A vast range of information about antique and collectable fly fishing equipment is available in print and of course on the Internet, in the form of discussion boards, dealer listings and blogs. Interest in fishing with classic bamboo and old reels has grown so much over the last 20 years that it’s sometimes hard to separate facts from myths and perpetual errors.
The most authoritative site on the web that I know of is the Classic Fly Rod Forum (http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/), owned by Dr. Todd Larson of Whitefish Press. Thousands of experts on bamboo rods and vintage reels post on the forum, which includes discussion pages, photo galleries and an eclectic mix of other accumulated knowledge. (Disclaimer – I am a member of the board, though far from an expert on anything).
My grandfather, L.B. Stratton (on the left), with some buddies on a fishing trip in the 1940s.
The Old Reel Collectors Association (orcaonline.org) also includes postings on fly reels from the Golden Age.
In print, the authoritative texts INCLUDE “Classic Rods and Rod Makers” by the late Martin J. Keane, “Classic and Antique Fly Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors and Anglers,” by A.J. Campbell; “Rod-Crafting,” by Jeffrey L. Hatton, “Goodwin Granger, the Rod Man From Denver,” by Michael Sinclair; “Colorado Classic Cane,” by Dick Spurr and Michael Sinclair; “Heddon, the Rod With the Fighting Heart,” by Michael Sinclair, “8 by Carmichael,” by Hoagy B. Carmichael, and “Jordan, the Rodmaker,” by William H. Jordan. Again, I say INCLUDE, because I couldn’t possibly make a comprehensive list. Good information about these books and others can be found on the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
You can also find DVDs and videotapes (remember those?) as well as YouTube videos with information about making, fishing and buying classic tackle. I highly recommend the set of old “American Sportsman” shows featuring the late, great Lee Wulff fishing for salmon and trout, usually with bamboo rods.
A number of dealers in antique tackle have websites. I’m not going to list them but you can find them discussed on the bamboo forum. Many of them have well-illustrated websites. There are many contemporary rodmakers who sell both their own bamboo rods and used rods. Again, the best place to find reliable information on them is the forum. You can also find them pretty easily on Google.
Goodwin Granger 9053 Victory and South Bend 290. The Hardy reels are a c. 1920s Perfect and a c. 1930s Uniqua.
There are major bamboo rodmaker get-togethers around the country every year — again, well-discussed on the bamboo forum. There are also live (or at least online) auctions by companies like Lang’s and Crossroads Angling. If you found this website, you can find theirs.
Finally, there are auction sites like Ebay; many sellers are knowledgable but many others are not (“I have this excellent rod that belonged to my grandfather – in mint condition except that two of the pieces are 6 inches short and missing two guides and a mouse chewed up the cork handle.”) The good news is that Ebay now has a buyer protection plan and if you do your homework you can help protect yourself. Remember, though, that you are responsible for DOING THAT HOMEWORK, and please make sure you understand the rules.