Ted Williams fly rod and reel

Question
QUESTION: I was wanting some information on a Ted Williams fly rod and reel. The fly rod is model # 535.30476 - 9'0" medium action and uses WF9F line. It still has plastic on the cork with the paper description inside the plastic, it has the triple creston it also and has the original case it was sold with, Along with this rod is the Ted Williams triple crest fly reel model# 312.31140 and it has the original case with it also. Both of these is in excellant condition. I also have a Ted Williams III fly reel model# 311.31554 and I was wanting to know the weight size on it and what other information you may have on it. I have searched different places and can't find any information on these so I would appreciate any help. Thanks

ANSWER: Evening Chuck,

As you probably know, Ted Williams had an incredible 21 year career in baseball and will always be one of the greats. He brokered endorsements for much of his adult life and Sears and Roebuck was, to the best of my knowledge, his biggest. You will find his name on products from the late forties through the early seventies. Another outdoorsman that also endorsed for Sears was J.C. Higgins.

As for the 9' rod, it sounds as though it is in near new condition. The reel was built for 8 and 9wt. lines. Both are fun collectibles and the information you have given me certainly explains that set up...keep the cases...they add to the collectability.

The model 311 reel is easier...I own one! I just haven't fished it since the early 70's!...she took plenty of largemouth bass on popping bugs! The reel is rated for 6 and 7 wt. lines, is single action and has a removable spool. The only "drag" is the clicker...and your fingers on the line...you really couldn't use finger friction like you can on rim control reels, so you were left to the resistance of the line through the guides and the basic resistance of the line spinning the spool (increasing as you got into your backing). I believe it was made from the late 50's through the mid 60's but I'm struggling trying to confirm that. My Dad passed down my 311 in '72 and I won't let it go...too nostalgic.

I would love to find a source for old sears catalogues...maybe old microfiche at the library...I'll look into that...just don't have the room or desire to buy the old catalogues on ebay or whatnot...

Hope the information helps. Take good care of the gear (keep them in the house, not the garage or basement) and remember that the older the rod gets, the more brittle the old resins get in the fiberglass.

Thanks for the question-

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had another question about the value of these items that I had asked you about before. I probably will never sell them but was just wondering about their value. I also was wanting to know something about the guides on the fly rod, the tag says that they are gold plated stainless. Are they actual gold plated or just gold colored painted? It doesn't matter much but I was just curious. By the way I do keep them in the house along with other old Fenwick fly rods that I have collected over time, they all will be given to my nephews some day when I finally give them up.Thanks

Answer
Hello again Chuck,

First off, I would like to apologize ahead of time regarding your question about the value of the items from your previous question. Appraisals and value of fishing items is very subjective and more often than not, the owner is disappointed by anything less than they had hoped. SO with that said, I just don't offer valuation. While I am familiar with rare equipment, it is simply not an area in which I am an expert.

As for the guides on your fly rod, it was very common to plate quality stainless with a few microns of gold because it will NOT oxidize in any condition. Even good stainless can rust a bit due to impurities. Besides, it looks really good! However, where the fly line touches the surface of the guides, it can and will wear off.

I hope, once again that this is of some help to you. You might want to try www.oldrods.com or www.ricksrods.com to attempt to get some help with values. Try to contact them directly and include both the excellent description you gave me about the rod and reels and if possible, some well lighted, well focused digital pictures (.jpeg) for them as well. That may make their assessment easier since they can't see and touch the items first hand.

Thanks again for your great quesitons-

Mark