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.  $1250.  Reduced

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 and in mint condition. 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. 

$1350. 

23.  In the world of collectible rods, a historically important Weir and Son rod. 8', 2/2, 3 5/8 oz., 5 wt.  Last manufactured in Los Gatos, CA, the Weir and Son build was best known for their medium very pleasing actions. Model LM803.  These rods were produced on an ingenious and unique machine that could mill six strips simultaneously.  Exquisite for its pale appearance, lovely easy action and quality workmanship throughout.  Very reminiscent of the early Charlie Jenkins oevre.  5" tapered cigar grip, aluminum cap (properly die stamped "Weir and Son"),    and ring over rosewood, brown silks over straw colored cane and nicely described in both the Schwiebert tome (p. 181), Trout as well as Marty Keane's bible, Classic Rods and Rodmakers (p. 205) as some of the nicest rods built at the time for quality and performance. I will include with the purchase a copy of the last Weir catologue produced from Los Gatos with prices and decriptions of the building process.  Minor soiling of the grip and a few surface mounting mars to the insert, otherwise excellent condition with original bag and fully labeled tube.   $525. Sold

25.  Orvis Battenkill.  7 1/2', 3 7/8oz, 5/6 wt.  This one a bit lighter than most 3 7/8oz (weighs in at 3 3/4oz) so a slam dunk 5DT rod.  Built 1974. Some  soiling of its cigar grip,  while identifying model, line weight and actual weight are intact some script is worn from the cane at the hook keeper, otherwise good  plus condition.  Straight, structurally very good with original bag and tube with full descriptive label to the hex capped tube.   $575. Sold

27.  Heddon Premier.  8 1/2', 3/2,  2 Ferrule, 5 wt. (reads HDH or E on the cane),  gold silks tipped black, screw down patent numbered reel seat over brown bakelite,  perfect fitting properly japanned ferrules.  6 1/2" dry fly grip with some ridging, dryness and chips in the heel from use as a hook keeper but varnish and silks are about perfect and cane is a beautiful medium dark with golden nodes.  Slight fishing set to both tips, easily removable, with original well labeled bag and unoriginal tube absent its cap.   $225.  At this price can't understand that I still own it.  Will be donated to the AMFF failing a sale shortly.   Offers? 

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!  $1550.  

31.  Phillipson Peerless.  Rare 7', 2/2, 2 7/8 oz.  4/5 wt.  from the 3M period.   Shy 6" cigar grip, down locking copper toned anodized seat over cork,  lovely medium dark impregnated cane, brown silks tipped yellow and original bag with fully labeled gold tube.  Nice tight ferrules intelligently witnessed marked and just a great dry fly feel to the rod.   $675.  Sold

32.  Leonard 50H.  8', 6/7 wt. Serial number on its Midland Park, NJ label reads 2983.  Previous owner used it effectively,  I am advised,  with a 6DT line.  3/2, 4 5/8 oz.  6 1/2" reverse half wells (dry fly) grip, Up locking correctly post- fire die stamped seat over butternut, light cane with 3x3 node pattern of course, Ted Simroe translucent tan silks tipped auburn.   A nice stronger version of the 50DF.   Ever so slight soiling of the cork grip otherwise about perfect condition in its original yellow bag with stiffener, and fully labeled tube.  $1250.  Sold  

36.  Jim Downes.  7', 3/2, 3/4 wt beauty.  One of the few rods I've owned that I can truly say will throw a 3 or 4 wt line with equal aplomb.  Has a great medium action with either line, giving way to longer casts while fully loading with a 4DT;  a bit brisker as a close-in 3DT.   I truly enjoyed the rod with either line.  Just a super small stream rod.  5 1/2" fluor quality cigar grip, rather dark spalted maple insert under blued cap and ring with Jim's die stamp to the cap, elegantly varnished medium dark cane and handsome as can be "pond scum green" silks delicately tipped crimson and agate stripper guide.  Just a beautiful rod with a super small stream action.  Perhaps one of the best performing light line rods ever.  $1450.  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 shipped.   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.   

40.  Orvis Superfine.  7', 2/2, 2 5/8oz,  5wt (factory labeled 6 wt.).  Superfine grip (some ridging and reel seat impressions to the all cork dual ring seat),  dark cane, excellent condition brown silks, nice ferrule fit and ca. 1968 serial number. Original bag and tube with fully legible tube label in place.   Aside from the wear on the grip and seat, a really fine rod.  A brief visit to the Orvis manufactory would make it perfect .  Or use as it  is until the grip and seat really need refurburshing.   A nice rod; deserves serious attention at $475.   

42.  Orvis 7/4.  Just arrived and is in absolutely mint, unused condition.  Serial number 85852 so a lovely late rod.  Likely the most desirable model ever produced by Orvis.  Just the perfect 7', 3/2, 4 wt rod.  $1250.  Sold

43.  Jim Downes.  7', 3/2, 4/5 wt.  5 3/4" grip using 1/4" flor grade cork rings, dark cane , red agate stripper guide, avocado silks smartly tipped black, burled stabalized walnut insert with blued cap and ring.  Jim's die stamp in place on the butt cap particularly at  yours truly's insistence and blued perfect fitting ferrules.  The rod exhibits a wonderfully crisp dry fly flavor and can throw a 4DT gently; a 5 for greater distance and more fully loading qualities.  Just a stunning rod, new from Jim.  I might add that I am particularly proud to be able offer Jim's work as his rod making skills are truly first rate for structural integrity, performance and cosmetics.  Just a beautiful piece of workmanship.  $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.  $4200.  On hold.

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. Coming to me and promises to be very special with fully legible near new appearing hang tag to its original bag and original tube.  Priced upon final inspection.    

46. San Francisco Winston.  8, 2/2, crisp (and unusual in that for Winston) 5 wt.  Purchased as a one tip rod and owner had Glenn Bracket, while still with Winston, make a second dead matching second tip.  Only reservation is that the second tip's numbering not done in the same hand or is at least a bit lighter. Frankly, I would have had Glenn renumber all three sections for a match without violating the integrity of the rod.  But the second tip is an absolutely dead match for color, silk color, taper and performance.  Unusual for the San Francisco period  it sports a cherry seat with ns cap and ring and full wells grip.  But unquestionably original put up in the red SF bag and correct yellow and green tube label.  Excellent condition.   For its later pairing of the additional tip,  $1200. 

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.  Still sports its coin edged ferrule plug and is in 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!!  $1550