Garcia Conolon Rods

Question
Subject   Garcia conolon rods
Question   Conolon rods with their grading system on quality.No stars,2 star,3 star etc..has me confused.I know that as the star numbers increase usually the rod has upgraded features such as nicer guides,better handles and so on.I own a 3 star 5-1/2ft light action #8201-A (GREEN IN COLOR)purchased in the early 70's.The rod has standard guides,and standard metal joining system.I just recently purchased the big brother to this rod 6-1/2ft med also green in color#8212-A,but it has full agate(ceramic)guides...all of them??,but is still a 3 star.I always thought you only got this guide system on the 5 star.I do own a 4 star(mustard yellow color)6-1/2ft spincast in the 2000 series that has the upgraded tungsten power tip guide and one only ceramic guide(the first one)plus an up graded steel joining system.I have seen the 5 star version and the only difference was that all guides were ceramic.Now you can see why I'm confused.Would this 3 star green rod have been special ordered,upgraded version,special offer? I know these guys pumped out quite a few rods,I just want to understand their grading system on good,better,and best.Please enlighten me.

Thanks
Dave in Nova Scotia Canada  

Answer
Hi Dave,

Below are a couple of web sites that may be of use to you.  In addition, there are some discussion boards on the internet that deal with only fiberglass rods.  You might find one of those to be useful as well and get more details than I can provide from other Conolon enthusiasts.

http://fiberglass-fly-rods.pbworks.com/

http://www.geocities.com/fisherdude2_99/early_narmco_conolon_rods.htm

I don't have much information on the Garcia Conolon rods.  Most of what I have comes from mining sites like these.  It is my understanding that the ratings from highest to lowest quality went:  No Stars, 5 Stars, 4 Stars, 3 Stars, 2 Stars, which seems counter intuitive, but they didn't consult me on the matter.

I do not know the specifics that differentiate the quality levels.  I do not know what significance, if any, the color of the blank brings to the quality of the rod.  Your notion of upgraded ferrules and upgraded guides is probably more accurate since I imagine the blanks were largely the same.  If you are correct, and I think you are, then the only reason I could think of for varying from their normal setups would be rods built toward the end of their production years.  Using up all the parts in inventory or producing rods from existing inventory after the sale of the company could be reasons for variations.

I do see why you are confused and I wish I had the answer.  I have been frustrated for some time now trying to locate reliable data on the production history of these rods.  They are quite popular and considered very good rods so I've received several questions about them but have been less than successful at providing answers.

You might do some searching for discussion groups on the net trying to locate a conolon subset.  Search for fiberglass fishing rod forums...there are a lot of them out there.  If you find the right one, you will probably find the data you need.  Also, if you do, let me know so I can learn too.

Thanks,  Joe