Help- Fly rod values?

[bignate]

Well long story short, a friends grandfathers shop burned. We were called in to help clean up everything that was left. Found 25 old fishing rods and 15 old reels. Many are split cane bamboo rods that are in their original alum tubes. Many are pack models, 4 piece, with an extra tip. Now comes the interesting and difficult part, How much are they worth? $5 or $5000? Anyone know a web site that I can go look to get some idea? Or a book? I am going to call some friends that own fly shops but I enjoy searching on my own.

They are not for sale now. I would just like to get a idea of what they are worth.

Well long story longer, if we do decide to sell these, the money will go toward new hearing aids for Grandpa. (he really need some new ones)


Thanks for the help in advance, Nathan

[GraphiteZen]

I will just say that bamboo rods are worth a lot.... Much, much more than most graphite rods... I would find someone VERY knowledgeable and trustworthy for you may have some pieces of great value.

I come to you as a person that has been dealing with vintage instruments since my early teens. Just like anything else, there are people that will try to snowball you for a few bucks.

If they are unused, vintage or even non-vinatage, and in original tubes you could easily be talking 2 grand a rod.

That's what newer bamboo rods go for. So if they are vintage... Find someone you can trust. :twocents:

[santiamflyguy]

Very strongly depends on the maker and model of the rod.

Some of the post-war rods imported from Japan are worth $75-100... and there were a ton of these brought over...

Then again, if they're, say, Granger, Payne, Young, or Leonard rods, they're worth a lot more... in the $1k-3k range, depending on the condition.

[D3smartie]

just because its bamboo doesnt mean its worth anything. Like santiam said there were a lot os **** rods brought in after the war.
If they are the original wraps and not damaged it might be worth something.

[Grantspastor]

Before fiberglass rods...all fly rods were Bamboo. They ranged in quality and value from ridiculous to sublime. Have someone who knows Bamboo evaluate what you have. Some are extremely valuable. Sadly..most aren't. Again...find someone who knows Bamboo and has no chance to profit from this intriguing and very exciting discovery

[Troutinator]

sad but true fact is most old bamboos are not worth much. I had a similar deal when my uncle died. Cleaning out his garage we found 8 bamboo rods that looked to be almost new. Several still had the paper labels secured around all 4 pieces. As thoughts of early retirement or maybe a new boat danced in my head my dad told me that Uncle Jay liked to buy cheap rods to give away to friends and friends kids.
Long story short, as with most things there is a large spectrum of quality and worth on antiques. As it happens, these rods were cheap imports and in fact, the glue had become so brittle that if you tried to cast them they soom came apart. So they had little value beyond wall hangers.
I sincerely hope you have a bunch of old original Hardy's or something but absolutely do get them checked out by someone who specializes in old rods who is NOT in the market to buy. And in fact, I'd get two appraisals... if they are close you're probably getting the straight dope...

[garyk]

IF you give us some mfr/model names on the rods and reels, we can likely give you some informed opinion.

Only a tiny fraction of the cane rods made have notable value.

[Stonedfish]

If they aren't of great value, you should fish with some of them. Fishing a bamboo rod is a fun and different experience.
Then again, I know a couple of guys that like to fish very expensive bamboo when they trout fish.

[daveg]

Well long story short, a friends grandfathers shop burned. We were called in to help clean up everything that was left. Found 25 old fishing rods and 15 old reels. Many are split cane bamboo rods that are in their original alum tubes. Many are pack models, 4 piece, with an extra tip. Now comes the interesting and difficult part, How much are they worth? $5 or $5000? Anyone know a web site that I can go look to get some idea? Or a book? I am going to call some friends that own fly shops but I enjoy searching on my own.

They are not for sale now. I would just like to get a idea of what they are worth.

Well long story longer, if we do decide to sell these, the money will go toward new hearing aids for Grandpa. (he really need some new ones)


Thanks for the help in advance, Nathan

Nathan,

You may want check with F D Lyons, 7156 Southeast 118th Drive, Portland, Or 97266.

He restored a Cosmic cane rod for friend, he also builds them. Mr Lyons got real excited to see the Cosmic.

[JD77]

We have a couple old bamboos that are just cool decorations. As others have said, many aren't worth much but I think all of them are cool looking.

PS. Troutinator, we do you fish? We are near Woodburn.

[Newbs]

Well long story short, a friends grandfathers shop burned. We were called in to help clean up everything that was left. Found 25 old fishing rods and 15 old reels. Many are split cane bamboo rods that are in their original alum tubes. Many are pack models, 4 piece, with an extra tip. Now comes the interesting and difficult part, How much are they worth? $5 or $5000? Anyone know a web site that I can go look to get some idea? Or a book? I am going to call some friends that own fly shops but I enjoy searching on my own.

They are not for sale now. I would just like to get a idea of what they are worth.

Well long story longer, if we do decide to sell these, the money will go toward new hearing aids for Grandpa. (he really need some new ones)

Thanks for the help in advance, Nathan

"Classic & Antique Fly Fishing Tackle". A.J. Campbell, The Lyons Press, 1997.

Good book. Lot's of good info on bamboo rods. The values quoted in the book might be a bit outdated but the insight on which rods will be more valuable will be right on.

[GunBit45]

Search ebay for bamboo fly rods

[bignate]

Well now I have cataloged all of the rods and will be going to Portland here in a week so I will swing by some of the fly shops to get appraisals.

Thanks for the help.

[santiamflyguy]

I would be very surprised if your everyday fly shop employee would have any idea.

You might be better off trying to get names and numbers of people who would know.

[Newbs]

I've had discussions with Don at River City Fly Shop about bamboo rods. A couple of years ago I wanted to have my Dad's old rod appraised for my insurance. He was familiar with a lot of the various rod makers and gave me some ball park figures about values. From the comparisons I found in various books, I think his insight was pretty accurate.