Description
This unique film documents the transformation of bamboo from a hardy species of grass into a meticulously crafted split-cane fly rod. Shot on location in the lush forests of Southern China and the majestic rivers of Montana, Trout Grass captures the allure of craftsmanship and rivers as well as the notion that fishing is about much more than catching fish…. More >>
Wow. This amazing film feels like watching some of my favorite passages from David James Duncan’s “The River Why”. It takes a look at a rather obscure pursuit; that of building a bamboo fly rod for the pleasure of fly fishing. But, like any good story should, the heart of this film lies deep below the surface of that summary. Duncan (who wrote, narrated and appears in this documentary) explores the methods of constructing a fly rod by taking us all the way to the source of the material in China. Here we see beautifully captured landscapes and a crazy look at the growth and harvest of this magical plant they call bamboo. The music is awesome (some mix of Eastern sounding Chinese instruments and a very Western banjo?) as we watch a group of women careening their way down a hillside with a small wooden cart loaded with a ton of 20′ poles! These poles go all the way to Montana where they are crafted into fly rods.
But really, the prize of this film is unwrapped on the rivers of Montana where Duncan explains the lure of angling and moving water. Anyone who has felt the pull of wild rivers or fishing or is just curious about any of this should really enjoy this film!
Rating: 5 / 5
Very informative DVD and how the bamboo is harvested and what is done to the bamboo before it is shipped and what is done to build a rod
Rating: 5 / 5
I do not own any splitcane rods and to be honest I always
tease my fellow flyfishing friends with their bamboo rods
as being “not of this time”.
Still there is something magic about splitcane as anyone
who has casted with these rods will know.
This documentation tries to show that magic and I must say
they have done a great job.
The whole process of buidling the rod from the Tonkin harvesting in
China to the rod building in Montana is beautifully filmed and narrated.
It was a pleasure to see the finished rod in use on a Montana river.
A very worthwhile title to own.
Rating: 5 / 5
You don’t need to be a fly fisherman to appreciate this extraordinary film that is part travelogue, part “how to” instructional and part nature doc. The imagery is stunning and the film is never less than engaging. You won’t regret buying this film.
Rating: 5 / 5
not being a fly fisherwoman i wasn’t sure how i’d like this film, but that didn’t matter. it was magnificent and fascinating. i had no idea the amount of detail and work that went in to create a fly fishing rod. the scenes were beautifully filmed. it really was a visual treat. i loved it!
Rating: 5 / 5