Question#125-8 1/2'-2F-HDH or E 3piece w/extra tip
mid section is crooked....can this be straightened, also needs guides rewrapped on mid section. I have two of these rods and mid section on both are crooked, is this a common malady with these? They have both been stored in alum. tubes.
AnswerHi Jim,
The Heddon Expert #125 and the Heddon Premier #115 were both rods built by Heddon exclusively for Sears & Roebuck. As such they can not be compared directly to the other rods in the Heddon lineup. However, they are quality rods and they do have collector value. In Very Good condition the model #125 in 8 1/2 feet is valued in the $315-$375 range; in Excellent condition it is valued in the $500-$600 range.
Yes, the mid sections can be straightened. No, it is not a problem inherent to these rods. Curvature (or set) in a bamboo rod section is due to misuse, improper storage or neglect. If yours have always been stored in the bag and in the tube then we'll rule out storage.
Another form of storage is also what I call a form of neglect, namely leaning the rod against a wall or in the corner or against a tree for a period of time...say overnight or while you eat dinner. This can cause the rod to develop a curve and it would likely be in the mid section where the stress is highest when leaning.
Misuse is usually something like fighting fish that are way too large for the rods intended use...or tugging heavily on a snag placing the rod in a high stress position for a period of time or with repeated jerks.
Bamboo is a very durbale, very reactive material that makes excellent fishing rods. As a bamboo rod is made, the strips of bamboo are aligned so that the power fibers line up from butt to tip. When a bamboo rod is over stressed or neglected for a period of time in any of the above scenarios, the fibers on the outside of the curve can become stretched too much with no chance to rebound to recover to the straight. This is what you are seeing in the mid sections with a set in them.
The remedy is to use gentle heat and bend the rod section back in the oppostite direction of the curve...gently. Very low heat, gentle bending, frequent checking to see what progress has been made will move the rod back to straight. Effecitvely, you are stretching the other side of the curve to match the set taken by the rod. Proper care of the rod will keep the set from returning.
Some good rules for bamboo rods to prolong the life are:
1. Never out the rod away wet. This will cause dry rot.
2. Never lean the rod against anything.
3. Never tug on snags using the rod.
4. Never use the rod for fish too large (OK once in a while we all want to catch a big fish, but if you're going after Tuna...use a Tuna rod...they come in bamboo as well)
5. Always clean and dry the rod before storing.
6. Always take the rod down if not in use for long periods.
7. Always store the rod in its bag and tube.
8. Always store the tube upright, not horizontally, for periods longer than the ride to the fishing spot.
Wrapping the guides and removing the set in the rod sections is a fairly routine job for any rod builder. You should be able to locate one in your part of the country that can do the work. If you can not find one, send me an email at
[email protected] and I'll see who I know around there...I know lots of rod builders all over.
Thanks, Joe
