My Grandfather's Fly Rod

I completely restore my Grandfather's bamboo King Fisher fly rod from the early 1940s. I remove the finish, re-wrap the guides and refinish the bamboo. I then head out to a local PA stream to fish with the same rod my Grandfather used. Some of the pictures I use in the video are from 1941 although the bamboo road is from 1945 - 1947. I decided to use a song and fishing license from 1941 and his outfit from the last picture. This was a very neat project to do but also very heart breaking as the rod tipped broke when my fly got snagged. The rod must've had a week spot from getting old and brittle. I was using 7x tippet which tells you how weak the tip was. I am now searching for a King Fisher fly rod from the same period to replace the tip.

Recommended Gear Used in This Video (Affiliate Links)

Hero 7 (Best affordable GoPro with image stabilzation)

Sony Video Camera AX53 (Best auto camera for run and gun!)

Panasonic GH5 (Best mirrorless camera on the market for video!)

Orvis Clearwater 4wt 10' Fly Rod (Great affordable euro nymphing rod that can chuck dry flies!)

Orvis Large Arbor Fly Reel (Great affordable basic reel for trout!)

Frogg Toggs Hellbender Stocking Foot Waders (Good introducary waders for the beginner)

[Euripedes]

What a magnificent tribute to your grandfather, George Kolb, whom we were privileged to know. Ken & Irene Steckler. 11-4-2019

[eoincampbell-flyfishermana]

Love this story! Love the rod renovation, too!
I just have one question: WHY would anyone do a thumbs-down for this? It's what we're all about; it's the essence of fly fishing!!

[glenndotter]

I am 70. I found my dads bamboo rod when he passed in2015 at 93. the rod is atleast 80. I caught my first trout on that rod when I was 7. I rebult it last year and caught trought on the Arkansas River near my home in Colorado. You video brought back those memories.

[red_fox_flareside]

Excellent video and what an awesome way to pay tribute to your grandfather! I really enjoyed watching this.

[timjames]

Magic, your grandfather would be proud of you knowing your fishing with his old rod I hope you have many a happy day fishing it .

[tonysobina]

Great video, and very nice tribute to your Granfather! I just found my Father's FlyRod (after thinking it was lost for years) and plan on fishing with it this year. The timing of this video could not have been better! Thank You!

[jamesdiffenderfer]

Very beautiful tribute. I'm sure he'd be touched.

[swimmaster]

My grandpa just passed last week. Good memories fishing with him, and he’s the person who really introduced me to it. Great video!

[FrugalFlyRodder]

Awesome video. I have an old bamboo givin to me that I want to refinish this coming winter.

[jimamccracken]

Wow "PRECIOUS MEMORIES HOW THEY LINGER" This video is a wonderful work of art. Thanks for putting it together for us.😊 😢❤

[richardjones]

Very nice restoration and the video was great. Very nostalgic and thank you for sharing the pics because it reminded me of my father, who was ironically born in 23 as well. Thank you for reviving old memories! God Bless n Fish on!

[graymancini]

That was fantastic. You must have truly loved him, and I’m sure he’s got a big smile on his face up there after seeing this.

[jonnygranville]

I still wish I had been old enough to fish with my grandfather before he passed. I still have some of his tackle and I cherish it. Great video. Nice work.

[kameron.w]

That is awesome! This deserves way more views. 🎣😀

[thescream]

Wonderful memory to share... thank you, from a Cabbage Hillian!

[patrickhill]

Dude you are the spitting image of your Grandfather, spooky, kind of like Hank Williams III.

[davescheer]

I just bought an old Shakespeare bamboo rod two days ago at a yard sale for $12 bucks the bag on it was disintegrating, it’s 9’ got two tips, it desperately needs refinishing the varnish on it is checked and needs new guides, I just cleaned up the furls that were corroded and cleaned up the reel seat the handle is still in great shape, after watching your video I got to wonder if it had stories to tell, and who’s grand pa owned it 🤔

[slade]

Great video! Great tribute! Bet you can almost feel him there with you.

[paulsnyder]

Very cool stuff! Good tribute indeed!

[puccini]

Wonderful evocative little film. Thank you. Thumbs up. Forgive me for saying, you should never sand a bamboo rod like that because you'll loose the hex edges, and any cane removal will change the action.