QuestionQUESTION: I have an old fly rod from my grandfather that I am trying to find a value on and possibly a reputable restoration location in southern Michigan. I am not interested in trying to sell it I would love to use it however it is not in good enough condition at this time. I would appreciate any help with this.
Thank You for your time.
Jeff
ANSWER: Hi Jeff!
I have an old Montague also. They were decent "workingmans fly rods" and are not particularly valuable, most likely $50-$150. So the best thing to do is fix it up and fish it!
I'm in Colorado, so I don't have any info on local shops in Michigan that you could contact. But any fly shop that sells rod building supplies and parts most likely has someone there that can help you out.
You could restore it yourself, though it would be good to get a lesson or 2 on re-wrapping the guides and other techniques. If there are major problems (a break, a missing ferrule, etc) you'll need professional help. If problems are minor, it might not be hard to do. You cut off the thread wraps on all the old guides and tiptop, record their exact locations, strip and re-finish the bamboo, and replace any guides or tiptop if they are rusty. You might consider a bigger diameter stripping guide, as old silk fly lines were very thin, and the stripping guide is usually tiny compared to modern rods for modern fly lines. A complete guide and tiptop set should run under $30, just add thread....that's replacing all of them. And they have to come off to refinish the rod anyway. It's not hard to learn how to wrap a guide, and you can build your own guide wrapping stand out of a cardboard box and a thread tensioner from the sewing store. Don't use epoxy on the wraps--old bamboo rods used varnish, so ask your local bamboo person what to use.
If there are loose ferrules, you need a die to crimp them back tight, but shops that carry rod building parts can probably find one for you to rent or use.
Search your local area for a fly shop that sells rod-building parts and gear.....most likely they'll have someone who can help.
If you do it yourself (hopefully with friendly local fly shop help) and the problems with the rod are not serious, the restoration should cost you well under $100, even with new guides and such.
Since the Monty is not going to be worth thousands of dollars, why not give it a shot and restore it? It might cast like a beauty, and catching fish on it should be a blast! At worst, you get a decorative wall hanging.
Best regards -- DAN
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey Dan,
How can I tell what weight fly line and thereby the size flies it would be capable of fishing? Or is this something that I should ask my local fly shop for help with? Anyway thank you for your help and information. I truly appreciate it and your time.
Thanks Again
Jeff
AnswerHi Jeff. If you are lucky, there might still be a sticker on it with the line size. It'll be a letter code, which you can then look up online to see how it equates with modern line numbers. (or, ask me, I can find out or refer you to one of the bamboo people I know here in CO).
If not marked---then you need to take it to a bamboo restorer, or take photos and caliper thickness measurements and email to Mac in Denver, email or call him to see what photos and measurements he needs:
[email protected]
Someone like Mac or a local fly shop with a bamboo enthusiast working there can provide you with a good guess on fly lines to try. On mine, the measurements revealed a 6 weight, but it actually cast MUCH better with a 7 weight line on it. Many fly shops have reels set up with different lines you can try, and this is always the best way to go--modern fly lines cast very differently than the old silk ones.
DAN
