Bamboo rod /Occupied Japan

Question
I have in my posession a bamboo rod made my Aria from Occupied Japan.  It is in the original wooden box, with all labels, and wrapped in some type of cloth.  It came with two tips and it has the orignal flys in the box. The label on the inside of this wooden box says Aria Fishing Goods , Occupied Japan. I wanted to know the value.  It has never been used and is in excellent shape.

Answer
Hi Phillip,

As a general rule, the bamboo rods from the occupied Japan era are considered by most to be inferior rods and the values are not high.  You can find them fairly often in the $25-$50 range at sales and auctions.

In fact, it is my experience that some of these rods are pretty good fishing rods.  You have to try them individually to tell but there are some that cast and fish well.

As a brand new, never used box set, your rod is probably closer to the $50-$60 range in value.   If you can determine how well the rod performs without compromising the newness, you may be able to get a higher price.

I had a new, unused set like you are describing about 5 years ago that sold for $175 to a very motivated buyer.  It was a beautiful black lacquered rod that cast well (we took it outside and lawn cast it which helped make up his mind) and I assume fished well.

I think my point is that while many of these rods perform like clubs, some of them do actually work quite well.  If you have a good one, wait for the right buyer.  If you don't want to sell it, take it fishing and enjoy it.  You certainly can't buy a new bamboo rod made today for anywhere close to these prices.

Thanks,  Joe