this, my friends, is the future of fly rods(from ebay):

"SAKURA"

WHALE-BONE Fly ROD

By Sakurai Fishing Supply Co., Ltd.

A very rare article is this WHALE BONE ROD!!!!

"Material is Whale-Bone obtained from the mouth of extinct whale."

This rod is in the original wood box with a label that reads(see picture below)

" Made in Japan

PO T.O.01-0-35607

Stock #1611-506

Fresh Water Fishing Set"

The rod has been used and is in very good condition. It has 4 pieces as shown below, there are two tips. The assembled length is about 9 feet. The only information that we can find on this is on the internet saying that whale bone was the best choice for the elite fisherman in the Victorian age.

We obtained this at an Estate Sale, the gentleman that owned it bought it just after WWII in Japan and brought it home. All of the collectors that we have talked to have never even heard of it.
[url=http://cgi.ebay.com/SAKURA-WHALE-BONE-Antique-FLY-ROD-Original-wood-box_W0QQitemZ7191063150QQcategoryZ11144QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem:a9b24]http://cgi.ebay.com/SAKURA-WHALE-BONE-Antique-FLY-ROD-Original-wood-box_W0QQitemZ7191063150QQcategoryZ11144QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/url:a9b24]




[This message has been edited by D. Micus (edited 27 October 2005).]