Late Summer 2011.......Hello All, It is still  a busy somewhat different summer here in Colorado. A little fishing and some work a trip back to Oregon to check on the place and lots of great tackle coming and going. Regretfully, I have sold some stars in the collection. such as my Leonard 1930's #50 Hewitt model and my little Bi metal Leonard. visited with lots of folks at the Colorado Rodmakers Reunion that was educational and a ton of fun. (kept my reel project totally under wraps) The highlight for me was the Thomas presentation by Bob Stewart, over 2hrs and probably 50 nice FE Thomas rods from his collection some amazing stuff. Also I had a some time to talk with Bob Taylor who learned the rodmaking craft from Leonard and has more than 40 years of building fine rods under his belt. I had only spoken to Bob over the phone and that was years ago. ..........

 The  old hand vise for tying flies and I will add these were used for lots of other small work as well. in particular used a lot by clockmakers & watchmakers of old.  This one is a favorite ! Below a prized Goodwin Granger Premier 8642 and below that a fairly rare FE Thomas Tournament rod for the 5 3/4 oz  distance class. This one has at least 7 unusual features not typical of Thomas but being that it was made saving weight wherever they could, so they could have more "wood" in the rod I guess it is not that unusual. Try that tiny reelseat and band !
      There at the bottom a little Fairy reel of my own making all hand made except for the roughing of those raised pillars, I made the click and spring also in the same fashion of the early american trout reels The reel measures about 2 3/8 in Diameter for a dt 2-4 1/2 line !

 



A few little American Vom Hofe made reels 1910-1925 They are lined with 2,3&4wt lines for small rods.

 

 
I am always looking for vintage bronze or blue finish Tungsten steel snake guides both English and American twist and Perfection brand strip guides Chrome or dark finish. 


 


  

Below My prize  Parker- Hawes   8 1/2 ft for HDH line,Dry fly rod,  a very late Hawes by Hiram's son Merritt  a fine rodmaker in his own right. The association with the firm of Parker Bros of Meriden, Connecticut, to be partnered with the finest shotgun making firm in the country. 
 was one of the very highest acheivements in rodmaking.

 

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