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Fishing/vintage bamboo fly rod

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Expert: Joe Douglas - 10/27/2009


Question
We have an apprx. 8' bamboo fly rod with a cloth case.  The rod is in excellent (probably never used) condition with stickers that say "made in Japan" and "gold".  I figured the manufactuer would be "Gold", but could not gather any information to conclude this.  Is there a manufacturer named "Gold" from Japan or is this just a model name for this particular rod perhaps?

Answer
Hi Cam,

I doubt the manufacturer was named Gold.  More likely, it is a model name or part of a model name.  There were several post war manufacturer names...more than I can remember...but some of the more common ones include Nippon Fishing Tackle (NFT), Grampus and Ebisu (sp?).

Depending on condition, these post war rods made in Japan tend to be valued in the $20-$60 range.  Most of them came as a set in a balsa wood box that included lures and other fishing necessities.  typically, they have a reversable handle and can be made into casting rods or fly rods by using different pieces from the set.

Thanks,  Joe

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Joe 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 also operate a custom rod building school where myself and other professional rod builders teach individuals to build custom rods. 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, Rod Builders Institute

Publications
Web Site: www.blackdogtackle.com, www.rodbuildersinternational.com, www.rodbuildersinstitute.com

Education/Credentials
BS, Business Administration, University of Tulsa

Past/Present Clients
I have a large number of individual clients for whom I have designed and built custom fishing rods of all types. I also have two commercial clients for whom I build private label rods, one in the USA and one in Europe.

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