Guiding Trips using Kane Klassics bamboo fly rods

Guide Season 2019:

This year we are continuing the guiding of our friends and clients to include the use of bamboo and graphite Kane klassics Fly Rods.  Our trips provide all flies, leaders and rods so all levels of fly fishers can enjoy the day therefore getting the most out of a days catching perhaps a fish of a lifetime.  You are welcome to use your own rods any time.  We concentrate on teaching and casting, insect lore and presentation and as a result anglers of any level will improve.  

kane Klassics 2019 Lowe 90 hp guide boat

We have a 20′ Lowe 90 hp guide boat that assures comfortable casting and riding to and from the fishing areas.  Snacks and drinks are provided, lunches most importantly, can be requested.

kane Klassics flies

All flies and leaders are most importantly included during the Trip!

 

 

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Costs:

$550 per day for one or two anglers

10% discount on consecutive booked days in a row

Call 775-677-0590 for reservations 

Kane Klassics recommended Electric Heated Gloves

We use a numerous amount of items in testing our fly rods, in guiding and general outdoor fishing experiences.  It has been my policy to always pass on useful products even though Kane Klassics would not sell them, so our friends and customers can take advantage of our real world use of these items.  We have always looked for a source of hand warming technology as we fish in the winter mountain conditions through out the west.  The packaged crush type hand warmers are ok but they provide minimum hear through the day.

Electric heated leather waterproof and breathable gloves

The Rocket Burner Motorcycle leather electric gloves are spot on.  The easily recharged lithium batteries are good for hours of controlled heat.  The water proof and breathable glove is great in the rain and driving the boat in winter weather.

There are many types and options but I decided on the battery powered gloves at they are not tethered to the boat or car/ATV.

These are quality gloves which should last a lifetime.The batteries are easily inserted into the battery pouch and hooked into the electrical lead.

battery placement into the gloves rear pouch for the battery hook up

We were impressed and purchased ours from “Road Rider of Reno”.  you can reach them at www.roadrideroftenofreno.com

Kane Klassics car top tent

Its not about the journey, but the destination.

For our extended fishing trips we finally broke the code on the best car top tent out there. We found a great supplier in Seattle WA.( https://adventure-ready.com/product-category/rooftop-tents/) for the Kane Klassics car top tent.  Tom, the owner is very knowledgeable in all awnings, tents and other gear, all top quality. We selected the Nomad 160 by James Baroud Company. Tom’s a distributor for the west coast. We Drove over 800 miles at highway 65 to 75 mph in solid rain and snow and no leaks under the cover!

The Rino Rack awning over the drive side

The Rino Rack awning over the drive side

Maker Doug Kulick in Seattle with the newly installed Nomad 160

Maker Doug Kulick in Seattle with the newly installed Nomad 160

The Nomad is the easiest deploying and folding tent system with the added advantage of being able to bring in side the ladder for added security.

We have done some mods that are low cost and unique for gear stowage.

cargo net in the entry way for shoes and wet jackets

cargo net in the entry way for shoes and wet jackets

inside stowage net held in with velcro straps

 

The first mods were net stowage system.  The one over the tents inside is for clothing, junk, snacks etc that would other wise clutter out the tent.  The net over the ladder entrance are for your shoes, wet rain jacket etc keeping the inside dry and clean.  The other user issue is when your camped on a hard surface.  As you enter the tent when your weight is off the ladder it will sometimes slide in under the tent.  So for road trips I found a shop rubber rug matt keeps that ladder extended.  You can find the nets at Walmart for $9.00 and secure with

rubber shop rug which keeps your ladder in place on hard surfaces

rubber shop rug which keeps your ladder in place on hard surfaces

 

with any number of hooks and climbing hooks all from, again Walmart!  Any questions contact Tom or Kane Klassics.

Good old Walmart item for $9.00!!!

the water proof proven tent travel cover

the water proof proven tent travel cover

 

Kane Klassics Prius “on fumes” road trip!

I have owned three Prius cars over the last four years.  Two are the normal size and the newest Kane Klassics command car is the Prius C.  This car is pushing 60 MPG at 65 MPH with the air on!!  Some ask is that why his license is “ON FUMES” !

At 60 plus MPG I think "ON FUMES" tells it all.

At 60 plus MPG I think “ON FUMES” tells it all.

So with that in mind, draw a circle on the map 4 Hrs drive from the shop in Reno and you are looking at hundreds of fly fishing destinations.  The first destination and trial run was a meager 650 mile round trip to southern Oregon.

60.1 MPG  "on fumes" at 65 MPH with air!!

60.1 MPG “on fumes” at 65 MPH with air!!

A proud owner having his picture taken by the AM-PM ladies!

