Jump to content

DIY Push Pole

Rate this topic


brushfly

Recommended Posts

After using a closet bar the last few seasons to pole my 17', I needed to come up with something a bit longer. Closet bar was 10' and pretty much only good in water below 6'. What I decided to do was find a piece of bamboo. A local neighbors yard was full of it and kindly let me cut down a piece that taped out a bit over 15'. Stiffy charges $800.00+ for the real deal, total cost on this one was around $40.00. This is something natives and locals in S. Florida and the Caribbean used before the discovery of fiberglass/graphite. Ma-halo...

 

To me it's the best way to stay quiet in calm water and to assure I don't hit a big rock up here on the north shore when plying skinny water.

 

MATERIALS:

 

1. Bamboo- Find the straightest piece you can find. Mine had a bit of a bend at the top 1/5

2. Varnish- I would think optional but might help preventing drying and looks sweet as it adds a nice golden glow to the bamboo. Soft in the hands too. I used Satin Gloss Marinespar.

3. PVC "T" for the foot

4. (2) PVC Caps for the foot

5. PVC Cement

6. 3M 5200 adhesive.

 

Wash and scrub the bamboo after drying. NOTE DO NOT SAND AS HEAT GUN WILL NOT WORK AFTER SANDING! Also I did not add weight to the foot. I was afraid when mounted to the gunnels of my CC, it would bounce around too much with the added weight at the end. This will float a bit but I don't think it'll be of issue getting it down to the bottom.

 

TOOLS:

1. Hacksaw- Best saw to use for cutting bamboo and the branches that come off it.

2. Heat Gun- To "burn" which allows the sugar? to come to the surface of the bamboo giving it a nice golden glow.

3. Disposable foam brushes for varnishing.

4. Mallet to set in foot and caps.

 

NOTE: After cutting I allowed the bamboo to dry out in the sun outdoors a good 2 1/2 months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those of you who think this is just a little to low tech, I can tell you that the guy I bought my boat from assembled the 20 foot push pole that came with the boat from components he bought from different places. I believe he said the graphite pole came from Loomis. The foot and point from two other sources. I bet he didn't spend $800 either.

 

 

Peace

Frank II --- If anyone needs me, I'll be in my MAN CAVE, rotating the laundry. - C.C.A. - American Littoral Society Tagger w/ 61 returns - Vietnam Veteran U. S. Army,  Grand Pa of 6

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Model

 

G.Loomis Push Poles

 

GL11412 18' $650.00 discontinued

GL11413 21' $695.00 discontinued

 

Push Pole Components

 

GL22620 Ferrule $22.00 discontinued

GL50583 Forked End Cap $42.00 discontinued

GL50584 Pointed End Cap $22.00 discontinued

GL54998 Pointed End Cap w/ Metal Tip $36.00 discontinued

 

Fly Fishermen tend to HATE low tech, especially those that can't cast 35'.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to register here in order to participate.

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...