Restoring a Horrocks Ibbotson Fly rod
Question
My father recently gave me my Great-Granddad's Horrocks Ibbotson fly rod and real. The rod is in pretty bad shape. I believe it's from the mid '20s, but has been in storage for about 50 or so years. There are at least two sections of the rod that have split and turned a darker brown than the rest of the rod. I am also missing a few of the eyes. Any advise on how to restore the rod and how to keep it in good condition. I also received my Great-Granddad's wicker creole with leather straps that is in need of work. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Answer
Jack,
First Your HI may be valuable to you but you will never be able to resale it for much even though you fix it up like brand new.
They are looked down upon by the collecting community and often they are justified. They were mass produced , rather heavy and very slow. They are not going to resale for very much.
I find two books are available at larger libraries to get history and or value:
Antique & Collectable Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 .
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook -Michael Sinclair
A website with Horrocks-Ibbotson historical type information:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2h7gi/fishnbanjossliceoflifeincyberspacecopy/id22.h...
Sinclair's book teaches how to restore and I recommend it for your situation.
You can reglue the sections if they are separated ( declamation) but nor cracked. But then you must wrap them with cotton thread under tension like a clamp.
You can buy new guides (eyes) Here's a list of online and mail order resources:
http://www.geocities.com/macsrods/ResourceListRodBuilding.htm
You never mentioned a model name so I did not attempt a value estimate.
And lastly I can't help you with your creel
Good Luck
Mac
west virginia fishing
Pickerel