​RODS AND REELS CURRENTLY IN STOCK

I accept high quality rods and reels for consignment sale on this website. If you have high quality rods by any of the recognized classic makers such as Eustis Edwards, Dickerson, Payne, F.E. Thomas, Gillum, Garrison, Leonard, E.C. Powell, Winston, G.H. Howells or others and you are looking to sell the rod, please contact me. The same goes for reels by Hardy, Bogdan, Saracione, etc. My commission is tiered depending on sales price; it is 10% for sales over $6,000, 15% ftrom $2,500 to $6,000, 20% from $1,000 to $2,500 and 25% for sales under $1,000. These rates are lower than most dealers charge.

Photo by Daryl Burry

I try to describe rods and reels as completely and accurately as possible; in case of any discrepancy, however, I offer a three day inspection period during which time the item may be returned for a full refund, minus shipping costs. Please note that all customs duties, inspections, etc. are the responsibility of the buyer in international sales. Also please note that all international sales will be shipped insured and declared for the full price paid; please don't ask me to do otherwise. Within the USA I usually ship via registered mail for items valued over about $2000, because of insurance costs; for items below this value I will ship via normal Priority Mail with the United States Postal Service. If UPS is the desired shipper, costs are a bit higher than with the post office. Massachusetts residents must also pay a 6.25% sales tax. Shipping to Europe or Japan is usually in the $100-$175 range if I can ship using the U.S. Postal Service; cost is a bit higher if I need to ship via UPS (the USPS will only insure packages up to a few hundred dollars to many international destinations). Please note that all international packages valued over $2500 must be shipped via UPS. Payment may be made by credit card, paypal, wire transfer, personal check, money order, or international bank check.  I list rods at what I feel are fair prices; I am still willing to at least consider intelligent offers, however, so if you see a rod or reel you really want but can't quite go to the full asking price, please make an offer and it will be respectfully considered.
If interested in any of the rods or other items listed below, please call me at (413)625-6259 or email to per2@comcast.net. If phoning and no answer, be aware that this is the rod-shop phone in a one man shop and I am not always available to answer. Please try again if no answer, or leave a message and I will get back with you.
Each item listed will have one or more photographs illustrating the rod or reel for sale; the photos appear below the description of the item. If you are interested in one of the following offerings and want more visual information, feel free to request additional emailed photographs of the item. Let me know if there are any particular details you wish me to emphasize in taking the photos. Note that if there is more than one photo of an item, these smaller images can be enlarged by simply clicking on them.

​Rods

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO ALSO SEE CLASSIC REELS FOR SALE
IF YOU CONTACT ME THROUGH THE 'CONTACT ME' LINK ON THIS SITE AND DON'T HEAR BACK FROM ME, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT per2@comcast.net

When there are Brandin rods available, they will be listed first, followed by other classic rods in order of ascending length and in alphabetical order.

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Please note that I can now accept payment via credit cards as well as through Paypal with no fee. 

My book about E.C. Powell and his rods has now been printed and is in the hands of Roswell Bookbinding and I expect to have bound copies ready in late January or early February of 2021. You can see details about the various editions by going to the E.C. Powell Book link on this website. 

Coming soon: W.E. Carpenter "Like a Payne 97"; W.E. Carpenter 8 ft. 2pc "Browntone"

​Newly listed: G.H. Howells flies, photo and papers added to 8 ft. rod listing; R.L. Winston 7'9" Quad; F.E. Thomas 7½ ft. 2pc Browntone; Wartime Hardy 3" Wide Spool Perfect; Dickerson 901812; Payne model 198 'sold by' V.L.&A.; Stanley Bogdan Steelhead reel; 7ft. early G.H. Howells

If interested in a most distinctive fishing jacket, go to my link on this page "Gobillot Designs Fishing Wear."

