CLASSIC RODS

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51.  Jim Downes.  7612, 7 1/2', 2/2, 5 wt.  6" flor quality cigar grip, cap and ring seat (die stamped with maker's mark) over tiger maple insert,  blonde  cane beautifully wrapped with avocado silks  smartly and delicately tipped in a dark auburn, cocoa colored agate stripping guide; blued  ferrules and reel seat hardware.  The rod enjoys a fabulous dry fly habit and may be the finest piece yet recieved from Jim for performance and  finish.  The rod is perfect in every way -- dead straight (of course), perfect ferrule fit,  flawless varnish and ever so beautiful wraps. Working with Walt Carpenter in his early days,  I believe Jim is among the most talented builders of our time.   $1450.  Sold but I always keep this model in stock; it is that popular.  Currently listed as  item 140. 

Anticipate the arrival of another 7612, 7011, and 201  from Jim and will likely continue to stock all three in addition to any new tapers that he develops that I'm taken with.  After a long relationship with Jim, I only just noticed that all of his tips on every rod are bookmatched!!  Something that T and T features as collector grade hallmarks, what Ron Kusse did always and what many other of the best builders in the country spout about!!!  And for missing that, apologies Jim.   

82.  Tufts and Batson.  7 1/2', 3/2, 5 wt.  Absolutely stunning piece of work from Amelia Tufts and Gabe Batson.  Having apprenticed under the vigilance of Daryll Whitehead and later a stint with Bellinger, this extraordinary pair have raised the art of building bamboo to heady levels.  6" moderate cigar grip, blackwood insert under nickel silver cap and ring, correct dye stamp in place, medium straw colored cane with a 3 x 3 node pattern,  glorious black silks smartly tipped orange, turned ferrule plugs,  elegant nickel silver "wedding cake" configured winding check and red agate stripper guide.  Varnish is beyond perfect, ferrule fit is amazing and up to the Jordan-Mills almost irritating standards,  and the action is just amazing for its medium dry fly habit.  One sliding ring mark to the back of the most elegant insert, not even worth mentioning, otherwise as new.   The current pricing for their rods is in excess of $2400; more than  $2500 for the 3 piece format.  Great images on their website but glad to send pics.  Here, in absolutely perfect condition,  $1550.  

88.  Jim Downes.  7', 2/2, 7011, 4wt.  Another great example of of work from Jim Downes.  5 1/2" flor grade cigar grip, blued cap and ring over stabilized exotic wood insert, elegant as can be lime silks with black tipping -- very tasteful -- red agate stripper guide and light straw colored bamboo blanks.  Its perfect varnish finish so compliments the wrap color that it presents as an elegant piece of workmanship.  This is a medium/fast dry fly rod quite able with a great range of fly sizes.  Absolutely top notch work with a superb casting dry fly habit.  New from Jim without the wait at $1450.  Sold, but another coming soon from Jim.

89.  JD Wagner Signature series Pent.  7' 3", 2/2, 4/5 wt.  Labeled "Penta Number One" model 273 FSP 4-5 wt. and of course Jeff's signature properly in place.  Rod sports a minimally reverse wells grip, nickel silver up locking screw seat over highly figured cherry (?) insert, sterling silver winding check, exclusive rope braid sterling silver hook keeper,  glorious darkly flamed cane, transparent brown silks ever so delicately tipped black and red agate stripper guide.  While I'm not certain what Jeff's price on a Pent is, his Signature rods retail for 2295.  This rod has a decidedly dry fly parabolic action.  Jeff is quite a fan of the Young tapers and this is classically in the category.  Put up in his Signature bag and black powder coat tube with full gold label in tact.   Only  very slight soiling of the grip otherwise in perfect condition -- excellent plus, plus, plus.  $1450. 

91.  Another beautiful rod from Homer Jennings.  This, a 7', 2/2, 4wt.  Serial number 565, so 2004 build.  6" cigar grip, bright nickel silver cap and ring over his hallmark olive wood spacer, forged hex winding check, prominently swelled butt, blonde cane, transparent tan silks delicately tipped deep brown,  perfect fitting truncated ferrules and bamboo ferrule plug still in place.  Finish is impeccable.  The rod is in its original bag and his later brown stippled tube with heavy brass  collar and cap.  The rod has a fabulous dry fly Catskill style action and just a super pleasure to cast.  Homer's rods are arguably among the top tier of American rod makers but are inconceivably moderately priced. For minimal cork soiling, seems to have been lawn cast only.  $1550.

