CLASSIC RODS

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14.  Leonard 61.  The 8 1/2', 2/2, 8wt from Ted Simroe's Mirimachi series of rods.  I used it with an Orvis 8 WF line and it was fabulous.  Also used a Bogdan 0 that balanced perfectly with it.  From my own collection and used only twice on the Cascapedia.  Red wraps, fixed fighting butt, reverse half wells grip perfectly sized for the rod and comfortable.  A casting machine in spite of its light weight in the hand.  Even put it into the hands of guides at the lodge who ordinarily disdain bamboo;  they thought it was amazing and were duly surprised.  Excellent condition in original bag and labeled tube.  Decided that I cannot in good conscious let this great but perhaps little known rod go for its earlier pricing.  Its perfect companion reel, the Hardy St. John, appears as item #10 in the reel section. $1550.  

15.  Sweetgrass Pent.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5wt.  Medium fast dry fly action,  mild full wells grip, down locking anodized antique grey hardware over very dark highly figured hardwood, burgundy silks (hallmark of the Pent) and perfect fitting ferrules.  Dead straight, perfect varnish. Believe the nicest piece of production I've seen from the Boo Boys.  Am told that Glenn is back at work and likely accounts for the high quality of workmanship and attention to detail.  Just a beautiful rod for appearance and behaviour.   Mint unused.  $1450.  Sold

29.  Leonard 39H.  7 1/2', 2/2, 3 7/8 oz.,  5 wt.  (tube label reads 6).  Serial number 1838 so am guessing ca. 1971-72.  6" cigar grip with very minor soiling, red silks typical of the period, down locking seat with butternut insert and nickel silver die stamped cap sporting its post fire heritage  Tight fitting ferrules, dead straight and structurally perfect.  Rod has a decisive Catskill dry fly feel and a rod whose tapers have been replicated by a multitude of current builders for its outstanding performance qualities. Original yellow bag with stiffener, original tube with red Midland Park, NJ  label in completely legible condition.  Aside from its minor grip soiling, the rod is about perfect.  May be the only rod you'll ever need if you're only going to own one bamboo rod, a terribly unlikely story!  $1350.  Sold

38.  Payne 98.   Spectacular 7', 2/2, 4 wt rod.  Cigar grip, nickel silver cap and ring with "Made for A and F" die stamp, so no older than early 60's. Hang tag in place and in crisp legible condition with the Abercrombie inventory number to it.   Most blueing absent from cap and ring, and although perfect in every other way, several guide wraps on the tips do not align since the first and only owner had Jim make another tip for his single tip as bought Abercrombie rod.  Believe the single tip rods were only available through Abercrombie.  Still a bit of a mystery as to why Jim would not align the guide wraps unless the rod was not sent to him at the time the second tip was being made.  Sadly, since the rod comes to me from an inheritance, this is the best information that I have on the rod.  Some space to the top of the tube evidencing absence of its ferrule plug.   This rod is really quite lovely and with exceptions noted, in excellent condition with original bag (with hang tag) and properly labeled tube.   $3750.   Sold

39.  Don Schroeder.  7'9", 2/2.  One of Don's dark hexes.  A slam dunk moderate dry fly 5wt.  Serial number 17397.  6 1/2" reverse half wells grip ( a la Payne), uplocking screw seat over morticed and figured walnut, and transluscent tan wraps tipped auburn, characteristic of his dark rods;  Don's die stamp properly in place on the turnbuckle and machined knurled ferrule plug still here.  Don's work is above reproach for structure and cosmetics; he machines all of his own hardware save the ferrules and guides and his workmanship and attention to detail has been consistent throughout his long career  -- Perfect.  Slight soiling of the grip otherwise excellent plus.  Sadly, for his history and workmanship highly underappreciated.  Clearly his values should be in the realm of the best rod makers in the country today.  $1450.     

44.  Sam Carlson "Housatonic".  8', 2/2, 5/6 Quadrate.  Dark evenly straw colored cane, brown silks, bright perfect fitting ferrules, reverse 6 1/4" half wells grip giving way to an all cork reel seat with blued cap and ring and his signature black bakelite inserts beneath the end cap, as a seat check and of course winding check.  The script on the blank reads Carlson "Four" Housatonic.  Made by CW "Sam" Carlson and numbered 757-482.  So made in 1975, quadrate, 8' 2 piece.  This is a stunning rod with very little use to it. Only the slightest soiling to the grip, almost not worth mentioning.  Dead straight, fine ferrule fit and a great casting rod with a 5DT; stupendous with a 6.    A classic Carlson in wonderful condition.   Pics will sell the rod.  A phone call would be welcomed.  $3700.  

