The first bamboo fly rods were made in the middle ago. The fly was a joint effort by Ken Igo and
of the 19th century. Credits for the first fly rods Russ Mowry and is simply called the “Green
made of bamboo in the United States during this Weenie”. Invented in Westmoreland County, Pa. it
same era are given to a gunsmith from Easton, Pa. was intended originally as a pattern to use for
brown trout. The versatility of this pattern is
evident to anyone who has ever fished it. It is
basically a good pattern for anything that swims.
5)& (3&&/
You should carry an assortment of this pattern in
your fly box at all times as it has caught me more
8&&/*&
than my fair share of carp from the shallows. My
first fly tied was in fact this very fly and that was
almost 30 years ago. Your carp fly box should be
harboring a few of these little gems which can be
tied in various colors with red being a good
choice.

This winter when you are warming up with a cup
of hot chocolate while staying out of the
by the name of Samuel Phillippi. Mr. Phillippi used
techniques that were borrowed from the craftsmen
5IF UPPMT PG
who constructed bows at that time. The bamboo
first would be split, then shaped, glued and UIF USBEF
tapered into a rod shape. The entire assembly
frequently consisted of 3 to 4 pieces that could be
easily carried in a backpack to a distant body of
water. The sections were "sleeved" together as
this was before the use of ferrules (but that's
another story).

The cost of purchasing a new bamboo fly rod
back then was a modest $3 until the early 20th
century when material costs began to increase.
Today a handcrafted fly rod constructed of
bamboo could fetch a price of $1000 or more.
Most of these rods are built in small home based
elements, why not get the fly tying vise out and
shops by talented craftsmen.
try tying some pot scrubber nymphs and some

green weenies. Who knows you may just make a
One of my favorite patterns invented in the United
small piece of your own history. This article was
States is probably one of the easiest flies to tie.
fun to write and my hope is that it just may have
Lowell featured this fly in an article he did a few
taught you a little something. Good luck and tight
months back. It was a surprise to me that this fly
lines!
is considered a classic that was tied over 50 years
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