Antique Pole.

Question
Hey Robert,
I purchased a pole several years ago and I have been unable to find out anything about it or its value.  What I have is an 8 piece cane rod that when assembled totals 18' in length.  Each piece fits together with the next and has been painted black where a normal ferrel would be.  There is not one guide nor is there a reel seat at all. There is a small red loop (silk?) at the end of the tip section.  The base section is approxiamately 1 1/4" in dia. and the tip is about 1/16".  There are some black tear drop (markings) near each node of the bamboo, and some black stripes near the base.  This pole is in a canvas bag and every other piece slides into each other for storing.  It's absoultely beautiful.  Two of these rods (identical) were found inside a wall of a house that was being remodled.
I'm hoping for helpful information or direction to someone who can, as this is the jewel of my collection.
Thanks, Jeff

Answer
Jeff

In the late 1800s, fisherman would attach a lure to the end of a long rod with a relatively short length of fishing line/cord. There was no reel involved. The fisherman would extend the rod out of the back of a row boat, etc and dance the lure on the surface of a pond.

There was no reel involved in this set up, no casting like a traditional bait caster or line casting like a fly rod.

I suspect that may be the rod you have. There is a flyrod website that will do appraisals. I would not expect these to be highly valueable - top $ goes to hand made, american split bamboo flyrods.

The website will recommend photos, etc

http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/forums/69/t/Appraisals-amp-Identificati...

I specialize in the actual fishing lures, let me know if you have any for sale, etc.

regards

Robert Vermillion
www.folkartfishinglures.com