QuestionQUESTION: Joe, is a book available for purchase to find out @ when the rod was built, where I can get replacement parts, and how much do I replace, i.e. the guides are functional but don't look so good. I also have broken and cracked ferrules.
Thanks, Tom
ANSWER: Hi Tom,
The book you want is "Heddon - The Rod With The Fighting Heart" by Michael Sinclair. Most of the material below is found in that book. This book does a very good job of providing information about the various Heddon bamboo rods and their distribution.
Heddon Premier #115 and Heddon Expert #125 rods were not sold by Heddon. They were made for and were sold by Sears & Roebuck from 1947-1952. South Bend also made rods for Sears. Sears sold "Good", "Better" and "Best" bamboo rods in their lineup. The #115 fell into the "Better" category and the #125 fell into the "Best" category. You do need to note that the #115 & #125 do not fit into the Heddon #100 series of light action fly rods. The #115 at "HCH or D" is a 7WT rod.
In Very Good to Excellent original condition your rod could be valued in the $300-$600 range depending on actual condition. In its more distressed condition (with the original bag and tube) it is probably worth not more than half the lower value. You can restore it to fish with or have the restoration done by a professional.
The #115 rod was built using the same cane as the #20 Heddon rods but was given fewer guides and a less expensive reel seat and hardware to accommodate the selling price at Sears. This means that as long as there are no delamination issues with the cane, you have a high quality rod on which to build.
Assuming you have no rod building experience, replacing the guides is not too difficult a process. Replacing the ferrules is somewhat more difficult. Replacing the reel seat, if needed, is a little more difficult. If needed, replacing the cork handle is more difficult. And, the finishing process requires some skill to achieve the smooth and durable varnish coating you want. You might be better served to find a rod builder who can do this for you if you haven't done it before. It is not always a good idea to learn on a fairly valuable vintage rod.
Replacement parts can be acquired from a variety of vendors, including my own store. Modern manufactured parts to matching some of the vintage items, like ferrules, can be acquired from Golden Witch (they have a nice line of vintage components). I use their ferrules and agate stripper guides on bamboo rods with excellent results.
I assume the bamboo sections are all full length and all present. Finding a replacement tip or mid section is quite another story and may or may not be possible.
If you want to do this restoration by yourself, go to a flea market or rummage sale and buy a cheap old bamboo rod to use as your practice rod. Then send me an email and I'll help you through the first one via phone and email. Restore the practice rod first and make all the mistakes on it before tackling the Heddon #115.
Thanks, Joe
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QUESTION: Joe, thanks for the info. You mentioned your store. Can I get an e address or phone #?
I have 2 more bamboo rods, both no names, one excellent cond and the other good ( I think ). I've done a few guide repairs on graphite rods and have done some wood refinishing. I'm looking forward to this. Must read Sinclair first, and anything else you think helpfull.
Thanks, Tom Borges (I'll be in touch)
AnswerTom,
Contact me through www.blackdogtackle.com for rod components or call me at 208-476-5708 or email at
[email protected].
Michael Sinclair also has a book called "Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook" which is a spiral bound reference book that is very helpful. These were getting hard to find, but I believe they are out in a new printing.
If you have some experience, it won't take much to help you get good at it. I would start with the "good" rod and work my way up to the #115 on restoration projects.
Years ago, I started out rebuilding garage sale bamboo rods and learned by making plenty of mistakes and getting help from other builders. Now I build all kinds of rods professionally and enjoy the work.
Garage sale rods are fun and a good way to learn without spending too much on your bamboo rods. I have about 60 bamboo rods now and have found some real gems along the way.
I would be happy to help you learn more about rod building and help you with this project. Contact me any time.
Actually, I would be happy to assist anyone else who might also be interested in taking up rod building as a hobby or as a vocation. Anyone interested can take a look at www.rodbuildersinternational.com which is another business I run. A large part of the mission for that business is educating rod builders.
Thanks, Joe