 99.    Payne 98.  7', 2/2, 3 oz.,  4 wt. Late model.  Elegantly restored by John Bradford perhaps one of the best restorationists in the US until his passing some years ago.  Original bag and tube.  5" cigar grip, blued cap and ring over Spanish Cedar filler, brown silks tipped yellow, Payne die stamp in place sans retailer's logo on the cap.  Although a fabulous refinish, John chose a brown that is somewhat lighter in color than the original chocolate, otherwise about perfect restored condition.  A significant note here is that there is a guarantee of all original sections  as John categorically would refuse to make replacement sections for any rod that he had the good fortune to restore.  This is rather common knowledge among   enthusiasts so feel confident that the rod is completely original aside from the deft hand work of John Bradford.  Another interesting note, and a very rare occurrence, is that there is on the bag a William Rosgen ink stamp indicating that it was brokered or sold by that CT retailer notable for retailing Carlson rods and other well known individual maker's work very likely in the 50's and early 60's.  This Purveyor has never  seen this imprimatur to a Payne rod bag.  Rod is dead straight, has a great ferrule fit and begs the new owner to use it on small streams; small to medium flies.  Has the back bone to seduce most trout to several pounds as well.  $2950.  On Hold

103.  Orvis Battenkill.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5/6 wt in the ubiquitous 3 7/8oz format.  Serial number 39830, so built in 1965.  6" all smooth and cleaned by yours truly, down locking seat over satin walnut with a few unexplainable mars to the wood filler, rather dark cane,  absence of bluing to the excellent fitting ferrules and winding check and a medium yet full bodied dry fly action typical of the model.   Straight as an arrow, structurally perfect; cosmetically good. Original bag and tube absent most of its label.  Modestly priced at $575.

104.  Ted Simroe 2805.  8', 2/2, 5 wt.  Serial number 719 and originally made up for yours truly in my proprietary tan, monochromatic silk colors, all cork grip and seat with delicate cap and ring.  Grip has slight soiling showing very little use.  As all of Ted's rods it is dead straight has a marvelous varnish finish and attention to detail in a very straightforward rod is just superb.  3 x 3 node pattern as a Leonard and has a great Catskill like dry fly habit without being tippy.  For Ted's history, production standards and prolific and uncompromised workmanship highly undervalued.  His are often my go to rods in the 7 1/2 and 8 foot 5 wt range.  They are truly a pleasure to cast and will still be your friend at the end of the day.  Elegant and well behaved in every way.  Perhaps the one rod to own......you know the rest!   Save its slightly soiled grip, near perfect condition in its original bag and Leonard like tube.  $1375.  Sold

                                                                     A Fine Selection of AJ Thramer Rods

109.  Leonard 39.  7 1/2', 2/2, 4/5 wt.  Made up as a Leonard from the late 70's with red silks, 6" cigar grip, butternut insert, delicate bright cap and ring, pale cane, proper black guides and, of course, Thramer's enviable flawless varnish finish.  Rod enjoys a lovely but easy dry fly Catskill habit.  Can deliver the most delicate of presentations while having the ability to handle substantial prey.  Slight soiling of the grip and a few mars to the seat insert otherwise excellent condition  and put up in what appears to be a Leonard tube.    $825. *

110. Payne 197.  7 1/2', 3/2, Hollowbuilt , 4/5 wt.  Again from his Classic Taper Series of rods and again made up as a Payne.  5 1/2" cigar grip, blued cap and ring, brown silks tipped yellow, red agate stripper guide, rather dark  yet evenly toned cane,blued perfect fitting ferrules.  For its hollow build, a bit brighter than the original 197 and to my mind more appropriately distinguished as a 198. Has a bright, progressive dry fly flavor and could be a lovely all around rod with enough delicacy to present the smallest flies; enough backbone to throw streamers and wets with fervor.  Slight soiling of the grip otherwise excellent.  I believe AJ's hollow built rods are quite amazing.  $1050.  Sold

* In the pantheon of modern builders AJ has perhaps been one of the most prolific, unquestionably  talented yet overlooked, undervalued personalities.  His production habits in spite of his exhaustive efforts always remained perfect for structural competence, cosmetics and most of all for his sense of tapers whether with his Classic Series or his proprietary tapers and most particularly with his hollow built work.   

