Ok. Thought I'd start a thread for folks to share photos and information regarding collectable Big Game fishing rods.
I'll start with one that might barely meet the defination of 'collectable' since they were produced in relatively large numbers, and as such, can hardly be considered truely 'rare', but they were only made from ca. 1958 through ca. 1968 so it is old.
Pictured below is my first collectable Big Game rod purchase. It is a Roddy 'Pro Hunter' 130 class. Rod blank appears to be heavy, thick-walled fiberglass. The brown blank measures 5' (60"). It has 1 old-style tall, side-mount 2-roller stripper guide (maybe a Mildrum), 4 bronze ring guides, and an AFTCO rollered tip top (possibly a later addition?). The 2 labels on the blank are mostly worn off, but the 'RO' of Roddy is visable in the lower one, and the 'PRO' of the Pro Hunter(?) is visable in the upper decale. There is a plastic 'HARDY HOOKEEPER', marked as such on the top of the 9 1/2" cork wrapped forgrip. The 19" big game butt section is made of brass and is removable. Reel seat is a 'VARMAC RS-5', and mounts 10,12,14,16/0, 80, or 130 class reels snugly. Lower butt is hand turned wood, w/ 3 rings, and a heavy-duty bronze gimbal butt, mounted snugly with a single through pin (peened on both sides).
The Roddy Rod Co. built a variety of rods from the mid 1950s through 1968 out of Cordina, CA. I believe Berkley bought the company in 1968, and continued to produce some rods (mostly freshwater, and fly rods) under this name for a few years in the 1970s. It is my understanding, that at some later point (?) 'Master Fishing Tackle' of Carson, CA bought the rights to the 'Roddy' name. Incidentially, it was this company, along with 'Seastriker' who bought 'Penn' in 2003.
*As a side note: J.C. Axelson founded AFTCO in 1958, and designed the famous roller guides shortly thereafter in his basement workshop in Newport Beach, CA. So it is possible Roddy switched from Mildrum to AFTCO rller guides on their 80 and 130 class rods at some point.
This big game rod may not be as 'collectable' as a 'Hardy', a 'Hornell', or a 'Harrington', but they were a slightly more economical option available for offshore big game fishing, or sharking from the sand in the 1950s and 1960s. This rod was equally capable of pairing with large reels, and landing big fish. I got the rod for free (paid $35 shipping to HI), and I plan on leaving it 'as is' and hanging it on my wall.
Feel free to add any info you might have on Roddy Rod Company, or share any other old rods you might have on this thread.
A few more pics..
I guess I should learn how to post pictures...
I have two Harnell Royal rods with Mildrum rollers, black glass and light green whippings with yellow trims. The Royal V is 80lb class and has the Varmac RS4H reel seat, black wooden butt and Varmac ball gimbal. The Royal VII is 'Unlimited' class and matches the V apart from using the largest RS5H reel seat. I can't bend it! I'd like the 130lb rod to fill the gap :)
Then there is the Fenwick 130lb rod with Mildrum rollers; brown glass, brown whippings, Varmac RS5H and stainless steel straight butt. This is the same rod model as used in Jaws (though Quint's original had the earlier wooden butt and was later modified as it was used chartering after filming).
Next comes the later white glass 130lb Fenwick with Aftco Big Foot guides, Varmac RS5H and Aftco bent aluminium butt.
Finally, a Biscayne 130lb rod with white (KC?) blank, Aftco Big Foot roller guides and a straight Aftco Unibutt size 6. This one has never been to sea.
My other 80lb and 130lb rods are modern and used - Penn, Star Rods and Kilwell of New Zealand.
There is a nice Hardy rod in the UK up for sale at the moment, but the asking price is £2,499! Too much for my pocket ;D
My knowledge of Big Game rods is very limited compared to many folks on this board.
For example, how many of you know that Randy, owner of Vintage Offshore Tackle -- has one of the most pristine and largest selections of Vintage Big Game rods -- anywhere?
He is a modest guy -- and would not ever brag about his expertise.
When I was fortunate enough to be able to help Randy -- for a few days at the Fred Hall Outdoor Show in Long Beach last March -- I saw first hand the sheer amount of desirable rods he had on hand -- and this was not nearly all of what he has.
Harnell, Truline, Roddy, Fenwick, and so many others -- all at very fair prices -- no gouging here.
It was amazing to see how many folks would come to Randy's display -- look over the offerings -- then immediately get on the phone to their buddies either at the show or off site -- equal interest in rods, as well as reels and jigs.
Randy is on our site -- everyone who does business with him has top praises -- and he is one of the good guys.
Best,
Fred
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_3129_zpsn4by77nj.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_3129_zpsn4by77nj.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/5093102C-387C-4F43-8F86-10704367DC6B_zpsdfd40ysf.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/5093102C-387C-4F43-8F86-10704367DC6B_zpsdfd40ysf.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_3118_zpsy9db2tzq.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_3118_zpsy9db2tzq.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/5093102C-387C-4F43-8F86-10704367DC6B_zpsdfd40ysf.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/5093102C-387C-4F43-8F86-10704367DC6B_zpsdfd40ysf.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/3C27A7AA-8221-49FE-BA05-E07F221F449F_zps10vdfr16.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/3C27A7AA-8221-49FE-BA05-E07F221F449F_zps10vdfr16.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_3131_zpszigswdfq.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_3131_zpszigswdfq.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_3119_zps2g9cazvp.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_3119_zps2g9cazvp.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_3121_zpsmcmejcwu.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_3121_zpsmcmejcwu.jpg.html)
I love seeing his display photos...gives me goosebumps ;)
Looks like Randy had a 'Roddy' at the show there priced at $130. Knowing Randy's propencity to charge under 'fair market value', I must have got a good deal on mine. Of course I csn't make out the model or condition from the photo. The only other price I can make out from the above pics, is $350 for what appears to be a vintage surf casting rod..maybe a Fenwick? It would be great if Randy could share some of his knowledge, and maybe a few collectsble rods he might currently have in his inventory. I know shipping costs can be prohibitive on some of the lower value makes/midels though.
Not surprising he has a significant collection he is 'Vintage Offshore Tackle' afterall :)
I have quit a few of the old bamboo rods but none made for trolling. I'll post some pictures when I have time.
Funny thing about big game fishing. I love it and have never had the money to actually do too much of it. The tackle are what legends are made of. Much gear has passed through my hands on its way to buyers with deeper pockets than me.
John, the stripper guide on your rod is definitely a Mildrum four foot guide, a la "Jaws Fenwick" fame. I own a example of the Jaws Fenwick rod tip with stainless steel bent butt.
