fly rod question

Question
I bought an old fishing rod (a 4' bamboo fly rod) at an auction today just because it looked in really good condition.  It has a small sticker on it that says Horrocks-Ibbotson Utica New York with a picture of a jumping trout on it (with the sun coming up over the water).  The decal looks very nice.   Is this something to put up as a collectors item or something that can be used?  My wife thinks it would look nice on the wall.  We're still trying to find information about it on the computer and came across your website and thought you may know what it is.  It's in really great condition so we aren't sure of the age.

Answer
Gary,
I hope you didn't pay more than $50 or it was for a good cause. From the length of 4 feet  I conclude your rod is not a fly rod . A fly rod would have the reel above the handle and be much longer.

You might find the following books at your library.
Price Book:
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

Collectors help set prices and they aren't interested in non fly rods.

For example ,Homel gives the Horrocks-Ibbotson 4'  model "Challenger" bait casting rod with out an extra tip, with agate guides, 2 sections the  value of  5, 30 and $60 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.

In practice, however you are probably not going to resale this rod for more than $50.

Strike 2, H-I rods 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.

History
H-I
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2h7gi/fishnbanjossliceoflifeincyberspacecopy/id22.h

Luck,
Mac

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