who made my fly rod
Question
i found a fly rod shpping at a salvation army store and i cant find out who made it above cork it says /chuck,s 660santa it was in a meatle tub case only a peace of a sticker saying mayflower 152 not sure if numbers are missing very posible mybe not also sticker has an oval shape with a old sail boat in middle possibly a mayflower boat but its three peices one extra top pole measures9 ft with one top shaft and 9ft.1inch with othere on opisite side of bottom shaft i see two sets of dots about 3 inches apart in a angle each set of dot are four dots
Answer
Scott,
When i see mayflower on a flat 6 sided rod , I assume it is Japanese.
Originally sold by the thousands to GIs in a light long box with lures and huge flies from 1946 to the 70s . Mostly considered trinkets by collectors but memorial to GIs , they have little resale or fishing value. I have never seen any written history on them in English except the following. http://www.maxrod.net/article/
There is a book on Goggle books, with a little history and a limited preview: Bamboo In Japan by Nancy Moore Bess
They are not even made from Tonkin cane like most vintage bamboo fly rods .
Luck,
Mac
Please provide feedback, nominations are appreciated.
1936 - Shakespeare Marvel - 1357, 9 - Clean up for Sale
Silaflex fly Rod