River Cane Source???

[Little Tree]

Anyone know a source for River Cane shafting? I just killed a hog with one, and now I am hooked! But I need some pretty small diameter stuff, because I shoot around a 50 spine. But I know it is out there, and someone has got a load of em'............Please let me know. Thanks all... LittleTree

[the Ferret]

Great stuff isn't it Brad? It grows all over down south...Texas, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, southern Kentucky. There's always a bunch for sale/trade at Mojam. Bet you could trade a good osage bow stave for all you could carry.

[Bowspirit]

Your local home depot prolly carries bamboo stakes that would make a good substitute for wild cane. I've never used river cane, but I know bamboo is sure worth it's weight in gold...

[Art B]

Pays to know what you're getting. Here's an example of the two different types. Both will make fine cane arrows but the one pictured on the top is more trouble then I care to fool with. It has deep furrows and a more pronouced taper. Makes fletching somewhat difficult. One on the bottom I got from Pat B and I've seen none better.

You should post this on different message boards in their trading section. Good luck.-ART B  

[the Ferret]

If I remember right Art that cane on the bottom is a special specie (Bambusa?) not native to the US, grows only in a few localized places and that not even Pat can get it without traveling out of state or something. Special cane for sure. Would be nice if THAT kind of cane grew everywhere. Most of us have to put up with stuff that looks more or less like your top example.

[ZaneD]

Mr. Ferret, the stuff that grows here in virginia looks exactly like the piece on the bottom in art's pic and as far as i know it's native, but i could be wrong.

[the Ferret]

Mr Ferret? LOL please call me Mickey or just Ferret

Zane, I'm just going by what Pat told me or by what I remember Pat telling me. I know he sent me some awile back which made some wonderful arrows and when I asked about getting more he said he had to travel to get it, and that it didn't grow around him.

[Art B]

No, that's not Bambusa Mickey. I've got arrows make from that as well. It generally only has around two nodes per shaft. Very special stuff indeed. Nodes in that lower cane type run about 3-4 per shaft. Totally different stuff. Got both the Bambusa and cane in quetion for Pat B. He gave me several sprouts of the cane a couple years ago to transplant here in WV and it's doing fine so far.-ART B

[Pat B]

The Bambusa grows only in zone 8 or 9(or warmer) and I live in zone 6 or 7(depending on the year).  My friend that lives near Hilton Head has a hedge of Bambuse in his yard. Whenever I visit I get a good mess of the stuff but end up giving most of it away. Hopefully I'll get down this summer on a fishing trip.
  I also have Arundaneria tecta(native switch cane) growing along the creek on my property. I have sent Art both Bambusa and switch cane. My club in GA has Arundaneria gigantia(native river cane) growing along the creeks there. It is larger diameter with more pronounced nodes.   Pat

[crashcastle]

im a dummy i dont knopw what zone i live in ive been looking to plant some cane as my wife wants a natural fence on our back half would the good stuff grow in central texas

[Little Tree]

Thanks for the info guys.  Keep it comin'

[Pat B]

This cane is called Bambusa multiplex. It is a clumping type(not spreading type) bamboo so it works well as a hedge.  It may grow in Mineral Wells. Check your local Cooperative extension service or ag agent.   Pat

[Roy from Pa]

OK OK, how much money do I need to send to you Pat B for some of that special small node cane? Those shafts with the smaller depressions at the nodes look great. Living here in Pa where it is colder makes me angry sometimes. Maybe if I got some live shoots of that cane, I could grow it in the basement under controlled conditions:) LMAO, another cane junkie is born:)  

[Pat B]

Roy, Money can't buy it but when I get some I'll put you on the list. Pat

[Caveman IL]

I'd contact Sal ochoa who is from Los angeles, he always comes to Mojam.  Maybe he'll see this and post. What weight/spline do you need? Larry

[ringo64]

little tree, i live here in wisconsin right now....for another couple of weeks, and i am making arrows from phragmites reed, which is what the indians of this area used quite a bit.  it is not nearly as durable as cane and much lighter, but is easy to straighten and fun to make into arrows.  these two fletch arrows are both phragmites...also known as bottle brush here i think. give it a try...always nice to know the local source.

[crashcastle]

dang i gotta get me some of this cool cane cause mine sure dont look that good

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks Pat, is this cane very hard to come by? My Uncle lives in SC, would it grow around his house?

[wyatts daddy]

I have it right here river cane for $12.00 a dozen. You can get them at Pine Hollow Longbows, Inc.  www.pinehollowlongbows.com
Bill

[Matt E]

The reed in the bottom of Art,s picture appears to be Switch Cane.It grows all over my section of N.C.