classic rods

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252.  Jeff Wagner Model 276-1  5Wt.  So 7 1/2', 2/2, 5 Wt hex.  6" reverse half wells grip, up locking nickel silver jewel like hardware over figured morticed koa wood, dark chocolate silks, hallmark sterling silver hook keeper and winding check (blued), red agate stripper guide, blued tight fitting ferrules and dark, evenly flamed cane with a stunning varnish finish.  Elegant, as all of Jeff's rods are.  The rod exhibits a rather strong semi parabolic action and could be the only rod you'll ever need if you only could have one -- an unlikely story!!  Throws a long line but is competent  in close as well.  Minor soiling of the cork otherwise, excellent condition.  $1500.

260.  Orvis Battenkill.  The most desirable of the 8' rods -- the 4 1/8 oz. 2/2, model.  Rarely coming to market, this light weight 8 footer sports a 6 1/2" cigar grip, down locking seat with what I know to be walnut but for its color appears to be rosewood -- very handsome indeed.  Serial number 68629. Handsome dark cane, blued ferrules and the lighter brown silks.  Has the first owner's name neatly and inconspicuously  factory applied to the cane.  Has a medium dry fly flavor -- not as loggy as the heavier 8 footers and much more dry fly. Although its label reads 6 wt., most enthusiasts enjoy it as a 5 wt rod.  Excellent plus, plus condition. $725.  Sold

263.  HS (Pinky) Gillum.  8', 3/2, 4 5/8 oz., 5 Wt.  Serial number 1-793.  So a late desirable resorcinol glued up rod.  Die stamp in place on the up locking turnbuckle,  cedar insert, bronze silks, tagged black/white at the ferrule stations and at the hook keeper, blued amazing fitting ferrules, 6 1/2" reverse half wells grip and  original bag and Champion tube.  The original  (first) owner of the rod applied a bit of  varnish to some of the silks rendering  some over varnish to a few of the guide stations and the grip was smoothed out by Steve Blake at my request. Steve deftly  applied a new hook keeper in the absence of the original as well.  Otherwise the rod seems altogether original and in generally excellent condition.  With exceptions  noted, may be the finest pre-owned Gillum  I have had in many years.   Sold

273.  Per Brandin Hollow Built Hex. 8'3",  2/1, 3 1/8 oz. 4 wt. model 834-2 DF. dated 2/96.  5 3/4" full wells grip with his hallmark flare to the fore end, ever so delicate coin edged nickel silver cap and ring over morticed light hardwood (yew?), rather light cane, translucent tan silks with a triple set of signature wraps about 12" above the cork done with same color as the guide wraps with a delicate single turn of black at each set.  Truncated ferrules with a perfect fit and needless to say a remarkable light line rod for appearance, detail and behaviour. The rod was previously owned by Walt Carpenter and bears his initials applied by him to the cap.  About mint condition modestly priced at $3200.   Sold

 296.  Steve Jenkins GA79-27.  7'9", 2/2, 5 wt.  6"  lightly soiled cigar (Garrison style) grip,  morticed cherry insert, bright nickel silver cap and ring,  bright perfect fitting ferrules, 3 x 3 node pattern, blonde cane, transparent light tan silks, structurally perfect, cosmetically clean and perfect.  As an adherent of the Garrison tradition the rod has a progressive,  pleasing dry fly action for 5 wt lines.  I like it with a 5 DT.  One of the most perfect rods ever to enter the rod making history of American rod making.  For quality, history and action should be considered one of "best rods" from individual builders in the US.  Fabulous performing rod; extraordinary for detail.  It's hard to imagine a rod of this quality, this size, this line weight, selling for less than my price of $1550.   Just the perfect all around rod from a a pair of rod making  builders with  63 years of rod building history between father and son. Sold.   For those who missed this offering see item 363.

