identity of bamboo fly rod

Question
QUESTION: I have a antique bamboo rod. The only markings are on the reel seat and it looks to me like it says H.H.RIFFE Co. New York. Can you give me any information regarding the rod such as age and manufacturer. Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Bill

I have not heard of this company. I am wondering if H.H. Riffe was an outfitter and not the actual rod manufacturer.

I recommend taking photos and posting a question at this site:

http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/

regards,

Bob Vermillion

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: After further research, we found out it is actually H.H. Kiffe out of New York. But we were unable to find much more information. Are you familiar with this company and when they were in operation?

Answer
Bill

I did some more investigating. They were an outfitter like Abercrombie and Fitch and LL Bean, selling other companies tackle. It does look like he may have tied his own flies.

I found examples of their catalogs from 1895 thru 1907 at Live Auctioneers website. I suspect they stayed in business at least up to the depression.

Also, if you go to Google Books, and search HH Kiffe, New York, copies of ads in various magazines.

To determine the maker of the rod & value, you will need to post photos of the rod on the link I provided previously.

Bob