Featured Rod

~Jim Payne model 198, 7½ ft. 3pc/2 tips 3¾ oz. Sold by Von Longerke & Antoine in Chicago, this is as pretty a Payne trout rod as I have seen. It has the deep, 'pumpkin' shaded varnish that I feel is the most beautiful among Payne finishes. I have known this rod for about 25 years, as it was bought by an old customer of mine from Marty Keane in 1996 (cat. #69, rod #29) and he showed it to me at the Long Beach Casting Club. He was so taken with it that he would not allow me to cast it; he brought  another model 198 that he owned and allowed me to cast that one, but would only let me handle and admire this rod! The rod was subsequently after about 15 years sold to a Payne collector friend who is now putting it up for sale with me. It is the earlier, slightly more delicate taper for this model, still good with a #5 line, but some casters may prefer a 4. The rod is straight as a pin and in excellent condition, though showing signs of use. Rod varnish has only minimal signs of use and no alligatoring or softness; a great example of the legendary Jim Payne finish. Varnish on reel-seat shows minor wear, while the hardware retains its bluing in perfect shape. the stripping guide is a particularly nice agate and tungsten steel snake guides are the classic reverse twist 'English' style. In original bag with hanging tag and Payne tube and blue label inexplicably attached half way down, not in the customary place just below the collar. A quintessential dry fly rod for the discriminating Payne collector. $5,495 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~"Carlson Four" 6½ ft. 2pc/2 tips. This rod is marked "037" in its serial number, meaning it was the seventh rod built in 2003. Sam Carlson died in 2002 and this rod was built up from blanks left on the bench and made by Sam before he passed. Dana Gray had at that point already been working with Sam for years, and he finished this as one of two 6½ ft. rods he and Sam were working on together. An interesting detail on this rod is that the "Carlson Four" was signed by Verna, Sam's widow who continued signing rods for some years after Sam passed as she had been doing. The "Gray - Carlson - Makers" was signed by Dana. I know Sam would be proud of the way Dana has carried on the vision he developed and the fit and finish of this rod is at least the equal of the rods Sam built on his own earlier in his career. The rod has a lovely action and should carry a #4 line. An elegant swell comes back into the grip and a smooth, progressive taper blends through the rod into fine tips. I'm sorry it is too cold now to put a line on this rod and cast it, but I look forward to doing so if we get some warmer days soon. This rod accomplishes the very difficult task of building a shorter rod that still maintains a very nice feel. Old stock tungsten steel guides and what I believe is a Mildrum ME carbaloy stripping guide are held in place with the distinctive Carlson burgundy silks. Rod remains in mint condition, dead straight and with the impossible to duplicate, best in the business Carlson ferrule fit. I wish I was a wealthier man and could afford to keep this one for myself; it would be the perfect small stream brook trout rod. In original bag and brass capped aluminum tube, the rod also comes in an outer tube bag which is very nicely sewn, but is not original to the rod. $4,275 SALE PENDING Click on smaller images to enlarge

~G.H. Howells 7 ft. 2pc/2 tips 2⅝ oz. This is a very early rod from Mr. Howells, built in 1971 shortly after he left Winston. Although early in his career as an individual maker, he clearly had mastered the craft after his years at R.L. Winston. Rod was originally built for Jim Poor, owner of Angler's All, the famous fly shop in Colorado started by Jim in 1954 and the only shop to represent Howells' work. His name was added to the rod shaft after it was built and has a thin layer of added varnish over this writing. This lovely little #4 line rod remains in excellent condition, straight and with perfect ferrule fits. Wraps are reinforced with a short double wrap at the guides as was Howells' style until much later in his career. A few wraps show small areas of 'bleed-through' where the varnish bled through the color preserver leaving a darker area in the wrap, and as seen in two of the photos there is an area of varnish separation from the wrap edge, but the cane is still fully protected. A very lively seven footer reminiscent of the Winston 'Leetle Fellers' with plenty of power in the tip to drive longer casts. This is the earliest Howells I have handled and I have to say it is a particularly likable example with great provenance. $2,250 Click on smaller images to enlarge

