Heckdon Pal Mono Cast 227-6 1/2 Rod - Replacement & History

Question
HELLO, JOE...........WHEN I WAS 6 YRS. OLD--58 YEARS AGO, MY DAD GAVE ME THE ABOVE MENTIONED ROD.  LAST WEEK END, I BROKE THE HANDLE. ANY PLACE TO BUY A REPLACEMENT.  WHAT CAN YOU TELL ABOUT THE ROD?  THANKS!!!
RON HAMM
FROM POTEAU, OKLA.  

Answer
Hi Ron,

When I was 6 years old...58 years ago...my dad gave me a fly rod that I still use once in a while.  You have my sympathies; I would not want to break mine.  I would think the best place would be the online auctions, flea markets, antique shows, etc.  Find a similar rod and salvage the handle for yours.  Some of the rod building suppliers carry casting rod handles in a couple of varieties...pistol grip, straight, etc.  You might find one at a place like Angler's Workshop, Mudhole, Jann's Netcraft, etc.

I went to high school in Tulsa with a guy named Carter Hamm, any relation?

This rod is not going to have a lot of collector value.  The fly rods and the bamboo rods tend to get all the attention.  It should be a good rod for fishing.

If it is the cork and not the handle itself that is broken, the cork can be replaced fairly easily.  Pre-made cork handle components are available from pretty much any rod building supplier.

Thanks,  Joe