I also own a custom Unlimited Class Shakespeare blank build with Mildrum guides, a Lakeland reel seat and a Aftco aluminum butt. Big game stuff is pure folklore and a lot of fun to collect. To be honest, what I am looking to add to my collection is a Tycoon Bimini King model. Just holding one in my hands makes me thing of Zane Grey and Hemingway, Can't touch the feeling!!!
Mike - I hear you on the Tycoon tackle...I follow them on FB and really enjoy seeing the old photos with the Fin Nor's attached to those huge Tycoon tackle rods in the old b/w photos. You're right it gets your adrenaline pumping. I'd like to read some of Zane Grey's work, it's next on my list once I finish the Grimm Fairy Tales collection.
Starting this thread topic was a great idea!!!!! Fred reposting those pics was not....the boss / financial advisor just eased back the throttle after Tom's kit arrived, lol, and seeing that old gear again gets me itchy...
When I was about 8, I read Pop's copy of "Shark", by Zane Gray......well, it was all over then....I grew up fishing but after reading about Tahiti and 39 thread, it was on....now, I knew there weren't a Kovalovsky to be had on grass-cutting money in North Caka-lacky, but I did save to buy a little 60 Long Beach on a Tru Temper rod at Rose's Dept Store (Dave will know about them) and made a gaff from a gutter nail and a broom handle, then started making my own lures....I guess that how it starts. I had the 60 until about 1998, fished in freshwater maybe three times for stripers but sold it for $20. Love to have that back. Then I read on to Hemingway.
If you like the nostalgia, I highly recommend you find a copy of "Sportsman's World" by Jack Samson. Published in the late 70's, I think, but it details his adventures across the globe dating back to the Forties. Read that at about age 12 and it further fueled the fire....I still have about six of my reels I got for presents as a kid in the Seventies.
I have a old fiberglass rod I know nothing about. There are no markings anywhere on it. I purchased the rod and reel in south Florida back in the early 80's. I've tried to date the rod by researching the reel. The reel is a ocean city #814 14/0 non cradle reel.I cannot find one reference to that exact reel anywhere online.the only reel I found with that marking is a cradle reel. The best I can figure out is the reel was definitely made after 1952 based on catalogs. Any info or insite would be great.you can see where the cork grip took some major abuse from the reel harness. It also looks like the swivel tip might be missing a piece. There might have been a attachment like they use on today's wire line and deep drop rods. Its something I bought to shark fish with but never used due to a broken clicker.the guides seem to be inexpensive so I don't think its a high end rod but it seems weird there are no markings anywhere including the the gimbal, reel seat or tip.it will make a good wallhanger I'm glad I kept it.Joe
QuoteThe reel is a ocean city #814 14/0 non cradle reel.
The Ocean City 14/O built with the standard stand and cross bars is a Model 614. If yours has the Model 814 data plate on the head plate, then it is improperly labeled. All Model 814 Ocean City 14/O's are cradle reels. The head plate logo is held on with two press in rivets and can easily be interchanged with another reel. Someone either swapped data plates or head plates on the reel you have. The rod looks like a common big game rod of the era. It could be a Montague; but, I am not an expert on rods, so I am guessing. When ever I see an old big game rod with an Ocean City reel from the same vintage as the rod I assume the rod is a Montague. In the 1940's, 50' and 60's, Ocean City and Montague shared the same catalog. Montague became a partner with Ocean City long before WW II
Thanks for the info. No wonder I couldn't find it online. The reel does have some incorrect parts and makeshift repairs done to it.. Hopefully that means it was well used and caught plenty of fish. Joe
Thanks a million for the plug Fred. I do love the old rods, especially the So. Cal. classics from the 60's and 70's, and I have been buying up a storm following up on the leads that came in at the tackle show. While I have no problem shipping reels and lures worldwide, I am very reluctant to ship rods for several reasons. Unlike reels, and particularly with the older models, rods with the same model number can have very different actions, so the buyer may not get what he is expecting. Packaging a rod securely enough to prevent damage to the tip and guides is a very time consuming job, as it seems that all of the carriers are not very careful in handling them, and take particular delight in slamming the tubes down on their ends. The carriers (USPS, UPS and FedEx) can be inconsistent in applying oversize surcharges, which can significantly increase shipping costs. For all of those reasons, I would much prefer that the buyer has the opportunity to pull on the rod and is happy with it before he commits to the purchase, and take it with him so that I do not have to deal with the shipping issues. On rare occasions, I will ship rods, but I prefer to ship two or more at a time so that I can overlap the butts so that no tips are exposed, and so that the shipping cost as a factor of the total cost is lessened.
My primary selling opportunity is at the Long Beach Fred Hall Show, but I would love to get together with any Tani family members here in the San Luis Obispo area. If anyone is coming here to go fishing at Morro Bay or Avila, I can meet them at the landing. I also make frequent trips to So. Cal. and less frequent trips to the Bay Area, and I can deliver rods anywhere along highway 101, 880 and 405 corridors between the Bay Area and Orange County, inclusive. If anyone is looking for a particular rod, I would love to have a shot at the business. I specialize in Trulines and Neptunas, but also have a scattering of Harnell, Roddy, Silaflex, old Lamiglas, Fenwick and a slug of vintage Sabres. When buying large lots of tackle, I also wind up with a lot of contemporary Calstars and Seekers and currently have a half-dozen really nice jig stick blanks.
If anyone is looking for anything along those lines, I would love to have a shot at your business. You can reach me at rfpauly@aol.com, or if you would rather talk than type, 805-748-9202.
Thanks,
Randy Pauly
Ok John, here are a few collectible big game Fenwick rods. I know that most have seen these already, but I'll play along.
Enjoy:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/030_7.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/030_7.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/027_9.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/027_9.jpg.html)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g431/pescatore1/023_8.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/pescatore1/media/023_8.jpg.html)
Sal
Sal,
Thanks for sharing here. I love those old Fenwick big game rods. Those 2 with the wooden butts stand out. I bet they have still got good backbone. These guys were built to last.
John, those have never been used. The second from the left is the only one that has been used, but still in great shape.
Sal
There are some fine rods here. I kind of like the classics along with modern tackle and felt it would be interesting to post some Tycoon Tackle info. The next two scans have to be credited to the great book, The Tycoon Tackle Story by Timothy P. O'Brien, son of Tycoon Tackle founder, Frank O'Brien Jr.
