Antique Bamboo Fly Rods

Question
I've come across 2 antique bamboo fly rods. They're identical except one is wrapped with green and orange and the other is wrapped in red and yellow. As near as I can ascertain they are late 1920s or early 30s vintage. They seem to be unique in that the handles are solid red stained cheery wood. The butt is capped with a nickle alloy and the retainer ring is a simple slip ring (not threads). The bamboo goes into the handle with a nickle alloy ferrule and thread wrap. There are no markings at all to identify the manufacturer. The owner believes the rods may have been made somewhere in the upper half of Michigan (not the U.P.). The bamboo is stained with a patchy tobacco stain. Can you give me any clues about the manufacture and possible value of the rods? They're both in good condition without the case.

Answer
Hi Dan,

Unfortunately, what you describe could be the products of any of a dozen or more early rod makers in the US.  If I were to guess...and this is only a guess based on what you said...I would guess these are older Shakespeare rods.

The Shakespeare company was located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  They sold rods made by private label houses like Chubb/Montague.  The rods you describe sound like older Chubb/Montague style rods...and some others as  well.  Shakespeare lists some interesting color combinations of thread used that include green/orange...everyone used red/yellow.  So it's a wild guess.

If they are early Shkaespeare rods, the value in Good to Very Good condition would be in the $60-$100 range.  The market is not strong for Shakespeare rods although they do have some that cast and fish well enough.  

Wild guesses are not worth much.

Thanks,  Joe