Wright McGill Bamboo rod

Question
Brother has found a 3 piece 9ft bamboo flyrod in his garage with #12-1938 and pat#114JO.  This is a wright Mcgill rod Co. Denver Colorado USA pole.  Could you give us some idea of the worthiness of this pole.

Thank You

The PIerce brothers..

Answer
James,
All Wright-McGill bamboo rods were handmade from 1920 to 1946, right here in my  home town of Denver, CO.

history
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2h7gi/fishnbanjossliceoflifeincyberspacecopy/id14.h

History Books:
Antique & Collectible  Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Michael Sinclair
Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by A.J. Campbell p201

You should be able to find Campbell and Homel in most libraries, while Sinclair you may need to go to a major library.

Campbell has a chapter on the maker.
Mike at South Creek Rod Co, a professional rod builder has  a lot of information  on Granger who purchased W-M in 1946.
http://www.southcreekltd.com/granger/

Another book by Sinclair and Spur has much more history on the maker W-M, Colorado Classic Cane by Dick Spurr and Michael Sinclair.

Clarks classic bamboo fly rods web forum has interesting knowledgeable people you can ask more specifics about models. They have a discussion going about Wright & McGill Water Seal fly rods, including graphics of catalogs. Someone might send you a catalog page with models on it if you ask.

Don't fish this great rod without making sure the finish is intact.It threads are loose the finish is bad. If the finish is alligator texture or rough , it is not intact. If water gets in near the ferrules (connectors), it will slowly rot the bamboo , weaken it and the rod will break. It will loose alot of value in that situation.

Value depends on condition , model and length. There should be a model name on the butt section. Let me know.

Luck,
Mac

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