 311.  A Homer Jennings virtual work of art.  7' 9", 2/2, 4 1/4 oz. 5 Wt.  Serial number 685 so made in 2009.  This brisk dry fly rod is a bit unusual and likely a "bespoke"  piece as it has silk colors that are a beautiful departure from his standard clear/brown wraps.  The rod presents with translucent avocado green silks tipped very dark burgundy.  I've only seen one other of his rods with this color pattern and had it in my own collection for some years.  Absolutely stunning and a variation that, I believe, he should have offered more generously.  The rod has his hallmark morticed olive wood insert under nickel silver cap and ring, agate stripper guide,  tapered full bodied cigar grip, prominent swelled butt, flawless varnish over light straw colored cane setting off the silk tones oh, so sweetly.  At 4 1/4 oz. this rod is a bit faster than his earlier 4 oz. rendition of the 7' 9" rod; a classically Catskill style for performance.  Just a special rod from an established maker who, for some years, partnered with Tom Moran.  On his own for many years since, greatly undervalued.  Insignificant handle soiling otherwise in about perfect condition put up in the later brown stippled tube and original bag of course.  $1750.  Sold

314.  Post-fire Leonard 39H.  7 1/2', 3 7/8 oz. dry fly 5 wt.   ( in spite of its tube designation as a 6).  5 1/2" cigar grip, down locking seat over butternut, nickel silver cap with proper post fire die stamp,  red wraps, black guides, bright perfect fitting ferrules and a distinct Catskill style dry fly action.  Midland Park label to the tube and likely made during Ted Simroe's tenure at the company.  Serial number 2790 on all sections including the very legible tube label.  This is the classic dry fly rod that has been emulated by a body of practitioners throughout the country.  A more precise responding dry fly rod I've yet to see.  Excellent plus condition.  Put up in the as new yellow bag with stiffener and original red labeled tube.  This is just the absolute perfect dry fly rod in its size range  -- much emulated but never copied.  Can be seen on another site at $1960.  This one in about perfect condition.  $1550.   On Hold

318.  Thomas and Thomas Hendrickson.  7 1/2', 2/2, 5 Wt. from the Individualist series.  Serial number 5567.  6" reverse half wells grip, up locking jewel-like nickel silver seat over highly figured walnut, enjoys the T and T die stamp to the independent ring, prominent swelled but so characteristic of the marque, tiger flamed cane, 3 x 3 node pattern, clear silks smartly delicately tipped cinnamon, blued perfect fitting ferrules and wrapped chocolate brown at the ferrule stations. This is a full bodied, progressive medium action rod ready to do business as a dry fly rod, while quite able as a streamer rod -- can handle weighted or bead head flies as well and can subdue substantial game in a 5 wt format. The attention to detail and structural  integrity of the Thomas and Thomas brand is above reproach.  Currently selling new for $4995 with a substantial wait. Here with a very slightly soiled grip, almost not worth mentioning, In near mint condition put up in its original bag with stiffener and fully labeled stippled black tube with "top hat" machined cap, modestly priced at $2350.   Sold

320.  One of the best designed, best casting rods ever produced by Orvis -- The 8 1/2', 2/2, 4 1/2 oz. Serial number 81668 Limestone Special.  Designed for a 6 and casts a 6 DT (as I have used it) a country mile.  Semi parabolic action that can tolerate any terminal arrangement that you need.  I've used this on the Delaware with amazing and flawless results.  Just a great float trip rod and truly one of the all time best rods I've owned.  For its length might be off putting to some; its actual weight, performance and properly weighted reel make it feel much lighter in the hand than most 8 1/2 footers. 6 1/2" cigar grip, blued perfect fitting ferrules, patented down locking Orvis seat with independent ring, lovely walnut filler, lighter cane and tan silks make for a handsome rod as well.   Very minimal soiling of the grip, otherwise  excellent plus, plus condition with original bag and fully legible near perfect label to its hex capped tube.  $675.  Sold

321.  Don Schroeder 7', 2/2, 4 Wt.  One of Don's elegant dark toned rods.  Sports a 6" cigar grip, blued coin edged cap and ring with Don's die stamp to the end cap entirely machined by Don, highly figured walnut filler, transparent brown silks tipped burnt umber, blued perfect fitting ferrules, dead straight and bright snake guides.  Although marked as a 3 by Don, it is most definitely a crisp dry fly 4 Wt. rod. Serial number for those who are keen, 20398.  This is a spectacular rod for cosmetic work, attention to detail, as is the habit of the Schroeder manufacture, and a spectacular casting dry fly rod for small to medium dry flies and is a particular dry fly rod.  But I'm being redundant.  A fabulous rod.  Only very minimal soiling of the grip otherwise, has seen very little use.  For Don's history, attention to detail, perfect execution, should be valued in excess of $2000 IMHO.  Here, near perfect, $1650.  Sold 

