Two bamboo fly rods

Question
I have two bamboo fly rods I have kept for 20 years and have no idea what they are worth.  One is a HBN 5 piece rod with a bamboo case.
The other one I can not find any name listed.  How do I know who made it? Please help me figure out if they are worth anything and do you know where the place to sell them?

Answer
Hi Butch,

I'm not familiar with the HBN designation.  Is this the rod maker or rod name in a decal or writing on the rod that might be someone's initials?  Either way, the following will help identify both rods:

1. How long is the rod when assembled?
2. How many rod sections?
3. More than one tip section?
4. Are all rod sections full length?
5. Are there any decals or writing on the rod?
6. Where and what to they say?
7. Is there any information stamped into the metal reel seat?
8. Or the metal butt cap?
9. Where and what does it say?
10. What is the shape of the handle?
11. How long is the handle?
12. Is the handle sheet cork, cork rings, wood or rubber?
13. If rings, how big (wide) are the rings (1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 1")
14. Is the reel seat uplocking or downlocking?
15. Is the reel seat metal, plastic, wood or some combination?
16. What color is the reel seat.
17. is the reel seat sliding band or screw lock?
18. What does the winding check look like?
19. What does the signature wrap look like?  Colors?
20. Is the wtripper guide metal or agate or a snake guide?
21. How many guides are on the rod?
22. Are they snake, bell/trumpet, agate or ring guides?
23. If snake, do they go right-to-left or left-to-right?
24. Is the rod bamboo or wood?
25. If wood, what kind of wood?
26. What color is the bamboo?
27. What do the ferrules look like?
28. Are the ferrules brass, nickel silver or some other metal?
29. What does the tiptop guide look like?
30. What color are the thread wraps on the guides?
31. Are there intermediate wraps along the length of the rod?
32. What condition is the finish?
33. Does it appear to be varnish, shellac, tung oil or other?
34. Is there a rod bag?
35. Does it have any writing or labels or decals on it?
36. Is there a carved wooden rod holder?
37. What does it look like?
38. Is there any writing or decal on it?
39. Is there a box or tube for the rod?
40. What does it look like?
41. Is it cardboard, wood, bamboo, metal, plastic or other?
42. Is there any writing or decal on it?
43. Does the rod have a hook keeper?
44. What does the rod weigh?
45. Is there anything else you can say about the rod?
46. Can the handle be removed from the butt section?
47. If so, is it reversable?
48. Can the rod be made into both fly and spinning rods?
49. Do the ferrules have any sort of screw lock or hooks?
50. Are there etchings, knurling, designs or grooves on metal?

How would you estimate the overall condition of the rod?  Any missing or broken parts or pieces?  Any cracks in ferrules or reel seat?  Any missing cork?  Are the wraps all in place and tight?   Any small splits or delamination in any of the bamboo strips?  Any rust, corrosion, dents or gouges in the metal parts?  Do the ferrules fit together well, any clicking noises?

I probably forgot some things, but if you can answer as many of these questions as possible about your two rods, it will help with the identification process.  If you happen to be able to take digital pictures and send them to me, that helps as well.  Send pictures to [email protected] and I'll review them for you.

Usually, with as much information as we can gather, an identity can be established...even if it is just an educated guess.  I must tell you that sometimes, even with all this data, it is still not possible to be certain of the rod's origin.

Once we have an idea who made the rods, then we can estimate the values.  Sorry to be so long winded.

Thanks,  Joe