Winston boat rod (maybe)?

Question
I recently aquired an old Winton Bamboo rod. There are 2 pieces: 1) A 16 in. completely wooden real seat/butt (not cork) AND 2) a single 60 in. bamboo piece. The long bamboo piece has a ferrule on the end and it fits very nicely into the wooden real seat. I spoke with a man who restores bamboo rods and he told me it sounded like a pre WWII salmon boat rod. ? Does anyone have any information about this rod? I have spent hours looking. Please help. I will send pictures if you send me an e-mail!! by the way. There is not a serial number on the rod (the same man spoken of earlier told me this is common for old Winston rods). Furthermore, the name under "R.L. Winston" is very hard to read. the best I can say is that it is something like "..a Brad c. " Thanks for you help.

Answer
Hi Hunter,

I also restore bamboo rods and I agree with your first contact...this sounds like a boat rod, maybe for salmon, maybe for saltwater bottom fishing, maybe both.

I found a little information in a couple of my books.  Maybe it will help.

Lew Stoner and Robert Winther started the R.L. Winston rod company in 1929 in San Francisco, California, by acquiring the Western Fishing Rod Company.  They invented and made fluted-hollow built bamboo fly rods...and apparently, boat rods.  The company went through several changes and was sold to Tom Morgan in the 1970s and subsequently moved to Montana.  The company is still active and you can find a good deal of information, including historical information, at their web site (www.winstonrods.com).

The early bamboo rods were high quality and light weight due to their construction method.  Their bamboo rods are prized by collectors and their values are fairly high as well.  My reference book on vintage rod values does not list any boat rod models for R. L. Winston.  Typically, beneath the signature line on fly rods, Winston rods would have data like rod length, weight, model number and a patent number.  There was a serial number on later models, but perhaps not on the early ones.

My guess is that this rod is probably worth more than boat rods of the same era from other mass production houses.  It might be possible to get additional information and an estimated value from the Winston company.  You could start by contacting them directly at their web site and ask if they provide assistance.

By being located in San Francisco, it would be highly likely that the company would have built boat rods and other rods suitable for saltwater use as well as their quality fly rods.  It would be interesting to know what you learn by contacting Winston.

Hope this helps,  Joe