Heddon fly rod

Question
Hello I recently acquired a Heddon 8 1/2' Gart Bros. Deluxe fly rod with bag and tube. It has all 4 sections and besides a couple of very small chips in the varnish by the handle and the cork handle being a little dirty it looks in pretty good condition. I cant find any of these on the web and was wondering if you could tell me the years it was made and price range according to conditions. Also the farrels are not bent and the sections did not want to go all the way in. I do not want to force them and was wondering if it is ok to put a light coat of oil or grease on these parts. any other info would be useful and appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Chris

Answer
Hi Chris.  Gart Brothers is a sporting goods store in Denver.  There are a number of companies (including Phillipson and Wright & McGill) that built what are called trade rods for Gart Bros.  These companies would build their stock rods and put the sellers name on it, in this case Gart Bros, and they would sell it in their store as their house brand.  Heddon trade rods can be worth nothing up to about $500 depending GREATLY on configuration, condition, and produciton quality.  With the damage you have noted I'd say your rod is not going to be worth a ton...perhaps around $100?  That's a shot in the dark without seeing it.  Gart Bros. didn't really get going until 1946 and I'd guess that Heddon is probably from the 1950s.  Good call not to force the ferrules.  Do not grease them - that is not needed and will not fix poor ferrule fit.  That is a common problem with metal ferrules that have been in storage.  Start with a rigorous rub down of the male ferrule with some toilet paper.  Also twist some toilet paper into the female ferrule and rub it a little as well (don't leave any tissue in the ferrule).  If that does not do it a BRIEF and gentle rub with some 00 steel wool on the male ferrules followed again by toilet paper and again check the fit.  Repeat until the ferrules shoulder properly.  My guess is the toilet paper alone will do the trick.  Never twist the ferrules in an effort to get them together or apart.  A straight push and pull is what you want.  I hope this helps,
Rich