112.  Dickerson 761510 RB (Ray Bergman). One of only 73 ever made according to the Dickerson ledger and unknown number still in whole condition.  7 1/2', 3/2, 5 wt casting machine.  Every Dickerson hallmark in place; all in excellent original condition.  Pics upon request or alternatively can be seen on one of my competitor's websites.  You can hazard a guess -- perhaps the foremost  Dickerson/Young purveyor of our time!  This rod is completely uncompromised and in truly excellent condition.  $5200.  Sold   

125.  Post Fire Leonard 39H.  7 1/2', 2/2, 3 7/8 OZ.  medium dry fly rod.  Unlike many Leonard rods this model is a bit more progressive easily lending itself to dry fly work, nymphing or wet fly use.  A spectacular all around rod without that extreme Catskill tip action flavor.  Very slightlysoiled 5 1/2" cigar grip, down locking seat over butternut, cardinal red wraps usually indicating early 70's vintage and likely made by Ted Simroe.  Serial number 1838.  Has a lovely swelled butt, straw colored perfectly varnished cane and just a very fine example of the era.  Has fully legible label to the tube and although marked for a 6 wt line most enthusiasts use it with DT5.   So excellent plus condition still sporting the original coin edged ferrule plug, so often lost over time.  $1550.  

129.  Linnea Rod (Eric Peterson).  Model 845-2, So, 8'4", 2/2, 5 wt.  Built Jan. 2009 and so  beautifully  embroidered on the bag and of course labeled on the tube along with Eric's signature. Slightly soiled 6 1/4" full wells grip, blued cap and ring seat over walnut, straw colored perfectly varnished cane, clear silks delicately tagged auburn and blued perfect fitting ferrules.  Just a glorious rod; its semi- parabolic action a sweet mimicry of the Paul Young Para 15 but lighter for line weight and actual weight.  At 3 5/8 oz believe it to be hollow built.  Just a beautiful rod and a casting machine with DT5 line.  Aside from slight grip soiling that can be cleaned by the next lucky owner, excellent plus condition. Every Linnea hallmark in place on this fine example of the marque.  Peterson's rods, much in demand, rarely come to market as their owners fervently covet them.  $1900.  Sold

132.  Walt Carpenter.  8 1/2', 3/2, 5 wt.  This rod built in 2005 to quote Walt (with whom I spoke to about it at length) was designed as a bespoke "Prototype for action" model and is so inscribed on the butt section along with his personal notes about the tapers for the butt, mid and tip sections.  Rod sports a 6 1/2" wells grip, perfect for comfort and size of the rod, cap and ring seat over choice butternut, blond cane, golden/tan silks, milky agate stripper guide and bright perfect fitting ferrules.  For action it is medium dry fly and somewhat semi parabolic.  Feels like a Payne 204 L-H in my hands.  About perfect condition with a complete Huntington Mills label to the tube indicating all that I've stated as well as his signature.  A beautiful medium to big water/canoe rod that will eagerly present small to large dries and handle bead head wets and nymphs with equal aplomb.  About perfect condition and an opportunity to own a Carpenter at a very reasonable  $2500.  Sold

134.  Payne 204.  8 1/2', 3/2, 4 5/8 oz., 5 wt. Perfectly refinished  by Don Schroeder  with brown silks tipped black, 5 1/2" cigar grip with 1/4" corks, walnut seat under blued cap and ring, orange/brown agate stripper guide, blued perfect fitting ferrules, and original bag and tube. Rod has a distinctly dry fly habit unlike some of its semi parabolic cousins and is just a perfect 5 wt. rod where longer reaches are the norm.  Rod sports the rather rare "Sold by Folsom Arms Co" die stamp and is owner marked on the tube "1920 and Grant Curtis, original owner".  I must say in spite of the 1920 notation, does not appear that old at all.  Rod is absolutely dead straight and is structurally perfect with no  replaced sections. I can say with  100% certainty that under the very fine refinish is an all original rod as I had it done by Don some years ago and it was not in need of replacement sections.  $2100.  On Hold

139.  Bob Taylor 35-5.  7 1/2', 3/2, 5 wt.   One of Bob's blonde rods with 5 1/2"  cigar grip, beautiful butternut seat with his elegant machined cap and ring and die stamp to the end cap.  You have to love the look of the concave design of the sliding band, exclusive to Bob's rods.  Perfect varnish, translucent tan silks delicately tipped red, bright perfect fitting ferrules and just one of the smoothest medium dry fly rods ever.  Unlike the Leonard model 49DF, Bob's rendition is a bit more full working yet classically dry fly.  "The one rod to own if you'll only own one" with the added travel capability of its three piece configuration. Minor soiling of the cork, otherwise perfect, little used condition.  $2550.  Sold

140.  Jim Downes 7612. As Item 51.  New arrival from Jim.  And stunning for execution; fabulous for its dry fly habit.  For comprehensive description, see item 51.  $1450.  

