My wonderful grandfather.... (questions about fly rods)

[Mickelonis]

My grandfather was/is a great person. He has come to the point in life where he is gifting most of his belongings =(

He got word that I am getting into the sport of fly fishing and decided to send me a few fishing poles.

Among them are two identical poles, the text on the side reads:

"Certified and Approved Ted Williams"
"For Active Americans"
"Model No. 535.30456 9'0" Medium Action"
"Use Line No. L9F (A) WF9F (GAF)"
"Sears, Roebuck and Company"
"HM"

Like I said, my wifes grandfather was kind enough to send me some poles, he will be sending me reels soon...

I'm kinda curious about these two identical rods however.... I can't seem to find information anywhere about them online. He said they were his "treasured rods"

I would love to actually fish with them, but I had heard that bamboo (if that's what it is made out of) can get brittle with age. Is it possible that the rod will break on me? I would be crushed if that would happen. Keep in mind I'm a new fly fisherman, so if these are basic questions, my apologies.

Can anyone give me some info on these rods?

[shawn k]

My grandfather was/is a great person. He has come to the point in life where he is gifting most of his belongings =(

He got word that I am getting into the sport of fly fishing and decided to send me a few fishing poles.

Among them are two identical poles, the text on the side reads:

"Certified and Approved Ted Williams"
"For Active Americans"
"Model No. 535.30456 9'0" Medium Action"
"Use Line No. L9F (A) WF9F (GAF)"
"Sears, Roebuck and Company"
"HM"

Like I said, my wifes grandfather was kind enough to send me some poles, he will be sending me reels soon...

I'm kinda curious about these two identical rods however.... I can't seem to find information anywhere about them online. He said they were his "treasured rods"

I would love to actually fish with them, but I had heard that bamboo (if that's what it is made out of) can get brittle with age. Is it possible that the rod will break on me? I would be crushed if that would happen. Keep in mind I'm a new fly fisherman, so if these are basic questions, my apologies.

Can anyone give me some info on these rods?


Your wifes grandfather gave them to you to fish with them. That is what you should do. I think he would be more upset if you didn't use them.

[JigMast]

I found some blogs online about them, it seems most collectors actually do fish with them and yes it sounds like they do break at the tip, most of these collectors have replacment tips and really don't seem to mind when they do break. It seems like most people are selling them at auction for about $20-$70 dollars depending on condition and line weight. I read the most desirable models are the shorter 4 wt rods. Obviously, the sentimental value of your grandfathers rods is priceless, I personally would hang them up and proudly display them. Hope this helps, Luke
.

P.S, My former boss had a few of his grandfathers old bamboo fly rods mounted in his office and could talk your ear off about them and the stories his grandfather had about battling big fish on them. I found out later that they were custom made and when I asked him if he ever fished with them he said, " Hell NO!, they would most likely break and my dad would kick my butt, these are pretty much family heirlooms now."

[Medics-R-US]

I was given a bamboo fly rod from my dad and it is proudly mou nted on my wall.:flowered::applause:

[Mickelonis]

Thanks for your replies....

I "want" to fish with these rods.... If it will only break at the tip and it is a repairable break, I will fish with them...

Will they break at the base? Does bamboo get brittle with age?

*shrug*