Tonkin cane

Can tonkin cane still be bought in this country? What is the stuff that is sold in garden centres? I don't mean the bean or pea sticks I mean the decent thick stuff about 3 to 4 inches across. Could this be used for rod making?

Kevan

Kevan, there is a small company somewhere in Kent called Norman Agoutter who specialise in cane rods, parts and if I remember correctly tonkin cane. Problem is I've lost their catalogue and their contact details. However it shouldn't be too hard to track them down from the name. The heavy cane sold in garden centres for oriental gardens is not tonkin, it is common bamboo, larger rougher knots too close together for rod making. Check out the Coch y Bonduu bookshop in Wales for bamboo rodmaking books. Also take a look at www.globalflyfisher.com for a series of articles re bamboo rod making.

Thanks Gerry. I have heard of Agoutter's somewhere in the distant past, possibly from a link on one of the second hand tackle websites. I have a couple of books on bamboo rod building - Richard Walker's and one by G. Lawton Moss. Both have different building methods. I'm not going to be building anything spectacular but I would like to make my own small spinning rod for perch. Yes, I know decent spinning rods are cheap enough now suitable for perch - I have a Daiwa Samurai - but that is not the point. I just want to have a go at building a cane rod.

I'll check out that website, cheers.

Kevan

Kevan, Agutters' number is 01233-626748.

Cheers Laurie.

Kevan

Kevan. I have not used them but try this. http://www.bs-bamboo.co.uk/