142.  Jim Downes Payne 201. 8', 3/2, 5 wt.   Very popular in the Downes line up and for performance as a late model 201; for appearance, in my proprietary colors.   Jim modifies his 201 pattern to weigh out at 4 1/4 oz., slightly heavier than the original at 4 - 4 1/8 oz. The rod is a good double taper 5 wt and has made several customers very happy but I just revisited it on my lawn and although it has good 5DT qualifications it sings with an Orvis Hydros 6 wt.  And for that a truly sensational casting rod.  Brand new from Jim.  $1450.

143.  Tom Maxwell Leonard 40DF-5.  Serial number written in Tom's hand under the hook winding check wrap.  All Maxwell features -- 6" cigar grip, tiger maple insert beneath blued cap and ring (shows minor absence of bluing), blonde cane, clear tan wraps with never before seen hunter green silks at the ferrule stations tipped blood red.  Each section numbered 454 in Tom's hand, perfect varnish, swelled butt and just an absolutely elegant example from the hands of Tom Maxwell done before he started using the year inclusive with the serial numbers.  Rod has a typical Catskill tip action dry fly flavor and is a perfect 5 wt.  Leonard could always be depended on for their judgement of line weight and this rod is no exception to that rule.  The rod is elegant; the rod is an incredible performer in the 8' class.  This will go into my own battery of rods if not sold at asking price as I am shy on 8' spectacular rods.  $2950.  Sold

144.  John Gallas Specialty "P-87".  7'3", 2/2, 4 wt.  (can throw a 5 with aplomb).  Built in 1994.  6" cigar grip, jewel-like up locking machined  screw seat with matching cork to filler check over morticed light colored walnut, medium straw colored blanks, red wraps tastefully tipped black, blued perfect fitting ferrules, and John's hallmark signature and serial number in place.  The rod's action is progressive and believe the "P" indicates John's notion of parabolic.  Not unlike some of the Paul Young rods that this merchant has handled, it is in fact semi parabolic and full bodied rather than the parabolic style of the Ritz or Pezon et Michel fully parabolic rods.  A great casting machine in perfect condition.   $1475.

145.  Orvis Battenkill.  7 1/2', 2/2, 3 3/4oz. 5/6 wt.  Marginally  lighter than the usual 3 7/8oz rod. and a build anomaly for the marque.  Serial number 31115, so built 1961.  All Orvis hallmarks in place -- 6" cigar grip, down locking seat over patinated walnut, brown silks over medium dark cane, blued perfect fitting ferrules, full bodied, full working progressive action typical of the model and just the perfect all around rod for both dry fly and streamer work.  Can competently carry weighted nymphs and streamers as well.  The ubiquitous Orvis standard for all around use and by far the most popular model from this honorable company.  Excellent plus condition with original bag and well marked blue label with the usual first owner's name inscribed to the cane.   Kind of cool for its unusual weight that is shy by 1/8oz from the standard !!  $725.  Sold

146.  Payne 98.  7', 2/2, 4/5 wt.  1960's vintage (still from Jim's hands) and in remarkable believe all original condition.  5 1/2" cigar grip in perfect fettle, blued cap and ring over cedar with the "Made For" die stamp to the end cap, perfect varnish over straw colored cane, brown silks tipped gold as expected perfect fitting blued ferrules and all original bag and tube sans hang tag and turned ferrule plug still with the butt section.  Rod has a bright dry fly action and just a pleasure to cast.  The finish is so perfect that I have been somewhat reluctant to declare it to be original but considering it is from the 60's, a late model, the cork is near perfect, the seat is without blemish, silks are typically varnish starved and bluing typical of Payne's work is about 100% I'm pretty confident in my estimation of its originality.  For the equivocation, priced at a reasonable $4200.   Sold