​~Charlie Jenkins 7 ft. 2 pc/2 tips #GA70-29. I understand from the current owner that this rod was the 126th rod built by Charlie and it was finished in 1976. It has a distinctly 'Garrison-esque' feel to it and I like it with a WF5 line, though it will cast a DT4 as well.  The "GA" in the serial number indicates a Garrison taper, while if it was marked "GL" it would indicate a rod inspired by Gillum. The stripping guide is hardened steel similar to the old 'Perfection' style, while the snakes are tungsten steel, all wrapped in medium brown thread tipped yellow and color preserved. A nice detail that I appreciate is the slide band which has been swaged to lay flat when engaged to the reel foot. Hoagy Carmichael taught me that many years ago and I've often wondered why more makers don't use this simple idea. Rod remains essentially straight and in at least very good condition, just a touch of blueing gone from the ferrules from years of use and one tip top deformed (see photos). I understand that Charlie carried on a correspondence with Mr. Garrison in his early building, and apparently Charlie gained an appreciation for Garrison's approach to tapers. I had the privilege of being with Charlie in southern Wyoming for a couple days many years ago on the banks of the North Platte and Encampment Creek; he is as fine a man as I have met and it is sad that he is gone, though his son Steve carries on the rod work. Comes in original bag and Jenkins labeled tube. $1250 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~John Parker 7 ft. 2pc/2 tips #4 line. I got to know John back in the 1980's when we were both getting started making rods and visited him again after his move to the Saratoga area of Wyoming. His rods gained quite a following, though it is my understanding from the last time we spoke some years ago, that he stopped building after a move back to New York state. Action is quite fast and this rod would be at home on any number of small to medium sized streams. Fully staggered, spiral node pattern insures that each node is surrounded by solid bamboo fiber. American pattern steel snake guides and small carbaloy stripping guide are held in place by light brown, translucent wraps tipped black. Tips are differentiated at the tip tops by a green tipping on one and a red on the other. 90+ percent of blueing on ferrules remains, while the butt cap and slide band show more wear from honest use. Ferrule fits are excellent and overall condition is at least very good with perfect varnish. In original bag with stiffener sewn in and brass-capped tube. $1,175 Click on smaller images to enlarge

 ~Payne model 98; 7 ft. 2pc/2 tips for #4 line. The Payne 98 is a wonderful small stream rod and this one is original finish, but not in such pristine condition that you will be afraid to use it. There is only the 'Payne / reg'd  US Pat Off' stamp on the butt cap, so was likely picked up at the Payne shop in Highland Mills, NY, as opposed to bought through a dealer. Ferrule fits are excellent and both tips have just the slightest of sweeps as if from a right handed caster. There is a less than quarter-inch 'invisible wrap' above the ferrule on one tip (I can't see why it is there; nothing obvious, so perhaps a hook dig). The guide wrap below the female ferrule has some silk cracked and should get attention before fishing, something I will be glad to do for the new owner using correct silks and finish. Many people consider this the classic Payne 7 foot light-line rod. In original bag and Payne tube and it has the ferrule plug. $2195 SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

~H.L. Leonard Hunt, 7½ ft. 3pc/2 tips, 49-5, Maxwell era. Many bamboo aficionados consider these Maxwell era Leonards to be the epitome of the bamboo rodmaker's craft and examining and casting this rod it is easy to see why. The workmanship is impeccable in every way and the fast, yet smooth action is a delight. I'm sorry to say that I somehow never crossed paths with Tom Maxwell, though I have heard stories of his legendary craftsmanship from other well-known makers. Low-bridge agate stripping guide, impeccable varnish, elegant proportions, great node work; what more can one say about a rod such as this? Rod remains in excellent+ condition throughout, with only the slightest indication that it has been fished. In original bag (original owner's writing as seen in photo) and Leonard brass capped tube. $3,425 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 7½ ft. 2pc/2 tips for #5 line. I was involved in the process of designing the tapers for these rods when Tom started making them years ago, in that I would cast prototypes and give Tom my impression of the rods. A couple other knowledgeable casters were involved in the same way and we all felt that all the models Tom settled on were very, very good, but that two models stood out as the absolute best. This 7½ ft. #5 line was one, and the other was the 7 ft. #3 line rod. This is as perfect a 7½ ft. #5 line rod as I have had in my hands. Rod remains in mint condition with all the original goodies such as the black shipping tube and paper work (not pictured). The detailed fancy touches on the rod and even on the aluminum tube are unlike anything seen before; the tube is round on the inside with a textured and multifaceted outside held in a padded bag. Even the cap for the tube is like a fancy tooled chess piece with medallion inlaid and the rod bag is the fanciest I have seen. Agate stripping guide and Snake Brand chrome snake guides and tip tops. In original bag and tube with all original packaging and papers. $3,650 SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