325.  Mario Wojnicki Pent.  8'1", 2/2, 5 wt.  Model 245V5.  numbered 6210.  3 3/4 oz. (hollow built?).  Mario describes it as a medium action do everything 5 wt.  A current model and apparently much in demand.  From the outside in, a beautifully machined tube somewhat similar to those of his good friend Per Brandin, smartly tailored bag with his name neatly sewn to the overlapping hem that carries the butt section and model number acutely die stamped in the tube cap as well as "M. Wojnicki" to the tube collar.  Modified wells grip, blued dual ring seat over handsome figured hardwood, black end cap and black seat to grip check -- all elegant.  Truly amazing varnish over sparely flamed cane, clear tan wraps and bright guides.   Enjoys a rather strong, progressive 5 DT action and is just the perfect rod if you'll only own one rod.  Mario's description is that it "covers most trout fishing situations".  See his website.  Mint condition.  $2800.   Sold 

326.  Perhaps one of the finest FE Thomas rods that this purveyor of classic rods has seen in 35 years.  A Browntone Special in remarkable condition.  8', 2/2, 4 3/8 oz. 5 Wt.  Most enthusiasts agree that the 2 piece rods from the Thomas company from this period outdistance their 3 piece rods for structural integrity but most of all for performance.  This fine example has a brisk distinct dry fly action but is not the proverbial "telephone pole", so has lots of life to it.  Just a fabulous casting rod.  5 1/4" soiled but totally smooth cigar grip, down locking seat over walnut (?), blued nickel silver end cap with the proper FE Thomas "Special" Bangor ME die stamp with some loss of bluing, medium dark cane, hallmark 3, 6, 3,1 chocolate signature wraps, integral winding check, agate stripper guide, chocolate silks throughout, perfect fitting blued ferrules, die stamped "8" to the end cap suggesting pre -1937 manufacture. The rod is absolutely dead straight with perfect structural integrity.  From an era when workmanship took no back seat, the rod is remarkably modern in feel and handling.  Put up in the highest grade FET tube and still carries its original hang tag on its flap over top green bag that reads 3 3/4 oz. but my very accurate scale reads 4 3/8 oz. making it a distinctly dry fly rod.  So a true classic in remarkable condition and a super performer   $2100.  Sold 

336.  Gary Howells.  8 1/2', 2/2, 4 3/8 oz. 6 Wt. Hollow built.  Serial number 4525.  Originally made for Bud Frasca Gary's primary dealer.  6" reverse half wells grip, up locking seat over zebra wood (although appears highly figured walnut), medium straw colored toned cane, brown double wrapped silks tipped yellow, hallmark wrapped ferrule stations,  and medium toned straw colored cane -- beautiful.  Fabulous varnish finish and all structurally perfect.  Some soiling of the cork but smooth and without compromise.  Medium fast dry fly progressive "do every thing" action .  Can admirably serve as a dry fly rod and can tolerate weighted flies if necessary.  The perfect rod on all counts and for its hollow build, pretty light in the hand once an appropriate reel is mounted.  Just a beautiful example of Gary's work. $2100.  Sold  

344.  Payne 98.  7', 2/2, 2 7/8 oz. brisk 4 wt.  Late model rod made before the factory closed under the auspices of Walt Carpenter.  Has his hallmark 3 digit serial number stamped in the but cap.  Most knowledgeable enthusiasts will recognize the mark while others will simply understand it as a late model Payne 98.  5 1/2" cigar grip, blued cap and ring with the correct Payne die stamp,  brown silks tipped gold, red agate stripper guide that Walt reverted to during the 70's and until the company shut its doors after the last known catologue was produced in 1975.  The grip has only slight soiling otherwise the rod is in near mint condition with proper bag and labeled tube. Considering the numbers that I've seen in my research a very reasonable $3800.  Includes a page copy from the last Payne catologue (1975).  Failing a sale, it will go into my own battery of rods.  Sold

    355.  Bill Blackburn.  6 1/2', hollow built 3 wt.  Number 1322.  5"  cigar grip, blued cap and ring over what seems to be amboina or similar colored insert.  You can likely find out precisely at his website.  Bill's work has become one of the most desirable of rods of this era.  His work is above reproach -- perfect bamboo construction, perfect varnish, perfect ferrule fit, perfect translucent low profile silks and perfect light golden cane punctuated by 2 x 2 node design.  This medium dry fly rod has some very minor soiling of the grip. Don't think it was used more than half a dozen times.  Dead straight and ready for small water; small to medium fish.  Just a gorgeous rod and everything you've come to expect from this master  practitioner.  Better than excellent condition.  $1550.  Sold

