antique fly rod?? (NOW WITH PICS!)

[Lepper]

I inherited a fly rod that who knows how old it is.. I will try to get some pics of it and post them.. it is a bamboo rod with a fancy dandy bag and case thingy for it.. all the eyelets are intact and still wrapped fairly decently. the cork is OLD but still all there.

anyway to find out what an old rod like that is worth??
thanks!
d

[lilnorthfork]

Any markings on the rod?

[reelman]

A name on the rod would be a big help. It should be right above the cork grip. Also look on the reel seat. It is important that the tip section is as long as the other sections. If the tip section, or middle section is shorter that greatly reduces value. Most common bamboo fly rods are in the $40-80. range. Some of the better rods are $100-1000.

[Fish catching kid]

It is a good sign it didn't come in a box. If it had it would only be worth around 35 bucks

[Lepper]

THere are no markings on the rod what so ever I just covered every inch of it.. here are some pics of it.. Sorry about some of the quality.. wife's camera and I ain't afraid to admit that I don't knwo how to use it!!

If you look it actually has 4 pieces the butt section.. the middle section and has 2 tip ends.. one is the exact same length as the other 2.. the 2nd tip section is a bit shorter..

Looks old alright. It also looks like it has a permanent bend in it which is typical of older cane rods that were varnished instead of impreganted.
Most of the value in this rod would be sentimental.

[garyk]

Yes, what Stew said about the value. There was a ton of this stuff made in the Orient for the low-end US market. This appears, especially from the reel seat and lack of maker-marks to be just such a speciman. Makes a nice decoration for the wall; support it at regular intervals to keep it straight.

[Steelheader69]

Actually, is there any way you can get a better view of the wraps. Only real downfall is that someone sanded down the handle. That really devalues a rod fast. May not look pretty, but keeps it "authentic".

Only reason I ask, is I have one almost identicle to yours. Shape of butt, no writing, etc. I had a guy who was a bamboo rod restorer/broker who took a look at mine. He could tell by the wraps and how the rod was put together that it was English made and worth alot more then I had figured (in the $250 range and in need of total restoration). Best thing I can tell you is to take it to someone who truly does appraisals on it. I have had several Asian made bamboo rods. Almost all had reversible handles for converting to baitcasting rods (in fact, think all of them were that way). Plus, most had that variated wrapping thread. Changes color (say yellow/green/yellow/etc). May still have mine restored, but was my Grandpas, so may just leave as is. Still has his old Pflueger bulldog brass reel on it.

By chance, what type of stripper guide does it have? By chance does it look like a plastic one? Like a red? I know I thought mine was plastic or bakelite, come to find out mine was agate I do believe. I do believe all the cheaper Asian made only used standard carbolite style stripper guides.

[Fish catching kid]

I bought an old bamboo fly rod from a pawn shop for $50 and it was old like yours and had the same bend like yours and it also had the agate stripper guide, and that is, like Steeheader69 said, a sign of an American or European fly rod, I was able to trade it for a new St. Crouix valued at $250.

[stlhdhntr]

hey there guys. got a new guy here and i happened to see the post abot bamboo. now i am not an expert by any means but i have done some research and own a few to many my self!! just as someone else said you can identify by the wraps but you need to know your stuff. if it has the agatine, colored insert looks like glass, stripper guide and or tip top guide it usually is US or british made. there are obviously some that were made that were worth much more than others. montagues are very common are great for using for fishing because you dont feel bad if it happens to break where if you are using a 2000 dollar rod you might get just a little upset. i personnaly enjoy fishing with bamboo, especially dry fly, because it just has a good feel to it that glass and graphite just cant compare to. anyway i hope this helps a little any questions i will try and help out with, no gurantees though. steve

Welcome stlhdhntr We're glad to have you here :grin: