Ep 43: The Art of Bamboo, with Derek Sheehan and Ron Barch

Derek Sheehan and Ron Barch are Michigan-based bamboo rodbuilders. After years of playing around with the idea of building his first bamboo rod, Derek reached out to a forum for help, where he ended up being connected with Ron, who took him under his wing. Ron has made hundreds of bamboo rods, including some he designed himself. In this episode, Derek and Ron break down the process for me. We start with an overview of how bamboo rods compare to glass and graphite, how lengths and tapers matter, and why bamboo is such a precise art. Then we move on to the nitty-gritty of what goes into the building process, including splitting, planing, straightening, and more. If you’ve ever had an interest in the art of bamboo, this is your episode.

Ron’s website: www.aldercreekangling.com