Loved this!
My Dad’s Montague means more to me than most any old around. Fortunately, he’s still with us as well to fish it.
Kat
Some of those old production cane rods still fish just fine thank you. Even the high end Montagues had some very nice tapers that are acceptable today.
Once you get away from the Montagues and H-Is, etc you start getting into some very interesting rods that are well loved and much fished today.
Yes, they look fine on a wall… but they are even more beautiful on the stream.
Ralph
Kat;
Maybe this summer when you and Dave are here we could have a picnic at the pond and get your dad to bring out the cane for awhile?
I’ll bring the steaks!
Of course I agree with you completely for my own use… if the rod is fishable, I say Fish it! And a lot of the old production rods fish as well or better than many of the new rods, cane or graphite, in my opinion, too.
But I did enjoy the story. It reminded me that Poul Jorgensen, who owned many fine rods, I’m sure, had a sentimental favorite that he had in a glass display on his wall above the couch. I think he told us it cost about $10, and may have been an old Montague… I’m not sure.
One nice thing about cane, it can be repaired.
Kat
Jack - we’ll keep it in mind 
Kat
Kat
I have an old 8’ 3 pc production rod that my dad brought home and gave me when I was 14. A few years back, with the help of a rod builder friend, I put some new varnish, guides and wraps on. I still will get it out and fish it from time to time. What makes this rod so special is that my dad was not a fisherman let alone a fly fisherman.
Warm Regards,
Dave