147.  Rarest of the Payne Parabolics, the 7 1/2',  2/2, 3 1/4oz, (proper for the model).  Written on the original tube in the first owner's hand, likely with grease pencil, "Made by Jim Payne for me about 1935, Marked Payne Sold by Abercrombie and Fitch".  Second line reads "He called it a Parabolic".  Replacement bag.  Sports the typical all cork grip and seat with blued cap and ring (die stamped Sold by A and F), straw colored cane, brown silks delicately tipped gold, and perfectly refinished by Ron McKinley of Macklin Customs.  Was sold to me as being refinished by McKinley and I can absolutely vouch for that as it displays the varnished silks discretely and subsequently varnished.  Ron was one of the few practitioners who used this method and for its aesthetics, spectacular.  Rod has a fully parabolic action bending down and through the grip just as Charlie Ritz designed, later used by both Payne and Pezon et Michel, although I believe that Jim Payne modified the action to suit his own build style.  This rod is rarer than the 7' 1" rod as well as the two different wt 7' 9" rods.  Payne discontinued making the rod as it is rumored that he was not completely pleased with it. Sadly, Jim was wrong headed about it as it turns out to be one of the finest pieces of design that ever came out of the Payne shop IMHO.  So although refinished, an opportunity for the enthusiast to own and use one of the greatest rods in this size range ever produced.  3850.  Reduced

148.   Payne 100.  7 1/2', 2/2, very medium 4 wt rod.  5" cigar grip, walnut spacer under blued cap and ring reading "Sold by Von Lengerke and Antoine, Chicago.  As near as I can figure, a 1940's rod in all original condition.  Believe the tube label is a later addition (maybe from the Sisters, OR manufactory). Medium dark cane, red agate stripper guide, brown silks tipped gold, perfect fitting blued ferrules and original bag and tube with hang tag.  Its hang tag reading 2 7/8 oz. is consistent with my own weighing of the rod.  Generally excellent condition with a very few ticks, abrasions and some very minor allegation at the base of the butt section in line with the hook keeper.  Perhaps evidence of line slap when using the hook keeper.  All in all the rod is in good all original condition.  The flat showing some roughness near the hook keeper easily polished out.  So the rod is in very nice original condition with little or no work necessary to make it perfect.  After revisiting the rod for surface flaws for a client, I've concluded that there is likely a light overcoat to it. So the the amendment to the  price.   Truly a rare find and just a fabulous 7 1/2' 4 wt. rod from the maker that all other builders envy, copy and otherwise emulate.  After due consideration and a with  loyal client's very experienced commentary on the rod's cosmetic condition, my  send this structurally uncompromised rod out for a resurrection. Will price it upon its return.  

150.  Post-fire Leonard model 41.  8 1/2', 2/2, 6/7 wt rod.  From the Midland Park, NJ period, wrapped red, blonde cane, 7" cigar grip, down locking seat over butternut with properly die stamped nickel silver cap for the period.  Just a fabulous medium dry fly rod in the Catskill tradition with much of its performance activity in its upper reaches.  Very slight soiling of the cork otherwise in excellent plus, plus condition with original bag with stiffener and labeled tube.  This rod begs to be fished on the Delaware main branch or other medium to large water and would make a superb canoe rod.  Think, Delaware, Housatonic, Madison, Yellowstone....   Just a super casting 6 wt rod with power, delicacy and reach when needed.  $1350. 

156.  Charlie/Steve Jenkins GA75-86.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5 wt.  6" cigar (Garrison-like) grip, cherry wood filler, and notably Charlie cap and ring hardware.  Has the very desirable jeweler engraved "The Jenkins Rod" to the end cap, brown silks tipped yellow, blued ferrules and medium straw colored cane.  This is a brand new unused rod from the Jenkins duo with plastic (Saran) wrap to the grip. Ferrules a bit tight as was Charlie's wont and might need a little dressing.    Just a fantastic dry fly rod  based on the Garrison tapers as interpreted and rendered by Charlie.  So progressive action in a dry fly rod; perhaps the only rod you'll ever need for small to medium size water and a range of fly sizes.  The Jenkins work is highly undervalued for quality of workmanship, history and performance.  This GA-75, the most desirable of  the Jenkins range of rods.  $1550.    

158.  Genesee Valley Rod (Joe Perrigo).  8', 2/2, 5 wt.  Serial number OP2531 (for those of you who might know his sequencing). Slightly soiled 6" healthy cigar grip, blued cap and ring seat over a beautiful piece of burled morticed maple, flamed cane with lovely golden nodes prominent, orange/red agate stripper guide, brown perfectly executed silks tipped black and blued perfect fitting ferrules.  Rod has a full bodied medium dry fly habit for 5 wt lines.  Elegant for appearance; fabulous for line delivery. You've heard me say it before but truly the only rod you'll ever need if you were to own only one rod.  Just a great medium water rod with backbone and delicacy for its ever so fine tips.  Sadly, Joe no longer makes rods but while he was, they were in such demand that he could not keep up and rods were selling at a premium.  Now highly desirable for their rarity and incredible attention to detail  quality.  $1050.

