to add and subtract tippets bro. Genius idea.
I have an old bamboo rod and reel similar to the one your holding, the cork is worn down to the nubs you can see were every individual that ever used it has placed their hands and casted this rod, it's pretty awesome, I have never used it, but before I pass it on to the worthy person I will catch at least one fish with it, great story brother!!!
You’ve touched on the essence of what fly fishing can do. The memories you have now from both items is a treasure that only you know and will keep forever...your relatives see the Joy it’s brought you. It has always been a way of freedom, simplicity and a way to connect w nature for me. Escaping stress in day to day life....I have a similar memory w my Uncle (my Dad’s identical twin) who got me into fly fishing when I was 16. He passed away many years ago, but I always think of him when I’m fishing. It’s a wonderful thing that you’ve found and to me, an essential gift that one discovers with experience. As time goes by, these things become even more important and memories end up being the only thing that we really can keep and are truly the meaning of life.
My grandfather taught me everything I know about hunting, trapping, and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and houndsman. The man was straight as an arrow and spoke up when nobody else would. He’d give you the shirt off his back. Wasn’t college educated, wealthy, or famous. But he was the richest man I’ve ever met. His funeral was absolutely packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder paying their respects to (for many) the best man they ever knew. He was admitted into hospice on my 18th birthday and died 4 days later. A man who only drank 3 times in his life died from an alcoholics disease. Cirrhosis of the liver. It was caused by diabetes and heart medications. I understand your connection to that rod and reel, mine gave me the rifle that I shot my first deer with. I kept it in my room at my parents house and while I was away at college, my stepbrother or one of his “friends” stole it and traded it for drugs at a trap house. It still tears me up. I left it at home so it wouldn’t get stolen. I should have listened to my Pawpaw when he told me to always keep it locked in my room and taken it to my apartment. Thanks for providing us with a small snippet of your experience with your grandparents. I love to talk about mine every chance I get. It makes me happy to hear others who also had awesome grandparents.
Thank you for sharing probably your best video to date that I have seen. Made me realize I have been too hard on my boys on what they should do in life
Wow, gotta love Grandpa and the Kid stories! I have a few of my own that I'll tell in another setting. I have my Grandfather's, Grandmother's and Father's rods and each has the original reels they used while fishing the North Branch of the AuSable River in Michigan. I have 3 rods from my Grandfather, a Heddon #50 President, a bamboo rod he built and his "everyday" rod. I'm heading to the AuSable in May to fish and will be using each of them to see which I like best. Great story. Great content and I am glad I found your channel. I subscribed and am looking forward to viewing your existing and future content. Thanks!
Great story Mike!! Have a bamboo fly rod and Shakespeare automatic reel in my family as well. My brother has it now and it will get passed down!! Lots of memories!! Both still work as the day they were received!! Good times!!
@@FLYALLSZN Absolutely Mike. I have some old rifles that have been passed down well. All have a story of their own. Good for you and sounds like you had an awesome Grandfather!! Stay safe and keep on flyfishnit!!
Thank you so much Brian! I may be getting too romantic with it... but I think there are a lot of parallels if you take the time to sit back and reflect.
Loving the vintage kit you're rocking! Also digging that hothead bugger. I can't tell you how many smallies, trout, and panfish I've caught with a bugger, hothead or otherwise.
Dude, I feel ya bro. When my grandfather passed, I got one of his old Zebco 33 reels. Only thing I wanted. I was the grandson he had to drag off the water...even when the fish were not biting. Enjoyed the video!
Mike you were Truly blessed to have the family members love you that way! Interesting reel, I think it said 1829 on it! What great mementos from loved ones that have passed! Great Tribute!