These rods are probably the most coveted wood fishing rods ever made.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Tycoon%20and%20Fin-Nor%20Tackle/img347%20741%20x%201061_zpsut7btzuv.jpg)
There is some big time name dropping in the next collection.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Tycoon%20and%20Fin-Nor%20Tackle/img348%20784%20x%201077_zpstyinjvbf.jpg)
In the world of wood fishing rods, there are classic makers. In England, there was Hardy and in the USA there Edward vom Hofe and then Tycoon. Many others also made high quality rods, Montague being one that comes to mind. Vintage wood rods are a great side bar to add to a collection of fishing reels. What better way to display a classic reel than by mounting it to a classic rod.
My favorite photo of fishing history is the cover sleeve photo of Chisie Farrington's only book, walking the beach with her Tycoon Surf rod (considered by me to be the best surf rod ever made) slung over her shoulder. Mounted to the rod is a Penn Squidder (considered by me to be the best surf reel ever made) This kind of stuff gives me Goosebumps.
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Tycoon%20and%20Fin-Nor%20Tackle/Chisie%20Farington--Figure%203%20561%20x%20710_zpsml4glbwu.jpg)
Thank you for the pictures of those lovely wooden rods!
I've seen some of the older Hardy rods in the flesh, in the Hardy museum Alnwick, Northumberland. If you are in the UK, try to call in! But seeing those US classics is a treat.
Quote from: UKChris on July 11, 2015, 04:56:40 PM
Thank you for the pictures of those lovely wooden rods!
I've seen some of the older Hardy rods in the flesh, in the Hardy museum Alnwick, Northumberland. If you are in the UK, try to call in! But seeing those US classics is a treat.
Wow, I was in Northumbeland once, and somehow neglected to pay this place a visit. Here is a link to their site...
http://66.51.163.9/fishing/collection/index.cfm/hierarchy/1/depth/4/finalLevel/4/category/7/level1/Great%20Britain%20%26%20Europe/level2/England/level3/Hardy/item/M001845/
and a photo.
Ran accross these cool items at the Hickam Harbor boatyard this morning and thought I'd share. The rod is an early Calcutta bamboo big game. It is paired with a post-war second gen 10/0 reel. There are some old big game lures hanging on the wall along with the rod and reel. When I expressed my interest in these old items, the proprietor pulled this pin-up style resin-head out of a drawer*. He explained to me that the lure was made locally just after the war. Pretty cool given this boatyard is on the base that was attacked at Pearl Harbor.
*Alan and admins... I hope this lure head doesn't break the 12 year old rule. Feel free to pull it if you deem it appropriate.
Great stuff, that lure is priceless and a great example of the World War II soldiers thoughts. Funny thing about the old "Cheescake" photos, by today's standard they are not so bad.
So, I made a trip back to the Hickam Harbor boatyard yeasterday, and managed to buy the displayed 10/0 and bamboo big game rod combo. The owner staed this combo has been displayed in the boathouse at the entrance to Pearl Harbor since the early 1960s. He said the rod and reel were being actively fished for marlin and tuna out of Pearl Harbor from just after the war until being retired in the early 1960s. He believes the rod is a 'Calcutta'.
I am wondering if it was manufactured by Calcutta, or is simply a bamboo, hardwood, and Calcutta reed blank manufactured by someone else. I would appreciate any info or thoughts on the make, model, and history of the rod. I am guessing by the build style that it is circa the mid to late 1930s.
I attached a few pictures of the big game trolling rod that came with the 10/0 reel. The rod is one piece, has no visable markings of any kind, has 5 ringed guides, is 85.5" total length, 64" to the seat, has gold and burgundy thread guide wraps, black rod wraps, and brown (linen/rope) forearm wraps. The squared rod, appears to be wood core, bamboo, calcutta reed construction. I was told this was a 'Calcutta' rod.
Is there any possibility it was manufactured by Frank O'Brien? It is missing the gimbal, has a damaged tip-top guide, and the varnish/coating is showing significant wear in places. I wonder what the value of the rod might be as well? I may have to pick up the Tycoon tackle book, the antique fishing rod book, and may contact the Catalina Fishing Club to see if they have any resources available.
A few more pics..
QuoteSo, I made a trip back to the Hickam Harbor boatyard yeasterday, and managed to buy the displayed 10/0 and bamboo big game rod combo. The owner staed this combo has been displayed in the boathouse at the entrance to Pearl Harbor since the early 1960s. He said the rod and reel were being actively fished for marlin and tuna out of Pearl Harbor from just after the war until being retired in the early 1960s. He believes the rod is a 'Calcutta'.
I am wondering if it was manufactured by Calcutta, or is simply a bamboo, hardwood, and Calcutta reed blank manufactured by someone else. I would appreciate any info or thoughts on the make, model, and history of the rod. I am guessing by the build style that it is circa the mid to late 1930s.
I attached a few pictures of the big game trolling rod that came with the 10/0 reel. The rod is one piece, has no visable markings of any kind, has 5 ringed guides, is 85.5" total length, 64" to the seat, has gold and burgundy thread guide wraps, black rod wraps, and brown (linen/rope) forearm wraps. The squared rod, appears to be wood core, bamboo, calcutta reed construction. I was told this was a 'Calcutta' rod.
Is there any possibility it was manufactured by Frank O'Brien? It is missing the gimbal, has a damaged tip-top guide, and the varnish/coating is showing significant wear in places. I wonder what the value of the rod might be as well? I may have to pick up the Tycoon tackle book, the antique fishing rod book, and may contact the Catalina Fishing Club to see if they have any resources available.
John,
I went through the Tycoon Tackle book and could find no reference to the rod you have. It is a mystery to me.
Quote from: Penn Chronology on August 10, 2015, 05:18:10 AM
QuoteSo, I made a trip back to the Hickam Harbor boatyard yeasterday, and managed to buy the displayed 10/0 and bamboo big game rod combo. The owner staed this combo has been displayed in the boathouse at the entrance to Pearl Harbor since the early 1960s. He said the rod and reel were being actively fished for marlin and tuna out of Pearl Harbor from just after the war until being retired in the early 1960s. He believes the rod is a 'Calcutta'.
I am wondering if it was manufactured by Calcutta, or is simply a bamboo, hardwood, and Calcutta reed blank manufactured by someone else. I would appreciate any info or thoughts on the make, model, and history of the rod. I am guessing by the build style that it is circa the mid to late 1930s.
I attached a few pictures of the big game trolling rod that came with the 10/0 reel. The rod is one piece, has no visable markings of any kind, has 5 ringed guides, is 85.5" total length, 64" to the seat, has gold and burgundy thread guide wraps, black rod wraps, and brown (linen/rope) forearm wraps. The squared rod, appears to be wood core, bamboo, calcutta reed construction. I was told this was a 'Calcutta' rod.
