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 #108 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

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 translucent 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.  Sold  

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  unmarred walnut insert.  Bluing 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.  All original and spectacular.  $4700. Sold.       

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 depression??  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.   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,  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.   $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.  $775.  Reduced

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 

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.  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.    These marks completely alluded me when concluding a multi rod  purchase and only became apparent while making this entry.  Sent it off to Jim Downes for minor surface fix and it has come back to me in fine condition.  And all original with no additions to varnish or other foreign surface treatment.   Just a fabulous easy casting medium action dry fly 4 wt (might even take a 3 DT) rod and all structurally perfect; all original;  cosmetically very good.  $3500.  Sold

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.   1350.  Sold

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.  Sold  

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. Just learned from a loyal customer that his astute research leads me to believe that one tip was made by Don during the restoration.  Having said that, both tips are perfect and identical for color, node placement and taper!  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 . Now, still a great buy at  $675.  Sold

62.  Coming soon.  Phillipson Peerless.  8', 3/2, 5 wt.  Excellent condition.  Neighborhood, 650-675.  Priced upon review.  $725.  Recieved and as expected, the rod is perfect.  One of the most desired production rods on the market for both cosmetics and for its medium dry fly action.   Sold 

63.  Orvis Light Salmon.  8 1/2', 2/2 , 6 1/8oz., 8wt., serial number 41334.  6 1/2" cigar grip (with very minor ridging from age rather than use), aluminum down locking seat, removable 2" fighting butt, brown silks as expected, bright perfect (tight) ferrules. Full working rod that is destined to meet with an Atlantic Salmon in the near future.  Just a beautiful rod in its original bag and tube with good label intact.  In the previous owner's hand reads made by Wes Jordan but cannot guarantee that but for its 1965 vintage.  Just a glorious salmon or big water rod in excellent plus condition.  $475.  Sold

64.  Tufts and Batson.  8', 2/2, 5 wt.  Model 1510.  This is a crisp very dry fly rod with all the trappings that Amelia and Gabe are best known -- 6" cigar grip (very slight soiling), jewel-like nickel silver down locking seat over blackwood, black silks ever so delicately tipped orange, agate stripper guide, machined ferrule plug, and evenly straw toned cane with a perfect varnish finish.  T and B die stamp in place on the end cap and finished with a 3 tiered nickel silver winding check.  The rod is stunning with just a great, crisp dry fly habit.  Just the perfect dry fly rod.  $1350.   Sold

67.   Orvis Battenkill.  7 1/2', 2/2,  serial number 31115 (1961),  3 3/4oz. 5 wt.  This rod designated 1/8oz lighter than its later cousin, the 3 7/8oz rod is somewhat lighter in feel and 5DT line able.  It has a lovely dry fly action and for that a departure from the usual fuller bodied medium action rod.  Dead straight,  6" cigar grip,  down locking seat over patinated walnut with independent ring.  Enjoys nice dark cane,  the usual brown wraps and perfectly fitting blued ferrules; original khaki colored bag and blue labeled tube that is fully legible for all details.  $650.  Sold

68.  Orvis Battenkill.  7', 2/1, serial number 69029 (1973), 3 3/8oz. 5 wt.  Hex capped original gray tube, fully legible labeled as a two tip rod; original green bag.  Sadly, the second tip lost along the way.  6" cigar grip, down locking seat with independent  ring and unmarred varnished walnut filler. And for its period unusually dark cane.    Rod has a very likeable brisk dry fly action with enough backbone to handle  formidable prey in small water; tight venues.  With exception noted, an excellent condition rod at a reasonable  $450.

69.  Scott SC 653.  Made by Bernard Ramanouskas of Eden Cane reputation.  6' 5", 2/2, dry fly 3 wt. Book matched tips and a 2x2  node pattern throughout. Serial number 0087.  Perhaps one of the most elegant rods ever made while Scott contracted Bernard to build.  5 1/4" tapered cigar grip appointed with 1/4" of rich looking composite cork at the hook keeper and as a final cosmetic finish  to the grip.  Dark cane, ever so delicate agate stripper guide and clear silks wrapped with a single strip of auburn in the middle of each station, light weight cap and ring over highly figured walnut   Truncated perfectly fitting ferrules, and blued hardware throughout.  Just an elegant, beautiful  casting instrument.  This one new unused with the plastic shrink wrap still to the grip and Scott paperwork.  I believe currently sold by Scott at $3250.  Just revisited the rod this evening (1/23), handled it and can say unequivocally that it is a lovely bright and  perfect  dry fly 3 wt.  Photos abound on the internet but will send if required.   $2100. 

