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50 years with no light and no line


lutra

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My dad never fished in my life time, but he had a rod and reel and I was told he had enjoy seatrout fishing in his younger years. As he passed away last year I was thinking it would be nice to put a bend in his old fly rod....

 

The rod is a Sharps Impregnated 12.5ft "The Specialist" and the reel is a Sharps 3.5" W "The Gordon". Both look good to go, but not knowing much about old cane rods that have been sat in the dark for 50 years, is there anything I should do with it first?

 

Does anyone have any idea on Line rating? I was thinking of trying around an 8 weight, but don't really have a clue.

 

 

 

 

 

A tiger does not lose sleep over the opinion of sheep

 

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I'd give the rod a good polish with a soft cotton cloth, maybe with a bit of spit here and there to loosen any dirt. It shouldn't need any more than that and any faults in the cane will be evident.

 

As for line choice, I'd probably start with a 9wt, it's easier to cast a heavier than a lighter line and particularly if you're using a modern line on an old cane rod as modern lines tend to be "faster" so, a heavier choice would probably match the "slower" casting action of a cane rod.

 

Enjoy, :)

Eating wild caught fish is good for my health, reduces food miles and keeps me fit trying to catch them........it's my choice to do it, not yours to stop me!

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I've just give it a quick wipe over with a dry cloth. The rod looks near mint with just a touch of damage to the corner of the scottie dog transfer. I think it must have been bought at the end of his angling days and has lived in its stiff case with the bungs in since, so hopefully it will be fine.

 

Thanks worms, I'll take your advice and try a 9wt.

 

Cheers

Brian.

 

A tiger does not lose sleep over the opinion of sheep

 

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Thanks Dave.

 

I was a little concerned it might need a new coat of varnish after all these years, but a bit of googling tells me the impregnated cane is waterproof and has no varnish on it apart from the whippings and all looks fine there. So I think I'm good to whip the water now.

 

Cheers

Brian.

 

A tiger does not lose sleep over the opinion of sheep

 

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  • 1 year later...

My understanding is that in this day and age the fast action rod has become the desireable action so many manufacturers have rated some of thier rod by at least one line rating and some have even gone 2 line sizes under. I have a very fast 7wtthat casts a 8wt line really well. It will also cast a 9wt with no complaints. I did not like it at all with a 7wt line. I also have a 9wt that a 9wt line works fine but I feel that it would probably cast a 10 well too, though I dont have a 10wt line to test this out. My 5wt works well with a 5 wt line. I have 2wt that I did not like with a 2wt WF line but it works great with a 3wt DT and I think it would be even better with a 4wt line. I learned on glass rods many years ago so maybe I like slower rods better. It apparantly depends a lot on the paticular rod. I never watch my back cast as Capt. Bob talks about above for night fishing so I do want to feel the rod load. To answer your question...if you like to feel the rod to load the 9wt will probably work great for you.I still need a real 7wt rod and I am thinking about going to a glass rod to get a true 7wt rod. Any suggestions??

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Alex,

 

This thread is pretty old. In fact, I'm surprised Lutra hasn't given us a report on his success with his dad's rod.

 

As for glass rods, if you can beat Fenglass I'd like to know how. Served me for many years and you are right - some would say it wobbles like a snake.

 

Phone

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  • 4 weeks later...

Alex,

 

This thread is pretty old. In fact, I'm surprised Lutra hasn't given us a report on his success with his dad's rod.

 

As for glass rods, if you can beat Fenglass I'd like to know how. Served me for many years and you are right - some would say it wobbles like a snake.

 

Phone

It's chucking a 9wt about nicely, just need to find something to pull on the other end. Salmon seem to be a bit thin on the ground this season, so I've not give it much time really. It's a lovely rod, but you do know you have been fishing after a couple of hours with it. :showoff:

Edited by lutra

 

A tiger does not lose sleep over the opinion of sheep

 

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  • 3 months later...

Lutra. Nearly 60 years ago I bought a 7ft split cane spinning rod from Hardings of Windsor. That little rod doubled as my first fly rod, casting a No 4 double taper line far enough to catch river Colne dace, chub and a couple of wild brownies. It has landed pike to 12 lb on a plug. I still use it today for spinning, my last outing catching perch in a local pond. Mine has been stored dry in my garage loft for years without any signs of deterioration. Those craftsmen knew what they were doing all those years ago.

 

I later progressed to 9.5 ft hollow glass, which had a lovely slow action, then on to carbon like you do. Get to know the rod and enjoy it.

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