356.  San Francisco  Winston.  This 7 1/2', 2/2, 3 oz. hollow built brisk dry fly 4 wt. was made during Glenn Brackett's tenure at the company.  Quite often made as a single tip rod during that period as was the current example, it was sent back to the company for a second matching tip -- also a Brackett effort. The later tip  with the same serial number in the same hand (although the script is marginally lighter, likely done with a thinner ink marker, is a good match.  The silks on the original tip are a distinct tan while the silks on the later tip have an insignificant yellow influence.  However, all is a match and the previous owner testifies that it was done by Glenn.  The rod enjoys a 5 1/2' half wells grip, cap and ring morticed cork seat with the SF hallmark black tenite end cap and black reverse funnel winding check.  Coming to me with a non original single tip bag, I purchased an original but contemporary bag from Winston to complete the package.  A medium crisp dry fly flavor characterizes the rod's action.  A rather nice 4 wt without the whispyness of  some 7 1/2' 4 wt. rods.  Grip and seat have some soiling but are entirely smooth to the touch; the reel seat without reel foot impressions.  A nice rod by any standard with exceptions noted.  And yes, original tube with yellow SF label.  Selling as a single tip Winston at $1250 and less than the price of an original single tip Winston.  A virtual steal.

Another  fine group of spectacular Jim Downes rods, all previously  listed Downes rods  having been sold.

357.  Jim's ubiquitous 7011.  7', 2/2, 4 Wt. 5" have wells grip (proprietary to yours truly), walnut insert under blued and dye stamped cap and ring seat, translucent avocado silks ever so delicately tipped black, medium dark cane, 3 x3 node pattern, red agate stripper guide and a hallmark of his work, book matched tips.  Performs as a medium/brisk dry fly rod with every cosmetic and structural attribute that we've come to expect from JIm.  Truly a joy to behold; a dream to cast for small to medium water with a penchant for pocket water dry fly use.  Sensational.  $1550.  

358.  Jim's now famous highly regarded 7 1/2', 2/2, 7612.  Same cosmetics as item 357 also with a half wells grip at 6" befitting the rod's length and weight.  One of the nicest casting 5 Wt. 7 1/2' rods I've had the joy of casting.  Again, somewhat brisk dry fly with a slight  semi parabolic flavor.   Truly masterpiece of workmanship and a superb performer. $1550.

359.  This next offering; one that I have not had the pleasure of inventorying , a 7'10", 2/2, Sloan's Parabolic.  Jim has insisted on my listing this rod as one of his favorite tapers and from what he tells me, extraordinarily popular among his clients. The rod has a distinct parabolic habit, a down locking blued seat over walnut;  its tapers taken from an original piece and reminiscent of the best of the Paul Young's work.  Made as a bespoke model for Sloan's Sporting Goods with the hand writing identical in style to  Cleo Hanley's.  She Did all the writing on Heddon rods at the time.  Although I havent put a line on it just yet, with snow and weather, it feels like a cross between a Pezon et Michel and a Young Para 15 and  5 Wt. capable.  Can't wait to get it out as it feels like it will throw a country mile.  $1550. 

360.  Orvis Battenkill.  7 1/2', 2/2, serial number 68114, so 1973 (and specifically listed on the Reynolds database)  3 7/8 oz. 6 Wt.  Most enthusiasts use it with 5 DT line.  6 1/2" cigar grip (soiled but rather smooth to the touch), down locking seat over unblemished varnished walnut insert, brown silks in perfect order over medium dark cane, perfect fitting blued ferrules, and all script perfectly clear and legible.  Presents as a full bodied progressive dry fly rod capable as the quintessential "all around rod".  Some random longitudinal scratches to the rod tube otherwise very good condition.  $675. Sold

361.  Truly a super find -- A 7 1/2', 3/2, W and M Granger Special.  Lovely medium dark cane, the requisite pale green silks, 6 1/2" reverse half wells grip (soiled but perfectly smooth), internal up locking reel seat with the Wright and McGill die stamp, tight fitting ferrules, dead straight, perfect original varnish,  and put up in its original bag and igh grade tube with partial label intact.  Rod has a super medium dry fly habit and casts a 5 line with aplomb.  Just a great looking; great performing 7 1/2' rod with travel benefits. For its condition and format rarity,   $925. Coming soon.