45. Payne 96.  6', 2/2, 2/3 wt with the "Sold by" die stamp predating the introduction of the 95 whereupon the 96 became the 6 1/2' model.   Fully legible perfect condition hang tag reads 1 3/4 oz and upon weighiing the rod it is indeed 1 3/4 oz.  The tag carries the Abercrombie inventory number, the model number and a never before seen 3 digit number above the rectangle labeling.  My 1931 Payne catologue shows the 96 as the 6 footer; the 1951 catologue shows the introduction of the 96 as a 6 1/2' rod and retains the 6' rod labeled as a model 95.  I cannot say with certainty in what year the change took place but I am guessing this rod to be made ca. 1940's.  The delicate cigar grip measures 4 1/8" (some soiling to the cork but smooth and whole)  there is no winding check, the cap and ring are in perfect order over lovely uncompromised, and indeed unmarred walnut insert.  Blueing absent from the ring but butt cap retains about 100% bluing.  Ferrule fit is absolutely perfect. No ferrule plug but considering the length of the bag and fit in the tube, was made without one.  The rod sports the traditional Payne color evenly toned straw blanks and brown silks tipped gold accented by a delicate stripper guide.  Aside from soiling of the cork handle, this rod is the most perfect, all original Payne 96 this enthusiast/dealer has ever seen.  I  noticed that there is currently a refinished 96 out there with some other minor issues at 3900.  This one, all original and spectacular.  $4700.      

47.  Leonard 39H.  5 1/2" cigar grip, with unusual factory created (doubtless) thumb rest a la Paul Young, down locking seat over butternut, straw colored cane, expected red wraps for the period (serial number 2807), black guides, bright ferrules and correct die stamp in place to the ns cap.   Excellent condition.  Unusual for the model, its tube label reads 3 3/5th oz not the usual 3 7/8 oz rendering a marginally lighter rod -- perhaps a diminished weight for the thumb depresssion??  The rod is near perfect with slight soiling of the grip, fully legible tube label and dead straight with a fine ferrule fit.  I've always claimed this the rod to own if you're only going to own one rod -- not a likely scenario for for any of us it seems!!  $1350.    

50.  Sweetgrass Mantra.  2/1, 7 1/2', 4 wt. Hex.  Serial number 11-052. Light dry fly Catskill style rod.   6" reverse half wells grip (soiled but smooth and uncompromised), black anodized down locking seat over cherry insert,  lovely straw colored nicely varnished cane, brown translucent silks tagged black at the hook keeper and ferrule stations, wrapped ferrules a la Winston, and original bag and labeled tube.  So altogether very good/excellent condition.  $725.  Sold

51.  Jim Downes.  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,  light colored cane beautifully wrapped with avocado silks  smartly and delicately tipped in a dark auburn, cocoa colored agate stripping guide and ferrules and hardware blued.  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.   $1350.

52.  Hardy Palakona.  6'8", 2/2, 4/5 wt. Near mint.   All cork grip and seat with the patented Hardy hood and ring.  Hardy die stamp in place to both the applied pocket and cap, grip approx. 6", black silks smartly tipped Kelly Green, milky agate stripper guide, machined ferrule plug to the female, perfect ferrule fit and original bag and tube compliments yours truly.  Hardy and most other British makers were not in the habit of supplying tubes except by special request -- so original tailored bag with hanging loop to its end (since you are expected to hang your rod in the rod room for adequate drying!)  The rod enjoys a brisk dry fly action with lots of gumption.  This is a very late model vintage piece made just before the shut down of their manufacture -- not one of the later reissued rods produced about 10-15 years ago at the heady price point of $2000+.  So a vintage Hardy in as new condition. From its ever so slight soiling of the grip, hardly worth mentioning, believe the rod to have been lawn cast only.  $875.

53.  Orvis Battenkill.  7 1/2', 2/2, 3 7/8 oz. Serial number 83431 (1980).  6 1/2" cigar grip,  straw colored impregnated cane, brown silks, down locking walnut seat with independent ring protocol, about 100% bluing to the perfect fitting ferrules and dead straight.  Put up in its original bag and hex cap tube with complete and fully legible label.  Just a super all around rod for 5/6 wt lines.  And the only rod you'll ever need if you only had one to own!!  Medium fast dry fly action -- and somewhat semi parabolic as Orvis rods tend to be.  So just a great all around rod for dries, streamers and can tolerate the seldom use of weighted "lures".  Very good/excellent condition.  $725.  Sold

54.  A.J.  Thramer.  Hollow built Payne 204.  8 1/2", 3/2, 5 wt.  Serial number D123.  About the most perfect duplication of the model yet seen and a particularly nice example from this prolific, competent builder.  5 3/4" cigar grip, blued cap and ring over morticed cedar, red agate stripper guide, brown silks tipped gold, perfectly fitting evenly blued ferrules and just a glorious varnish finish to the blanks.  Thramer's work is absolutely above reproach for structural integrity and cosmetics.  The rod is dead straight, ferrule fit is grand and it is in excellent,  near new condition only having seen water several  times.  Just a beautiful stick.  Underappreciated (likely for his shear volume of production) at $925.  Sold

55.  Sweetgrass.  From the Boo Boys, a lovely 7'9", 2/2, 3 5/8 oz. 4/ 5 wt hollow built hex. Serial number 2259.  5 3/4" modified reverse half wells grip, down locking antiqued screw lock seat over what I can best describe as a bird's eye walnut insert.  Lovely deep colored straw cane, tasteful agate stripper guide, transparent tan silks delicately tagged auburn at the winding check/signature wraps.  Built in 2019 with a dedication  for the first and only previous owner above the grip.  Rod enjoys a medium/light dry fly action suitable for both dries and sensitive enough for  the occasional wet fly or nymph.  Mint condition.  1450.    

