Question
Fly Fishing rod 
Fly Fishing Rod
I have a bamboo fly rod from my grandfather,who used it most likely in the 20s and 30s. The label says HORROCKS-IBBOTSON, MADE IN UTICA,NY, makers of fishing tackle. On the other side of the pole is the name Hudson in script. The pole is bamboo. The joints are metal. the handle is cork. It is in very good condition. I think it is missing 2 eye loops (see pictures). I am not sure all 5 pictures came through. Let me know if you need them. I am aware this will not have great value, but could you give me an estimate? Thanks.
AnswerPhil,
Your Horrors-Ibbotson is not very valuable.
They are looked down upon by the collecting community and often they are justified. They were sort of mass produced , rather heavy and very slow. They are not going to resale for very much.
A small portion of these rods are decent fishing tools. It is the collector community that decides the prices , please don't blame the messenger.
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 (2nd edition 2000) ,add 30% due to the age of the book.
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook -Michael Sinclair
History
H-I
http://home.myfairpoint.net/and96jac/fishnbanjossliceoflifeincyberspacecopy/id22
The most cash you can get for this is a tax write off when you donate it to a museum.
Hudson , the model name is not specifically mentioned in Homel but there is a boat load of H-I models. Homel gives the H-I bamboo fly rods with an extra tip, 3 sections and average value of $22, 62 and $115 for poor, good, and excellent condition respectively. Check ebay they usually go for around $50 and most people are disappointed at paying that much.
If you sell it , it's a rod not a pole. Not joints but ferrules. eye loops are called tip tops. Snake guides and other terms are important - less than honest people will offer you less if you don't use these common terms.
Back up your description of condition with observable facts not just pictures. Especially important is the finish has smooth texture and is covering all wraps and ferrules. Almost everyone who asks me questions about their rods says their rod is in excellent condition, very good, mint or like new - and a very small minority are right.
Luck,
Mac
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