Experiment: "Madake" 7'9#5

[jan96]

[Kenneth]

Standing ovation!

I'd be really interested to hear more about the rod: the taper, for example, and your impressions on the casting and fishing characteristics, etc.

Thanks much for sharing,
Kenneth

[driftless angler]

Me too! Beautiful job!

[bugslinger]

Very cool as always! Have you tried “cheaper” wine/champagne corks? Not plugs but glued particles? I actually prefer them, my .02

[jmcj1984]

Very cool I love to see people trying different ideas, that is how we learn and improve, great work please give you thought on the rod

[barebo]

Your work is exquisite as always and your photography skills are as well. I have much respect for your level of skill and proving the fruits of your labor with the scenes of fish caught is the proverbial "icing on the cake"!

[henkverhaar]

Have you made the same taper in tonkin? Can you compare them performance-wise? I think the consensus is that Madake results in a rode 1 one class lighter than tonkin?

[jan96]

Thank you all for the kind words
I used Garrison 209E recalculated for two line weights heavier, from five to seven weight. I was aware that madake is somewhat weaker than tonkin so I hoped to do the right thing with the modification on the taper meant to be used with tonkin. The result is a strong rod which is more a six weight than a five. If I was making another rod starting with the Garrison 209E taper I would recalculate it for a one weight heavier.. As is is a bit heavy and strong, suitable for bigger rivers and bigger dry flies..
r

[jan96]

Very cool as always! Have you tried “cheaper” wine/champagne corks? Not plugs but glued particles? I actually prefer them, my .02

Do you mean "machined" cork stoppers like this one? I use only the "natural" part. Not the top quality but for the experiments is ok...

r

[Tim Anderson]

If I was making another rod starting with the Garrison 209E taper I would recalculate it for a one weight heavier.

My experience with making two rods from Madake is that one line-weight up is about right. The bamboo makes a very nice rod!

Tim

[mrampant]

I agree with the above; Madake cane has generally resulted in 1 line weight lighter. Although the line class is lighter I also felt it lent it to being better for full flexing rods.
Cheers,
Mark

[jan96]

This one is also made from Madake, 7'#5, solid construction, nodeless. It is a true five weight. See the taper I modified from another - "tonkin taper"..
r

[mrampant]

Hi Jan,
How did you find this one? I think that the grip would promote the feel with the madake. what were the original numbers or taper you modified?
I am curious as to what you think what style of rod the madake is preferred for.
Cheers,
Mark

[jan96]

Hi Jan,
How did you find this one? I think that the grip would promote the feel with the madake. what were the original numbers or taper you modified?
I am curious as to what you think what style of rod the madake is preferred for.
Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark, I'm not quite sure but I think I found the original taper here on the forum, (probably)posted by Tim Marchetti, maybe ten years ago. The "ventilated" madake version has a parabolic action and the grip is ok for this kind of action. Honestly when I was making the rod I just wanted to do something different - nodeless madake, ventilated grip, cork reelseat with hidden ring, aluminum ferrules, stainless steel snake rings, "snake" stripping guide, tip top from the stainless wire... I really don't like to make rods looking all the same using bought-premade components...
r

[jan96]

This next rod is also one of "non-tonkin" rods I made. It's made from Guadua bamboo I got from Henkverhaar. Taper is one of "my creations" based on 25years of experience of "looking" to graphs of classic and modern tapers... I can say that it works fine
r

[holla999]

hi Jan,
I love it to see that you use the English twist on your snake-eyes!
gr. Peter

[jan96]

hi Jan,
I love it to see that you use the English twist on your snake-eyes!
gr. Peter

Being right handed it is natural to me to twist the wire in that direction..
r

[mrampant]

Another good looking rod.
The bamboo from the photo looks similar to tonkin with the power fibres closer to the rind.
Cheers,
Mark