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.
Last edited by bobbyg; 07-03-2012 at 10:56 AM.
When you can arrange your affairs to go fishing, forget all the signs, homilies, advice and folklore. JUST GO.
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