Beaverkill WW1 to 1929

Question
Hi Joe

PS according to HI information and based on the trout decale my rod was made in the above eara and the bag lable says it is 5 1/2 oz.

It has Beaverkill written on it as well as its decales. I keep seeing everyone saying they were made 1030s on but in fact they were made from late 1800s....I wonder why everyone says 30s to 50s?? And why they say they are 9oz? and 9' when lighter and shorter rods were made also. Some I am told as good as anything in their vintage era.  Just curious.

Thanks Joe
Christin

Answer
Hi Christin,

Thanks, I suspect it is a late 1928-1929 rod that sold in the 1930s...just a guess, but I'm thinking that it's probably right.  I doubt that H-I made any 9 ounce rods...they did make impregnated rods that were heavy, but likely 6-7 ounces at most.

H-I took on the name Horrocks-Ibbotson in 1909 after a reorganization of the earlier company. The beaverkill appears first in the 1930s listing of rods they sold according to my reference books.  I imagine that is the source of the 1930s-1950s time frame.

Shorter bamboo rods (shorter than 9') are typically valued higher because they made fewer of them.  Bamboo rods come in all lengths, weights and actions.   You can make a fast bamboo rod and you can make a 3wt bamboo rod...not all are 9' long and throw 7wt lines.  My favorite is a 7' Heddon in 4wt...I use it all the time.

If you are interested in learning more, send me an email at [email protected] and I'll send you a list of books that would be worth reading.  careful...just like rod building, learning about vintage rods and rod building is also addictive and the books can get expensive.

Thanks,  Joe