I bought what appears to be a bamboo fishing pole today at a yard sale for $15.00 it is a DRAGON brand pole from Japan and certainly a short fly pole of about 7foot in two sections with the distinctive 6 sides. It is heavily laqured so it could also be a fake. It is without a doubt from the 50's or 60's and in excellent condition with very nice action.

No real idea why I bought it haven't been fishing in a dozen years, But the Son in law is a HUGE fisherman and it could make a nice gift.

SO anyone that knows anything wanna give me a reason to take some close up photo's?

Mark,
These rods were heavily imported from Japan in the 50's & 60's. No real value; they tend to take a set in use and have to be straightened over a heat lamp. The action wasn't that great on most. There were some great bamboo rods made in the UK and the States, but they're well known to collectors and priced accordingly. Yours is basically a conversation piece.

Mark,
These rods were heavily imported from Japan in the 50's & 60's. No real value; they tend to take a set in use and have to be straightened over a heat lamp. The action wasn't that great on most. There were some great bamboo rods made in the UK and the States, but they're well known to collectors and priced accordingly. Yours is basically a conversation piece.

ditto.

Before I collected vintage audio, I was heavily into flyfishing and vintage cane rods, reels, books and stuff.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35192&d=1167555045

Pictured is a blue collar rod made by South Bend that I refinished. Builders you want to keep an eye out for are Garrison, Gillium, Leonard, Orvis, Thomas & Thomas, Hardy, F.E. Thomas to name a few. Some of those in the desired shorter lengths and great condition will fetch you a new car.

Like vintage audio gear, prices of vintage angling items have skyrocketed.

My favorite is an all handmade 1906 Thomas Chubb 3 piece, 9 footer. It has a swelled butt with mahogany inserts, nickel silver hardware and a very cool split rattan grip.

American cane fly rods were and still are the best.

The other collectors here are on the money with their comments. I have 5 old flyrods hanging on my wall and have watched the flyrod market go wild for certain brands over the last 8 yrs with the advent of eBay collecting.

I'm an avid fly-fisher and have a few bamboo rods. The guys are right, there are tons of those cheap rods around. I have 2-3 "cheapies" just to play with but one nice rod. It has no ID on it, but the fittings are nickle-sliver and it casts like a mo-fo. :thmbsp:
Most of my "everyday" rods are Sage's and one Powell.

Well thanks guys I had no dillusions it was worth a bunch of money. I'm thinking about picking up a cute antique reel mounting it up with some brite collored line and giving it to the SON IN LAW he's a HUGE fisherman but doesn't do any fly fishing so it could be something for his office wall. It's awful pretty so I think that is where it's going to end up.

OH it is perfectly straight when assembled.

Anyone collect antique fishing poles?

Believe it or not me. Mark. I collect vintage poles, but have no idea if what I'm collecting is worth anything.

I have a modest collection, nothing fancy. I regularly use a cane rod made by Mike Clark, a rod builder here in Colorado. He does make a fine rod. Action is smooth as silk.

I have a modest collection, nothing fancy. I regularly use a cane rod made by Mike Clark, a rod builder here in Colorado. He does make a fine rod. Action is smooth as silk.

Mike Clark builds some beautiful rods. :thmbsp: From Colorado I have 3 vintage cane Phillipson's a well regarded rod builder from years past. My favorites is the 3 piece, 7' 6" "Pacemaker" that throws a 4wt.

Mike Clark builds some beautiful rods. :thmbsp: From Colorado I have 3 vintage cane Phillipson's a well regarded rod builder from years past. My favorites is the 3 piece, 7' 6" "Pacemaker" that throws a 4wt.

I bet that is a wonderful rod to cast a line. Do you fish with it?

I find bamboo is so enjoyable to cast, graphite is easier for distance. A delicate presentation is easier for me with bamboo. If I need power on a big river I occasionally use Graphite, But my go to rod is bamboo. I love the feel and action.

I bet that is a wonderful rod to cast a line. Do you fish with it?

I find bamboo is so enjoyable to cast, graphite is easier for distance. A delicate presentation is easier for me with bamboo. If I need power on a big river I occasionally use Graphite, But my go to rod is bamboo. I love the feel and action.

Yup, that little Phillipson is a joy to cast and fish. Most of the smaller waters I use cane. For distance on lakes or big rivers and or big fish I use graphite. There is an inherent beauty of things for me as well, the feel and casting of a cane rod.