I am doing a favor for a friend with a very old 3 piece bamboo fly rod. He is in need of a few guides to be rewrapped. I don't know what type of thread to use(it is a beige color) and once wrapped do I finish the wraps as I would on a new rod with CP and flex coat ? Is there a varnish type sealer that was used back then or something else? He is not interested in restoring the rod to original but just wants it to be functional.

If it is very old, they used varnish on the wraps as well as the blank itself. It also most likely was wrapped with silk thread, on no they did not use CP. Silk thread is still available as well as rod varnish. Check out the suppliers on the left, I know Anglers Workshop carries both.

Actually many classic cane rods did use a CP. Lacquer and shellac were commonly used. Give me a few more details on the rod such as maker and model if you have it. And yes silk is still available. Contact me if you need help or more info.