~F.E. Thomas Browntone 7½ ft. 2pc/2 tips, butt cap stamped FE521. As I sometimes see with Thomas rods, this one has tips of differing taper, one decidedly stronger than the other. Quite a fast action that should do well with a #5 line with either tip. Rod has had an overcoat over what looks like the original wraps. Rod was built in 1948 and delivered in 1949. Interesting to note that the Thomas ledger identifies the weight of this rod as 3¾ oz while the tag which is clearly original states 3⅛ oz. My scale puts the actual weight at 3¾ oz, so the ledger for this rod is correct while the tag is not; small mistakes do happen in a rod shop! Reverse twist 'English' guides, some of which are a more open pattern than others. In original bag with tag and brass capped tube. $1,725 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~F.E. Thomas Special  7½ ft. 2pc/2 tips (one tip short), butt cap stamped "O / 62". This rod has the hard-to-find Thomas grip transitioning into an all cork reel-seat, certainly my favorite configuration for a Thomas rod. With its typical fast-tapering tip this rod  casts a DT4 line the way only a Thomas can; yes, I do have a fondness for F.E. Thomas rods and I would judge this to be the fast dry fly taper (Thomas made "dry fly", "fast dry fly" and "very fast dry fly" models). All metal stripping guide and American pattern tungsten steel snake guides. In original condition with tag and at least very good varnish throughout, but one tip is about 3½ inches short. A modest set from casting and fishing. In original Thomas tube with partial label and original bag. These light line short Thomas rods don't show up in the market very often and they are oh so nice to fish with.  $1,475 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~F.E. Thomas 7'6" 3pc/2 tips Special. This is a light action Thomas of older vintage with full intermediates and '03' stamped on the butt cap. It has an old, very expertly done restoration that looks like it included new cork; rod remains very straight and in excellent restored condition with perfect ferrule fits and ready to fish. It is a smooth casting, somewhat slower action as expected from its vintage; I liked it with a DT or WF4 modern line. Comes in a replacement rod bag and original tube with the older nickel plated fittings. These older light line Thomas rods don't come up often with all pieces still intact and full length like this one. $1,975 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~R.L. Winston 7½ ft. 2pc/2 tips 3⅛ oz. In my hands this rod is best with a #5 line and it is a nice quick action, though one tip is stronger than the other and the stronger tip slows the action a touch. It was built in 1965 for Jim Poor (of Angler's All at one time) by Doug Merrick, likely with help from Gary Howells and then refinished by Glenn Brackett after some years of use. Rod remains straight and true with good varnish and soiling of grip as seen in photos. In those years, Winstons were generally built as one tip rods and I believe that was the case here, with the second tip added at a later date. The bag is a one tip bag, but with room for both tips. It is getting harder to find these great action shorter Winstons from the Merrick era. With original San Francisco labeled bag and tube. $2,225 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~D.G. Schroeder 7'9" 2pc/2 tips for #5 line. These lovely honey colored rods from Don are seen less often than his flamed work and this one built in 2006 is a very pretty example indeed. A lengthy swell above the grip keeps the action above the hand which I would describe as medium-fast. Varnish is excellent throughout and ferrule fits are perfect. One tip has the slightest of casting sets, as if from a right handed caster. In original labeled tube and bag with stiffener sewn in. In my opinion a great quality rod for this price from a maker who has been building high quality rods for over 40 years. $1,675 Click on smaller images to enlarge

