Splitting Cane

by Ed Engle

"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 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)

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ed Engle enjoys fly-fishing and especially bamboo rods. His appreciation for the rod builder and the finished product is clear and present throughout this book. You learn as much about the rod builder as you do about their finely crafted rods in each chapter. Engle's treatment is exactly right here . you can't consider one without the other. But you should realize the chapters are written much less as a critique and more of a celebration of the rod and its maker.

Each of the chapters of Splitting Cane derives from magazine articles the author wrote for Anglers Journal. An apparent boilerplate is used to create many of the chapters. It goes something like this: "I meet rod maker XYZ through a friend of a friend. He sent me a rod to cast. I tested it out on the lawn in front of my house. It casted.... So, Mr. XYZ how did you get into building bamboo rods, etc." The last five chapters of the book provide solid references from where the raw material is grown to how to get started building bamboo rods.

In general, the publisher, editor, and author missed the mark. To imagine a book without any color photos of the actual bamboo rods seems wrong . almost criminal. Instead the author serves up fairly sober descriptions of the rods appearance in page after page of text. No, the only color image you'll get of a bamboo rod length is on the jacket cover of this book.

What a shame, I really wanted to like Splitting Cane. But imagine an art book (and yes, bamboo rods combine art and function) without any photos of the artists' works. The result is similar. To quote from one of the rod makers in the book:

"Rods not only have to be functional, they almost have to be works of art." -- Jeff Wagner.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful excursion through the world of bamboo.