Orvis has been making fine bamboo fly rods for almost 150 years, and even in today’s high-tech world, these angling tools are prized as the ultimate in craftsmanship. For many fly fishers, their first split-cane rod is a sign that they have achieved a high level of proficiency and acquired a finer appreciation for the tools of the trade.
There’s just one problem: Because creating a bamboo fly rod requires rare skill, materials from overseas, specialized equipment, and hundreds of hours of the rodmaker’s time, the finished product can be quite expensive. Many fly fishers–no matter how proficient–are simply priced out of the bamboo market. Until now.
Introducing the Orvis HG Bamboo Fly Rod! A triumph of science and craftsmanship, this new rod puts bamboo within reach of every angler, and it makes a great project for the whole family to enjoy. The HG is for “home grown,” because you actually start with a seed and grow a complete bamboo fly rod from scratch.
A Chance Meeting
Orvis’s highly skilled bamboo-rod craftsman, Shawn Brillon, grew up just two towns south of the Orvis Rod Shop, and although he loves creating the works of angling art his customers crave, he’s often wondered if there is a way to get bamboo rods in the hands of more fly fishers. A few years ago, at a meeting of the Green Mountain Bulldog Owners Club, Shawn was introduced to Eden Poales, PhD, a researcher at the University of Vermont School of Plant Science. When she learned what Shawn does for a living, Doctor Poales grew animated and spent the whole event picking Shawn’s brain about his job.
It turned out that the focus of her research was how the unique properties of bamboo—it’s the fastest-growing plant in the world—could be combined with advances in biogenetics and cybernetics. She wondered if there were a way to grow a bamboo rod instead of building it; the new science would allow them to “program” the plant to incorporate the metal guides and ferrules, as well. Shawn was incredulous, but intrigued, and the pair began sharing their expertise. It took three years of experimenting, trial-and-error, and product testing, but they actually did it.
Doctor Poales explains how: “We discovered a unique subspecies of bamboo that grows tapered, instead of straight. Then, instead of altering the genetic code of the plant, we add a whole bunch of information to it. [That’s why it’s still considered ‘Non-GMO.’] These additional bio-genetic and metallurgical ‘instructions’ are what turn the regular bamboo culm into an actual fly rod. The bamboo plant undergoes its regular fast growth, while all the other parts of the rod form around it. The science is proprietary, of course, so we can’t go into the details.”
Affordable Elegance
As a result, these rods grow to their predetermined size, straight from the soil, in about 90 days. All you need to do is attach the grip and reel seat, which are included in the Orvis HG kit, and add a reel of your choice. If you’ve planted the seed on Christmas Day, you’ll ready to start casting a Blue-winged Olive to rising trout in late March. You’ll be astonished by the slow, smooth action, which rivals some of the expensive hand-constructed rods from well-known craftsmen. When you’re out on the stream with your Orvis HG, you’ll be the envy of every other angler who sees you laying out delicate, accurate casts.
The best part? Because so much of what goes into the traditional cane-rod-making process has been cut out, the cost of materials, shipping, time, and labor are not passed on to the consumer. You can be a member of the ‘Boo Club for just $99.99!
Available in 7, 71/2, and 8-foot lengths, each fly-rod grow kit includes a seed packet, plant food, cork grip, reel seat, rod tube, and complete instructions.
Click here to learn more or to order your Orvis HG kit today!
Well played Orvis. Truly, fly fishing is the sport of patience as it has never been before.
I want to order two kits
Hahaha
Ok, I’m an April fool. Really thought this was a project to grow bamboo, dry it then form the rod with a specialty knife kit to form the rod. Was thinking, hey this would be a fun, a nice, slow project to start a new hobby. I should have known that most likely, the bamboo would need machining and gluing together to form a blank, then the complex angles cut/ formed to make a perfectly straight fishing tool. Darn it ! Thought I was gonna get this kit and have something to pass down to my Grandkids as a keepsake. The only thing I’ll be passing on will be a lesson on being vulnerable. Orvis, you made me read and watch the video, marketing genius!
I’m not too proud to say I went through the exact same thought process, John…right down to the grandkids.
Started to reach for my credit card and then had some thoughts: I know a little about how bamboo fly rods are made and there are a lot of steps in the process- guide placement and wrapping, on and on etc etc. Lightbulbs! Peche de Avril, as my French fly fishing friends would say!
Same here, and I knew it was too good to be true.
My sweet grass grows faster. All my neighbors are very high on it.
Ha !!!
Make it happen Orvis. Sounds as if you would sell out quickly!
April fools will love this!
Hook, line and sinker! I nearly bought one. Very funny.
Good one. Actually sucked me right in…
Reminded me of the time my brother and I built a fly rod from a kit purchased from Orvis when graphite rods were first being introduced. So even though this homegrown bamboo fly rod story is written tongue in cheek, it brought back fond memories.
Great Job Orvis !!!
I talked my wife into buying me a bamboo kit !!
Boy she’s gonna be pissed !!!
Hahaha
Jay
And, you can always plant it in the yard!
Do not plant bamboo in your yard. Terribly invasive!
absolutely can be a disaster in the making!!! do not plant bamboo in your yard you may regret it!!! Like I did!!!!
Not funny.
Scrooge….LOL
, Loving it. I will order one right now . Nice Orvis .
Oh yeah!! I’m in!
Outfregin Standing Orvis!!! Much needed, when many have lost their sense of humor!
You stuck me with the hook on that one but I got away … lol.
Haha yes!
Please add this to my my cart. I’m planning a trip to Alaska in August, if it ships right away, the rod should be fully grown, right?
Not funny.
I want one.
I fell for it.
Not funny on my part.
Everyone else sure….
Laff at me.
Nicely done. Great April Fools humor!