~W. E. Carpenter 7'9" 2pc/ 1 tip (2nd tip repair) for #5 line. This rod, built in 1980 comes from the desirable early period from Mr. Carpenter. It has an authoritative, medium-fast action that is distinctively 'Carpenter'. Varnish is excellent throughout; stripping guide is the rare light agate in blued nickel-silver frame Carpenter rods are known for, with old stock tungsten steel snakes. The bad news is that one of the two tips was broken in shipment, repaired by myself and now rod is sold as a one tip rod. An opportunity to own and fish one of the most classic rods from a premier American modern maker without the usual premium price. $1,950 SALE PENDING Click on smaller images to enlarge

R.L. Winston 7'9" Quad; 2pc/2 tips, 3⅛ oz for #4/5 lines, ser. # 3169. This rod has the distinctive touches of Glenn Brackett from the time when he was still at Winston, such as the lovely bamboo check at the front of the grip. I would call the action medium with strong tips, a good all round trout rod on streams and rivers. So interesting to see the innovative work Glenn did in his last few years at Winston, something he has carried on for years now at Sweetgrass. Condition is excellent throughout with perfect ferrule fits and faultless varnish. In original bag and labeled aluminum tube. $2,950 ​SALE PENDING Click on smaller images to enlarge

~G.H. Howells 8 ft. 2pc/2 tips 3¾ oz for #5 line. This rod is from the early enough period from Gary when he was still doing the double wrapping of the guides. Rod is dead straight with perfect ferrule fits and varnish is excellent throughout. Light weight all aluminum knurled slide band and pocket butt cap. There is only the very slightest ridging of the cork from age in the grip and skeleton reel-seat. A classic all-round trout rod in the best Western tradition. To "sweeten the pot" with this rod is offered a fly box of flies tied by Gary Howells with an authentication letter from Craig Lynch (close friend of Gary's), a photo of Gary on his last day fishing, and copies of various Howells papers. It is interesting to note the variations Gary used on different patterns, such as moose hair tail on the Dark Hendrickson, and his version of a low floating salmon fly pattern. Please see photos. $2,250  SALE PENDING Click on smaller images to enlarge

~ M. Wojnicki GF 245; 8'1" 2pc/2 tips semi-hollow 5-strip rod for #5 line; ser. #42615. These glass ferruled rods have the advantage of lighter ferrules that also allow continuous action through the ferrule. It took years for Mario to develop and perfect the design while we shared shop space in El Cerrito, CA in the 1990's and they are much more work than traditional nickel silver ferrules. This one shows signs of use such as the scratches that can be seen on the reel-seat, but the varnish and wraps are perfect as is the ferrule fit. Action is Mario's typical and distinctive semi-parabolic he has become known for. A very smooth and powerful, all-around trout rod. Comes in original bag and stamped tube. $2,750 Click on smaller images to enlarge.

~M. Wojnicki GF 245; 8'1" 2pc/2tips semi-hollow 5-strip rod for #5 line; ser. #6715. This is a glass-glass ferrule rod which it is so difficult to convince Mario to make because of the work involved. I watched Mario develop and evolve this glass ferrule design over a period of years while we shared shop space in El Cerrito, CA. I feel it is the best synthetic material ferrule ever developed. This one comes from the collection of my friend and fellow rod-maker Jack Coyle and remains in excellent, lightly used condition. Action is on the parabolic side of semi-parabolic. Snake guides are hard chrome while the stripping guide is a Mildrum SRMC light ring carbaloy. Comes in distinctive original bag (with M. Wojnicki tag) and brass-capped stamped tube and includes Mario's ferrule plug for the female glass ferrule. An outer tube bag is included, but is not original to the rod. From the collection of Jack Coyle  SALE PENDING Click on smaller  photos to enlarge.

