Pop Bartush Bamboo Rods

Hi, I’m Peter (Pop) Bartush. I build, rebuild, and restore bamboo fly rods out of my shop in Connecticut.

My passion started over 20 years ago as I began like a lot of builders, wrapping graphite blanks. However, everything changed the day I restored my first bamboo rod. Taking it out on the water, feeling that distinct, smooth action, I was hooked (no pun intended). For years, I made them just for myself, my family, and close friends. But the magic of fishing bamboo is too good to keep in a small circle, so I set up shop to share that experience with other anglers.

Whether we're breathing new life into a vintage piece or building something fresh from scratch, every rod is a collaborative project:

• Restorations & Rebuilds: We can take a classic vintage rod, strip it down to the raw blank, and give it a completely new life tailored to how you fish.

• New Custom Builds: Start from square one with a fresh bamboo blank. You pick the exact length, weight, and action, then choose the wrap styles and colors to make it genuinely one-of-a-kind.

• Ready to Hit the Water: If you're itching to get out on the stream without waiting on a full build, I always keep a few finished, handcrafted rods in stock and ready to ship.