Is there any possibility it was manufactured by Frank O'Brien? It is missing the gimbal, has a damaged tip-top guide, and the varnish/coating is showing significant wear in places. I wonder what the value of the rod might be as well? I may have to pick up the Tycoon tackle book, the antique fishing rod book, and may contact the Catalina Fishing Club to see if they have any resources available.
John,
I went through the Tycoon Tackle book and could find no reference to the rod you have. It is a mystery to me.
Thank you for checking Mike. It is not likely a Tycoon, unless it was an early prototype or something. It may have been a Southern CA produced Calcutta, or possibly a Japaneese bamboo. I don't believe there were too many companies producing big game rods in the 1920s and 30s, but what do I know? Further research is needed. Lack of markings may make pinning it down difficult.
Quote
Thank you for checking Mike. It is not likely a Tycoon, unless it was an early prototype or something. It may have been a Southern CA produced Calcutta, or possibly a Japaneese bamboo. I don't believe there were too many companies producing big game rods in the 1920s and 30s, but what do I know? Further research is needed. Lack of markings may make pinning it down difficult.
Posted on: Today at 09:18:10 PM
Posted by: Penn Chronology
Big Game fishing in the 1920's and 30's was a sport of the wealthy. Companies like Tycoon, Hardy and Edward vom Hofe all built big game rods catering to the deep pockets crowd. Montague built them for us working class folks, to a degree. I am sure there are other makers that built the heavy old rods. That is a study in itself. Most of the pre-fiberglass rods were split bamboo or solid hickory, Tycoon brought it to a higher level.
Heres the link to a video I pulled from an older post on ORCA... Rods made of solid GreenHeart...
https://video-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/11191748_1614557578788120_1348475848_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjU1NiwicmxhIjo2OTl9&rl=556&vabr=309&oh=650a957d7bc6aa321d4a0d34e5ab7d02&oe=55CA524C
Quote from: Tightlines666 on August 09, 2015, 09:59:34 PM
So, I made a trip back to the Hickam Harbor boatyard yeasterday, and managed to buy the displayed 10/0 and bamboo big game rod combo. The owner staed this combo has been displayed in the boathouse at the entrance to Pearl Harbor since the early 1960s. He said the rod and reel were being actively fished for marlin and tuna out of Pearl Harbor from just after the war until being retired in the early 1960s. He believes the rod is a 'Calcutta'.
I am wondering if it was manufactured by Calcutta, or is simply a bamboo, hardwood, and Calcutta reed blank manufactured by someone else. I would appreciate any info or thoughts on the make, model, and history of the rod. I am guessing by the build style that it is circa the mid to late 1930s.
I attached a few pictures of the big game trolling rod that came with the 10/0 reel. The rod is one piece, has no visable markings of any kind, has 5 ringed guides, is 85.5" total length, 64" to the seat, has gold and burgundy thread guide wraps, black rod wraps, and brown (linen/rope) forearm wraps. The squared rod, appears to be wood core, bamboo, calcutta reed construction. I was told this was a 'Calcutta' rod.
Is there any possibility it was manufactured by Frank O'Brien? It is missing the gimbal, has a damaged tip-top guide, and the varnish/coating is showing significant wear in places. I wonder what the value of the rod might be as well? I may have to pick up the Tycoon tackle book, the antique fishing rod book, and may contact the Catalina Fishing Club to see if they have any resources available.
I stopped by Waipahu Bicycle & Sporting goods store yesterday afternoon, and inadvertently stumpled upon some more information as to the origin of this fishing pole.
I had a long conversation with Keith, one of the owners. This store has a rich history, and has been a specialty fishing supply store since 1923. Keith is an avid collector of early history related to his family and the store, and shared his impressive collection of prewar boat & shore rods, and prewar Pflueger reels with me. I was particuarily impressed with his collection of Atlapacs, which were very popular here in HI.
He also related that he still enjoys fishing with old prewar custom rods and reels. He recently took first place in a large casting competition while pitting his old heavy Pflueger Templar paired with an early custom slide-bait rod, against a field of modern, lightweight rods, and hot-rodded reels. He also has a bunch of really cool fishing photos from way back in the day.
Anyways, I spied a rod that looked identical, save the color of the guide wrappings, to the rod I aquire at Hickam. When queried further, he related that these rods were the local industry standard for Big Game Fishing here in HI from the 1920s, through the war. I was surprised to learn that they were customs that had been hand made by a family living at Kalaupapa (The Lepor Colony) on Molokai. This family began making this style big game boat rod sometime in the 1920s, and provided many of the local fishermen throughout the islands with rods for a variety of styles of fishing throughout the early part of the century (at least into the 1950s). Rod components and materials were imported from Southern CA. They and others also manufactured shore fishing rods from locally available bamboo, which required a special seasoning process, since it had less inherent strength then some of the thicker walled varieties available from other locales. He had several examples of some of these early Hawaiian bamboo rods.
I would love to learn more about the history of rod building at Kalaupapa, and am proud to be an owner of a piece of this valuable local history.
Some very rich history there!
Looks like the mailman paid me a visit while I was out hunting...
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160305_122655_zpshuuuztxe.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160305_122655_zpshuuuztxe.jpg.html)
Can't wait to learn a bit more, get some period-correct materials, and try my first bamboo rod restoration, a Montague 'Gulf' boat rod...
http://m.ebay.com/itm/291685869844
When i fished the boat many years ago for skate i owed a very
rare one piece stand up ugly stick rod (sadly sold years ago)
teamed with a penn 114h (also sold).
Rod well up to my PB skate 156lb, we fished 50lb braid
and also fished for spurdog PB 13lb 8oz.
Great skipper knew his job and the marks, great memory's.
When is rare really rare? When is something scarce really scarce? Who does the rating? If I have one of a few that I know of does that make it rare or scarce? Can I set the standard? I guess so because so many people claim what they have or had is rare so I guess I can set the standard. ???
With fire arms there's publications out there showing the relative value, but to my knowledge there's never been anything published for fishing equipment. Would love to see someone put forth the effort to document values, but have a suspicion it would be a monumental task.
QuoteWhen is rare really rare? When is something scarce really scarce? Who does the rating? If I have one of a few that I know of does that make it rare or scarce? Can I set the standard? I guess so because so many people claim what they have or had is rare so I guess I can set the standard. Huh?
People get very loose with the word, "Rare". In the world of Penn reels there are rare models. The Model F and K's are rare. Only approximately 1000 documented models were made in 1932. Of those models most were distributed all over the country and some were sold in the 1933 model year. There are other models that are also rare, like the 1933 Bay Side and the 1934 Ocean Side . I could name a few more; but, I think you get the idea. When something is truly Rare, there is no doubt about it. Calling hard to find items rare is simply fantasy or a seller tactic to fool the easily fooled.