That is a very personal, touching story and so well told. I enjoy your videos very much and that one was a treasure. Along those lines I just received from an in-law his dad's bamboo rod that I'm going to restore as it's in need of some TLC. He and I had talked last time we were together in Cortez and he knows that I love to fly fish since moving to Colorado. He said that next time we get together he'd bring the two rods. We met up last weekend in Marble where he was doing some marble sculpting and lo and behold were the two bamboo rods that he had talked about. I told him I'd take good care of them and send pics of them during the restoring process and also when I take them out on the river. Thanks again for your great videos and this personal story of yours. Bret
Wow...talk about irony. I'm getting a custom made bamboo 4wt made for me, by a prominent Southern Appalachian fly master - I'm picking it up next week, and I hope to pair it with a Plueger Medalist reel. I've always been intrigued by bamboo, and, while it isn't cheap, the price is reasonable compared to the "going rate". I was also thinking of what I can hand down to my kids. Our time on this earth is pretty short when you think of it - nothing compared to when we step out of time and into eternity - thankfully, we have a great hope - death has been defeated by the Lord, and He has removed the sting.
@@FLYALLSZN I got the rod today - I'm up in the Smokies, and I got to fish it for a few hours...it's the best casting rod I've ever fished - effortless 30ft casts on a rope. I told the guy who built it for me I might hit him up for another one, only in maybe a 9wt for saltwater - I'd love to hang a redfish on a bamboo rod.
These are.all I fish with now... it started out cuz I couldn't afford a fly rod, and I was on a quest to do the next best thing... make one!... now I make about 3 or 4 a year..once in a while I'll sell one.. did some research on them and took some machining classes and read some books and now I make all the hardware and engrave it myself.. also make tooled leather cases for them now...I tried to break a five weight I made on the San Juan River but it held up on the whole trip!... must have caught thousands of fish with that rod now!... I would make more rods but now I'm getting into gun making...😁
@@FLYALLSZN the class is cool but I learned from a guy who took the class and he told me what I needed.... then books from my public library...they also sell books online.... but if you do take a class I would suggest a guy out of Georgia named Bill Oyster... I never met him but dam!... His work is amazing!.... check him out!🙂
Very nice story. Glad you shared. Grandpas. Man. Now that you got the sentiment out of the way, how about giving a review of the rod and reel. Bamboo used to be the cat's meow. Now it is replaced by perhaps better materials and technology. Also the reel. Seems like everyone wanted the automatic. I never knew why. You can't find them anymore. Why. How does bamboo action differ from your newer rods. I'd really be interested. I have a bamboo and a 900 dollar Sage. I have some opinions but I'd like to hear more. \
Awesome rod and great story behind it ! Keep in mind of your future they would want you to have a great son to pass it onto as well. Find the right partner and raise a great son and you continue everything they wanted to instill in you down the line bro! Keep on rolling your doing great . Keep these video coming out tight lines much love ! Maybe see you on the water one day. Appalachian mtns western Maryland West Virginia and Pennsylvania is where you will find me.
I have a bamboo fly rod , spinning and casting rod , still in the original wooden box it came in ! Its from WW2 era. When i get better at casting i want to use it .
I love your videos and I look up to you in a since bc I’m from Missouri and iv always wanted to go trout fishing I try to here in Missouri but there isn’t much spots and iv never gotten to hook into one one day I’ll make a trip and get my first
Great story. I have a bamboo fly rod too but the story isn't as interesting or sentimental as yours. Several years ago, my dad and I went to visit an old friend of his (Al) who was cleaning out his shop building just because he had too much stuff in it. Al had come across an old fly rod that he had had for years, it was a 1962 Orvis Battenkill 8' 7# bamboo that had been given to him by a man named Sandy Balcomb. Sandy Balcomb designed and built pipe organs in the Seattle area in the 1950's and 60's, his name was inscribed on the rod. As the story goes, Balcomb was given the fly rod by a fishing buddy of his but unbeknownst to his friend, Balcomb was not a fly fisher. The rod sat around for several years until it was given to my dad's friend who was not a fly fisher either so the rod was brand new, still in the original tube. My breath was taken away by what I was looking at! I asked Al if he would ever consider selling it and he said that he wasn't really interested in getting any money out of it because he got it for free, but he would consider trades. I was traveling so all I had with me was what was in my car, among which was a .22 caliber pistol. I offered it and he accepted! It came with an Orvis Madison reel, two spools and two lines. I think I got the better end of the deal. I have fished with it a few times but I'm a little afraid to push it too hard given it's provenance. The rest of the story, and where the provenance comes from, is that the original purchaser of the rod, Sandy Balcomb's fishing buddy, was Chief Justice William O. Douglas of the Supreme Court. The rod is my prized possession.