~Dickerson 901812, 9 ft. 3pc/2 tips. A typically strong and smooth Dickerson in original condition and ready to fish. Standard Dickerson brown wraps with black tipping. This rod has a more pleasing brisk action than Dickerson’s pre-war three-piece 9 footer and its current owner has fished a WF7 line on it. Mid is ¼” shorter than the other sections but the rod measures a full 9ft. assembled; very common on post-war Dickerson’s and should not be a concern. Rod is basically straight after the 74 years since it was built, tips showing only the very slightest downward sweeps. Ferrule fits are perfect. Grip is soiled from use and the mid has one small spot where the varnish has chipped; the only place where I can find the varnish wanting any attention. It is an easy job and one I would be pleased to do for the new owner should you desire. In original bag and tube. $2,725 Click on smaller images to enlarge

Photographic Prints

Photographic Prints~Per Brandin B&W print. Stroboscopic view of John Napoli casting my Tournament Trout Fly Rod at the Long Beach Casting Club about 1995. Signed digital print image size 13X20 inches, paper size 17X22 inches. Suitable for mounting or framing. Signed. $475 SOLD

~Per Brandin B&W print. 'Fish Watches Man'; Chinatown, NY City 1980. Image size 33X22 inches. Digital print suitable for mounting or framing. Perhaps my single favorite image. Signed. $795

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I have many other prints available for sale, both in digital and silver print modes; please see the section of my website I call 'Street Level Photos' for more information.

Reels

~Bogdan Steelhead reel; this 3¼" diameter LHW reel is listed in Bogdan specs at 6 oz, but this one comes in at 5.6 oz on my postal scale. Spool width is 1.15" and the Bogdan specs list it for a #9 WF line with 75 yards of 20# backing. It is a click and pawl reel set up for left hand wind with the strong click you want for a steelhead reel. One of the more rare models by Stanley Bogdan, this one is mint unused and comes in the original dark buckskin bag and with the original paper tag from its first and only owner. $2,750 Click on images to enlarge

~Hardy St. George 'Junior' in box with papers. This is the best condition reel of this model in the older, three screw version I have handled. It has seen careful use, but remains in at least excellent condition and remarkably comes with the original, correctly labeled box as well as the original Hardy papers. "J.R.J." indicate the reel was built by Jack Johnson and my guess is this one is from just after the war. It has the nickel silver line guard which is my favorite style of the Hardy reels, the ribbed aluminum foot and with original spare parts in place. $1,050 SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

~Hardy St. George 3⅜" with three screw latch. This is one of the more useful sizes of this classic reel and it is my choice when fishing #5 and 6 weight lines with room for adequate backing. This one retains most of its original leading and is tight and mechanically perfect. It has the smoky grey agate without blemish and a ribbed brass foot. All original spare parts are in place. $575 SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

~Hardy 3" Wide Spool wartime reel. The 3" wide spool has become my absolute favorite reel for much of my trout fishing in the last five years. It is just the right size and weight with perfect line capacity for the bamboo rods I fish. As a reel built during WWII this one has the black painted finish (in better shape than usually seen), Mark II check but without spare parts, and smooth, shorter brass foot with most black paint worn off the foot. Very nice range on its click tensioner and no spool play or wobble; a great reel to fish as is the Special Perfect above. $725 Click on images to enlarge

~Hardy Wide Drum Salmon Perfect 4" in Right Hand Wind from my personal collection. This reel has no line guard, so it is possible to flip the pawl inside and use this reel as a LHW. It is in very nice shape, showing only minor finish wear and having all spare parts in place internally. It has the long, ribbed brass foot, original retaining screw and straight-line writing and comes in Hardy Brothers box properly marked with a "4 inch Perfect" tag. $545

~Paul Herman salmon reel, 3⅛" diameter and approximately 1¼" wide, serial number 116 in LHW. Seven-position drag gives a very wide range on this beautiful S-handle reel. It has been honestly used, but remains in excellent condition, the only noticeable slight scuffing on the rims. Comes in fitted Olaf Kundrus black leather case. $2150 Click on images to enlarge

This list of rods and reels will be updated with new items occasionally so please keep checking back.
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