How to Evaluate an Old Bamboo Rod

Last Updated: March 29, 2022

You need to have years in the trade to get knowledgeable. Read books, catalogs, attend auctions or visit auction sites, meet colleagues and bamboo rod makers in person, write articles...Only then you start to get an immediate feeling about vintage fly rods.

Steps

1
Have realistic expectations. Yes, antique bamboo rods are unique and sought-after collection pieces. But you won't become a millionaire if you have or find one! The most expensive bamboo rod sold in an auction was about 20'000$ worth. But more generally if you get 3000$ this is a very good price.
- Many, many bamboo rods in the past were also made for the mass market and so they were and still are cheap bargains. Moreover, many US soldiers brought home many souvenir bamboo rods from Japan at the end of the Second War World and these are also very cheap, no-interest fly rods (they were not even split cane rods, but simply bamboo sticks).
2
Check for trade marks, numbers, signatures, look at the metal parts, control the quality of the metal parts, the binding.

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3
Consider contacting real professionals.
- In the USA, for Colorado cane rods the definitive expert is Mr Michael D. Clark Interview
- Another US expert is Mr. Rick D. Sorensen (www.westslopefly.com)
- In the UK Thomas Turner and Son, established since 1895
- For the rest of Europe, www.vhv-daca.org , European collectors

Community Q&A

Question

This two piece split bamboo fly rod has part of a label still in it. I can see the last three letters of a word gue, and another word of "harbor". There is a fish with green on the gill plate and red behind the figure and the handle is wood and the guides and ferrule are brass. What is this?

Community Answer

That's a saltwater boat rod, not a fly rod. It was produced by Montague and sold as the Stone Harbor model.
Question

How much is a 100-year-old H.L Leonard rod worth?

Community Answer

It depends on condition and model. It seems that the shorter rods are more desirable.
Question

I picked up a four piece split bamboo fly rod in a hexagonal pole case with metal eyes and a maker's logo, but I can't read the name. It is signed by "Beaver Bill" just above the top of the handle. It's in great shape for the suspected age. How do I find out how much it is worth?

Community Answer

That marking is actually Beaverkill, after the famous trout river in the Catskill region of NY. Your rod was a low-to-medium grade rod produced by Horrocks-Ibbotson of Utica, NY sometime in the 40's or 50's. In average used condition it might bring $50.