~E.C. Powell / Tony Maslan 'Companion' 7½-8 ft
~E.C. Powell / Tony Maslan 'Companion' 7½-8 ft 2pc/2 butts /2 tips. This rare rod is an absolute delight with a DT4 line. It was built by Walter 'Tony' Maslan about seven years after E.C. Powell's passing and mailed to it original owner in 1973 as evidenced by the mailing stamp on the paper still wrapped around the tube. Tony worked with E.C. for about seven years before the whole of the rod business was turned over into his hands in the very early 1960's. Tony apparently did not build many 'Companion' rods in this time, as the bag is an original E.C. Powell bag of the typical olive military twill material, but without the re-enforcement layer of extra material Tony usually used on his own bags. Details about E.C. Powell rods and Tony Maslan can be found in my book about E.C. Powell "A Fly Rod With a Soul." This rod is only lightly used, showing very little grip soiling, and is straight with good ferrule fits. Wraps are typical of Tony's work in that they use chrome guides held in place by Belding Corticelli #3715, finished without the lacquer color preserver used by E.C., so they are translucent brown. Both reel-seats have the "E.C. Powell / Maker / Marysville, Cal." stamps on the aluminum threaded barrel, and use bakelite as the spacer. Later in his career Tony ran out of both these components and went to Delrin for the spacer, and used threaded barrels without the stamping. The patent number indicating semi-hollow construction "1932986" is written in script above the grip on each rod, accompanied by the 'white / black' tipping also indicating the hollow build. Ferrules have the red dimples to help proper alignment and the hook-keeper is a small snake guide as typical in Tony's rods. The top snake guide on one tip has been replaced and there is also an added 'invisible wrap' over a minor fiber lift at the corner of one flat below this guide as can be seen in a close-up photo of the tips, barely noticeable and the integrity of the section is fine. This work was done by myself and I would certainly fish either tip without worry. A very rare and wonderful casting rod you are not likely to see again. In original bag and tube with mailing label. From the Thomas H. Clark collection. SOLD