56.  Orvis Rocky Mountain.  6 1/2', 3/2, 4/5 wt.  Serial number 43476, so 1966. 5 1/2" superfine grip, down locking seat over walnut with independent ring, medium dark cane, brown silks, blued ferrules about 99%.  Rod is nice and straight, ferrule fit is perfect, cork shows the slightest ridging (almost not worth mentioning), and leather tube is tattered as is almost usual no matter the age of the rod.  The rod is in overall excellent/very good condition and is waiting to be fished on those ever so tight venues or pocket water with dry and/or wet fly flies.  Brisk dry fly action.  $750.  Sold

57.  Jim Downes Quad.  8', 3/2, 5/6wt.  Previously sold rod back to me in a welcome trade is this stunning rod from Jim Downes.  6" cigar grip, nickel silver cap and ring over figured rather dark maple, Jim's die stamp in place on the lovely machined end cap, blonde cane, pale red agate stripper guide, forged winding check, and an absolutely beautiful finish a la Tom Maxwell -- transparent tan silks neatly tipped crimson.  Rod has a brisk full bodied medium dry fly action.  This rod is truly a work of art for appearance; a casting machine for performance.  Jim is quickly being considered one of the pre-eminent builders of our time having worked closely with both Walt Carpenter and George Maurer gleaning the best of their design and cosmetic offerings for his own work. His attention to detail above reproach.  Mint unused condition.  $1450.

58.  Payne 98.  7', 2/2, 2 3/4oz.,  "Sold By" rod.  5" soiled but smooth cigar grip, blued cap and ring (some absence of bluing) over Spanish cedar, red agate stripper guide, customary brown silks tipped gold, insert stepped up and routed to the cork sans later knurled cork check -- very pretty effect.  Medium straw colored cane, perfect ferrule fit, dead straight and still carries its fully legible hang tag in its original tube and original bag.  The rod is near perfect aside from only recently noticed tiny isolated spots of varnish surface activity on the tips that can no doubt be rubbed out. Aside from that the rod is in really super condition.  To make it perfect, think I'd send it to Steve Blake to remove those very minor compromises to the surface or if ambitious enough, do it yourself.  These marks completely alluded me when concluding a multi rod  purchase and only became apparent while making this entry.  Just a fabulous dry fly 4 wt rod and all structurally perfect; cosmetically very good.  $3500.

59.  Mills Standard (Leonard).  7 1/2', 3/2, 4 oz., 5 wt.  As a Leonard model 49  but carries the  Mills die stamp to its end cap designating ownership of the Leonard Company and desire to produce from Leonard a more affordable model 49.  6" cigar grip giving way to an all cork seat with a coin edged ring to logoed cap, rather light cane and yellow wraps with red and black tagging at the hook keeper and male ferrules, hallmark of the marque.  The rod has a lovely semi-parabolic dry fly action and is just a sweet casting 5DT rod.  Cork shows soiling: reel seat shows some discoloration from its aluminum sliding band, otherwise the rod is near perfect with its original Peerless tube, bag and fully legible hang tag.  This size is rarely seen in the Standard line up and consider myself lucky to have found one in such nice condition.   1150.

60.  Another stunning example from the bench of Jim Downes.   8', 3/2,  rendition of a Payne 201.  Perhaps the best casting rod from the entire Payne lineup in that line weight is the 201.  Sensational medium fast dry fly 5 wt made up in my favorite Downes colors -- deep avocado green smartly tipped black.  Lighter cane is a spectacular back drop for the green silks;  the 6" flor grade cork grip, elegant and exotic wood (Jim calls it burled red maple) spacer and agate stripper guide complete the cosmetic package.  Just a glorious rod and a 5 wt casting machine.  New from Jim and for your consideration at $1450.  

61.   Mt. Carmel era Edwards Deluxe.  8', 3/2, 5wt.  5" cigar grip, bakelite windiing check, butternut seat under lovely nickel silver cap and ring sporting 4 concentric machined circles to its circumference, red silks tipped yellow fore and aft, red stripper guide, proper original script in place and all perfectly refinished  by Don Schroeder.  Likely better than its original finish.  All sections absolutely original -- no replacement parts save for the snake guides that for lack of wear likely replaced.  Indeed one of the best restorations I've seen from Don or for that matter from anyone.  Its lovely perfect condition butternut spacer is routed and stepped up to the cork handle sans metal check.  Perhaps one of the most elegant Edwards rod yet seen notwithstanding Don's handiwork.  The rod has a modern dry fly action sporting the finest tips ever.   Put up in a perfectly fitting Thomas and Thomas bag (with stiffener) and tube .  $750.