There are fly rods, and then there are fly rods that remind you why you fell in love with fly fishing in the first place. The Chris Clemes Bamboo Rod belongs firmly in the latter category.

Handcrafted in England using traditional split cane techniques, each Chris Clemes rod is built from carefully selected Tonkin bamboo and finished entirely by hand. These are not decorative collector’s pieces destined for a display cabinet — they are true fishing tools, designed to be fished hard and treasured for generations.

The first thing you notice with a fine bamboo rod is the tempo. Smooth, deliberate, and deeply connected, the rod loads progressively and delivers a dry fly with an elegance modern graphite often cannot replicate. On small streams and classic trout rivers alike, the Chris Clemes rods encourage a slower, more thoughtful style of fishing — one where presentation matters as much as the take itself.

These rods excel in delicate dry fly fishing, light nymphing, and intimate river work where finesse and feel are paramount.

What truly separates a bamboo rod from modern materials is the experience. A Chris Clemes split cane rod slows the world down. It rewards timing over power and rhythm over speed. The soft recovery and deeply tactile action make even modest trout memorable.

For anglers who appreciate tradition, craftsmanship, and the romance of classic fly fishing, the Chris Clemes Bamboo Rod is not simply another rod purchase — it is an heirloom-quality companion built for a lifetime on the water.

If you’d like more info on these magnificent rods, see more on the Chris Clemes Custom Split Cane Fly Rod website.

Chris Clemes Bamboo Fly Rod Specifications

Each rod includes the following:

• Butt section with two tips
• High quality rod sock that holds all three sections
• Black aluminium tube to protect the rod properly
• A rod care booklet