161. By far one of the nicest quads ever seen by this enthusiast -- a C and H 8', 2/2, 4 oz. hollow built rod by two members of the Golden Gate Casting Club.  Tommy Chin and Rouel Herico have been making rods together for a good part of 20 years, selectively doling them out to friends and special clients.  They are known in the world of quadrate enthusiasts as some of the finest rods ever to appear and their offerings on the secondary market are incredibly rare as owners almost never give them up.  The rod is an absolute delight in the hand enjoying a smooth dry fly semi-parabolic feel.  6" wells grip topped off with a lovely and tasteful hardwood cap to the cork below the bent wire hook keeper, blued cap and ring neatly matching the hardwood accent to the top of the flared grip, perfectly applied chocolate brown silks tipped black, agate stripper guide, blued perfect fitting ferrules (with turned amboina ferrule plug) forged to meet the quadrate configuration of the bamboo, and just the most elegant varnish job you can imagine.  Inscription on the rod reads "8'-0, 4 oz., No  72457"  indicating the   date of birth of the first owner. Google C and H for accolades.  The pair of rod makers well known to serious enthusiasts of the quadrate idiom have a 3 year waiting list for their work and when seen on the after market are quickly bought up in excess of $1200.  This one near new, $1050.  Sold

163.  Weiler/Payne 198.  All the same features as the 197 in a 5 weight.  Also a brisk do everything dry fly rod.  These rods are extraordinarily flexible for use allowing the sport the option of dry fly fishing while very capable for nymphing or wet fly use.  Again, new unused.  $775.  Sold   

167.  Bill Blackburn.  7', 2/2,  2 7/8 oz.  Hollow built, 4 wt.  Typical Garrison-like cigar grip, blued cap and ring over spaulted highly figured maple,  very neat translucent tan silks, perfect fitting blued ferrules and numbered 817.  This rod may be one of the best casting 7' 4 wts I've ever had and is perfect for structural and cosmetic integrity.  His 10 plus years stint with Tom Morgan only adds to his accomplishment as a rod maker.  Just a truly fabulous rod.  Although always willing to send pics, go to his website for great images and historical rundown. Appears lawn cast only.  $1450.  

168.  Scott SC.  6' 11", 2/2, 3 wt. Serial number 1064. Made for Scott by Bernard Ramanauskas and perhaps one of the most elegant rods ever made by any builder.  5 1/4" tapered cigar grip, exotic amboina insert, ever so delicate blued cap and ring, evenly and mildly flamed cane,  three by three golden node protocol, clear silks almost imperceptively tagged burgundy midway, agate stripper guide, blued truncated ferrules, and mildly swelled butt.  Its flour grade cork topped off with 1/4" conglomerate cork as an accent --  just incredibly tasteful.  The rod has a medium dry fly flavor and is just a sensational small stream; small trout rod.  Can deliver a dry fly with aplomb.  Near mint condition with only the slightest soiling of the cork.  Seems lawn cast only.  $2100.

169.  Leon Hanson.  8' 6", 3/2, 3.2 oz. Hollow Built 4wt rod.  Built in 2017, considered recent.  5 3/4" moderate half wells grip, stunning coin edged up ring reel seat with dark walnut filler and ever so delicate bakelite end cap, subtle  clear wraps over abbreviated  guide feet, micro ferrules, medium dark straw colored cane,  spiral configured node spacing and turned blackwood or ebony ferrule plugs .  Leon engraves his caps with full details and just presents one of the most beautiful rods by any maker today.  Rod has a progressive yet brisk dry fly habit that although marked for a 4 wt (and Hanson is always about dead right about his line weight designation) I'm tempted to try a 5 wt line on the rod although since the rod is absolutely mint I don't dare lawn cast it.  Leon's rods are in great demand with an ungodly wait time for one of the finest long, light line rods currently being built.  $3100.  Sold

170.  Leon Hanson.  This 3/2, 3.55 oz.  8' 6wt. rod with all the cosmetic and structural features of the previous entry as well as the same progressive dry fly action.  One variable is that one of the tips is marked "heavy" indicating its use for hoppers and larger flies.   Mint and spectacular.  $2700.  Sold