Quote from: Tightlines666 on July 24, 2015, 06:14:18 AM
There are some old big game lures hanging on the wall along with the rod and reel. When I expressed my interest in these old items, the proprietor pulled this pin-up style resin-head out of a drawer*.
This is off track somewhat but I couldn't but notice the big old scoop faced lures in the photo below. In their own way they hark back to that old era as well. I'd love to have a closer look at them to check out the details.
(http://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14650.0;attach=14289;image)
(http://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14650.0;attach=14287;image)
Quote from: Penn Chronology on March 07, 2016, 06:04:50 AM
QuoteWhen is rare really rare? When is something scarce really scarce? Who does the rating? If I have one of a few that I know of does that make it rare or scarce? Can I set the standard? I guess so because so many people claim what they have or had is rare so I guess I can set the standard. Huh?
When something is truly Rare, there is no doubt about it. Calling hard to find items rare is simply fantasy or a seller tactic to fool the easily fooled.
I agree 100%. It's fantasy for instance to try to pawn off on the public a common Penn 113H as rare or vintage. It's just like P. T. Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute".
Quote from: Patudo on March 07, 2016, 09:14:37 AM
Quote from: Tightlines666 on July 24, 2015, 06:14:18 AM
There are some old big game lures hanging on the wall along with the rod and reel. When I expressed my interest in these old items, the proprietor pulled this pin-up style resin-head out of a drawer*.
This is off track somewhat but I couldn't but notice the big old scoop faced lures in the photo below. In their own way they hark back to that old era as well. I'd love to have a closer look at them to check out the details.
(http://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14650.0;attach=14289;image)
(http://alantani.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14650.0;attach=14287;image)
The lures use heads of similar design as today'so modern lures, except that they tend to be much lighter, and are made of slightly different (inferior?) resin. Some heads were made of she'll or bone. The skirts were often made of leather, feathers or later on vinyl. The Blue Marlin baits were typically smaller then modern ones, and designed to be trolled slower (like 4-5.5knots) since most boats were slower. HawaiI was somewhat of a pioneer in te use of artificialstronger for Marlin. It is my understanding that most boats fished dead or live bait for billfish in the early days.
Got my Montague 'Gulf' saltwater split bamboo boat rod with double agate guides today. I think the tip top had been replaced at some point, and the male ferrule has a crack. It is wrapped in yelow (no.4?) Silk. I decided to just clean it up a bit since it is still in pretty good condition. Should make a good 'wall hanger'.
nice, John! what kind of motor is on there, an OC?
Quote from: thorhammer on March 09, 2016, 01:45:14 PM
nice, John! what kind of motor is on there, an OC?
An OC Ike Walton.
Have a look at this interesting article regarding vintage rods...
Quote from: Tightlines666 on March 09, 2016, 06:19:28 AM
Got my Montague 'Gulf' saltwater split bamboo boat rod with double agate guides today. I think the tip top had been replaced at some point, and the male ferrule has a crack. It is wrapped in yelow (no.4?) Silk. I decided to just clean it up a bit since it is still in pretty good condition. Should make a good 'wall hanger'.
Always wondered, what is the purpose of the two guides opposite to each other?
Marc..
QuoteAlways wondered, what is the purpose of the two guides opposite to each other?
Notice with the two piece rod, the back to back guides are always on the tip. Wood rods have a tendency to take a set. By mounting two guides opposite each other, you can flip the rod tip every time you use it. This always puts the force in the opposite direction, making a set less likely to happen.
Quote from: Penn Chronology on April 19, 2016, 09:38:56 PM
QuoteAlways wondered, what is the purpose of the two guides opposite to each other?
Notice with the two piece rod, the back to back guides are always on the tip. Wood rods have a tendency to take a set. By mounting two guides opposite each other, you can flip the rod tip every time you use it. This always puts the force in the opposite direction, making a set less likely to happen.
Cool!! 8)
Learn some everyday
Thanks, Marc..
Quote from: Marcq on April 19, 2016, 10:44:14 PM
Quote from: Penn Chronology on April 19, 2016, 09:38:56 PM
QuoteAlways wondered, what is the purpose of the two guides opposite to each other?
Notice with the two piece rod, the back to back guides are always on the tip. Wood rods have a tendency to take a set. By mounting two guides opposite each other, you can flip the rod tip every time you use it. This always puts the force in the opposite direction, making a set less likely to happen.
Cool!! 8)
Learn some everyday
Oops, but looking at the rod again the two guides facing are not at the tip ???
Thanks, Marc..
As I stated above, I think this is the incorrect Tip for the rod. They typically have a tip top that extends straight out from the tip so the line can enter it from the top or the bottom.
Yes, Mike is referring to the double-faced guide being on the top half of the two-piece rod as opposed to bottom, where the fixed reel seat would hinder adjustment.
I also agree with John that the tip-top on this rod may have been replaced at some point.
Apparently the tip-top adhesive would have to be heated, and the tip-top turned around and re-glued, in accord with whichever double-faced guide ring is being used.
That wasn't the case with the original tip-tops that were paired with double-facing guides.
QuoteAs I stated above, I think this is the incorrect Tip for the rod. They typically have a tip top that extends straight out from the tip so the line can enter it from the top or the bottom.
No doubt that whoever replaced the tip, was not aware of what type of rod tip should be used. I believe they call these Tunnel Tips. They can be used from either side of the rod.
Here is a correctly built Split cane rod with a tunnel tip;
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Split%20Cane%20or%20Wood%20%20Fishing%20Rods/Split%20Cane%20Boat%20Rod--restored--%20with%20double%20guide%20tip%20and%20tunnel%20001%20-%20Copy%20984%20x%20286_zps6n4iuadx.jpg)
These tips are kind of hard to come by in today's world;
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Split%20Cane%20or%20Wood%20%20Fishing%20Rods/Split%20Cane%20Boat%20Rod--restored--%20with%20double%20guide%20tip%20and%20tunnel%20006%20-%20Copy%20814%20x%20629_zpsohvarl5w.jpg)
Quote from: Penn Chronology on July 24, 2015, 01:14:25 PM
Great stuff, that lure is priceless and a great example of the World War II soldiers thoughts. Funny thing about the old "Cheescake" photos, by today's standard they are not so bad.
Today there are no standards. Dominick
Quote from: Penn Chronology on April 20, 2016, 06:56:27 PM
QuoteAs I stated above, I think this is the incorrect Tip for the rod. They typically have a tip top that extends straight out from the tip so the line can enter it from the top or the bottom.
