Southbend rod 15. 9

Question
I have a Southbend rod.  It appears to be split bamboo. It's 9' long, and I would like to know if there is a special reel to fit this rod.  Does this rod have any collectors' value?  Thanks.

Answer
Hello Dan,

Thanks for the question!

First off, allow me to be very clear; I do not offer any dollar value on tackle, it's just too subjective.

While I have had no luck finding a reference to the Southbend Model 15, I did find a small reference to a model 19. The 19 was a split cane flyrod and considered top of the Southbend line. If the 15 was designed by Wesley Jordan, a rod maker of note...for the Cross company, then Southbend and finally Orvis, it may well hold some collector interest.

The 9' size does clue one into believing you have a flyrod on your hands, that is what the 19 was. If it has additional tips, that would help confirm this and if there is additional print on the rod...ie: line size , if it is a newer model, would also help.

Without good digital photos of the rod, I can only make an educated guess, not being familiar with the model.

Does the rod have additional tips? Does it have a single, cigar shaped or hour-glass shaped fore-grip ahead of the reel seat? Is the reel seat at the very butt of the rod like most flyrods? Is the handle detachable with a ferrule hole in both ends or only one?

I would happily look at any .jpeg images you may have of the rod. Good closeups of the butt, ferrules and guides as well as all of the printing on the rod would greatly help with further I.D. Just follow up and attach the images.

You might also try Oldrods.com for some additional advice.

Hope this helps.

Thanks again-

Mark