171.  Chris Vance. 8' 4 , 2/2, 4 Wt.  Details to follow.   Mint condition.  $3500.  Sold

172.  Chris Vance. 8' 6", 2/2, 6 Wt.  Details to follow.  Mint condition.  $3500.  Sold

173.  Unbelievable find and a collector's dream.  A late model Payne Banty.  4' 4", 2/2, all original rod with original bag and tube.  Bag has a hanging grommet but is absent its tag.  Rod is complete with ferrule plug, blued cap and ring over cork with a 5" "superfine" grip.  Some bluing absent from the ring and minor absence of bluing to the cap marked Abercrombie.  Cork shows some dryness and very minor ridging, likely from age rather than from excessive use.  Most enthusiasts use the rod with a 4 wt line but IMHO comes alive with a 5.  This is not a toy but meant for very tight venues and quite able with a variety of flies and even a substantial fish.  Perhaps the most modestly priced Banty ever seen.  $3200.

174.  Leonard SDF (Salmon Dry Fly).  8 1/2' 2/2,  5 1/8 oz. 8 wt.  Duracane model. This is an early Duracane with the desirable Hunter green silks and dark impregnated cane.  Has a 6 1/2" reverse half wells grip, butternut insert, up locking properly die stamped hardware and 2 1/4" fixed fighting butt.  Rod has a progressive do everything action and is just a fabulous casting machine.  Excellent plus condition with original bag and well marked labeled tube.  I used this rod myself a couple of years ago at The Cold spring Camp in Quebec and although guides frown on the use of bamboo, they all thought it was an amazing rod rivaling the casting ability of graphite!!  A truly undervalued rod and ready to do business in the Maritimes or other big water and  would welcome a lovely Bogdan reel to keep it company.  $750.

175.  Rarely coming to market, a Gus Nevros rod.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5 wt.  I've kept this rod for some years for its fabulous behaviour on the stream as well as for my close friendship with Gus who passed away several years ago while still making superb rods into his 90's.  This progressive dry fly rod is a classsic example of his work.  6" cigar grip accented with about 1/4" of amboyna to the top of the cork, amboyna insert under tasteful nickel silver cap and ring for 3/4 length of the seat.  Has Gus' "N" engraved in a tiny brass cap to the bottom of the exposed wood below the wrap around cap  --  a photo  will aptly show this.  Inscription reads August 1982 as well as his signature, length and a Greek symbol that has since lost its meaning to me.  Gus, of course was of proud Greek decent.  The cane work is structurally perfect; the satin finish exquisite.  The detail expended on this rod is nothing short of monumental.   Gus considered Everett Garrison a friend and shared many hours with Garrison as well.  The rod is accented with a lovely turned ferrule plug, fully engraved acanthus motif tube cap and sports brown silks tipped orange and black.  I've used this rod on the Farmington several times with immense satisfaction -- just a super casting rod and a fish fighting delight.  Aside from very minor soiling of the grip, in excellent plus, plus condition.  $1350.  Sold

176.  Payne 100.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5 wt.  Although marked Payne 101 by an earlier owner, for its actual weight and absent a hang tag, I've determined that it is indeed a late model 100 with a brisker than usual action than we generally expect from the model.  With its up locking seat over Spanish cedar, it weighs out at exactly 3 7/8 oz. placing it squarely at the upper  of the  weight range as described in the catologues of its time.   6" reverse half wells grip (slightly ridged), Abercrombie die stamp, medium straw colored cane, brown silks tipped gold, turned ferrule plug and full label to its original tube.  Has a decidedly brisk dry fly action for a 5 wt line and very reminiscent of   the Catskill style. So a rare find in that it is not nearly as brutally stiff as a 101 can often be and more brisk than a 100 -- a welcome variant.  The rod has been expertly refinished by an unknown super competent  craftsman.  Perhaps the best restoration I've yet seen on a Payne and were it not for the honest use that the grip has received,  it would have absolutely fooled this enthusiast.  For its incredibly well done refinish and overall condition, $3200.

177.  Leonard Pack rod.  Pre-fire  Model 76L.  8', 4/2, 4 1/8oz, 5 wt.  9" overall grip (minor soiling) and all cork seat, red silks, straw colored 3 X 3 node patterned blanks. The original Leonard pack rod.  Perfect ferrule fit; perfectly straight and true with original bag and tube with perfect hang tag to the bag.  This is a very late pre-fire rod and am guessing early 60's.  Has a progressive yet full working dry fly habit and is just a great all around rod able with any choice of fly that a 5 wt rod can accommodate.  Original bag with vibrant hang tag and tube.  Rod is dead straight, ferrule fit is grand and bag and tube are perfect.  This is not the oft seen Duracane or red wrap Adirondack but a true Leonard Standard marked "Stock" to its tag.  A rare find indeed.  $1700.  Sold

178.  Fred Kretchman.  7' 9"', 2/2, 5 wt.   A derivative of the Payne 7' 9" 5 wt Parabolic rod and  one of Fred's most desirable tapers.  Truly a casting dream that has pleased enthusiasts ever since Fred has been producing rods; ever since the Charlie Ritz design came into being.  Excellent, little used condition.  

