Information on Empire Tackle Company , Inc

Question
I have 2 Empire Tackle CO fly rod Kits No. 3 and 4 that assembled or partially assembled. These rods need work. Do you think these rods are worth investing in? The bamboo is in really good shape, 1 rod need to be refinished and both needs their handle reworked.   If possible I would like to know if the bamboo was good grade for a fly rod? also where these rods a the kit a good kit?

Thanks Tom

Answer
Hi Tom,

It appears that Empire Tackle Company was located in New Hartford, NY, and sold fishing rods and lures to sporting goods stores...maybe mail order as well. I doubt seriously that they made any of the rods,or even the lures, that they sold.  They probably had everything made under private label agreements with manufacturers of the time and resold under their own name.

Please take the following for what it is...a guess on my part as I have no real data.

I would be comfortable with the assumption that these rods were made from Tonkin Cane which was the predominant variety of bamboo used at the time.  Quality of the rods would depend on what Empire ordered and paid for...but I would expect it to be medium, perhaps even medium-low depending on who the actual maker was.  These ratings may apply only to the appearance of the cane or may include a reference to fiber density, treatment or preparation of the cane in the building process.  I would assume they are average grade rods that can be built out to make decent fishing rods and look very nice.

I doubt seriously that these are rods of the highest quality.  That does not mean they are bad rods or that they will not make good rods for you.

If you like, send me some p[ictures of the rod kits...or even send me the rods if you are comfortable with that and I'll give you a better idea after i get to look at them.  Send to [email protected] and I'll review the pictures.

If you need help with the rods, contact me and I'll help.

Thanks,  Joe