Bamboo Rod

[Bryan]

So wife Robin and I took a break from kitchen remodeling and went junk/antique shopping in Fredericksburg yesterday. I was about to walk out of the last shop when I saw a suspicious aluminum tube lurking in a corner. "Self, that looks like a fly rod tube." And it was. I unscrewed the cap and found a very nice South Bend 346 8.5' bamboo rod. At a price tag of $67.50 I figured I couldn't go wrong so I bought it. Wife was embarrassed when I assembled it in the local Ale house. Nobody was impaled or spelled beer.

I did a little research last night. This model was built in the mid to late 40's. Listed as a dry fly action, 5 wt. recommended using E or HEH line (whatever that means). Other than that I know nothing and am looking for further info so any help is appreciated. The cork handle has seen use but still intact. everything else looks really good to me. All of the wrapping are good.

Regards,

Bryan

[Bob Smith]

If it is in good shape you got a deal. South Bend made some very good cane rods. I have a couple dozen of them.
South Bend made really good "blue collar" cane rods so if your rod is in good shape- varnish , wraps, ferrules and straightness- you got a deal.

If you google the rod you'll probably come up with some info or I can fill you in with particulars when I get home from work.

The most important thing you need to know now is that The ferrule cement is liable to be brittle. When you have the rod assemble flex it gently with your fingertips at the joints and feel for movement. If there is any do not cast the rod. Bad things can happen. Even if they feel tight, with a rod that old they'll probably loosen up with use. The cement can usually be reconstituted or it can be refurbished.

[Bryan Lanier]

The ferrules are tight, the wraps look original but pristine ( would someone take the trouble of re-wrapping a production rod to match the factory?), the varnish is excellent and the rod is straight. According to Orvis the HEH indicates a 5 wt. double taper line. The reel seat is good. The only thing that shows any wear is the cork. It has the square South Bend label which indicates post WWII. I'm anxious to get a reel and line and go try it out. I'm guessing the Dry Fly designation is a mid flex. Is that correct?

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[Carl Z.]

Bryan,  For more than you ever want to know about bamboo rods, check out Clark's Classic Rod forum.

http://classicflyrodforum.com/

My recommendation.  Before playing with it too much, read up on the care and feeding of these rods.  As with any old rod, check the guides for rust or pitting.  If the guides are rough, they will eat up a good fly line.

My second recommendation is to really make sure all the wraps are there.  The guide wraps also serve a purpose of holding the rod together.  I had a SB that was missing a tip top and I flexed it a bit and the glue (which was dry to start with, I'm sure) delaminated and now I have a gluing project. :-(

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[Bryan Lanier]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I have joined the classic rod forum.
Bryan

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[alan burrows]

Bryan, I am new to the forum so sorry I am late in responding.  The HEH line was the silk fly line rating that most closely matches a 5 weight double tapered line.  I would test cast the rod with both a 4 weight and 5 weight weight forward line and see which feels best.  I am guessing 4.  You may find that modern fly reels are a bit light to balance that rod.  An older Medalist is often a good and affordable balance.  All the bamboo fly rods I have ever cast are anything but fast.  They are also full flex, and there is no other rod that will give you the same feel with a fish on the line.  This should be a great rod for trout, pan fish or anything else you would hunt with a 4 weight.  Enjoy it!

On Monday, October 13, 2014 11:42:41 AM UTC-4, Bryan wrote:

The ferrules are tight, the wraps look original but pristine ( would someone take the trouble of re-wrapping a production rod to match the factory?), the varnish is excellent and the rod is straight. According to Orvis the HEH indicates a 5 wt. double taper line. The reel seat is good. The only thing that shows any wear is the cork. It has the square South Bend label which indicates post WWII. I'm anxious to get a reel and line and go try it out. I'm guessing the Dry Fly designation is a mid flex. Is that correct?

On Mon, Oct 13, 2014 at 11:18 AM, 'Bob Smith' via Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

If it is in good shape you got a deal. South Bend made some very good cane rods. I have a couple dozen of them.
South Bend made really good "blue collar" cane rods so if your rod is in good shape- varnish , wraps, ferrules and straightness- you got a deal.

If you google the rod you'll probably come up with some info or I can fill you in with particulars when I get home from work.

The most important thing you need to know now is that The ferrule cement is liable to be brittle. When you have the rod assemble flex it gently with your fingertips at the joints and feel for movement. If there is any do not cast the rod. Bad things can happen. Even if they feel tight, with a rod that old they'll probably loosen up with use. The cement can usually be reconstituted or it can be refurbished.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
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[Bob Smith]

Good call on the Medalist. They are perfect for cane. Look for one made in the 60's or earlier. A #1494 or 1495. They look and sound just right.

Bob Smith

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[Carl Z.]

Medalist or JW Young Beudex are good starting points.   Does anyone else out there have too many reels?  They are just so much fun to collect.

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