Crafting the rods

 

The rod making process at ADH Rods begins by selecting a twelve foot culm of Tonkin bamboo and inspecting for structural and aesthetic flaws. Node spacing is determined using a 2 X 2 X 2 or 3 X 3 stagger pattern. The culm is flamed until specific signs occur which identify the culm is correctly tempered. The culms are then split with a froe and mallet, each section is cut to the appropriate length, and the nodes are sanded and pressed, and each strip is straightened. Hand planing begins by roughing the strips and continued incrementally until the final dimensions are reached. At this point the strips are glued and allowed to cure.

Grips are made by gluing together the highest quality cork rings available and turned on a lathe to the desired dimensions. Down sliding band with Tru-Oil varnished Maple or Box Elder reel seat fillers are placed on the blank as well as 18% nickel silver ferrules. Agate stripping guides, Snake Brand guides, and hand made tip tops are wrapped on the blank with Pearsall's silk thread: Scarlet for the Double A 7'6" five wt, Jasper for the Double A 7'6" four wt, Antique Gold for the Double A 8' 5 wt, and Java Brown for the Double A 7' 3 wt. Each wrap is piped (double wrapped) at the base of the guides and the ends of the ferrule wraps to create a unique and subtle raised ridge. Sutherland Welles Marine Spar Varnish made with 100% polymerized tung oil is used to create translucent wraps. The same varnish is used to dip the finish onto the rest of the blank.

     

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