Headwaters Bamboo Bamboo Fly Rod 6' 6" 3-wt Medium Action 2-Piece 2-Tips | Deluxe Series Grande Ronde Model with Rod Sock and Cordura Tube

this is a good copy of the original rods. the feel when casting is very close to my original rod.If the wrapping and finish were better this would be a modern classic, but it isn't bad for a remake. Plus it has the advantage of my not risking my 201 in brush filled creeks.

I have NOT purchased through Amazon, but I have two directly purchased from the maker/seller. One is the Deschutes, 8' 6' and the other is their new Victory series 3 piece with 2 tips. The Deluxe Deschutes I first bought with great help and near-friend discussion with the owner, David Rogers. Consider that I could have purchased some stunning graphite/boron fly rods instead for the prices on these "piscatorial antiques." I am in Iowa; not exactly trout central. We have two rivers in the NE of the state--the rest is battling every injurious kind of weed to get to streams, both stocked and holdover. I am 72 and I have adopted grandsons who are, fortunately being trained as outdoorsmen by their fathers , AND I have one "natural" grandson , only just six. I love my daughter and her husband but they are runners, cyclists and field sports people and neither have interest in traditional field/woods activities like hunting and fishing. I had my first own personal handgun at age 10; just had to ask Dad for it and ammunition and give a cogent reason and acknowledge limits ( 5th grade show and tell of the S & W K-22 raised not one eyebrow !!!! ) I OFFER ALL THAT BECAUSE: I fear my one grandson will not learn the skills of a woodsman. Thus, my finest "double" is in his father's hands for the right time, I have two Randall knives ( and more customs) for him and these two bamboo rods with good reels. And, I am still holding a 1925 vintage Winchester 54, near new condition in " .30 Govt.". I have handled , used, but not owned custom bamboo fly rods. Frankly, but for my name not emblazoned in india ink along with the maker and specs, I now own two custom quality HEADWATER rods to pass along with love and pride. I was taught my field and stream skills by a "Prussian" maternal grandfather- he drove the real Packards and owned a "summer" farm. He was hard, with a short fuse and high standards to be met very quickly. GRANDPA WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD TO OWN THESE RODS ! David Rogers is a dedicated , personable and honorable man- trust him, please. Protect tradition.

I purchased my Headwaters Bamboo Deluxe Rogue 7'6" 5 Wt. medium fast action last year. The company, in particular, David Rogers, was easy to work with and assisted me in making my decision about the rod. He suggested that I get a medium fast rod since I had never fished with a bamboo rod and agreed with my assumption that the transition would be easier from a graphite rod. I have been extremely pleased with the rod and have felt fortunate to bask in the compliments from fly fishing friends who build bamboo rods. After extremely close inspection and making several casts they were as pleased and impressed with the rod as am I. The bamboo rod took some getting used to since it is much slower to load and cast that graphite. It is also heavier. I already have 3 and 4 weight graphite rods and wanted a shorter rod to use on some of the narrower streams I get an opportunity to fish in the Driftless area in Wisconsin and smaller streams in Michigan and it has served me well on small streams but I also used it to land a lot of fish last summer on the Norfork River in Arkansas. Excellent value as new bamboo rods made in the US are often very expensive.

I bought the 7'6" Metolius rod....the Touch and Feel of this rod makes casting to tight spots so accurate and easy..... Bamboo is known for ease of presentation...and these Rods do not disappoint... exceptional Quality and Value!!

Last winter(2013-2014)was so bad in illinois,I rewarded myself with a Headwaters Rogue Deluxe 7'6",medium fast 5wt.,bamboo fly rod .3 days after ordering there was a bamboo rod on my doorstep.As soon as the weather broke I discovered that there were fish in my bamboo rod.All that I had heard about bamboo rods was true and then some! Unique feel,gorgeous design,smooth performance,and Headwaters' fantastic price.

I purchased the Metolius a few years ago planning to use it when I retired. Last year I began to use it but it broke at the bottom ferrule.Headwaters responded quickly and it was repaired with minimum cost and expeditiously. I used it for a couple of trips last year and it was a delight to cast. It will be my favorite small stream/river rod from now on. It just feels right.

I have had My Santiam 7' Med. for about four years. It has proven to be quite the value and a real "pride" to own. Over the years , I have spoofed many of my Fly Fishing buddies by convincing them I own a beautiful $2,000 classic Bamboo Fly Rod. It does make them take a very close look. The quality components feel great in my hand. I live on a small lake on Whidbey Island in Washington and have given a sore lip to many 11-15" Rainbows with this cool little rod. I fish from an old canoe and it is the perfect size for canoe fishing with my "Goldendoodle" on board. It did fail my test of stepping on it with the full weight of my 215 pound body. I sent my busted rod back to Headwaters and their repair service is as good as their rods. A good bang for your buck.

This is my first bamboo rod, a Santiam model, 7' for a weight 4, built on the Garrison 201e taper. I would not use it to fish weighted nymphs but found it to be perfectly suited for fishing wet flies with no weight. Throws a nice loop and feels wonderful with a fish on. Very pleasant rod.