Southbend 4 pcs bamboo flyrod

Question
a friend has come up with a 4 pcs. bamboo fly rod and I need help. the bag it comes in is marked Southbend I could not find any other marks,were would they be? The handle is cork with a flat area for the thumb.The reel is secured with rings made of aluminum. the section that hold the rings is a yellow material it looks like Bakelite to me. the screw in cap is of the same material. Up on the bamboo part (flat sides) there is only one eye with a red glass insert. the other eyes are metal. total length is 7 foot 6 inch. he tells me the 2 tips flex differently. one of the tips has come undone and needs to be redone what would be the appropriate material to keep the rod original to it's age. Any idea of when it was made and any value, age is most important. also what would be the age appropriate reel for this rod?  I get to buy him a reel. thank you for your help.

Answer
William,
Books:
Antique & Collectable Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book

Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook -Michael Sinclair

Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by A.J. Campbell

Your cork handle is probably Southbend. The thumbrest is called Comficient. It had a gold or silver foil label on the rest itself. This grip was first used in 1939 , the last rods were build in 1951.

Also there should be a label and a model number on the butt section. Without the rod in my hands or a model number I can only guess the value . guesstimate $35 - 200. Colors of threads , details and pictures ([email protected] ) would help.

The rings can't be aluminum if authentic they are chrome plated brass. The reel seat is probably bakelite ,  and the screw in cap wasn't used until the late forties.

eyes ? I think you mean guides.

South Bend never made a 7 1/2 foot bamboo fly rod of 3 pieces. Are the section equal in length?  I am guessing tips are broken.

Not sure what "tips has come undone" means, is the bamboo separating, are threads coming off or what ?

Not sure what you mean by "appropriate material to keep the rod original to it's age" , thread ? is silk or nylon


Reel - an age authentic real is an automatic. They are hard to use and problematic . You can see them on ebay, search automatic reel.
I do recommend a simple vintage looking but modern use type reel , like a Martin 65 .
Luck,
Mac


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