6 replies to this topic

[Chase Creek]

One of the guys in our shop approached me the other day asking about 3 bamboo rods he got from an Uncle's estate a few years ago. This fellow is not a fly fisherman, and was wondering about the value of these rods.I have not seen any of them, so can't say anything about the accuracy of his info or the condition.

Rod #1 - labeled "Vicki, Japan" on the rod. 3 pc w/2 tips. Wooden box. Both rod and box labeled.
I think this is one of the 1,000's made after WWII in Japan. Heard they are generally poor
quality and not worth very much.
Rod #2 - Label on rod says "Tonkin Cane Spinner", 3 pc w/1 tip. He says this is hand printed on the
rod.
Rod #3 - Label is a sticker at base of rod. "South Bend, A Name Famous In Fishing". 3 pc w/2 tips.

This is the only information he was able to give me - no lengths, nothing else. He said those were the ONLY markings on these rods.

Pretty sketchy information, but thought maybe one of you 'boo folks could shed some light.

[troutguy]

Generally three piece means nine foot. All are not sought after. The South Bend may be fun. It could also be a bass rod too. Inexpensive bamboo was the inexpensive graphite of the day.

[Stippled Popper]

One of the guys in our shop approached me the other day asking about 3 bamboo rods he got from an Uncle's estate a few years ago. This fellow is not a fly fisherman, and was wondering about the value of these rods.I have not seen any of them, so can't say anything about the accuracy of his info or the condition.

Rod #1 - labeled "Vicki, Japan" on the rod. 3 pc w/2 tips. Wooden box. Both rod and box labeled.
I think this is one of the 1,000's made after WWII in Japan. Heard they are generally poor
quality and not worth very much.
Rod #2 - Label on rod says "Tonkin Cane Spinner", 3 pc w/1 tip. He says this is hand printed on the
rod.
Rod #3 - Label is a sticker at base of rod. "South Bend, A Name Famous In Fishing". 3 pc w/2 tips.

This is the only information he was able to give me - no lengths, nothing else. He said those were the ONLY markings on these rods.

Pretty sketchy information, but thought maybe one of you 'boo folks could shed some light.

Rod #1 - You are probably correct about it. It might be useful as a decorator item in a rustic theme.

Rod #2 - A Horrocks-Ibbotson "Spinner" with two tips sold on eBay for about $60 with only one bid. You couldn't tell from the single
image whether either or both tips was down. eBay Sale

Rod #3 - A knowledgeable person would have to look at it to make a guess. It could be a bass or trout rod. There should be some
markings on it other than the South Bend Label I paid a good bit more for my 7'6" 290 than for my 9' 59 in comparable condition.

[perchjerker]

Ditto Stippled Popper on the first two. I have rebuilt a couple of the Japanese WW II era rods in the past couple of years and found them to handle reasonably well when yard cast. They should make a nice 'fishing rod' for someone wanting to get into bamboo; but, market value is minimal. With respect to the South Bend, it depend upon the model". A 9-ft #59, or #359, typically brings between $110 and $200 on eBay; whereas the #290 SP mentioned can fetch up to about $300, depending on it's overall condition: tight fitting ferrules; varnish in good condition; all guides present; no re-wraps; cork in very good shape; no set in either tip, etc.

All of these rods are considered to be "Production" rods, as opposed to having been made by one of the "Masters" of the day. The primary difference between the two was (is) in the specific tapers and the overall craftsmanship involved. This does not make the Production rods any less enjoyable to fish,or their fishability.

Check out Bamboo Fly Rods on Bay for a good feel for current 'market' prices.

Cheers!

[Chase Creek]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the information.
I'll relay it to the owner of the rods.

[Stippled Popper]

Ditto Stippled Popper on the first two. I have rebuilt a couple of the Japanese WW II era rods in the past couple of years and found them to handle reasonably well when yard cast. They should make a nice 'fishing rod' for someone wanting to get into bamboo; but, market value is minimal. With respect to the South Bend, it depend upon the model". A 9-ft #59, or #359, typically brings between $110 and $200 on eBay; whereas the #290 SP mentioned can fetch up to about $300, depending on it's overall condition: tight fitting ferrules; varnish in good condition; all guides present; no re-wraps; cork in very good shape; no set in either tip, etc.

All of these rods are considered to be "Production" rods, as opposed to having been made by one of the "Masters" of the day. The primary difference between the two was (is) in the specific tapers and the overall craftsmanship involved. This does not make the Production rods any less enjoyable to fish,or their fishability.

Check out Bamboo Fly Rods on Bay for a good feel for current 'market' prices.

Cheers!

That is just about what I paid for my 290. The market wasn't down then. The seller told me it was found behind a book case during an estate sale
where it had probably been for decades. This seemed a believable story since the bag is in mint condition but had an accordion pleat in it half way
down the bag. The finish on the rod sections was glass smooth, the grip was spotless, and the nodes well spaced on each section.

I saw another 290 where the nodes weren't as well spaced on the butt section and it was a bit corkscrewed.

[redietz]

Generally three piece means nine foot.

Not so. Although nine foot almost always means 3 piece, I own at least half a dozen cane rods in the 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 foot range that are 3/2 (meaning three piece with an additional tip) Generally any rod 8 foot or longer would have been 3 piece, as were quite a few 7 1/2 footers.