QuestionHi Joe
I have several questions for you :)
Bought this old rod and four others in a Royal Stream rod caddy case. The rod is in near pristine condition... lable pealed off original leather trimmed canvas case when I pulled it out. The other rods are two old cane poles and two old glass 50s sixtys rods a garcia and a rapier by tru temper. All great condition. Also got an old zepco casting rod. Think that was the past owners favorite.
On the old beaver kill one of the ferrels is off. What would be the best way to reglue it? And the cork though in very nice condition is a bit black where the palm would have been. It has the silver nickel I believe and is an 8 1/2 foot rod. Looks new otherwise. What would be the best line and reel for this rod? Both new or vintage? I assume the value is sentimental only. It is a twin for my grandfathers which my father used and taught me on.
I have an old 1964 Beaverkill which I was my first rod and I would like to have it rebuilt....not restored. What would be a fair cost for that? The new cheaper fly rods (up to $200) seem heavy and clumbsy compared to my old bamboo. I have to get into the $400 and up modern rods befor I like the feel. Is there something wrong with me?? LOL I dont mind the glass rods I found and will need some information on what line and reel to use with them. I havent really cast much in 30 years but I sure could cast and remember the fun in the clearwater streams with cut throat and browns and rainbows. Im ready to play GO FISH again. Just need pointed in the right direction. Thanks Joe
Cordially...Christin
AnswerHi Chistin,
H-I used the trout decal from 1923-1929 which helps date the rod. The beaverkill model doesn't appear in my reference book in the 1920s but does appear in the 1930s-1950s which indicates they were likely sold during that time frame. It is certainly reasonable to assume a late 1928-1929 rod with a trout decal could have been sold in the 1930 lineup.
Some of the confusion comes from incomplete data on all rods manufactured. It has always been the custom in our industry for rod makers to build rods and put another persons name on the rod...these are called private label rods and it is still done today...in fact my company builds private label rods. It can be confusing to date and identify come models but you do the best you can with the data available. You always learn something new when researching a rod and its origin.
Also, manufacturers would often use the same or very similar rod model names. This further confuses the issue and makes it necessary to look at reel seats, ferrules, cork handles, wraps and even guides to help determine the actual builder of some rods. There were for certain rod models called Beaverkill, Beaver Kill, Beaver and all were made by different manufacturers.
The loose ferrule can be glued back in place using ferrule adhesive...you can buy this at rod building suppliers. It is not uncommon to require the ability to remove and reinstall ferrules to effect other repairs and it is best to use a glue that allows you to do this easily. Some of the new permanent glues make it just too difficult to remove a ferrule without damaging the bamboo.
Normally, the cork is not cleaned on a vintage rod. It is an accumulation of dirt, sweat and fish slime and is considered an honest patina that should be preserved on the rod.
This rod will probably work well with a modern 6wt or 7wt line.
The rod has collector value depending on the actual condition of the rod. I would be ahppy to look at some photos of the rod and give you an estimate of value...send photos to
[email protected] and I'll review them.
Send also photos of the other rod..I can't really guess at refurbishing costs without some visual idea of the rod. Certainly making the rod fishable again is much less expensive than a complete restoration. We do both types of work here and can give you an idea of the cost.
I also prefer to fish with bamboo. It casts better, feels better and plays the fish better in my opinion. I build a lot of modern rods, but I build a lot of bamboo rods as well and I really prefer the vintage rods to anything else.
Thanks, Joe
