Question
Rod
I have a Shakesphere 4piece 6 sided bamboo fly rod, on the container it say shakesphere wonder rod.On the rod it only has 57-8 1/2 feet. It looks like it never had a reel on it. The first eye on the rod is red plastic? I wonder the value. Also on the rod it says southbend.
AnswerLarry,,
What you have there is A South Bend 8 1/2 model 57 bamboo fly rod.
? sold by Shakespeare possible but I never heard of that and I have of allot.
Shakespeare made their own rods with 4 digit model numbers or sometimes a word model name.
The container is wrong this is not a Shakespeare rod. SB is a better rod. But this is a classic example of guy has bought a tube or sock with one makers name and put a completely different rod makers rod into it.
Price Book:
Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.
Homel gives the South Bend 8 1/2' model Model #57 fly rod with an extra tip, 3 sections the value of $35, 90 and $5 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Michael Sinclair
South Bend rod model numbers are a bit confusing, but there is logic to the system. Each rod was made in three actions; Wet Fly or Trout Action, Bass Action, and Dry Fly Action. The model number designates the rod's grade, or quality and the series number represents the type of action. For example, #157 is Trout Action, #57 is Bass Action, and #357 is Dry Fly Action. All of these Model 5 rods have the same wraps, hardware and other specifications -only the taper is different.
So Sinclair tells us your rod has bass or heavy action.
Yes the first guide or stripper guide has a stone or plastic insert usually made of agate or agatine.
I note that all four sections are even. To be in excellent condition , they need to be straight.
Also the finish has to be smooth -- no loose threads, no holes in the cork handle. It is impossible for me to say the condition from the picture.
Luck,
Mac
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