Archive of sold rods and reels

Carlson

~"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. SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

G.H. Howells

~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.  SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

H.L. Leonard

~H.L. Leonard pre-fire 7 ft. 2pc/2 tips in 'Hunt' style (A.C.M.?). This rod is a bit of an enigma in that the only 'Hunt' style rods I have seen from before the fire in 1964 have been 8 foot 50DF models; this rod has all the hallmarks of darker cane showing signs of stain, blued ferrules and hardware, deeper red burgundy wraps, so perhaps it was a special order. Action is decidedly more full than seen on most Leonards, and in checking its taper against an A.C.M. I own, it is very close, so it is in my opinion likely that hard to find model. It does not have the undersized grip and short, delicate reel-seat usually seen on A.C.M. rods, however and weight is just shy of 2½ oz. Ferrule fits are perfect and the rod is very straight, especially given the use it has seen indicated by the grip soiling. All sections full length and without repairs or need for such. Most of the burgundy wraps are cracked and there are spots on the shaft where the varnish has been worn off and this is also true on the stained reel-seat. Were the rod mine, I would give it a full refinish, restoring all the bluing in the process; the quality of this rod certainly deserves it. In original Leonard tube and rod sack with stiffener sewn in.  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. $3,125 SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

R.L. Winston 

~R.L. Winston 'Leetle Feller' 6 ft. 2pc/1 tip, 2 oz. This is a very rare model from this legendary west coast maker. Peter Schwab wrote an insightful piece about these wonderful short little rods and their capabilities in Fly Fisherman Magazine. It was in the 1970's, but I can't put my finger on it; if you know the issue, please remind me. One of the tricks with making rods this short is getting the butt to bend and Doug Merrick  built a full working action into this stick, where every inch of it is working. It was built in 1970 and the Winston catalogs of that time call for a DT3 line on this model. I haven't had a chance to line this rod in this cold winter, but my sense is that it will astonish with the power and casting ability built into its taper. This rod has seen use as evidenced by the soiling on the grip, but remains dead straight and in overall excellent condition. In original bag with San Francisco Winston label and labeled tube. This model is seldom seen.  SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge

~R.L. Winston Stoner era 7½ ft. 2pc/2 tips, 3¼ oz. I doubt very much that I have seen a Stoner era Winston in better shape than this rod; the rod is immaculate. It was built in 1953 by Lew Stoner and Doug Merrick for the legendary fly shop owner Pat Barnes who sold the rod to Donald Hopkins who was a huge Winston fan and collector. His name is written on the rod shaft, so Pat Barnes must have ordered it for him. I have for a long time preferred the fast tapering, finer tips of the Stoner designs and the action on this rod feels spectacular. Too cold for me to try it now, but it should handle a #5 line. Rod looks to have had very little if any use, is straight with perfect ferrule fits. In original San Francisco bag with label and tube with partial label in tact. A truly spectacular rod in the best western tradition. SOLD Click on smaller images to enlarge