Coming to me soon.  Details to follow.  Neighborhood $1250.  Fred's work is superb; his sense of design and performance standards  without equal.  His building is selective; his waiting list lengthy.  Most recently a similar rod of Fred's hammer priced at Lang's Auction House for $1550 plus tax, plus 18% juice.   

179.  Payne 198.  7 1/2', 3/2, 3 1/4 oz. 4/5 wt.  Rod has been beautifully refinished by Ron McKinley, a virtual master of the craft.  I had this rod done by Ron many years ago so know full well of its structurally  uncompromised condition.  The rod comes back to me from a loyal client in little used condition since its remarkable refinish.  5" cigar grip (smooth but slightly soiled), blued cap and ring over Spanish Cedar, Payne logo inside the cartouche (thanks Mark), die stamp reads "Payne" only indicating purchase from the factory direct, lovely medium straw colored cane, red agate stripper guide, perfect ferrule fit and legible hang tag to the bag with the weight as listed dead matching its actual weight as measure by yours truly.  Rod has a crisp yet light medium dry fly flavor in the tradition of the Catskill genre.  An elegant rod that can be enjoyed with abandon since it has been resurrected.  $3200.

180.  Tufts and Batson.  7' 3", 3/2, 4 wt.  Another Elegant rod from Amelia and Gabe, this one finished in the tradition of Darryl Whitehead their early mentor with his classic black silks tipped white.  Truly a work of art as are all of their work.  6" cigar grip, nickel silver cap and ring with die stamp in place over their hallmark blackwood, rather dark flamed cane, agate stripper guide, machined ferrule plugs in place and just the most perfect, absolutely beautiful varnish finish.  Rod has a very crisp, very dry fly action and begs to be tossing small to medium size flies over wary game.  Minor soiling of the grip, otherwise in about perfect condition.  The Tufts and Batson rods not only known to be some of the most perfect, elegant rods on the market but their sense of imparting behaviour that fits the venue is remarkable. Once again, just a fabulous dry fly rod finish to uncompromising standards and attention to detail.  $1550.

181.  Jim Downes model 7011. His most po;uoar stick.  7', 2/2, 4 wt.  Having just arrived from Jim and as beautiful and perfect as expected from this great PA maker.  See item 88 for a completed description.  Keeping number 88 in place as I continue to keep this rod in inventory until the day Jim tires of delivering this model to me!!!  Think I've made at least 6 - 8 enthusiasts happy with this offering over the past year.  $1450.

182.  Extraordinary find.  Paul Young Perfectionist with both dry fly and heavier "parabolic" tips.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5 wt. (in my estimation), 5 1/2" ventilated grip (slightly soiled but perfectly smooth and without compromises), all cork seat with correct knurled aluminum dual rings, darkly flamed cane, blued Super Z ferrules with a perfect fit and brown translucent silks.  This is a very special Perfectionist as it was first assembled by Don West.  Don was known to have finished many of Paul's rods both for Paul as well as for himself for private sales.  The rod came to Don directly from the Paul Young shop with grip, seat, ferrules and tip tops all in place.  Don wrapped and varnished the rod to completion.  Even more interesting is that the rod was refinished by Bob Summers in 2011, with Bob's script to that effect  as well as accreditation  Don West with the original assembly.  Bob writes "Refinished by R.W. Summers 3/20/2011" and on a second flat "Perfectionist Model with X Heavy, exp. TIP".  Not certain what the "exp." indicated.  In any case a lovely Paul Young Perfectionist with both the dry fly tip and  parabolic tip in near perfect condition.  The heavier tip makes the rod Pezon et Michel-like parabolic.  The ventilated grip allows you to feel the sensation right into the hand.  Fabulous and an opportunity to own the dual tip production of the Perfectionist at a very reasonable $1500.  Sold  

183.  Fortunate enough to be offering this rod for the second time in my 28 years of active business -- an authentic, original Richard Hunt model 50.  Will continue the entry when I'm less fatigued.  Going to bed momentarily.......