Valuing & Selling Used Fishing Rods: H-I Princess & Bill Barnes

Question
I have two poles to ask about. 1.H-1 princess 2 piece 2 tips 1 short@1longer. 2.Bill Barnes 2 piece also 2 tips same size pole about 6 ft. any info would be helpful as far as value and how to best sell them. I've had them a while would say they fall in very good cat. but not excelent.

Answer
Hi Tod,

H-I Princess 2/2 rod should be a 7'0" or 7'6" rod when all sections are full length. With one short tip section the rod wouldn't be rated more than Good condition; and, if both tips are short, it would be rated in the Poor-Fair condition category depending on the amount of work needed to restore the rod properly.  However, the rod does have value.  Value in Good condition would be in the $130-$180 range; and, in Poor condition in the $50-$75 range.  Value as always depends on the actual condition of the rod and how badly any potential buyer wants the rod.

Bill Barnes is/was a famous fly fisherman who, no doubt, endorsed the rod.  This rod is compared to other mid-range quality rods from what I could learn.  I would guess it is also a 7'0" rod rather than a 6'0" rod.  If it is, in fact, a 6'0" rod and all sections are full length, the value would be much higher.  Value in Very Good condition would be in the $150-$200 range.

You can use any of the online auctions, try contacting local fly fishing clubs or consign the rods to a local antique shop.

Thanks,  Joe