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I just bought a bamboo rod, and I don't know a darned thing about it. The only identification is the word "Pioneer" on one of the flats. The claim was that it was made in the '50's by a guy named Dave Debell, but I wondered whether anyone could confirm this, and/or provide more information.
Thanks in advance!
The classic fly rod forum at http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/index.php would be a better place to possibly get an answer to that question.
Yes! How weird is that?
Did it get you any information? Try also a search for the maker.
Just what is in that listing. I've searched the guy's last name (Debell) as well as "Pioneer", and I haven't been able to get the two in one source (other than that listing). Still a mystery.
Category: Sports
Abbey & Imbrie Rio Grande vintage bamboo rod. It has the name Pioneer written on it just above the handle. No other makers mark. I think, but am not sure, that it was made by Denver local rodmaker Dave Debell in the 50s. He used tonkin cane exclusively .It throws a 6WFF nicely. Now you can search for Abbey & Imbrie Rio Grande vintage bamboo rod or Dave Debell in the 50s. Be creative
Look through the archives at http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/index.php, ask questions there in the apprasials area and most of all, post pics of ferruls,reel seat and wraps, that will help them figure out what the rod is
Thanks! I'll keep pluggin'!
Paul Hightower started Pioneer Rods in Denver in 1979 after 26 years working with Bill Phillipson of Phillipson Rod Co.
He produced his own bamboo rods in the beginning and then assembled rods from blanks Fred DeBell had acquired from
Wright McGill and Phillipson after Mr. Debell's retirement. They can sometimes be a hodgepodge of Phillipson and Wright
and McGill. They were built as inexpensive "fishing rods" and accomplish that feat quite well. Bob and Betty Malara continued Pioneer Rods
after Mr. Hightower retired. I believe they closed the doors sometime in the late '80s.
It's a good bamboo rod but not worth a lot in the market.
Pictures??
As to how the guy listing the rod can claim it was an A&I trade rod is beyond me. That old venerable tackle house was sold
to Horrocks-Ibbotson in 1930. I suppose H-I could have sold rods labelled A&I, I really don't know.