Building bamboo rods

I'm a retired RV designer and mfg. manager. My wife and I have a small cabin east of Grayling, MI. where we spend time in the summer. I've fly fished and built rods since the early 60's although complete cane rod construction didn't begin until 1997. My interest in bamboo began when I became acquainted with Bernard Hills of Dowagiac, MI. Bernard owned a prime stretch on the Dowagiac Creek and I fished his water a lot during the 70's on. Bernard had been employed at Heddon for years and at one time was the supervisor of the "hand built department". My first attempt at rebuilding a cane rod was on a 3 pc. 7 foot "Princess" that he gave me. Oh if I had only known then what I know now! Later I finished cane rods for the late Larry Foster while he owned the Leonard Rod Co. and have rebuilt and re-finished cane rods for the last 20 years.

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