Close-up of a handcrafted bamboo fly fishing rod

Handcrafted in the USA

Handcrafted Bamboo Fly Rods

Built for the Discerning Angler

Each rod is a singular work of art — shaped by hand, wrapped in silk, and finished to last a lifetime.

Bob Nunley at work in his rod-making workshop

The Craft

A Lifetime of Precision

Bob Nunley has spent decades perfecting the ancient art of bamboo rod making. Each rod begins as a raw culm of Tonkin cane — the finest bamboo in the world — take to small strips then shaped into perfect 60 degree tapered pieces, 6 are glued together to make each section.

The result is a rod that casts unlike anything made from graphite or fiberglass. It loads with a deliberate, rhythmic authority that connects you to the water in a way modern materials simply cannot replicate.

Every rod is built to order. Every rod is one of a kind.

Portfolio

Recent Work

Custom Engraved Reel Seat

Nickel silver with hand-engraved trout and mayfly motifs.

7'6" Parabolic Dry Fly Rod

3-weight, two-piece. Wrapped in burgundy silk with gold tipping.

8' Medium-Action Nymph Rod

5-weight, three-piece. Amber varnish, natural silk wraps.

Commission Process

How It Works

01

Consultation

We discuss your fishing style, preferred waters, and the rod action that will serve you best. Every commission begins with a conversation.

02

Design & Materials

Bob selects the culm, plans the taper, and chooses hardware and silk colors to match your vision. You approve every detail before work begins.

03

Handcrafted Build

The rod is split, planed, glued, wrapped, and varnished entirely by hand. This process takes weeks — because it should.

04

Delivery

Your rod arrives in a custom rod tube, ready for the water.

Begin Your Commission

A Bob Nunley rod is not purchased off a shelf. It is commissioned, crafted, and delivered as a singular object built for you alone. Inquiries are welcome.

Close-up of hand engraving detail on a rod component
Bob Nunley Custom Bamboo Fly Rods

Handcrafted bamboo fly rods and engraving, built one at a time for anglers who demand the finest.

Get in Touch

Inquiries & Commissions

bob@rlnunley.com

Each rod is built to order.
Lead time varies by commission.

© 2026 Bob Nunley Custom Bamboo Fly Rods & Engraving. All rights reserved.

Handcrafted in the USA