About the program
Despite space-age materials and advances in high-tech manufacturing, the traditional split-cane fly rod continues to be a highly-valued fly fishing instrument. Artisans and craftsmen across the state of Colorado design and build these works of art in garages and basements, and sell them in fly shops and on websites to fishermen and collectors around the world. What is it that makes bamboo fly rods special and why are these "cane heads" so fond of their fishing rods?
Colorado Cane: Making and Fishing the Bamboo Fly Rod is a half-hour documentary that explores the lure of cane fly rods and the lifestyle of the people who build and fish them. The program follows designers and builders such as Bernard Ramanauskas and 16-year-old Dalton Jordan as they demonstrate some of the key steps in the process of making a bamboo rod. We also hear from noted experts, authors, and fishermen such as Ed Engle, John Gierach, AK Best and Mike Clark who talk about the aesthetic and tactile beauty of these fishing rods made from organic fiber.
And we spend time on the water: the South Platte, the Arkansas, the Cimarron, and the Taylor to name a few. The rugged and majestic beauty of Colorado is the backdrop as we explore cane rods and the fishermen who make and fish them.
Featured Bamboo Makers
Colorado is home to some of the finest bamboo rod makers and bamboo experts in the country. Below is a list of some of the experts featured in Colorado Cane.
- J.E. Arguello, Joe Arguello
- Eden Cane, Bernard Ramanauskas
- South Creek Ltd, Mike Clark
- Larry & Dalton Jordan
- Alan Kube
Fly fishing authors, bamboo experts and bamboo resellers
- Ed Engle
- John Gierach
- H.W. Reynolds
- Royal Gorge Anglers, Bill Edrington
- Scott Rod Company
- A.K. Best
- Sam Drukman