With all the fantastic advances in fishing tackle technology in recent years, is it really worth buying a fishing rod from a bygone era? This problem has perplexed many avid fishermen, especially those with a fondness for fly fishing or spinning. Is getting hold of a classic vintage fishing rod actually practical and beneficial?

The short answer is that it depends on the type of fishing you do. There is no doubt that cf (carbon fiber) has revolutionized the fishing rod industry, and is much, much better than fiberglass. An antique fiberglass fishing rod would thereby be a unwise purchase. Another factor to consider is that an antique rod may not have been treated with enough care and been damaged to an unrepairable state. So basically a damaged rod is useless for fishing.

Split cane fishing rods and other poles created from bamboo, on the other hand, are a different kettle of fish. There are many anglers that say that even with the latest progress in modern fishing rod manufacture, a state-of-the-art carbon fiber rod cannot match the action, flexibility and durability of a split cane fishing rod. They often point out that bamboo poles can cast better due to their action and flexibility. Another important consideration for many is the appearance of a quality vintage cane rod, which more closely resembles a piece of artwork than just another piece of fishing gear.

Can Vintage Rods Still Be Used For Fishing?

An antique cane pole would thereby appear to be very suitable for anyone who enjoys fly fishing or spinning, particularly on sheltered bodies of water free of strong winds, currents and tides. Of course, the same rule applies: a damaged rod is no good for fishing. So be quite paranoid about searching out any defects in the bamboo of a vintage cane rod. Check the entire rod closely for any sign that the cane has been compromised in any way, such as by holes, cracks or deep dings. The vintage rod could be a bargain buy if the cane is in good condition and the owner persuaded to sell at a reasonable price. Most of the other fittings on a cane fishing rod can be restored to their original condition for a modest sum, so do not panic if the whippings are frayed or the ferrules are a little loose. You will find that the vintage rod will be more than up to the task of playing and landing decent sized fish if it is sound condition.

Milwards is a name synomomous with quality bamboo fishing rods. Vintage Milwards split cane fishing rods are sort after due to their exquisite craftsmanship, superb action and quality fittings. The fittings were bronze, brass, silver, agate and silk, while the bamboo was usually Tonkin cane. Tailored to suit a variety of specialized fishing scenarios, Milwards spinning and fly rods were successfully used by some of the best anglers of the time in competition. For example, the FloatMaster was perfect for casting float rigs, while the SpinVersa was magnificent at casting extremely lightweight baits or lures Milwards split cane fishing rods are highly valued but occasionally come on the market. If you are lucky, putting the word out on Internet fishing forums, your local fishing club or even trying a classified in the local newspaper could lead to a sale.

So although a fiberglass rod is no subsitute for a modern cf one, a split cane fishing rod may well perform better in certain environments and for certain fish species. They also have considerable value as collector’s items and as pieces of art. It really is a no-brainer to purchase a quality antique bamboo pole if you come across one in the right condition at the right price!

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Filed under: Fishing on the fly • fly fishing • fly fishing reels • fly fishing rods • flyfishing

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