No doubt that whoever replaced the tip, was not aware of what type of rod tip should be used. I believe they call these Tunnel Tips. They can be used from either side of the rod.
Here is a correctly built Split cane rod with a tunnel tip;
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Split%20Cane%20or%20Wood%20%20Fishing%20Rods/Split%20Cane%20Boat%20Rod--restored--%20with%20double%20guide%20tip%20and%20tunnel%20001%20-%20Copy%20984%20x%20286_zps6n4iuadx.jpg)
These tips are kind of hard to come by in today's world;
(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo244/m3040c/Split%20Cane%20or%20Wood%20%20Fishing%20Rods/Split%20Cane%20Boat%20Rod--restored--%20with%20double%20guide%20tip%20and%20tunnel%20006%20-%20Copy%20814%20x%20629_zpsohvarl5w.jpg)
Ha!! Makes sense now, it was at that time a great idea 8)
Thanks, Marc..
Who's Marc???
Oh OK, hello Marc!
QuoteFunny thing about big game fishing. I love it and have never had the money to actually do too much of it. Much gear has passed through my hands on its way to buyers with deeper pockets than me.
i feel your pain
I've been shopping for an old split bamboo salt water rod and notice how many of them have only 2 guides, including the tip. Why is that? Don't more guides distribute the stress more evenly throughout the length of the rod and allow it to handle heavier fish?
QuoteI've been shopping for an old split bamboo salt water rod and notice how many of them have only 2 guides, including the tip. Why is that? Don't more guides distribute the stress more evenly throughout the length of the rod and allow it to handle heavier fish?
Back when those old split can rods were built, the science was simple, the tackle was slower. The big game rods usually had four or five guides but inexpensive boat rods and surf rods were usually made with two guides and tip. I have ten foot split cane surf rod with only two guides, Somehow they worked.
Those vintage rods with hardly any guides surprised me too. If you put a bend in one it just screams for more guides to distribute the stress and get the line up off the rod. The thinking of the day was that guides cause friction and more guides cause more friction. The rod designs were limited by the available materials (bamboo, hardwood, steel). Also, rod design was strongly influenced by the natural fiber lines being used (twisted cotton, twisted linen, braided linen and braided silk).
Natural fiber lines are not nearly as slick as any synthetic line (dacron, nylon, spectra, mono, floro). The natural fiber lines soak up a lot of water, get fuzzy quickly, get limp quickly and tend to cling to everything. Maybe they cling for same reason that a wet tee shirts clings. I don't know. But when casting a natural fiber line you can feel the line hanging up on every guide.
The line manufacturers would try to polish and waterproof their line. I suspect it was flame polished and stretched to get a smooth finish and but have no idea what the coating was. Whatever the process, it did not work very well at all. The first few casts feel great and then the line gets soggy and everything slows down.
Plastics really did revolutionize fishing gear for the better. It's hard to appreciate the difference until you try to fish with equipment made without any synthetics and petrochemicals.
-steve
Michael and Steve, thanks for your insight. What you say makes sense. I'm looking for one to display with a vintage reel. I doubt I'll ever fish with one.
Here are a few from my collection. I love the old split bamboo rods and the various ways they were configured with various guides, ferrules, tip tops, reel seats and handles. I fish with most of these. This stuff is still up to its intended purpose. One thing though ... never enough credit is given to the inventor of the power handle. Bringing in a hard fighting fish is tough on the hand when all you have is a little wooden knob.
I was invited to cross post this here.
I recently came into a small cache of older equipment that caused me to do some research on the Montague City Rod and Reel Company. Being from Massachusetts, I found the back-story fascinating. I had no idea that the "worlds largest manufacturer of fishing equipment" was once located in Massachusetts. I thought some of you may interested in these links to the Montague sites and web pages that I found that address the company and its equipment:
https://www.montaguerodandreel.com/
http://antiquerodandreels.com/mfg_m/montague.html
http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2013/11/letterheadings-montague-rod-reel-co-by.html
https://luresnreels.com/montague.html
QuoteI recently came into a small cache of older equipment that caused me to do some research on the Montague City Rod and Reel Company. Being from Massachusetts, I found the back-story fascinating. I had no idea that the "worlds largest manufacturer of fishing equipment" was once located in Massachusetts. I thought some of you may interested in these links to the Montague sites and web pages that I found that address the company and its equipment:
https://www.montaguerodandreel.com/
http://antiquerodandreels.com/mfg_m/montague.html
http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2013/11/letterheadings-montague-rod-reel-co-by.html
https://luresnreels.com/montague.html
Thank you for these links. Great Stuff!
Thank you for sharing Bill. Each one is a good read.
-steve
Thank you, gentlemen. I've never owned a split bamboo rod. Now I have two of them. One needs a new ferrule and a custom rod-building friend of mine is going to take care of that for me. I don't want to experiment on classic rods that are otherwise in very good condition. They both still have the little Montague fish sticker on them.
Montague is the next town over from where I grew up (though some would argue that point) so there are many rod parts floating around this area. While cleaning out my grandfathers cellar I discovered an old Maxwellhouse coffee can loaded with nickle silver ferrules, winding checks, agate stripper guides and snake guides. I'm sure they were from one of his kronnies that worked there. I've only used one ferrule for a repair in the 26 years I've had them. I also have his split cane rod that was his treasure for many many years.
My wife's grandfather worked at the Montague shop as a designer. As the shop was winding down from it's run he was able to acquire a large bundle of tonkin splits. These were already machined and ready for planing. His plan was to retire and build a few rods and enjoy life. Unfortunately this never happened as he died very soon after he retired. Maybe 30 years later my wife's uncle asked me if I still was building rods and if so did I want some old bamboo. Well this bundle was still wrapped and tied sitting in the back of a manure spreader in the old barn. I've gone thru these and found about 75% of the cane still strong and workable and I too am hoping to someday get the planing forms and binder so I can put some of this cane together.
Another note on the old Montague shop, when it went under an employee named Sewell Dunton salvaged most of the Tonkin cane on hand as it was not imported anymore due to Communist rule. He went on as a rod builder for many years and then rumor has it that the leftover cane and machinery went to Marc Aroner of Spinoza Rods.
Dave
Sewell did not sell his inventory to Aroner but to Thomas & Thomas. Sorry about that.
http://www.dunton.org/archive/SewellDuntonRods/index.htm
Very interesting reading. Thanks for posting it
I muck around restoring old rods and have an assortment of old guides and tips. If someone needs a quide or tip check with me I might have one. Warms the heart to see this old gear brought back to life
"muck around".....I think you are understating your craft a bit, my man.
