Handcrafted, one at a time.

My Process Ensures a Lifetime of Fishing

Tanamakoon Outfitters rods are built exclusively with Tonkin Bamboo from China. After 50 hours of careful mastery, a culm of Bamboo, the largest member of the grass family, is transformed from a stalk to an artisan fly fishing rod. My process ensures you’ll have a fishing rod that is beautiful and built to last.

Splitting the Bamboo:

While splitting the Bamboo, I maintain the power fibers in each strip, which makes the rod stiffer for keeping tension on your fish. Many rod builders cut their bamboo into strips which sacrifices power fibers.

Straightening the Bamboo strips:

Each strip is straightened using heat treatment to make a rod that is straight.

Planing the strips:  

Each strip is planed into a triangular piece, with exacting specifications. The strips are tapered from butt to tip. Six identical pieces create a whole, hexagonal (circular) section when glued together. This same process is repeated for each section. 

Binding the strips: 

Each section of triangular pieces is bound and glued together. Once bound, they are heated in the oven to dry.

Straighten the sections: 

After the glue has dried, the sections are meticulously straightened using the heat gun, once again.  

Applying the ferrules: 

Using a lathe, the sections are prepared for ferrule application. The ferrules are then glued into position.

Adding the grip & reel:

The cork grip is fabricated from cork rings which are glued together and shaped using the lathe. Now, it is time to apply the cork grip and the reelseat. The grip can be customized to the individuals comfort.

Inscribing & varnishing:

I inscribe every Tanamakoon rod. A special message from the buyer can also be included at this time. Once the inscription is complete, the rod is varnished for a beautiful, glossy coat. 

Applying the finishing touches: 

At this step, the hook keeper and guides are applied by wrapping thread and varnishing. Threads of different colors can be chosen to give a personalized touch to your fly fishing rod.

Curing the rod: 

Each Bamboo rod needs to cure for six to twelve weeks prior to fishing.