Have a customer that brought me an antique fly rod to have some guides put on it. Although I have built a few fly rods, they aren't what I usually make and I am not by any means up on antique fly rods. According to her it is a Horrocks Ibbotson bamboo rod made in 1930. She wants guides put on and in the origional color which she says is green and red.

The rod is 9 ft long three piece and has ,as I can see, only five guides on it. The reason I say as I can see is that she brought it to me with only the stripper guide on it. Looking at the rod I see by the difference in color on the blank that they were all double foot guides. The problem is that I don't have a clue as to what size the origional guides might have been. The tip measures a 6.5 tube size.

The thread like she says was green and red. Although the stripper guide has brown thread on it. I have seen a few on Google images but its really hard to tell the shade from those photos.

This is not a restoration project. She wants to use it but I would like to get components as close to origional as possible. I plan on using Permagloss as I believe this is what was used back then too.

If anyone knows what size and material the guides were and the thread color used on this beautiful old rod I would greatly appreciate it

Tom

tomscustomrods.com

Permagloss wasn't around in 1930, but it will give you the same look as the varnish used at that time without requiring recoating every few seasons.

Those rods didn't have many guides - they weren't exactly high end models, but fished fine. Snake guides don't cost very much so I'd get a selection and then match them to the spaces showing on the rod based on guide foot length. Most likely they were small, probably size 3 and 2's.

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There should be a model name written in white ink . Give me the name and I'll look up the original colors for you. Send me a message . I've got thousands of vintage guides. I've got an H and I on the bench right now. I can measure them as a reference for your rod.
For finish go with spar varnish. Hit the thread with a couple of coats of CP then two of three coats or varnish.
If you have more questions just message me. I do these all the time.

Great advice, as usual, Gary. Currently building a couple fly rods(graphite) so I'll most likely be reaching out to you myself.

Gary the only decal left on the rod is a partial diamond with Utica NY in it. The owner seemed to think that it ws a Roosevelt but nothing on the rod indicates that. If you would measure the guides on your rod it would be great.

Thanks for yor advice and help.

Tom

Ok Tom, a diamond decal with Utica in it is an early 1930's vintage. The Roosevelt of that era was wrapped in Chinese red Gudibrod 326. Tipped with Anitque gold. Also should have some wide intermediates tipped in gold.

If anyone "uses" this rod for anything more than a display they will be rapidly disappointed. A 90-year-old low-end bamboo rod can't endure much flexing or strain.

If anyone "uses" this rod for anything more than a display they will be rapidly disappointed. A 90-year-old low-end bamboo rod can't endure much flexing or strain.

If anyone "uses" this rod for anything more than a display they will be rapidly disappointed. A 90-year-old low-end bamboo rod can't endure much flexing or strain.

Gary that is a great help. Yes it had intermediate wraps which are gone too. Another question if you don't mind. The stripper guide which is still on the rod was wrapped on one foot then the thread spiraled to the other foot. I was wondering, do you know if they all were wrapped that way? She indicated too that the wraps were green and red would that have made it a different model?


And Phil I will certainly relay your comments to her. Good advice, thanks.


Thanks

Tom

Phil
Makes a good point 90 years old The glue that holds the strips together Can Not Be Any Good ?????

Bill - willierods.com

Tom, green with red tipping would make it a Fairy model. Red with green tipping could make it an Ike Walton. Or a Comador. Since there is no name make it however she wants.

I will disagree with others on it being a wall hanger . One of my favorite rods is a 1933 Heddon. Granted the H and I clay have less guides but if the ferrules are solid, tight and not cracked and there are no splits in the cane it will still be good to go. I can't tell you how many of these I've redone and never had one come back.

I will have to say that I have done restorations on forty or 50 old bamboo hardware quality rods like this and 90 % of them are still in service including one Calcutta cane rod, over 100 years old. True, you may have to do work if the old glue is bad and it has become delaminated, but it can be done.

I will have to say that I have done restorations on forty or 50 old bamboo hardware quality rods like this and 90 % of them are still in service including one Calcutta cane rod, over 100 years old. True, you may have to do work if the old glue is bad and it has become delaminated, but it can be done.

Sam and Gary
Good points
I have had several bam boo blanks make from different builders One was a Swelled butt Which I send back and got a Non swelled blank in return Got the builders from a known bam boo site
Then also learning that the only way to tell what kind of cane is used is to rip it apart and check the power fibers of the strips Had to heat them up to get the flats streight That should be a given and I should not have to do this

Good learning process I thought bam boo builders had Respect for bam boo Guess the only way to get what I would want is to build them myself
Seems they built bam boo rods the right way - years ago

Bill - willierods.com

I have seen Gary's work, he is top notch.

Gary was the first one I emailed he was loaded with work

Bill - willierods.com

Gary has offered to measure the rod on his bench for me and is sending me some antique guides. Looks like I'll be in great shape I appreciate his advice and thoughtfullness

Tom

Yep Bill I still am kind of slammed with bamboo work. Just when I thought the bench was clear....... A guy comes over with something like 15 rods that he wants all done. I told him 5 at a time.

And I would not be supprised if he wants a discount

Bill - willierods.com