I came across an automatic fly real from the 1930's and it is made by Sears. I guess back then you could order anything through their catalogs even heroin! The real works great.
Very touching video, I fished with my Grandpa in Missouri. Mostly on small creeks and the Gasconade river. Great small mouth bass and googleye as well as perch. Some times with a cane pole with a line tied on end. No expensive rods then. But great. I hunted with him too. Raccoon hunting for pelts was sooo fun for a 10 year old in 1966. He sold the pelts . Rabbit and squirts and deer hunted and eaten. We ate a carp and catfish and even snakes. Gigging for frogs was fun too. Lots of great memories. Most could never be recreated today.
You had me at hello fishing bamboo, the story behind the rod stole my heart. Thank you.
Bamboo rods are so special...Each one has a soul. Think about it, they are made from material found in nature and each one crafted by HAND. I own four bamboo rods that I will pass down to each of my four grandsons. I just hope they when fish with them, they, like you Mike, will look at the dirt and sweat on the natural cork grip, think about their ol' grandpa, and remember all the good times we had.
Something tells me they will cherish it! They are truly something special.
I'm a grandpa and enjoyed your story of your bamboo rod. I have 6 or so bamboo rods and and enjoy fishing with some that are 60 -80 years old. I appreciate the workmanship and ability of those 6 pieces of wood to flex who knows how many times over the years and still hold up. I've also abused some and learned that trying to push too hard into Colorado/Wyoming wind is the most likely thing to break a rod at the ferrules. Bottom line is don't be afraid to fish older rods; just give them a little respect and love. Enjoyed your story and what you are doing with your life.
Somehow I missed this before. A wonderful remembrance! Totally different side of you. I am now 70 and I cherish the times with those who has passed who gave of their time to teach me my love of the outdoors. I rebuilt my fathers bamboo flyrod that I believe he had custom built about 80 years ago. I caught my first trout with that rod as he coached me on controlling the line and I will always cherish the look on his face when I landed that 12" Brook trout. Following the rebuild, I fished it on the Ark here in Colorado and caught several browns and rainbows all the while remembering that day 63 years ago. You have discovered one of the greatest parts of life.
Great video
Thank you so much Glenn! Sometimes the more sentimental side bleeds out!
@@FLYALLSZN Nothing wrong with that! I love all your videos and that excitable side as well.
Beautiful rod. He was so excited to get it for you. I learned everything I know about fly fishing from that man.
Great story Mike, and so eloquently told. Bringing those two treasures together is pretty damn special. Enjoyed!
Thank you so much Scott! I really feel lucky to be able to use both of these together!
Thanks for sharing your interesting family history. I don’t have anything as classic as a bamboo fly rod passed down to me but I still have my father’s and mine Fenwick fiberglass fly rods with fiberglass ferrules (a departure from metal ferrules in those days) purchased in the early 60s when Dad and I started getting more interested in fly fishing when taking our yearly vacations when we lived in Los Angeles. I still have the Pfluger Medalist fly reels from those years ( made in USA then, not like in China now). Dad passed away in 2012 at 97 and I turned 70 last month. Back in the 60’s we had no idea how to fish nymphs so it was all dry flys. Now when I get to go fishing it’s mostly nymphs. I can always remember catching my first trout on a family trip to South Lake Tahoe fishing a small creek close to where it enters the lake. Had a Zebco spin cast rod and reel and with a small Mepps spinner. The trout jumped out of the water. What a surprise it was, a 10” rainbow which I released. Haven’t fished a lot since junior high school but now that my wife and I full time travel in our motorhome I hope to catch up. This year so far fished some Georgia and North Carolina streams and just finished spending the whole summer in Colorado fishing various streams from the North Platte in the north to the Dolores in the southwest part of the state. Enjoy your videos a lot.
I think the beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I bet that Fenwick is worth more than its weight in gold! Those first fish kind of stories are always so hard to forget! I remember mine as well. Thank you so much for the comment and thank you so much for the support! Tight lines!
The story is more special than the rod... kudos buddy it's good to hold sentimental history!
