Heddon split bamboo rod

Question

Bamboo rod   I am looking for a value on this rod.  Heddon split (by hand not sawed) bamboo fly rod. The rod is a 8 1/2 foot 3 piece with 2 tip sections. #125 - 8 1/2 - 2F - HD H or E on one side of rod. The other side says Heddon Expert.

Thanks for your time,
John

Answer
John,
How do you know that Heddon didn't use a saw to split his rods? I am poking fun at you - there is no method to split with saws. Machinery has been used to plane the bamboo. And some of the old makers did use some mass production techniques with machinery but Heddon was not one of them. Almost all bamboo rods are made by hand.

So much for the fun now for the answer. I have allot of experience with Heddons , sold 4 125s a few years ago. The 8.5 ft was unused went for $515 gross.

The most important piece of information is that your rod is a fly rod - got it from the picture - but be sure and say that if you are selling.

In my experience and Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Michael Sinclair , 2 1/2 F referes to the butt ferrule size. Designated by "2F" or "2 ?F". The larger the number, the stiffer the rod. For three- piece rods, a 2 F is usually a trout rod and 2 ?F is a bass rod.

HCH or D,  is Double taper or Weight Forward line in modern terms is 6 or 7 line  weight .

Price Book:
Antique & Collectible  Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.


Homel gives the 8.5 model 125 "Expert" trout fly rod with an extra tip, 3 sections a value of  $85, 225 and $450 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.   

Luck,
Mac

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