Shakespeare Fly Rod

Question
Joe,

I have a Shakespeare Texas Bug rod model # 1350 with two tips and is 9' long.  Do you know how much it is worth and some history.

Thanks,

Jim

Answer
Hi Jim,

This model shows up on the 1936 lineup of Shakespeare bamboo rods.  It may or may not have been introduced earlier, but I limited listings.  Shakespeare did not build bamboo rods, they only sold them; they had their bamboo rods built initially by Montague & Heddon and in 1935 switched to South Bend.  Your rod is toward the lower end of their lineup and would have been built either by Montague or South Bend depending on exactly when it was made during the 1930s.

Value would be in the $75-$125 range for Good-Very Good condition; and in the $150-$200 range for Excellent-Mint condition. Values assume you have the original bag and tube that came with the rod.

Thanks,  Joe