You are exactly right Luke. I hold that story close to my heart
Without being patronizing, Mike you get it. Great story, well told. I’m lucky enough to fish gear that my step-father used to own. It’s a great tribute to catch a nice fish on a fly he tied 30 years ago or using his bamboo rod and a fly I tied. Living history, keeping the past present.
So much history. You are an incredible story teller. Thanks for sharing this
Thank you so much Richard! I have my can thank my grandparents for helping me build that foundation.
Your story resonates deeply within my heart. Like you, my Grandfather played a pivotal role in my life teaching me the art and discipline of fly fishing. I inherited his bamboo fly rods(Powels) and his hardy reels and since I lived in Hawaii they remained in storage for many years. My wife was a knitter,weaver and spinner and she wanted to go to a weaving conference in Jackson ,Wyoming so she asked me if I wanted to go and my response was why would I want to go to Wyoming and she asked me if I still had my Grandfather’s fly rods because Jackson Hole was also known for it’s fly fishing! Needless to say: we moved to Jackson and I rekindled my love for fly fishing. I had the opportunity to teach my nephew how to fly fish and when we had to move to Florida for my wife’s health(Parkinson’s) I gifted my nephew with my Grandfather’s Bamboo fly and reels. Hopefully, the tradition which has given my family so much joy will continue!
That is a great story Tim. It is so strange how these kind of stories are shared across many anglers who enjoy this sport.
Really nice. I've been enjoying your New Mexico content, where I caught my first trout.
Thank you so much Casey!
Powerful...you're very lucky and I'm glad you appreciate it. Enjoy for years to come and pass it on with this story.
Beautiful story my friend. You definitely choked me up a bit.
Thank you so much Paul! This was a story very close to my heart. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for sharing that awesome story of connecting the generations through fly fishing. I use my father's old bamboo rod occasionally to remind myself who taught me to love fishing and the great outdoors. Right on Bro!
Thanks for sharing this. Good story and lesson.
Of course Jon! I am so glad you liked it!
Beautifully told Mike, true treasures for sure! Thanks.
Thank you so much Scott!
You do an excellent job honoring the gifts
Really well done, Mike! Thanks for sharing.
Of course! I am so glad you liked it!
It’s great to hear about the people behind the hobbies of our life! I never got to know my grandpa well, but always heard the stories of how he would be so proud and excited to hear about my stories! As I got into fly fishing I inherited many of his rods and they are the most incredible pieces of art I know!
Thank you for sharing!
Great story, Mike. I also have my father's bamboo rod and automatic reel. I last fished it the day after he passed as a way to go on one last trip together. Then I cleaned it up and retired it. This video makes me think I should get it out occasionally and fish it in his memory. Thanks for making me think.
Glad you could share. I just rebuilt my fathers bamboo rod estimated to be at least 80 years old. I can relate to your feelings.
Mike, maybe it's about connection. I think all of us at times have tried to distance ourselves from connection, especially when we've experienced some disconnection from the things we admire, adore, love, and make us whole. Eventually though, we all come back, one connection at a time. I think your path back is a great example. It started with that connection to flyfishing, moved on to a connection with your grandfather and great grandfather through your time with your grandfather and the cherishing of his gift, and ended up in a connection to several thousand individuals (almost all of which you haven't met) that religiously view and listen to your stories on a weekly basis... and start their own journeys back to being connected to the things they admire, adore, love, and make them whole by being connected to you. Keep finding, and making, those connections. Thank you and tight lines.
Wow. Rob I don’t know what to say. I think you might have nailed it.. you are seriously the best!
👊🏻⛽️🎥🎞🎙🥾🎣🏔Thank you for sharing heart felt feelings honoring your family.
Nice way to remember your Grandpa and a heirloom to pass on along with the heritage.
Glad to know I’m not the only sentimental one out there…. My dad passed away 3 years ago, and every year on his birthday, I go to his favorite alpine lake in Rio Gramde national forest and fish with his bamboo rod…. Crazy thing is this year 8/4/21, I ran into his old fishing buddy up there doing the same thing, fishing a bamboo my dad gifted him. (BTW he was WAY too old to be that high up and we just about had to carry him out!). Something nostalgic about those bamboo rods for sure…
We are birds of a feather Andy.. It is really hard not to get feelings intertwined with something special like that. There are many layers of emotions and memories that encapsulate it all in a strange way.
