James Heddon Premier Bamboo Fishing Rod - Value & Restoration

Question

fishing rod  

fishing rod   Rich - how goes it?  I'm looking for info/value on the following:

Heddon Premier #115 - 9' - 3F - GBG or C

I would describe condition as mint.  Never used.  Plastic covering cork handle fully in tact.  Absoutely beautiful.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on this rod.

Thanks - Jody Blanchard

Answer
Jody
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook -Michael Sinclair says the premier was made in 1948-54.  
Antique & Collectable Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997

Homel gives the 8.5 model #115 "Premier" fly rod with an extra tip, 3 sections a value of  $85, 215 and $425 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively. Subtract 10% because your rod is a 9 footer. I have done better than that last year.  i.e. always mention your rod is a fly rod.

The butt ferrule size is designated by "2F" or "2 ?F". The larger the number, the stiffer the rod. For three- piece rods, a 2F is usually a trout rod and 2 ?F is a bass rod. 3 is a heavy bass /salmon rod.

"Heddon - The Rod With The Fighting Heart" by Michael Sinclair.  Most of the material below is found in that book. This book does a very good job of providing information about the various Heddon bamboo rods and their distribution.

Heddon Premier #115 and Heddon Expert #125 rods were not sold by Heddon. They were made for and were sold by Sears & Roebuck from 1947-1952.  South Bend also made rods for Sears.  Sears sold "Good", "Better" and "Best" bamboo rods in their lineup.  The #115 fell into the "Better" category and the #125 fell into the "Best" category.  You do need to note that the #115 & #125 do not fit into the Heddon #100 series of light action fly rods.  The #115 at "GBG or C" is a 8 WT rod.

Luck,
Mac

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