QuestionMy son was given a green solid glass rod, 2 piece, 6'3". It has a solid cork handle with silver clip rings. a silver ferrule that appears to have been crimped on. It appears to have been wrapped in green and white variegated thread. Above the handle it has a partial picture of a large mouth bass with the No. 229, Betts. I am rewrapping and putting a new handle on it for him. We would like to keep it as original as possible and, if possible, know the year it may have been built. Any information you could give us about this rod will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and effort to assist us.
AnswerHi Vic,
Bett's was a sporting goods store in the upper midwest that sold lots of fishing tackle. I doubt that they made the rods they sold. They most likely had them made by another company and labeled "Bett's". Solid glass rods were made by a few companies for many outlets across the nation. One company that was in the same geographical area and made solid glass rods was Orchard Industries. I don't know that they were the maker, but it is possible.
Probably built in the 1950s-1960s. These rods tend to last forever; I have 4-5 of them somewhere around here...both spinning rods and fly rods.
If you need new replacement slide rings, let me know. I have a lifetime supply of them in my inventory of rod parts. Same for guides, etc...contact
[email protected] and I'll see what I have that works for this rod.
Thanks, Joe