A proud owner having his picture taken by the AM-PM ladies!

So we loaded up the little Prius C with all our gear including a four man Zodiac rubber boat complete with a 2.5 HP out board, all camping gear, fishing gear, food and even our Micro Bike!

The evidence of all that gear before loading!

The evidence of all that gear before loading!

Could not forget the Micro Bike!

Could not forget the Micro Bike!

Birds eye view.

Birds eye view.

That poor “C” was filled to the Gills and I had not enough room for a slupie! I traveled at highway legal speeds and averaged 53.1 MPG for a total fuel cost of $45.00.

 

 

 

So after the 2 1/2 day fishing trip, 28 4-5 lb trout caught and released, 3 wicked thunder storms and then repacking the gear,  I cant wait for the next ROD TEST!!!

Out of the "C" and into the lake.

Out of the “C” and into the lake.

I hate to be cramped in a tent... 8 man Coleman!

I hate to be cramped in a tent… 8 man Coleman!

Proof of success and many thanks to Toyota.  DON'T CHANGE IT guys

Proof of success and many thanks to Toyota. DON’T CHANGE IT guys

Bamboo pack & Graphite pack fly rods that travel

Its not about the journey, but the destination.

We have always lead the fly rod industry in Bamboo pack & Graphite pack fly rods that travel. Sporting magazines and books have given us many kind accolade over the last

Kauai Hawaiian sun set

Kauai Hawaiian sun set

kane klassics graphite, five piece graphite pack rod awaiting to go fishing on a Kauai , Hawaiian flat.

kane klassics graphite, five piece graphite pack rod awaiting to go fishing on a Kauai , Hawaiian flat.

26 years for our pack rods that cast equal or better then standard rods. The pack rods allow you to travel to normal destinations and still have a fly rod available for

Now thats a prime flat with a five piece graphite fly rod awaiting a passing bone fish.

Now thats a prime flat with a five piece graphite fly rod awaiting a passing bone fish.

a quick afternoon or week of fishing. We recently traveled to Kauai, Hawaii and fished for some fantastic fish from the north island flats to inter island sugar cane lakes.

6 lb. prime Hawaiian Bone Fish and a Kane Klassics 5 pc 9' fly rod.

6 lb. prime Hawaiian Bone Fish and a Kane Klassics 5 pc 9′ fly rod.

Hawaiian waters have a good population of saltwater Bone Fish in the 4 to 20 lb. size ranges.  The sugar cane lakes have small and large mouth Bass, Talapia and Peacock Bass. While the family does the beach gig, you can be fishing some impressive and unique fisheries.

Pack rods are easily carried aboard airlines today as well.  Just dont have knives and pliers in with your rods.

Our guide, Nigel did a fine job sighting and showing us the best flats for the Bone Fish.  Contact him at 1-808-652-9038, or at  flyfishkauai@hotmail.com.

Sugar cane Large Mouth Bass on Kauai

Sugar cane Large Mouth Bass on Kauai

He can take you fly fishing all over Kauai including trout fishing.  Kauai is a little known great fishing destination which lets the family do their thing while you do yours! See the web site for more details on the varied and highly capable pack rods both in Bamboo pack & Graphite pack fly rods that travel.   www.kaneklassics.com

Sugar cane Peacock Bass in Kauai with a Kane Klassics 9' 5 pc fly rod

Sugar cane Peacock Bass in Kauai with a Kane Klassics 9′ 5 pc fly rod

 

 

 

 

Kane Klassics Myzithra Cheese Snow Crab Luguine, by Doug Kulick – bamboo rod maker

Kane Klassics Myzithra Cheese Snow Crab Luguine is an outstanding dish. This post is under outdoor cooking.  However during the winter you might want a very fine meal done inside your cabin or RV and this is one of my favorites.  Myzithra is a traditional, unpasteurized fresh cheese made with milk and whey from sheep.  You can find this at Whole Foods market and Trader Joes or your food store.

Snow crab ready for cleaning.

Snow crab ready for cleaning.

The crab can be any you favor, I like the Alaskan Snow Crab and you can find it for around $7.00 a pound at Win Co shopping market or a shopping store that is close to you.  Its always pre-cooked aboard ship and flash frozen and is as good as it gets following my directions.

Plan on 1 pound per person;  you will steam the crab for 20 minutes in a large pot where you added, two table spoons of white vinegar, one table spoon of pepper corns, and a pinch of garlic. I add a dark beer or a cooking wine to the water as well. Use a steaming rack and place just enough boil keeping it under the the crab. This steams the crab and does not  boil it.

Use a large pot with a steaming rack on the bottom , keeps the crab out of the boil.

Use a large pot with a steaming rack on the bottom , keeps the crab out of the boil.

