I found this old boo on craigslist today, the guy wanted 25 bucks for it and i figured it was worth at least that as a decoration. the label says “Japan” “fishing rod” “champion”. no idea what weight, I am pretty sure it was a dime store deal from back in the day. the rod is hex shaped, and needs guide/wrap work done. there is one small chip in the tip that I am sure will have to be repaired. I know it’s not a high end tool but instead a toy to play with.
Sounds like a big headache. You should just sell it to me for $30, and take your $5 profit and buy some more fly tying materials.
All kidding aside, that WOULD be fun to play around with, and you certainly can’t go wrong with the price you paid! Might turn out to be your favorite rod one day soon!
I have read that the glues used in the rods made in occupied Japan have not held up well to time. If you attempt to cast the rod it will very likely spit into it’s composite strips. It might look good as a decoration in your tying area or just something to practice restoration on before moving on to a fishable rod.
That was a great buy! I haven’t had any trouble with glue coming apart. That one looks like it was not abused so the glue should be in good shape if it isn’t delaminating anywhere already. I would refinish and re-wrap and fish the heck out of it! Go a size larger on the guides so modern line will flow through them a bit better is the only change I would make.
Taking a second look at the photos, I’m not sure that even the refinishing is in order.
check the ferrules,the japanise rods were known for the glue to let go, and check the fit of the male and female,the crome plated brass that was used is noted for cracking,the tapers that the rods were made on leave somthing to be desiered, so dont judge all bamboo by this one,if you want to fix it up go for it,if you have any questions on redoing it let me know,steve
These Japanese rods appeared in the 50s & were brought back by servicemen serving over there. Cheap though they are they were actually quite good as a starter rod. They usually came in a varnished box that contained some garish flies & line. Other than the fly rod many came as combo kits with the other rod a bait casting with a trigger handle & usually about 5-6ft long The rod broke at the handle which could be then reversed to accommodate the different section.Price $25 sounds about right. They crop up onE Bay from time to time & many have been duped into buying what they think is a “good” split cane rod. By all means use it. I had one of them when I was a boy & it caught quite a few trout before it was retired (to the bin)
Tight Lines
I have redone several of those rods and all were in much worse shape than that one looks to be. They all came out fine and are being fished. Is it going to be the same as a $2400 hand made bamboo stick? No, but it can be a fun little rod to fish.
Its been around this long so I would think it had some more fishing time left, I’v seen these and even if its a little heavy from what I’v heard can launch a fly a pretty fair distance…
Actually you’ve purchased a decent priced FISHING POLE. It will catch as many fish as ANY $2000 FISHING POLE. It’s even possible that it will catch MORE. Use it till it breaks and then, as Colston suggested, tomato stakes. BUT chances are, you’ll leave it to your Grandkids so they can use it for THEIR lifetime.
I don’t know about you but I have caught larger fish while bream fishing than I have trout fishing. Living in a part of the world not known for our great trout fishing may largest trout is no more than 16" but while offering up flies for bream I have at least 3 bass over 5.5 lbs., grass carp over 7.5 lbs. and some really fun catfish. But perhaps, I misunderstood your comment, I have a history of misunderstanding, ask my wife.
If we were ment to understand women, we would BE women.
Now to start a whole different argument. For the vast majority of fly fishers, our equipment, even the mediocre stuff, is better than we are. This rod can be just as enjoyable for most folks as a $2400 hand split piece of art I would be afraid of scratching and would probably never take out to the stream.
I gave my first 'boo rebuild which was OK, but I do a lot of things differently now, to a son in law and you would think I had given him Season Tickets to the Broncos or something. He caught a nice brown on it the first time fishing a fly rod and is thoroughly hooked. He loves it and catches fish with it. What more could I ask for? The rod was a $10 score from Ebay.
Oh … come … on … now! You guys are all slobbering over the find, and hoping beyond all hope that he’s going to list it in the for sale forum!!! Good grief!!!