Quote from: droppedit on December 13, 2017, 05:22:07 PM
Montague is the next town over from where I grew up (though some would argue that point) so there are many rod parts floating around this area. While cleaning out my grandfathers cellar I discovered an old Maxwellhouse coffee can loaded with nickle silver ferrules, winding checks, agate stripper guides and snake guides. I'm sure they were from one of his kronnies that worked there. I've only used one ferrule for a repair in the 26 years I've had them. I also have his split cane rod that was his treasure for many many years.
My wife's grandfather worked at the Montague shop as a designer. As the shop was winding down from it's run he was able to acquire a large bundle of tonkin splits. These were already machined and ready for planing. His plan was to retire and build a few rods and enjoy life. Unfortunately this never happened as he died very soon after he retired. Maybe 30 years later my wife's uncle asked me if I still was building rods and if so did I want some old bamboo. Well this bundle was still wrapped and tied sitting in the back of a manure spreader in the old barn. I've gone thru these and found about 75% of the cane still strong and workable and I too am hoping to someday get the planing forms and binder so I can put some of this cane together.
Another note on the old Montague shop, when it went under an employee named Sewell Dunton salvaged most of the Tonkin cane on hand as it was not imported anymore due to Communist rule. He went on as a rod builder for many years and then rumor has it that the leftover cane and machinery went to Marc Aroner of Spinoza Rods.
Dave
Sewell did not sell his inventory to Aroner but to Thomas & Thomas. Sorry about that.
http://www.dunton.org/archive/SewellDuntonRods/index.htm
Dave,
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on Montague. Very good stories indeed. I think we'd all like to see pictures of the raw bamboo. I assume it is already split?
A 30-40 year trip back down West Coast memory lane .
I found these last summer at a garage sale. $100 for the pair.
Sabre Stroker Californian CA6570 RS-RT 5 1/2' 30-80 (Puglsey) old boomer style rods. Roller and stripper.
The guides appear to be about 75%. Would not trust fishing these as is on a LR trip. I'd like to get them rewrapper (triple wrapped guides) in the
same roller stripper configuration. Nothing fancy, clean them up with maybe SIC Fuji guides and Aftco roller/striper. :o
-gary
(https://i.imgur.com/vskqZuE.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/3qOJP4m.jpg?3)
Great finds! keep us posted with pics on the rebuild!
John
Love those old Sabres! Great find.
Have some old rods from my father up in the cellar floor joists so I thought I'd pull one down to display Gramps old 9/0 with the linen. What I ended up with was a surprise Tycoon. Ferrule to tip 60", overall 79". Everything looks original since it left the factory except the tip guide is missing and mice probably got into the cork when dad had it stashed in the backyard shed on Cuttyhunk when I was a kid. The cross section is 6 sided. Anyone have an idea of what I'm looking at here? Restore it? Leave it original? Thanks
Nice. Double built split bamboo. I've never seen guides like that. What do the markings say on the seat?
-steve
This is the best I could get it
Looks like a 1000 series Tycoon. I have a couple of them. The Tycoon stamp in the reel seat and the holes in the guide stands indicate an early model.
It's a very cool rod. I would leave it as is and not restore it. Just find a tip.
Matter of fact I have one almost identical. Post pictures of all markings
Chris,
The only markings are in the oval as sketched. The rest of the finish is pretty tough and crackled but I'll examine the old girl more closely tomorrow I must have tips that are close in my guide carton.(thanks for the shot of that)
Bob
Thats a Mildrum tip. If you dont have one it shouldnt be too hard to find on Ebay
Look hard for the Tycoon emblem and any writing. It should have a 4 digit 1000 series number indicating the line rating. 1009 = 9 thread for example (I could be wrong in that interpretation)
Here is some good info sent to me courtesy of John Bechtold "Deepfins"
Those Tycoon rods are soo cool!
I need to get me one of them one day.
Between the first and second guide from the seat about half of the tycoon decal remains and evidence of the black ink which is totally unreadable due to varnish deterioration, about a third has fallen off the bamboo. From John's Tycoon ad it would seem to be one of the two middle sizes as they seem to have cork grips
ahead of the reel seat like mine. The action is about like a 50-130 pound stand up tuna rod, so maybe was mounted to Gramps 9/0. There are 4 more splits still up in the joists, one is freshwater spinner with electrical tape wrapped about half way up (hmmmm) and three surf rods, one with a set of opposed guides. There is also a bamboo rod, not split, just a stick, with twine wrapped at the seat one remaining guide, and a tippet with the ring broken out. They all went up in the joists over 20 years ago when I was more a fisherman, but thought "Well maybe someday"
The electrical tape was probably put there when the bamboo started to delaminate. It can be fixed.
-steve
Steve,
The tape is wrapped 6 or 8 inches at about the midpoint, so maybe a delam is it, I hope so and not a trunk lid smash or drive by squash. When I get it down and opened up I'll let you know.
I owned a marine manufacturing biz for years and did go through a lot of iron wood (aka atooba, red heart, purple heart, etc etc.) as it resisted marine boring worms, also used in pilings for the same reason in heavy marine construction. Very heavy, mahogany reddish, straight grained, and easy to split if nailed or screwed too close to the end. This seems like the same stuff you built that rod from. If that sounds about right and you're looking for more I can hook you up with the outfit in Maine that was importing it
Thanks
Bob
Thank you for the offer Bob. I still have some and it doesn't take much to make a fishing rod. At the price, I can't imagine making a piling out of the stuff.
-steve
Got delayed in going south so I pulled down the 3 surf rods in up in the joists and have a few pics. Only one had any ID, Union Hardware decal, it the one that has the red insert tiptop and ghost marks on the bamboo where a guide used to be, also has an unthreaded reel seat with thumbscrew hose clamp, it is the bottom one of the three. The middle and top one have threaded reel seats broken back to back guides still wrapped on, one no tip top the other broken. The top rod had the broken bamboo. The handles base to the ferrule are all 30" and they vary form 9'2" to 9'5". The lathe work on the handles s all a little different Know nothing about split bamboo rods so any input as to what they are would be appreciated
Thanks,
Bob
Quote from: oc1 on September 26, 2018, 07:46:45 PM
Nice. Double built split bamboo. I've never seen guides like that. What do the markings say on the seat?
-steve
Steve I read something the other day in the Tycoon book by Timothy O'Brien on page 81 I found interesting. I was always under the assumption all guides on Tycoon rods were made by Tycoon but according to that book there early high bridged guides were made by "The Mildrum Jewel Co." that was news to me !! I imagine all there roller guides and tops were made by Tycoon and possibly later high bridged guide to. Just thought that was a interesting fact !! John Taylor
That is pretty interesting John. I did not know that Mildrum was jeweler before being a guide maker either.
