Expert: Joe Douglas - 10/16/2009

Question
Hi Joe, I have an old fly pole I'm looking to sale and find nothing about the maker. The name sighed on the pole.. hard to read.. looks to be ... J. te idon and it's numbered #20. There are 3 sections.. Handle 39", middle 39" end 30". I think there was a four section at one time (two different end sections). can send pitures if that would help. Many thanks, James

Answer
Hi James,

My best guess is that you are mis-reading the inscription and it really says "Heddon".  I looked at one of my Heddon rods and the handwriting could be interpreted as you have done.  Heddon did make a model #20 which may be what you have.  There would have been four rod sections when new, two tip sections, and all sections would have been the same length (39").

With three sections and only one tip that is shortened to 30" (probably due to breakage) the collector value would not be high.   The model #20 is a good quality rod and you can probably find a buyer for what you have.  I would expect it to be someone who needs the parts or can build a new tip section to restore the rod.  Value would likely be in the $40-$60 range.  The price you can get for the rod as it is may or may not be that high.

Thanks,  Joe