fishing rod h i

Question
I have a h i from Utica, N.Y. model#78 surf casting rod still in bag with label.  Appears to be wooden with 2 eyelets opposit one another 2/3 up the rod and one eyelet at the tip.  Appears to be nickel reel mount.  What's it worth?

Thanks,
Brian

Answer
Hi Brian,

The old production bamboo rods from Horrocks-Ibbotson were made in mass quantities so the values are not very high.  That said, a rod from that era (30's?)is going to be worth at least $100 or so.  Now from what you say, it sounds like it may be brand new-never used.  That could step up the price to possibly $200 to the right collector.

Those rods had the guide on each side so that the angler would swap sides now and then to prevent the bamboo from taking on a curve from using it only on one side.  

Brian, this all said, I am not the expert on the old bamboo rods like Joe Douglas is.  He is on this site as well and I encourage you to re-post this to him.  He will have all the details on this rod and also a tighter guess on the value.

Good Luck.  That's a great find and a great piece of fishing history.  

Marc