I'm in the deep end now! Today I received what looks to be a very, very old fly rod (hexagonal) for restoration, it will only be used as a decorative piece, but I have no idea of what components, or thread colors that should be used to restore it.

The rod needs a couple eyes and a ferrule, and I'd really like to do it justice in the restoration.

I can send photos to anyone willing to advise me on this project.

Many Thanks for any help

Walt
roadhouserods@cox.net

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

Put a couple photos on the photo page here and let's see if we can identify it. The handle/seat and the area just forward of the handle will be helpful.

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Send me the photos by direct email and we'll see if I can help.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

A few pics posted on the photo page.

Here'a a link that has several other / better shots.

[s7.photobucket.com]

Thanks for any input

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

Walt,

It's very hard for me to see any real detail there, but from the ferrules I would say the rod has little monetary value. Although, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have tremendous sentimental value for your customer.

A few companies still offer similar ferrules - get the male and female so they match well. You may have to take a photo and send it to a few dealers so that they can match something up for you that looks very similar.

The rod doesn't appear to simply be a fly rod. More like a mooching rod, although I can't really say from the small photos.

Do you have any of the original guides left at all?

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Tom,

Thanks for the reply; if you look at the link above you might be able to zoom in on the pics for a better look. I don't have any of the old guides, just the tip was on it when delivered.

Thanks

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

It does look more like a boat rod than a fly rod, but hard to tell with the small perspective.

Replace the ferrules as close as you can. You'll probably want to scrape the finish and redo, as well as replace guides and re-wrap. If there are no splits in the bamboo joints, you'll avoid that chore of re-gluing.

Good luck!

Terry

If that's not the reel that came with it, and it may not be, it could very well be a boat/pier rod. In which case a standard steel braced boat rod guide, or 2, would be fine.

I'd have to see th butt section a bit more clearly.

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It looks some what like a old hendon boat road or a utica what is wrap color? length eyes and that typ of ferrules can be found on @#$%& there were some new ones like on your rod last week but not sure of size look at some of the cane boat rods or cane rods and you may see one like it they go for aroun 10-20 if you could match it up for a parts rod God Bless Jeff Rhonda and Kaya net pup

Is it bamboo, or wood?
What color is the thread at the tip top? (I'm color-vision challenged) That might be a good starting point for color choices. You could probably imitate that thread diameter with nylon D or E. If nothing else, Gudebrod Candy Apple Red and Metallic Gold trim would look sharp. For guides, Arcane Components, available through some of the sponsors, has agate strippers that would give you a "period" look.

Tom,

I remember many years ago someone describing a dappling rod, whih was a two handed rod used to cast a short amount of line and then "dapple" a fly on the surface. Just a guess.

Mike Blomme

That looks a lot like an old Montague boat rod. The handle looks a little different but the hosel looks like the few that I've seen. Of course I've been known to be wrong before. The fly reel has me scracthing my head though.

Ash

Looking at it again, I'm going to guess the fly type reel is out of place - it doesn't belong there. It's a boat rod.

Many of the older wood boat rods had tops that either allowed line to enter from one side or the other, or could be loosened via a small set screw and flipped to the other side. This allowed you to flip the tip section over when the rod started to take a set. Look at the end of the tiptop and see if you find a small set screw in there.

If not, then you need just one or two guides to put it back like it was. That's about all that rods in that length used.

Montague rods had no particular thread color. Most of the wrapping was done by out-labor and the ladies often wrapped the rods with whatever colors they wanted. This also makes Montague rods somewhat harder to date than those from other makers that used specific colors on specific models for certain years.

I can't say that it's a Montague - a lot of companies built similar rods from the 30's up through the early 1950's.

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Walt, Do yourself a favor. Do'nt tell anyone you can restore old rods.My basement is full of them. Send me a pre paid mailer, the guide and tip/top sizes you need . Sweat that fuerill off and size that up too.I think I have what you need. It looks like a 6ft boat rod with a mooching reel on it. (you can tell by the swevil base on the reelfeet.) I dont believe that reel belongs on there. Too short. E-mail me for more info if I can help. Dennis J. Danku (Sayreville,NJ)

Walt, Oh yeh, those rods are great steaking our Jersey tomatoes.Now in season and heavy.
Dennis J.Danku(Sayreville,NJ)