Awesome story! That's what makes it all worth it.
Thank you so much!
Every bamboo fly rod has a story and that was a good one. I believe that bamboo rods, like wooden boats, have a soul because it was once a living organism and has been shaped by human hands.
Your grandparents were lucky to have a grandson who told them all the things you told them.
I am a grandparent and an owner of my 7'/4 Orvis bamboo rod which I intend to pass to my granddaughter.
I hope she will treasure it like you do your rod.
It really does! I have no doubt she will Richard!
There are actually 3 generations on that rod if you count the adjustable dry dropper. Great story Mike. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Adam! Hahaha the FAS ADD is just a silly fly 😂😂
@@FLYALLSZN the ADD is text book innovation. Not just a silly fly. You have no idea how much time you have saved me from having to add and subtract tippets bro. Genius idea.
Awesome story the reel part wow!!
Kinda crazy how it all came full circle like that!
I have an old bamboo rod and reel similar to the one your holding, the cork is worn down to the nubs you can see were every individual that ever used it has placed their hands and casted this rod, it's pretty awesome, I have never used it, but before I pass it on to the worthy person I will catch at least one fish with it, great story brother!!!
Thank you so much Jeremiah!
Thank you for sharing. Oh, reattach young man. Best
Of course! I am so glad you liked this story!
You’ve touched on the essence of what fly fishing can do. The memories you have now from both items is a treasure that only you know and will keep forever...your relatives see the Joy it’s brought you.
It has always been a way of freedom, simplicity and a way to connect w nature for me. Escaping stress in day to day life....I have a similar memory w my Uncle (my Dad’s identical twin) who got me into fly fishing when I was 16. He passed away many years ago, but I always think of him when I’m fishing. It’s a wonderful thing that you’ve found and to me, an essential gift that one discovers with experience. As time goes by, these things become even more important and memories end up being the only thing that we really can keep and are truly the meaning of life.
Beautiful story man!
Thank you so much Rory!
My grandfather taught me everything I know about hunting, trapping, and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and houndsman. The man was straight as an arrow and spoke up when nobody else would. He’d give you the shirt off his back. Wasn’t college educated, wealthy, or famous. But he was the richest man I’ve ever met. His funeral was absolutely packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder paying their respects to (for many) the best man they ever knew.
He was admitted into hospice on my 18th birthday and died 4 days later. A man who only drank 3 times in his life died from an alcoholics disease. Cirrhosis of the liver. It was caused by diabetes and heart medications.
I understand your connection to that rod and reel, mine gave me the rifle that I shot my first deer with. I kept it in my room at my parents house and while I was away at college, my stepbrother or one of his “friends” stole it and traded it for drugs at a trap house. It still tears me up. I left it at home so it wouldn’t get stolen. I should have listened to my Pawpaw when he told me to always keep it locked in my room and taken it to my apartment.
Thanks for providing us with a small snippet of your experience with your grandparents. I love to talk about mine every chance I get. It makes me happy to hear others who also had awesome grandparents.
Thank you for sharing probably your best video to date that I have seen. Made me realize I have been too hard on my boys on what they should do in life
Thank you so much James! It is a story that sits close to my heart and I am so glad you liked it!
Great story on the rod, its amazing how many of us have those special memories on how we got involved with flyfishing.
I could not agree more!
Wow, gotta love Grandpa and the Kid stories! I have a few of my own that I'll tell in another setting. I have my Grandfather's, Grandmother's and Father's rods and each has the original reels they used while fishing the North Branch of the AuSable River in Michigan. I have 3 rods from my Grandfather, a Heddon #50 President, a bamboo rod he built and his "everyday" rod. I'm heading to the AuSable in May to fish and will be using each of them to see which I like best. Great story. Great content and I am glad I found your channel. I subscribed and am looking forward to viewing your existing and future content. Thanks!
It is hard to explain the sentimental value of something like that! Glad you can relate and very happy you found the channel! Welcome!
Great story Mike!! Have a bamboo fly rod and Shakespeare automatic reel in my family as well. My brother has it now and it will get passed down!! Lots of memories!! Both still work as the day they were received!! Good times!!
One day I hope to pass this down as well! That is what it is all about!
@@FLYALLSZN Absolutely Mike. I have some old rifles that have been passed down well. All have a story of their own. Good for you and sounds like you had an awesome Grandfather!! Stay safe and keep on flyfishnit!!
Great story. Heartfelt. Thanks. It's interesting how many intersections there are between art and fly fishing.
Thank you so much Brian! I may be getting too romantic with it... but I think there are a lot of parallels if you take the time to sit back and reflect.
Mike is the best out no doubt much love keep making videos ❤️
Thank you so much Alex! Keeping that pedal down and the pressure on!
Loving the vintage kit you're rocking! Also digging that hothead bugger. I can't tell you how many smallies, trout, and panfish I've caught with a bugger, hothead or otherwise.
Gotta throw it back every now and then!
Dude, I feel ya bro. When my grandfather passed, I got one of his old Zebco 33 reels. Only thing I wanted. I was the grandson he had to drag off the water...even when the fish were not biting. Enjoyed the video!
Thank you so much! It is nice to know others feel the same way! It is a tough feeling to explain.
My grandpa had one of those reels, been meaning to find his old rod too
I am amazed how well it still sings.
Cool story! My dad is a'62 ND grad...wonder if he and your Grandfather or Oliver crossed paths. Bamboo is magical for sure!
Thank you so much! I think they might have missed each other by a few years!
Mike you were Truly blessed to have the family members love you that way! Interesting reel, I think it said 1829 on it! What great mementos from loved ones that have passed! Great Tribute!
Thank you so much!! There is extreme value to those kind of things!
That is a very personal, touching story and so well told. I enjoy your videos very much and that one was a treasure. Along those lines I just received from an in-law his dad's bamboo rod that I'm going to restore as it's in need of some TLC. He and I had talked last time we were together in Cortez and he knows that I love to fly fish since moving to Colorado. He said that next time we get together he'd bring the two rods. We met up last weekend in Marble where he was doing some marble sculpting and lo and behold were the two bamboo rods that he had talked about. I told him I'd take good care of them and send pics of them during the restoring process and also when I take them out on the river. Thanks again for your great videos and this personal story of yours.
Bret
Wow...talk about irony. I'm getting a custom made bamboo 4wt made for me, by a prominent Southern Appalachian fly master - I'm picking it up next week, and I hope to pair it with a Plueger Medalist reel. I've always been intrigued by bamboo, and, while it isn't cheap, the price is reasonable compared to the "going rate". I was also thinking of what I can hand down to my kids. Our time on this earth is pretty short when you think of it - nothing compared to when we step out of time and into eternity - thankfully, we have a great hope - death has been defeated by the Lord, and He has removed the sting.
It would be an amazing thing to pass along! I certainly know I will.
@@FLYALLSZN I got the rod today - I'm up in the Smokies, and I got to fish it for a few hours...it's the best casting rod I've ever fished - effortless 30ft casts on a rope. I told the guy who built it for me I might hit him up for another one, only in maybe a 9wt for saltwater - I'd love to hang a redfish on a bamboo rod.
These are.all I fish with now... it started out cuz I couldn't afford a fly rod, and I was on a quest to do the next best thing... make one!... now I make about 3 or 4 a year..once in a while I'll sell one.. did some research on them and took some machining classes and read some books and now I make all the hardware and engrave it myself.. also make tooled leather cases for them now...I tried to break a five weight I made on the San Juan River but it held up on the whole trip!... must have caught thousands of fish with that rod now!... I would make more rods but now I'm getting into gun making...😁
Glad you got the reel back!.... What an awsome story!🙂
They are seriously so amazing! I can't believe how well they hold up! That is the next frontier for me! I might have to look into some classes!
@@FLYALLSZN the class is cool but I learned from a guy who took the class and he told me what I needed.... then books from my public library...they also sell books online.... but if you do take a class I would suggest a guy out of Georgia named Bill Oyster... I never met him but dam!... His work is amazing!.... check him out!🙂
Great Story
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your story. Like your films. Much are similar to the waters I fish in Northern Sweden (brown trouth, grayling, arctic char).