I’m Hooked!
Nice presentation and perfect form….waiting until just the right moment to set the hook!
OUCH!!!
It really hurts when you hit the bait hard.
Can you send the seeds for a Helios 3F ?
I’ll put this next to my money tree. $$$.
You fuckers, that was good!
send me the cork grip, reel seat and rod tube for $99.99 you can forget the bamboo seeds or just send me sun flower seeds instead
Bamboo warning: Bamboo grows and spreads very quickly, so, within a few months, your bamboo rod planting will become a bamboo rod forest.
Omitted data is that this Genetically Engineered bamboo is SO good that if you harvest at 2 1/2 months, you get a 3 weight. Wait until 3 months and it’s a 5 weight, at 4 months you have an 8 weight – absolutely amazing.
The BIG problem here is that, when word gets out (fly fishers are terrible gossips and you just can’t keep a secret), you’ll have fly anglers from far and wide sneaking into your bamboo forest at night to steal a free bamboo rod especially because the rod grows its own metallic guides and tip! IF you decide to do a planting, please let me know your address so that I can come by at midnight and, erm….. “admire” your grove.
Ordered the 5 wgt and 4 wgt! Sweet!
I would imagine that a fine Orvis heritage side by side will be released in exactly one year, simple genetic editing of Circassian Walnut, using the same process, should produce a useful example in 6 months or so, just in time for the heart of bird seasons.
You almost hooked me! I was about to order one for my son until I read the comments. LMAO
Actually, this is not a new technique. I did the same with fiberglass some years ago. Wanting a new fly rod as a teen with little money, I carefully cut a nine and one half foot by four inch section from my Father’s 1967 Penske Edition Corvette Stingray. As he absolutely loved that car, I did so from beneath the passenger side rocker panel where it would not be so easily noticed. Then, using a torch and at least two dozen c-clamps, I heated, bent and rolled that fiberglass around a makeshift mandrel. Lacking a proper mandrel I striped the guides from an old cane fly rod my Grandfather had passed on to me. I think it was called a Leonard or something similar. Thinking time would “set” the fiberglass to the proper taper and flex, I kept the whole thing wrapped up and lying in the sun. I would occasionally slip the mandrel out to test the rod’s flex, this happening every few moths for the last 47 years. Finally just last fall I arrived at the correct flex. I removed the mandrel (and broke it up for stove kindling), attached those old Leonard guides and handle to my new rod and now have something of real value. Although a bit heavy at 1.7 pounds, it will cast a doubled-up 12-wt line like a champ. And, I likely have the only 1967 Corvette Monza Red fly rod on the river! As today is opening day for trout here in Maine, I am heading over to Grand Lake Stream to try it out, casting some Grey Ghost streamers tied on tuna hooks. Oh, to answer the obvious question on your minds; no, my Father never did notice that missing 9’ by 4” section. As he never changed his own oil he never went beneath that car. When he died I inherited that Corvette. A little screen mesh, some Bondo and Monza Red paint and I have a car that matches my rod.
Based on my experience with teaching my Turkish walnut trees to grow side by side steel tubes and 3D print the finest lock mechanisms, I was given an early sample of the seeds to experiment with. Unfortunately, they were eaten by my Andalusian blue roosters who’s neck feathers grow wrapped around steel wire.
Too funny. What else can I grow with that bamboo! 🙂
You hooked me harder than a bass fisherman
I can’t stop laughing
HaHa. I love this. Just sent it to a fly fishing buddy. Will see if he try to order one. 🙂
Good, but not as good as the human dog bed. Happy April Fools!
I’ll wait till next year when they have the promised colors available . My son wants a pink one !!!
Outstanding …love a good old fashioned April fools
I’m still confused on how to grow the guides, handle, and reel seat. Could you elaborate further on that process?
. 😉
Great write up. I was Ready to order.
Orvis HG T-Shirts and Hats!!
Yes, yes, YES!!!
Ya got me you boot lickers. Ordinarily I’m the prankster but i read this with amazement until the very end. Great job. Still laughing and feeling foolish. BTW my dear departed Dad fished with Orvis bamboos for years. Taught me to fish on one. When I wanted my own he said nope, cost too much and you’ll just break it.
Phil: You’re brilliant yet diabolical. You’ve earned a good bourbon.
You guys suck… I was just about to stop in at Reelflyrod and pick up a Recon 5wt but not now, nope.. no way.
Does the Orvis return policy apply to bamboo seeds as well? 😉
Not totally infeasible , grow it to 10 feet ,add 30 feet of mono and you are euronyphing
Well done, sounds a little fishy. April Fools
Very good April fools article. My favorite of All Time was about Syd Finch by SI.
Hahaha! I loved it!
You would have had me fly, tippet and leader, but I’m already growing Carbon Rod blanks from sprouted pencil stubs. What we really need is homegrown cork or a cork substitute, perhaps we can cross the rubber tree plant and balsa wood trees. 🙂
priceless
I was all in till the weather this spring turned deadly. I could see my bamboo garden being hit by a tornado and all my tapered bamboo plants turning into deadly spears when uprooted and propelled by 100mph winds, oh the humanity of it! They could fly for incredible miles till they impaled innocent men women and children.
Luckily I hesitated and saved hundreds of lives. No need to thank me, I can sleep at night, but it was close.
Jim in Atlantic Beach.
I thought you might nibble on this. Ha!
Well, as a sort-of scientist, and having built bamboo rods, and fished them for over 60 years, my BS detector went on alert after the first paragraph.
But, a damn good one.
What a great joke on the unfortunate poor people who aspire to own a bamboo rod. So funny.
I hear that Scientific Anglers has been developing a strain of spiders that spin a perfect 3wt camo line with a triangle taper…………..
Just sayin….