D. Hoda
Salmenweg 5
CH-4323 Wallbach
Tel.: +41 (0) 61 861 10 08
Email: daniel@hoda-bamboo-rods.ch
My Initiations
As often as possible I go out fishing with my companions, on
the picturesque waters of the Swiss chalk streams. They tend
to only use split cane rods.
One day I had the possibility to cast a bamboo rod made by
Walter Brunner, a famous Austrian Bamboo Rodmaker.
The first time I held such a beautifully crafted rod in my hand
and cast my line out to a rising grayling, something “magical”
happened to me. It was an incredible experience and am now
deeply hooked on split cane rods.
I decided to visit Walter in Summer 2007. I wanted to cast and
ultimately purchase one of his newest models. In the spring of
2007, not long before we were due to meet, I received the
devastating news that Walter had passed away.
This got me thinking about the craftsmanship and secrets of building a split cane rod. I
contacted some of the European Rodmakers. Each year in autumn Rolf Baginski holds a rod
building course in Waischenfeld, Germany, located at the river Wiesent. I was lucky enough
to be invited by Rolf to participate.
The week end before the course an international rodmakers gathering was held in
Waischenfeld and I had the opportunity to meet some other rodmakers and gain a deeper
insight into all the old “secrets” and newest trends of bamboo rod building.
Back at home I rearranged one of our cellar rooms into a workshop, purchased proper
tools, instruments, literature and started to learn about bamboo rod building.
In spring 2008, the Italian Bamboo Rodmakers Association (IBRA) organized the first
European Rodmakers Gathering in Tuscany and I had the chance to present my rods to the
experts. The response was great and kick started many experiments in taper design,
construction methods and materials. Since then I have spent hundreds of hours making
many rods.
My latest rods feature streamlined bamboo ferrules (Italian style) and birch bark grips.
I am currently testing weight reducing carbon ferrules and their influence on rod action.
In the past I fished with very fast graphite rods from well known manufacturers. At the end
of a long days fishing I always had pain in my casting arm. I have not had this problem
since I begun using bamboo rods.
Fishing one of my fast bamboo rods with dry flies, heavy nymphs or even big streamers for
a whole day did not tire me out. Fighting big heavy fish with my rods is an absolute
pleasure.
If you are interested in casting or borrowing
one of my bamboo fly rods, or to see and talk
about how I make a bamboo rod in my
workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
To custom make you your dream split cane fly
rod would be a pleasure.
Have a look at my various models.
© BY HODARODS 2009 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED / HODARODS, SALMENWEG 5, CH-4323 WALLBACH
D. Hoda
Salmenweg 5
CH-4323 Wallbach
Tel.: +41 (0) 61 861 10 08
Email: daniel@hoda-bamboo-rods.ch
My Initiations
As often as possible I go out fishing with my companions, on
the picturesque waters of the Swiss chalk streams. They tend
to only use split cane rods.
One day I had the possibility to cast a bamboo rod made by
Walter Brunner, a famous Austrian Bamboo Rodmaker.
The first time I held such a beautifully crafted rod in my hand
and cast my line out to a rising grayling, something “magical”
happened to me. It was an incredible experience and am now
deeply hooked on split cane rods.
I decided to visit Walter in Summer 2007. I wanted to cast and
ultimately purchase one of his newest models. In the spring of
2007, not long before we were due to meet, I received the
devastating news that Walter had passed away.
This got me thinking about the craftsmanship and secrets of building a split cane rod. I
contacted some of the European Rodmakers. Each year in autumn Rolf Baginski holds a rod
building course in Waischenfeld, Germany, located at the river Wiesent. I was lucky enough
to be invited by Rolf to participate.
The week end before the course an international rodmakers gathering was held in
Waischenfeld and I had the opportunity to meet some other rodmakers and gain a deeper
insight into all the old “secrets” and newest trends of bamboo rod building.
Back at home I rearranged one of our cellar rooms into a workshop, purchased proper
tools, instruments, literature and started to learn about bamboo rod building.
In spring 2008, the Italian Bamboo Rodmakers Association (IBRA) organized the first
European Rodmakers Gathering in Tuscany and I had the chance to present my rods to the
experts. The response was great and kick started many experiments in taper design,
construction methods and materials. Since then I have spent hundreds of hours making
many rods.
My latest rods feature streamlined bamboo ferrules (Italian style) and birch bark grips.
I am currently testing weight reducing carbon ferrules and their influence on rod action.
In the past I fished with very fast graphite rods from well known manufacturers. At the end
of a long days fishing I always had pain in my casting arm. I have not had this problem
since I begun using bamboo rods.
Fishing one of my fast bamboo rods with dry flies, heavy nymphs or even big streamers for
a whole day did not tire me out. Fighting big heavy fish with my rods is an absolute
pleasure.
If you are interested in casting or borrowing
one of my bamboo fly rods, or to see and talk
about how I make a bamboo rod in my
workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
To custom make you your dream split cane fly
rod would be a pleasure.
Have a look at my various models.
