Dear Friends,
Welcome to my website. What distinguishes The Jordan-Mills Rod Co. most is that it owns the fine vintage and classic tackle that it sells - a fundamental difference in that most dealers offer consigned rods and reels. I am able to purchase one piece or entire collections for immediate payment. My first hard copy list was issued and mailed to about 500 enthusiasts April 1994. My mentor at the time was Marty Keane whose description protocol I follow to this day. I had been buying and selling rods well before 1994 offering resale rods and importing and selling rods from Wales through old friends father and son team Julian and Owen Caudle. These were Garrison reproductions that I sold via ads in Fly Rod and Reel magazine (from where I derived my early mailing list) and at every fly fishing show within driving distance. The Caudle boys bought blanks variously from Chapman and Tom Moran, and expertly finished them to the highest standards. the latter sold as their special grade. My first list was a hand written one; subsequently produced a printed version beginning in August of 1994. I had been buying and selling for 2 or 3 years previous to my first produced list. So all told I have been in business for about 31 years. I always bought product; never took consignments for the obvious complications associated with that process. In this journey, I also owe a debt for their guidance to Bob Corsetti of Nashua, NH who did business as "Rods and Reels" and whose first catologue was issued Spring of 1990 as well as John Scott who oversaw the early Thomas and Thomas resale pages and later ran his own mailing shop as "John T. Scott Vintage Tackle and Sporting Books" first appearing in the Summer of 1991. Both were invaluable sources of advice and modelling. Bob, of course, best known for his development and production of perhaps the mechanically finest fly reel in the Bogdan tradition, the Peerless. Another personality who greatly influenced me was a gentleman from Scotland, Jamie Maxtone Graham who had been a full time dealer long before activity in the US became significant. His mom, Jan Struther was the author of Mrs. Minever (1942) later adapted as a feature film. I once visited with Jamie in the quaint little town of Peebles, Scotland; a singular adventure to say the least. Since I discontinued my hard copy mailing in 2017 for the obvious associated intense labor and costs involved, I have been following the same protocol on my website as I did with my hard copy catologue -- vivid, detailed descriptions with condition reports above reproach. Although I have a generous refund policy, in 31 years have never had a return based on a an inaccurate condition report.
A word about the company name. Began doing business with my son, Jordan who, although he did not split cane, made rods from blanks supplied by prominent builders that he would sell through various outlets or through benefit auctions during his high school years; Mills is my wife's maiden name. So there you have my complete (so far) curriculum vitae.
My strategy has always been to offer the highest quality vintage and classic fly fishing tackle at reasonable prices based on a judicious sense of market value, transparency and purchasing ability.
I am always buying fine vintage and/or classic rods and reels including rods or reels from current makers. Call or email if you are interested in parting with tackle or know of others who would be served by my inquiry. Offerings often include rods made by the masters -- Payne, Leonard, Garrison, Gillum, FE Thomas, Schaaf, Maurer, Pickard, Hardy, Edwards, Orvis as well as more current builders such as Brandin, Jennings, Taylor, Aroner, Summers, Clark, Jenkins, Schroeder, Wagner, Downes, Tufts and Batson, Thramer, Blackburn, Becker, Carpenter, Wojnicki, Vance, Hanson, Karstetter, Thomas and Thomas, Reams, Gray, Winston, Sweet Grass, and a myriad of other distinguished craftsmen too numerous to mention in this introduction; reels by Bogdan, Peerless, Belllinger, Hardy, Orvis, Pate, Fin-Nor, Charlton, Ross as well as all other known contemporary designers. On rare occasion I've been known to buy graphite or fiberglass particularly multi piece rods from Thomas and Thomas, Sage, Scott, Winston....... Trades are welcome and I will work with you on payment schedules and multiple purchases.
If you see something that you want, contact me immediately. Most of these items cannot be readily reacquired, so don’t hesitate. Although I am willing to keep a back-up register of individuals interested in sold items, I rarely have returns. When you call or e-mail for availability confirmation, I will redescribe the item and answer any questions concerning condition, specifications or utility and send photos as requested. Since retirement, I welcome calls from 10 am to about 9 pm EST.
Send a check or money order immediately following availability confirmation; add $25 for rods, $15 for reels, books or other smalls for shipping. Will most often use Fedex as my favored conveyance and upon request, express with attendant expenses. When sending tackle, I urge you to use Fedex as well unless inconvenient to your circumstances.
Since the suitability and a fit of a bamboo rod can be very personal, all purchases are honored by a 5 day inspection privilege. If an item does not meet your expectations, let me know so that I can re-enter it on the list. Upon receiving the merchandise in good order, I will send you a complete refund less shipping costs.
Hoping you find something of interest among the current offerings, I remain sincerely yours,
Carmine Lisella
914-260-3612