70.  Orvis Deluxe.  6 1/2', 2/2, Serial number 35698 (1963), 5/6 wt.  4" Superfine grip giving way to an all cork seat with dual rings and the usual aluminum button to the flared seat terminus.  A great little small stream rod capable of throwing small to medium size dries, nymphs and can tolerate weighted wets as well.  A small rod with lots of backbone that I would describe as medium dry fly and somewhat parabolic in habit.  Dark cane, brown silks, perfect fitting ferrules with about 90% blueing  and original bag and tube with fully legible blue label.  Aside from very minor ridging of the cork; no reel seat impressions to the seat in fine condition.  This rod often sold as a 4/5 wt in the interest of marketing, really sings with a 6 wt liine.  While the tendency for both dealers and enthusiasts to envision a 6 1/2 footer as a 4 or 5 wt is ubiquitous.  Respect it as a 6 wt. and it will be a casting epiphany.  Just a great rod if properly used.  For its ever so slight ridging of the cork grip, $575.  Sold

71.  Eden Cane.  8', 2/2, 8014.  dry fly 5/6 wt.  Built by Bernard Ramanouskas under his own banner one of the most remarkable rods for construction, performance and appearance ever seen.  6 1/4" modified reverse half wells grip, morticed birds eye maple seat with up sliding ring, birds eye maple as a seat to cork check,  perfectly varnished blond cane ever so delicately tipped cinnamon, and of course nodeless construction for which Bernard achieved kudos  throughout  the bamboo rodmaking/enthusiast community. Put up in his partitioned beige colored Eden Cane labeled case.  Last new rod price for his work was 3995!  Here in near mint condition and priced to sell at $1600.  Sold

72.  Sewall Dunton rod.  7', 2/1 (made as such), Angler's Choice model.  Just a neat 7' dry fly rod made in Greenfield, MA.  Believe that Thomas and Thomas at some point bought the company; used their cane for some time and in the early 70's Orvis offered them in their catologue of fine rods at about $100.  Don't now know if that offering predated the T and T ownership.  In any case, a fine little brisk dry fly rod with handsome dark cane, dark aquamarine silks, a couple showing a bit of age but no need to address them.  Has a very comfortable half wells grip, down locking aluminum hardware over black bakelite, a hallmark of the Angler's Choice range, great fitting better quality (according to Campbell) extruded ferrules and the identifying script present and complete above the winding check. Reads "#156 - 7ft"; its maker's decal present and in perfect fettle. Just a great little rod at a very reasonable price point with some significant history attached.  See page 164,  AJ Campbell for a comprehensive discussion of the brand.  With exception noted, very nice condition and only very slight soiling of the cork.  A pretty neat little rod that will make for a super dry fly rod for 4 or 5 wt lines.  Comes to me in original bag but  without a tube.   $225.  Sold

73.  Scott SC 6114, so 6' 11", 4wt. 2 piece, 2 tip (book matched).  Serial number 1007 and from the deft hands of Bernard Ramanouskas.  This may be the most beautiful rod from any current big company maker in the country.  Dark cane showing golden nodes, perfect varnish, agate stripper guide, moderate cigar grip appointed with a handsome piece of composite cork before the winding check -- a really elegant artifice.  Ever so delicate blued cap and ring over what I believe to be a dark burled maple, truncated perfect fitting ferrules and the most delicate transparent  silks sporting what must be a single wind of auburn to the middle of each winding station.  All of this and a super casting dry fly 4 wt casting machine.  Only the slightest soiling to the grip, otherwise seems little used with not a single reel foot mar to the seat or any other evidence of use beyond a lawn. A spectacular rod made under contract by Bernard Ramanouskas of Eden Cane and Freestone note.  Current pricing from Scott and approved dealers is $3250.   Here, and available without the order wait, $2100.   

74.  A rare find indeed.  An Orvis Wes Jordan Special with left hand grip impressions.  For those of you who have been anxiously awaiting a Wes Jordan that can be used with left hand a singular opportunity and perhaps the first one that this enthusiast has knowingly seen.  7 1/2',  3 7/8oz, 5/6 wt.  Serial number 84580 so built 1980.  This personalized rod has a 6 1/2" grip with thumb and heel of hand impressions designed for the left hand user, downlocking  seat with independent ring over beautifully varnished walnut without a trace of a reel foot mount.  Light cane, prominent resorcinol glue lines showing, blued ferrules, deep brown silks in perfect order.  Structurally perfect, cosmetically excellent plus, plus.  Its original leather tube shows some wear, as they all tend to, but all straps are whole and there are no other compromises to the tube.  Rod has a lovely medium brisk dry fly action; incredibly rarely seen in this configuration  -- that is, built up for the left hand user.  For its rarity and desirability, $825.  Sold

75.  Another stunning rod from the bench of Jim Downes.  7 1/2', 3/2, brisk 5 wt. 76-15-10 denoting the length, 3 piece configuration and ferrule size.  Fabulous dry fly character in an uncompromising cosmetic package.  6" cigar grip, blued cap and ring seat with Jim's hallmark die stamp in place,  medium dark cane beautifully wrapped in "pond scum green" tipped black, agate stripper guide, blued perfectly fitting tight ferrules, 3x3 node pattern.  This is just an absolutely wonderful very dry fly, very brisk rod that favors comparison to Leonard Maxwell types for behaviour. Jim's attention to detail mimics that of Don Schroeder from structural quality to packaging-- bag length always just right; tube length absolutely correct.  No liberties taken with any detail.  From the moment you dislodge the rod you're encouraged for quality and workmanship.  New from Jim.  $1450.