HORROCKS-IBBOTSON VENTAGE FLY ROD

Question
I INHERITED A HORROCKS-IBBOTSON FLY ROD FROM MY BROTHER-IN-LAW. IT IS MARKED: GUNUINE TONKIN CANE, HAS A SIGNATURE "SPINNER" AND HAS TWO UPPER SECTIONS. ANY IDEA OF HISTORY AND VALUE. LOOKS LIKE IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED. A+ CONDITION.
THANK YOU, ROD

Answer
Hello Rod,

Your H-I "Spinner" is a fairly common bamboo rod. These were made for quite a few years and were a very moderately priced model. That's why there are quite a few of them around. As always with bamboo rods, there are three major factors in determining the value: Maker, Model, length of the rod and condition.

H-I was the second largest maker of fly rods and they are plentiful. The "Spinner" was one of their most popular and therefore most numerous models. Those two factors make this rod moderately collectible. The length of MOST bamboo rods is 9 feet. If your rod is shorter it is worth more. The condition, then, is the last factor that can make a difference. All the sections should be of equal length. Regardless of age, the rod should look "like new" to maximize it's value. The presence of the original cloth rod bag and the protective outer tube are a big plus especially if they have labels still attached and legible.

I'd suggest that you go to the Fly Rod Forum and post some pictures and ask the members there to help you with the value, but if I had to guess I'd say it's probably around $100-$150.

Here's the URL for the forum: http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/

Good Luck and have fun!
Michael Sinclair