Geez Bob, get some oil on those rods. It makes my mouth dry just to look at them :) I think that reel seat at the bottom may be Shakespeare. The friction ring is supposed to hold the reel on without a hose clamp and the ridges keep the reel from moving laterally.
-steve
Would the red tip top be incorrect? I would think with the opposed guides it would be a center located tip, the other rod that has a broken tip is also "standard"
I'll throw the linseed in the microwave and oil em up
Oh, maybe that's it. I kept looking at that tip top and wondering why there are two barrels; one inside the other. Maybe it turns around.
I don't like the double-sided guide arrangement. The guides have to be small and compact so as not to be in the way. A tiny stripper will not cast well. A rod that bends down at rest has better balance and casts farther. A rod that bends up at rest is awkward, wants to roll over in your hand and does not seem to cast as well. Then, there's the whole reel seat issue. If you hang the rod up by the tip when you get home it will straighten itself out by the next trip.
-steve
Very sharp eye Steve. Looking at the tip from the other side we have a screw to rotate it, the reel seat is no big deal, just rotate the bamboo 180 degrees at the handle ferule. Looking at the small bamboo spinner with the tape I see some separation at one of the seams, What would be the best glue to fix it?
Thanks
Bob
Pre-war the glues were awful; like hide glue. When hide glue (or rabbit glue or whatever) gets wet they soften and the rod delaminates. The varnish was the only thing keeping the glue dry. All those little intermediate binding wraps you see on split cane rods were an effort to prevent delamination. I am sure that delamination became much less of a problem when they started impregnating split cane rods with resin.
Post-war they came out with resorcinol glue which was a god send. Resorcinol is a phenol and formaldehyde concoction similar to the phenolic resins used in the first fiberglass rods and also related to bakelite and the resin used to impregnate cane rods. Resorcinol cures faster though and does not require a heat cure in an oven.
I think many of the guys making split cane rods these days us Titebond III. It's safe and effective.
-steve
I agree with Steve,
If it is wood, and it will get wet, and your not bedding it to a boat, Titebond III is the answer. The key is ensuring that every microscopic particle of the old adhesive is removed before you attempt to reglue an area, and that you have adequate clamping available.
Ron Jones
This is a fairly light spinning rig and the the delam is about a 64th opening on one of the seams. Is there a way to get rid of the old glue using a wash or thinner say on a small artist's brush or is this going to be a razor blade and compressed air job. What is the base of the tightbond for cleaning up the excess after the clamping?
Thanks
Tightbond will clean up with water/ damp cloth . For clamping i would bind it with string , just like you would do if you built it from scratch .
I use acetone to soften old finish and glue clean ups. I just did one were the tip started to delaminate for 8 inches.
Thanks for the tip, I may be dealing with tip delam too as there is a mess of tape there I haven't attacked yet, it's all going to wait for the spring as I'm headed south too soon to get into the project. I do like the twine wrap better than the clamps on this skinny little thing, but I will be doing a little more homework before I get going. Any recommendations on replacing the cork handle for this fresh water spinner?
Thanks Again
Starting near the bottom of page 3 on this thread was some question about opposed guides on the old wood or bamboo rods. Just found this page in the 1928 Abbey & Imbree catalog offering them for sale that I downloaded from ORCA.
Thank you for this Bob. Interesting page. A couple of things catch my attention:
At the top they talk about a "spring butt" or flexible handle surf casting rod to get better distance. I found out by accident that some flex in the handle makes a rod cast a bit farther, but think this concept has generally been lost to time. Or, maybe I have just never had the strength to load the handle of a modern surf rod.
Their better rods had agate guides but the less expensive rods had "imitation agate". I have always heard the imitation agate being referred to as Agatine. The fact that they had both real and imitation agate in 1928 and had not yet coined the Agatine name could indicate that this was the transition period.
They describe a lancewood rod. Man, I wish I could figure out what plant their "lancewood" was coming from back then. All over the world there are different species of trees with the common name lancewood so it is difficult to sort out now.
-steve
Steve,
Here's a few more from A & I's 1920 catalog. These cats are on ORCA and free to download for members. Could lancewood be as simple a the Black Knight's choice for his big mean pointy stick? Wood properties should be about the same for both applications. Maybe a Renaissance fair or a visit to a medieval professor/weapons expert is in your future.
Enjoy,
Bob
More good stuff Bob.
Bethabara is beautiful wood and is discussed here:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=23503.0 (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=23503.0)
The amateur rod making book by Frazier can still be had and is a really terrific read.
https://books.google.com/books?id=4yEXvgAACAAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions (https://books.google.com/books?id=4yEXvgAACAAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions)
It's been a while since I searched, but I think the jousting lance was made of ash in it's day. Ash would probably be too brittle for a fishing rod. If there is something called lancewood in Britain then I could not find it. There are several species called lancewood as close as the West Indies and others in Africa and elsewhere.
-steve
I have been picking up the orphans and refinishing them. Most came with no guides ,open seams and no decals ,or a ghost of one .
They will all be sun bathing on the back of the boat at one time or another .
I am looking for Montague ,Horrochs - Ibbotson and Southbend catolog pictures of salt water rods to help identify some of these sticks.
The fly rods are well documented ,not so much with boat rods. Joe
This one puzzles me . What is left of the decal is : eas ern oa
ck
A picture of what is left
Montague on the reel seat, 3 agate single guides with a big tip
Found a better picture of the decal " Eastern coast Tackle "
While cleaning out my fathers attic , i found "Murphey" my grandfathers rod.
This is a updated pictures of the poles in my previous post. My grandfather`s and my uncle Frank`s
Good morning. It's been a while since I called by, but if anyone is visiting the UK and happens to be in the Cornish town of Looe there is a tackle shop on the quayside that has several old big-game rods and reels on display. They include a Hardy Fortuna rod and 16/0 Senator and, if I remember correctly, a Hardy Zane Grey reel. Might not be worth coming all this way just for that ::), but if you are passing...
Hey everyone I posted my nice condition Ocean city 614 on eBay it ends Sunday at 6pm PST if anyone is interested.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255677475219?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ppkOJvu4TpO&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=ppkOJvu4TpO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
39 snipers hidin' in the brush for that nice reel! The last 30 seconds will be fun to watch.
Quote from: Shellbelly on August 20, 2022, 11:12:50 PM39 snipers hidin' in the brush for that nice reel! The last 30 seconds will be fun to watch.
Thanks I hope you are right!
40 minutes left