I have a 100 year old beautifully made 9 foot octogonal 3-piece fly rod with a wood (swollen style) grip. Actually it may be called a 4-piece as the grip accepts the male end of the rod as well. There are 10 furrels. I cannot determine the correct floating fly line weight to use. There is no visible indication on the rod itself. How do I determine the correct line weight?? Thanks in advance. Excellent forum!
Texas,
Well, you could start off with a 4 wt. If it loads well and doesn’t snap in pieces, stop. If it doesn’t load well, go a 5 wt. and pray it doesn’t snap. If it does snap into pieces, the correct line weight won’t matter. A 100 year old rod. Why would you want to use it?
Deezel
Texas:
If it’s 100 years old I can GUARANTEE you it wasn’t built as a 4wt. Probably more like a 5wt or 6wt. They just didn’t build 4wts back then; especially that long.
It may feel slow too since “dry fly rods” in that length were not very likely that many years ago. Unfortunately what line weight it was made for 100 years ago may not feel ANYTHING like what you are used to. You can fish it with a lighter line if that feels better but it may still feel weird if you are acclimated to today’s fly rods.
The intended action of really old cane rods is something that many can appreciate but few can enjoy.
Good luck
The AFTMA line ratings did not come into being until about 30 or so years ago. Older rods were marked by a letter system - - three letters.
Look for letters on your rod that may be on the chart in this link.
Texas,
Have to ask. Do you mean 10 guides instead of ferrules? Do you also mean that the grip can be removed from the rod? Are you sure it’s an 8 sided rod? Most were 6 sided. How are you dating this rod as 100 years old? A patent date will only tell you how old it might be, When the patent was givin not when the rod was made which would be after that date. Can you post pics of the rod?
Before you try any lines on this rod check for cracks in the cane or delaminations. Also check that all the guide threads and the intermediates are tight and not dried out. If any of the guides are rough do not put a line on it, they will ruin your line if they are. Check guides with a q-tip or old panty hose they should go through the guide smothly.
I agree start with a 4wt then increase line size until you find one you like. Use a slow easy rythum. Be careful it might be a museum piece.
Tom
Hang it on a wall. If it is from your family, cherish it; if not, it probably will bust when you cast it anyway. If you want to fly fish, get one of todays rods or a combo.
Thanks fellas: Here are some of the answers to your questions >>>
DEEZEL: I would never risk snaping this beautiful bamboo rod. Why use it? I wanted to step into my great grandfathers shoes with his favorite rod. I have one of his medals from the Spanish-American war. I only head about him from my grandfather and father.
Bamboozle: The rod is very, very slow. Like you stated, I just wanted to appreciate one of my great-grandfathers passions…if only for a moment; but the risk may be too great.
JERRY: I can barely see only two very small letters: “HD” where the male ferrel that enters the grip, meets the bamboo rod wood. There are poor remains of a third letter but cannot be read with a magnifier. According to the website you submitted, it relates to a 6 weight in todays language.
TOM TROUT: You are correct…my error…the rod base does have 6 sides and 10 guides. Yes, the grip can be removed from the rod via a light metal male ferral into a female in the wood grip itself. I know it is 100 years old or over as (see above) my great grandfather passed away in 1910. My grandfather was born in 1892 and my father in 1917. I am 65…a 1942’er. The rod was in my grandfather and pop’s closet as long as I can remember. It has been on my wall for the past 43 years. There is no patent date that I can see and yes I will post pictures as soon as I can. The first guide seems to have a red plastic type of inner ring and the other 9 are graduated smaller twisted wire only…all perfectly shaped, no rust and the bindings (threads) are still excellent and all match. Amazing due to the humid hot climate in Houston where all my family is from. There is about a 80% original looking finish on the bamboo itself. The 6 sided wood continues a perfect taper all the way from grip to within about 3 feet of the rod tip where it looks to round off due to the so very fine taper of the rod tip. No cracks or splits that can be seen with a magnifier. The dark wood swell-type wood grip is perfect, and balance with a current type fly reel is about 6" fore of the grip…without lineweight in the reel. The reel is held on with a rear permanent metal ring/grip tip and a floating forward ring that pushes onto the reel. The rod seems to be extremely well made.
J.CASTWELL: Yep…been on the wall a long time. I bait casted the coast of texas for 55 years and now live in Central Texas and now fly fish exclusively with a 9’ Albright EXS 4 weight for ponds and streams. Terrific forum. Thanks. Will post pictures as soon as I can.
I do understand what you want to do. I hope the hide-glue has not crystallized and the rod does not explode when you put much strain on it. Only one way to know for sure.
I would hang it on the wall and enjoy looking at it. If not, try this:
texas
you might want to find a local builder who refurbishes bamboo rods. there are guys out there who could take a look at the rod and have a pretty good idea if you could safley fish this rod. They could also help you pick a line…probably a 6wt. If you need more info or what to look for someone to help you out go here…
http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/
Bill from PA
texas, I’m with you. I’d have to try it, but I’d definitely have it checked first. Most of my fishing these days is with vintage bamboo rods and silk lines and for me there “jes’ ain’t nuthin’ like it”.
Vic
Absolutely agree with Bill from PA. You will want to find out who made your rod first (Montague? Divine? I am assuming its not a Leonard or Payne) as each has its own merits/drawbacks for modern fishing. The people at Clark’s board have fished everything from 16 foot lancewood to 7 foot 2 oz. fairy wands. Once maker has been established, the more learned among them can probably alert you on what to do–and more importantly what NOT to do–when fishing your vintage cane.
Good luck.
Tight lines,
Deke
Tex:
I suggest you post your questions and any pics you can come up with on clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com. The depth and breadth of knowledge available via that site is unparalled.
Bob