Moreno Borriero (left), with Gabriele Gori (centre) and Rolf Baginski (right).

Moreno Borriero is one of the imposing figures of the Italian and European bamboo rodmaking landscape.

A born Italian, grown up in South Africa and living near the beautiful Lucca town, Tuscany (Italy), he started making bamboo rods a few years ago after many years of fly fishing.

Moreno is a fly fishing guide as well covering the beautiful rivers in Tuscany which run through the breathtaking landscapes the region is famous all over the World. Get yourself ready for trout and/or grayiling, Moreno will take you to the right spot and surround you with the right people and places. Tuscany is a warm and friendly place...

One more important thing. Moreno not only is a skilled angler and rod maker, he is bi-lingual, English and Italian and the official translator for the IBRA association (IBRA is the Italian Bamboo Rodmakers Association). I always admire his translations, especially the simoultaneous ones that accompany our foreign guests during our gatherings. They are precise, accurate and exact translation of what the speaker really says, including subtilities and jokes! Believe me, this is not an easy task, and Moreno master it!

Here Moreno Borriero (left, front), next to Andy Royer (centre) and Hoagy Carmichael (right)

Here is my short interview with Moreno I manage to collect before he left for the British Fly Fair 2008.

Ciao Moreno! I also lived in South Africa, where about did you live over there?
In Johannesburg and precisely in the"Northern Suburbs", Sydenham.

How many rods did you make so far?
30, roughly.

And when did you make your first rod?
in 2006.

Which taper do you like?
I prefer medium fast tapers. I use RodDna and HexRods to design my own tapers which are inspired almost exclusively from Wyne Cattenach's Sir Darryl...

What are you working at presently?
I am working at some rods with a more classic action for the British anglers since I plan to attend next Sommerset event in January 2009.

Anything else?
I finished a certified IBRA Pragliola N.5 which I sold to a angler from Rome. The rod has you know has a very peculiar taper, fast action and is hollow-built.

What kind of hardware do you use?
Only the best: Bellinger, Rec, CSE and Snake Brand: By the way, I am soon going to make my own reel-seats in briar and NS.

Moreno, you are also a fly-fishing guide. Which rivers do you take your clients to?
Tevere, Sieve, Lima, Serchio, Nera...

Moreno thank you for your time and see you soon in Miramas! (for the French gathering, mid November 2008)

Here is Moreno's website:

Moreno Borriero website

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