362.  Orvis Flea.  6 1/2', 2 oz., 4 Wt. Although Battenkill designation, sadly the rod comes to me with a single tip.  All cork dual ring seat  and soiled but smooth superfine grip, the usual chocolate silks, perfect fitting ferrules, dead straight  with some absence of writing to the cane.  What is clear is "Flea", 6 1/2' - 2 oz.HFG (4), the word "impregnated" distinguishable but  compromised.  Rod enjoys a super semi parabolic dry fly action with enough backbone to subdue any small stream prey.  Its cork grip, according to the previous owner,  was factory modified and supports a moderate thumb rest and palm right hand finger depression -- much like the Wes Jordan Special and surprisingly  comfortable.  The rod is put up in its original bag with fully legible label to its tube.  A nice rod for small stream work at a modest  $425.  On Hold

363.   Stunning rod from Steve and Charlie Jenkins (Steve vintage).  Steve's Signature rod with his hallmark blued cap and ring,  dark oven tempered cane, perfect brown silks, 6" cigar grip (lightly soiled) a la Garrison, morticed cherry reel seat, blued perfect fitting ferrules.  Steve's execution for cosmetics, structural integrity and performance are above reproach.  This is his, likely, most desirable model -- the GA 75 serial numbered 81.  As an adherent of the Garrison vernacular, the rod has a progressive, pleasing action best used as a 5 Wt. much as the Garrison 206.  One of the most perfect rods ever to enter the rod making history of America's "Best Rods".  With 63 years of rod making history and workmanship that is unexcelled by most modern makers;  his consistency of build is totally amazing.  Excessively undervalued at $1575.

364.  Orvis Madison.  On rare occasion, and when a client requested it, the Madison could be had with two tips.  This is one such rod.  So 6 1/2',  2 3/4oz., 4 Wt. and so designated on the tube label.  5 1/2" Superfine grip, down locking seat over walnut (with an unexplained surface chip just above the end cap),  brown silks, blued perfect fitting ferrules and all script to the bamboo in perfect order.  Serial number 62281 (1971) has a brisk progressive dry fly action quite able with dries, streamers and wet flies.  Might even tolerate a bit of weight to the fly, as in bead head nymphs.  Were it not for its soiled but smooth cork and that pesky blemish to the previously mentioned spacer, the rod would show as excellent.  Pics will vividly evidence the compromise to the insert to be insignificant.  $650.

365.  Orvis Superfine.  7', 2/2, 2 5/8 oz., About perfect condition dry fly rod.  Serial number 52599, marginally soiled 5 1/2" healthy superfine grip and cork reel seat with a down locking screw affair -- absent any reel foot impressions.  Lovely medium dark cane. Has all the expected  Orvis cosmetic hallmarks.  Showing minimal use,  the rod is about perfect.  $725.  Sold

366.  The ubiquitous Orvis 7 1/2', 3 7/8oz. do everything rod. Marked on the tube label and rod as a 6 Wt. it is often used with a 5 DT line.  Frankly, I believe it best performs with a 6 weight line.  Interestingly enough this Battenkill was built as a single tip rod and is so declared on the tube label, it was later supplied with a second tip with matching serial number, 69713, in what appears to be  the same hand.  Nice medium dark cane to the original butt and tip; a lighter tone to the later made matching (for taper) tip.  The usual 6 1/2" cigar grip, soiled but smooth, down locking seat over walnut and all of the Orvis characteristics for performance and cosmetics for this ever popular model.  $575. 

367.  Unusual for this site, a fiberglass Phillipson Master.  Model G-MF76L 3 1/8 oz. 5 Wt. and is  clearly indicated on the mustard colored blank.  I also understand from consult with other dealers, that the "L" designation is notable.   6" cigar grip with some soiling but smooth in the hand, black anodized down locking seat in perfect order, forest green silks with the characteristic spiral accents for the model.  Blank is perfect, metal ferrules fit perfectly.  Although not a glass enthusiast, seems like the nicest action  fiberglass production rod I've had.  Put up in an original Phillipson bag; absent its tube.