AboutJoe Douglas Expertise I can answer questions on custom rod building and rod restoration and rod repair for bamboo, graphite and fiberglass fishing rods. I also have experience in estimating the value of vintage rods and determining the original manufacturer.
Experience I operate a custom rod building business providing fly rods, spey rods, casting and spinning rods in bamboo graphite and fiberglass. I have a personal interest in vintage rods and have a small collection of reference books and articles which often help shed light on the origins of the older rods.
Organizations Rod Builders International
Publications Web Site: www.blackdogtackle.com
Education/Credentials BS, Business Administration, University of Tulsa
Question Hello Joe,
I have a 5 piece split bamboo rod. There is a universal handle (one of the pieces) with what appears to be a 6 foot fly rod and possibly a 7 foot casting rod. All of the components are housed in a hinged wooden box. The handle as well as the rod components appear to be in excellent condition. This gift was mailed to my father by my brother from Japan in 1948. The rod has never been used and has been boxed all of these years. One one of the rod blanks there is a logo that appears to be two red fish with some letters blazoned across in an angle. It may say something like
"Grauyus". That is a guess on my part. Any idea regarding value.
Thanks,
Don
Answer Hi Don,
My guess is the name is "Grampus" which is a known brand used for the rods made in occupied Japan following WW II. There are several different brands but they all tend to come packaged in the balsa wood boxes with lures, line, bobbers and other fishing components. Collectors view the rods as mass produced and generic in quality, therefore the values tend not to be high.
Japanese craftsmen have a long tradition of building bamboo fishing rods and produce some excellent rods. With that in mind it seems reasonable to assume that at least some of the rods made in the post war era should be good fishing rods. I have tried several over the years, they are pretty easy to find, and have found some that do indeed fish pretty well. On the average, these rods sell for prices in the $20-$50 range depending on quality. I sold one mint condition set a few years ago for $175 but that was an exception to the rule.
I would guess the fly rod portion will be the longer rod once you sort out the sections and assemble them. The casting rod portion is typically the shorter at about 5 feet. If you fish, you may want to keep it and use it. If not, it is a piece of history and does have some family history for you as well so it may be wirth keeping. You can also get a friend who does fish to lawn cast it for you and tell you how it casts. That would be good to know if you try to sell it.
