Mayfly Mayhem Bamboo Rods and Nets

05/01/2026

I have always had very limited shop space and adapt to this by having a modular set up that can be set up, taken down and used for multiple purposes. Shown in the photos is the "bench" I use for both planing and binding. It is made of 2x4 legs and a 2x6 top. The brackets can be found at a box store. This set up has been perfect for my needs over the last 5+ years. I have tweaked it several times and have it pretty well optimized for my process. The rod binder pictured is a garage-job and it works great. Crescent wrenches make for handy weights. I also use the clear top for sanding glue from the blanks. It also tends to hold a lot of stuff for all the work after sanding. When done. Bench is broken down and stored in my crawl space.

04/25/2026

One flamed culm worth of sticks ready to be turned into something special. Splitting inter-nodal sections minus nodes is SO much more efficient and consistent, with far less waste. Very pleasing.

04/25/2026

To all you makers who claim to love nodes, I have a pile for you, FREE. Pick up only.

04/22/2026

It is time to take the accumulated cutoffs from traditional rod making and convert them into a nodeless rod. Here are some of the bamboo "sticks", with nodes removed and glued together. I really like this process and the resulting rod.

04/02/2026

It was a good morning on a North Carolina mountain stream today. This brookie was among several fish to net.

03/31/2026

02/26/2026

Currently on the bench - a walnut and figured maple rod tube. First coat BLO applied. Will put a few coats of wipe-on PU in a week in put into service. For a 3 piece 6’ bamboo pack rod.

02/13/2026

Rod tube completed. As Gavin W pointed out, the oak cracked when I was installing buckle closure, so I took that off and changed to an elastic closure with a small k**b. I like this option even better. Finish was single coat of BLO followed by 5 layers of wipe-on PU (50% PU + 50% mineral spirits), buffed with 0000 steel wool to to e down the gloss. I won’t worry much about holes from other closure as this was just a prototype to see if I can make these. I have some really nice cherry that I will take to the shop next.

02/04/2026

Rod tube update - added end caps and dimensioned. Made the angle cut that will serve as flip-top. Sanded to 220g and laser engraved info on top. Alignment not great when I glued the top on (opportunity for next one). Still need to add hinge and closure, and finish. For a first attempt I am pleased.