Question
Franklin Kado bamboo p
I would like to know what this bamboo pole might be worth that I have. It is a three section bamboo fly pole that says <Franklin Kado> on the handle section and the pole has blue and orange tape on a few places on the sections. It has an Oak Handle which is 34 3/4 " long, the middle section being 34 3/4" and the tip section is 34 3/4 " long. It has 8 eyes on the pole and is a total of 8 ft. 7 in. long. It has been in an aluminum tube that is 2"x 36 1/2" round that has Keddon's Dowagias on the circular top of the tube that is in a blue felt material sleeve. I have attached a picture of all of the items that I have described above. Thank you.
AnswerPhil,
This rod is Japanese. I can tell by the low quality metal parts in the picture. I have seen the maker Kado before but the model name Franklin is not in my memory or books.
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
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