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THE BAMBOO ROD RESTORATION HANDBOOK
by Michael Sinclair
by Michael Sinclair
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Fly Rod & Reel Magazine, July 1995
Review by Stephen J. Bodio
“I have restored one cane rod, and would have done a better job of it if I had read
Mr. Sinclair’s guide. This is an absolutely fascinating book, replete with drawings
and informal but detailed text. It is not as technical as the formidable manuals on
building rods by masters like Carmichael and Garrison. Although I respect these
magisterial tomes, they don’t exactly make me want to run out and build my own
rod; in fact, they scare me away from trying. This one makes me want to get out my
father’s old nine-foot Montague – no doubt it’s stuck in the back of a closet in
Massachusetts – and try to make it fishable. Which is what good how-to books
should do.”
“You can restore your rod to varying degrees of authenticity; Sinclair says “If it isn’t
all original, it isn’t original at all….A new coat of varnish skillfully applied does not
significantly harm the originality of the rod if everything else is original. Any other
change makes it customized or refinished.” (Italics his.) But although he tells us
exactly how to restore a vintage rod to like new condition (and gives enough
information to identify rods that demand such treatment), he also explains how to
develop skills on less valuable “project rods,” like my dad’s Montague. The
directions cover every single thing I could think of, from “Identifying and dating
unmarked rods” though ( an interesting idea) making “Independent handles” for use
with, say, the top two sections of a three-piece rod.
The second section is a profusely illustrated guide (with drawings that show more
proper detail than most photos do - what you might call the “field-guide principle”) to
vintage rods, from real antiques (pre World War I) through the better known names.
Sinclair gives detailed specs for virtually all models. I don’t know anything else like
this book. I’m keeping it.”
Review by Stephen J. Bodio
“I have restored one cane rod, and would have done a better job of it if I had read
Mr. Sinclair’s guide. This is an absolutely fascinating book, replete with drawings
and informal but detailed text. It is not as technical as the formidable manuals on
building rods by masters like Carmichael and Garrison. Although I respect these
magisterial tomes, they don’t exactly make me want to run out and build my own
rod; in fact, they scare me away from trying. This one makes me want to get out my
father’s old nine-foot Montague – no doubt it’s stuck in the back of a closet in
Massachusetts – and try to make it fishable. Which is what good how-to books
should do.”
“You can restore your rod to varying degrees of authenticity; Sinclair says “If it isn’t
all original, it isn’t original at all….A new coat of varnish skillfully applied does not
significantly harm the originality of the rod if everything else is original. Any other
change makes it customized or refinished.” (Italics his.) But although he tells us
exactly how to restore a vintage rod to like new condition (and gives enough
information to identify rods that demand such treatment), he also explains how to
develop skills on less valuable “project rods,” like my dad’s Montague. The
directions cover every single thing I could think of, from “Identifying and dating
unmarked rods” though ( an interesting idea) making “Independent handles” for use
with, say, the top two sections of a three-piece rod.
The second section is a profusely illustrated guide (with drawings that show more
proper detail than most photos do - what you might call the “field-guide principle”) to
vintage rods, from real antiques (pre World War I) through the better known names.
Sinclair gives detailed specs for virtually all models. I don’t know anything else like
this book. I’m keeping it.”
One of many rod drawings from The Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook
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