Very nice story. Glad you shared. Grandpas. Man.
Now that you got the sentiment out of the way, how about giving a review of the rod and reel. Bamboo used to be the cat's meow. Now it is replaced by perhaps better materials and technology. Also the reel. Seems like everyone wanted the automatic. I never knew why. You can't find them anymore. Why. How does bamboo action differ from your newer rods. I'd really be interested. I have a bamboo and a 900 dollar Sage. I have some opinions but I'd like to hear more.
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Thank you so much Kent! I just might have to!
Great video.
Thank you Jason!
Awesome rod and great story behind it ! Keep in mind of your future they would want you to have a great son to pass it onto as well. Find the right partner and raise a great son and you continue everything they wanted to instill in you down the line bro! Keep on rolling your doing great . Keep these video coming out tight lines much love ! Maybe see you on the water one day. Appalachian mtns western Maryland West Virginia and Pennsylvania is where you will find me.
If I’m lucky enough to have a son or daughter that enjoys this kinda stuff I’d love to pass it along to them!
I have a bamboo fly rod , spinning and casting rod , still in the original wooden box it came in ! Its from WW2 era. When i get better at casting i want to use it .
Man I’m sitting here on my lunch break thinking it’s a good day for rain 😭
That rod and reel is your grandfather going on the adventures with you he’s there with you all the time
I love your videos and I look up to you in a since bc I’m from Missouri and iv always wanted to go trout fishing I try to here in Missouri but there isn’t much spots and iv never gotten to hook into one one day I’ll make a trip and get my first
Never let it go
Great story. I have a bamboo fly rod too but the story isn't as interesting or sentimental as yours.
Several years ago, my dad and I went to visit an old friend of his (Al) who was cleaning out his shop building just because he had too much stuff in it.
Al had come across an old fly rod that he had had for years, it was a 1962 Orvis Battenkill 8' 7# bamboo that had been given to him by a man named Sandy Balcomb.
Sandy Balcomb designed and built pipe organs in the Seattle area in the 1950's and 60's, his name was inscribed on the rod. As the story goes, Balcomb was given the fly rod by a fishing buddy of his but unbeknownst to his friend, Balcomb was not a fly fisher. The rod sat around for several years until it was given to my dad's friend who was not a fly fisher either so the rod was brand new, still in the original tube. My breath was taken away by what I was looking at!
I asked Al if he would ever consider selling it and he said that he wasn't really interested in getting any money out of it because he got it for free, but he would consider trades. I was traveling so all I had with me was what was in my car, among which was a .22 caliber pistol. I offered it and he accepted! It came with an Orvis Madison reel, two spools and two lines. I think I got the better end of the deal. I have fished with it a few times but I'm a little afraid to push it too hard given it's provenance.
The rest of the story, and where the provenance comes from, is that the original purchaser of the rod, Sandy Balcomb's fishing buddy, was Chief Justice William O. Douglas of the Supreme Court.
The rod is my prized possession.
Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for sharing that story! That really is priceless!
I came across an automatic fly real from the 1930's and it is made by Sears. I guess back then you could order anything through their catalogs even heroin! The real works great.
Those reels are so cool! I really enjoy mine.
I love your videos. But no Rock, chalk, Jayhawks please…. MIZ-ZOu
Very touching video, I fished with my Grandpa in Missouri. Mostly on small creeks and the Gasconade river. Great small mouth bass and googleye as well as perch. Some times with a cane pole with a line tied on end. No expensive rods then. But great. I hunted with him too. Raccoon hunting for pelts was sooo fun for a 10 year old in 1966. He sold the pelts . Rabbit and squirts and deer hunted and eaten. We ate a carp and catfish and even snakes. Gigging for frogs was fun too. Lots of great memories. Most could never be recreated today.
Haha gotta give some love to my birds! Those times are truly priceless and that is why those memories remain.
Such a sweet video man! Bamboo rods are works of art!
Thank you so much! They are amazing
Great story
Thank you!!