 

The white vinegar and pepper corns counter any fishiness from the crab. This is one of the key secrets to a perfect dish. As the crab steams, prepare one stick of non salted butter to be browned.  Browned butter is simply melted butter over low heat until it browns. Your taste will determine how brown you want it.  Start your boiling water for the luguine by adding one table spoon of salt and a 1/4 stick of butter.  Boil to completion where you like the hardness of softness of the pasta.

pepper corns

pepper corns

 

 

Ok,  now your at 20 minutes, remove the crab and start cleaning;  see the picture to see the weapons you’ll need.

Most crab looses the fight to sharp scissors and garden clipper used only in the kitchen

Most crab looses the fight to sharp scissors and garden clipper used only in the kitchen

The crab is hot so be careful cleaning and do check on your butter and pasta as you clean.  This is a timing dance… crab cleaned, butter browned and the last step get your cheese grated per your liking.

adding browned butter

adding browned butter

Now your ready for the final prep.  Drain the pasta and rinse quickly in cold water, on top of your rinsed pasta,  add the crab, then the cheese followed by the browned butter. Chow down!

Ingredient list:

          Crab (0ne pound per person)

White Vinagar
Pepper corns
Myzithra cheese & Cooking wine
Liguine pasta
Unsalted butter
Garlic

“NOW THAT’S SOME MIGHTY FINE CHOW’ …unknown Marine

 

 

How To Care for Bamboo Fly Rods

How to care for Bamboo fly rod is very easy and is no more consuming then the care you would give to a fine Graphite rod.  Ill take you through the steps:

Female Ferrule care:

Use a clear Q-tip, I recommend the wooden stick ones as they are much stronger then the fiber stick.  Use a minor amount of Paint Thinner.  If you ooze out excess thinner it wont mare the bamboo coating in back of the ferrule or up on the ferrule.  This will remove dirt and grease making your male ferrule insert and tighten into the female correctly.  Once clear and clean the female is renewed and no more effort is needed:

Cleaning a bamboo fly rods female ferrule with a wooden stick Q-Tip and light amount of paint thinner.

Cleaning a bamboo fly rods female ferrule with a wooden stick Q-Tip and light amount of paint thinner.

Male Ferrule:

The male ferrule needs a light polishing with #0000 steel wool once or twice a year. this polishes any burrs and cleans the male.

Using #0000 steel wool to polish a male ferrule.

Using #0000 steel wool to polish a male ferrule.

Once clean use canning clear wax you would use in canning fruit to lightly lube the male.  NEVER USE NOSE OIL.  The use of the old fisherman tail of lubing ferrules with your nose oil will corrode and collect dirt in the female ferrule.  In How to care for your bamboo fly rods, this alone will save you untold ferrule sticking and damage. By sliding the male ferrule over the wax coats and lubes it correctly. Any excess will be pushed aside as you insert it into the female.

Lubing the clean male ferrule with canning wax.

Lubing the clean male ferrule with canning wax.

 

 

Bamboo fly rod Field sense:

When you break for lunch never lean your bamboo fly rods or graphite fly rods with the tip leaning against a barn, RV or tree in the sun.  Over your lunch break, either material can set up with a bend. Always assure you rest the rod with no load on it. you can set against an upright object, just dont induce a load bending the rod. The best method is to lay atop bushes or trees out of the sun with, again no load on the rod.  This also keeps the rod elevated for others not step on your bamboo fly rod or graphite rod.

Dont let your rod rest against a tree or RV in the sun over lunch, you could put a set in the rod

Dont let your rod rest against a tree or RV in the sun over lunch, you could put a set in the rod

Bamboo Fly Rods and Graphite Rods, a caring return:

Once home simple wipe down drying the rods sections, you can use some furniture wax on an old clean t-shirt to shine and protect the rods coatings.  Then leave the rod case open on the dinning room diner table for 24 hours.  This is usually a wide open and safe area to let the rod and case return to a dry condition to store the rod .  Doing this allows you the time

Fly rod and case left upon for 24 hours to dry following your retrun, safe on the dinning room table!

Fly rod and case left upon for 24 hours to dry following your retrun, safe on the dinning room table!

after a trip to inspect each section assuring the guides and ferrules as well as the reel seat are all in serviceable condition.  Fail to do this and ill be hearing from you for a repair or premature restoration.  So now you know how to care for bamboo fly rods and the same care is fine for graphite rods. See my link below for help if your rod needs it.

https://kaneklassics.com/custom-bamboo-fly-rods/

 

Bamboo Spinning Rod – Successful Testing at Clear Lake CA.

