South Bend Fly Rod Value: Identifying & Appraising Your Vintage Rod

Question
I have a South Bend Bait Co. Split bamboo rod with 2 tips one for fly  and one for bait fishing that has the hand written number 290.7 1/2' and the hand written initials in cursive of S.ar H D H  It is in a green with red stitched cloth holder with three sections for the base and one for each tip. There is a red white and black rectangle patch sewn on holder identifying it as south bend.  there is also a yellow sticker on the rod with south bend on it. I would like to know if it has any value and any history of the maker.

Answer
Robin,

South Bend is one of the "big five" fishing tackle manufacturers coming out of the turn of century (Heddon, Shakespeare, Creek Chub and Pflueger are the others). They were based in South Bend Indiana.

Your rod is from the 1930s thru 1940s, before fiberglass replaced bamboo as the material of choice.

Condition will greatly affect value, so the range is $50 to $125.

regards

bob