Doug Kulick with his shop manager, Ken Poole recently tested a new line of bamboo bait casting and bamboo spinning rods in Clear Lake, California north of the San Francisco Bay a few hours.  Clear lake is known for its large and aggressive Large Mouth Bass.

Ken has worked for over 12 years at Kane Klassics and for the last few years as the Shop Manager.  Ken’s attention to detail and keen craftsmanship has set high standards in the shop.  An avid fisherman both fly and spin, Ken often assists in Kane Klassics testing of new designs.  That was the case on Clear Lake.

Ken Poole on the left. Doug Kulick on the right and two caught and released clear Lake Bass. Note the bamboo spinning rod as well

Ken Poole on the left. Doug Kulick on the right and two caught and released clear Lake Bass. Note the bamboo spinning rod as well

Kane Klassics provides bamboo spinning rods and bait casting rods in various lengths, line weights and sections.  See the picture… proof of a successful test at Clear Lake.  To order a custom bamboo spinning rod or bait casting rod,  here is the link:  https://kaneklassics.com

Bamboo Fly Rod Facility Signage, Kane Klassics Reno Air Race Airport

Shop Manager Ken finishing his sign carving.

Shop Manager Ken finishing his sign carving.

When we decided to take on the Folding and Fat Tire Sand bikes, our distributors needed a shop with signage.  With the assistance of my good friend Dave Miller of Miller Speed Sports located here on the airport,  we took to heart his idea of stand off lettering on a fish 6′ long.  Ken and I glued three 6×6 timbers together, I provided the art to ken who up scaled it to the timbers and three days later you see the results.

Kane Klassics Shop decked out for the Reno Air Race showing off our new signage.

Kane Klassics Shop decked out for the Reno Air Race showing off our new signage.

We had untold numbers or air race visitors support our pilot folding bikes through out the air race week.  In-side we had more bikes on display as well. Many of you have asked how we did the sign so we wanted to let you know the effort of Ken, Dave and myself making it a reality.  when your in Reno call and stop by for a tour or to order you rod, putters or bikes. 510-487-8545  . https://kaneklassics.com/

 

Inside display at Kane Klassics

Inside display at Kane Klassics Bamboo Fly Rod facility

Bamboo fly rod and Graphite rod 10 1/2′ Kane Klassics Rod Testing

Mike with Buster looking on

Mike with Buster looking on

Kane Klassics advanced “Side Drifting” Bamboo Fly Rod and Graphite rod recently under went very successful testing. I experienced some outstanding fishing for large Steelhead with my Friend and Guide, Mike Assink: fish_boy72@yahoo.com  , Phone: 541-863-1568.  The Umpqua River in Oregon is fantastic for these rods and the following techniques described onward.

15 lb Steelhead Trout caught on a 10 1/2' graphite fly rod. Largest trout in the lower 48 I have ever caught and released.

15 lb Steelhead Trout caught on a 10 1/2′ graphite fly rod. Largest trout in the lower 48 I have ever caught and released.

14 lb Steelhead caught and released with the 10 1/2' bamboo 3 pc fly rod

14 lb Steelhead caught and released with the 10 1/2′ bamboo 3 pc fly rod


Over the course of several trips, together with Mike, we developed an indicator fishing technique, which equaled or did better then the spinning method of side bouncing egg patterns. The rods I designed are 10 1/2′,  providing lots of mending and critical hook setting quickness followed by superb fish fighting shock absorbing action. The graphite rod is a 4 pc rod with fighting butt and the Bamboo Fly Rod is a 3 pc with fighting butt.  Available in 7 – 12 wt line sizes.

you have to love Oregon weather. The Bamboo Rod taking a bending and going strong

you have to love Oregon weather. The Bamboo Rod taking a bending and going strong


The length of the rods assured easy casting and long leaders to meet the critical depth to put the drifted egg imitation or nymph in the fishes face. Other trips and testing showed these

details of fighting butt on the 10 1/2' graphite rod

details of fighting butt on the 10 1/2′ graphite rod

longer rods excelling at other Steelhead fishing techniques as well.  Swung flies, using spay casting and just dead drifted indicator fishing has shown exceptional control.  A longer rod is a tremendous help in fighting a large Steelhead.  I’ve often said its like a burr in a hound dogs fur, the fly is stuck and you can effectively fight the fish using the rods superior shock absorber action over its length protecting tips and knots.

 

details on the 10 1/2' bamboo rod

details on the 10 1/2′ Bamboo Fly Rod

Many times over a long fight I have mentally counted how many knots are being worked and will they hold.  The proof is in the pictures.

12 lb caught and released, dispite 12 knot leader!

12 lb caught and released, dispite 12 knot leader!

To order any of these capable fly rods see Kane Klassics Bamboo Fly Rod and Graphite link:  https://kaneklassics.com