George Varney's Influence at Montague???

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:53:37 GMT

Thanks!! Very nice, as I would expect from Varney work. The style of these ferrules is very similar those on a couple of Landman rods that I've seen, including my Empire City (thought to be) Landman. One difference is that the Landman ferrules have flat, soldered disks capping the male ferrules, where these appear to be drawn, like most Varney ferrules I've seen. This ferrule style is also very similar to those on early Montague Manitous. Here are some examples:

From...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (drbaits) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:04:10 GMT

Here you go, Rex:

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:04:00 GMT

Telecaster,

It sounds plausible that the namesake for the Conway Special would be a river, such as the Conway, since most of Montague's production rod models after 1927 were named after rivers or bodies of water, like the Rapidan. But, as a general rule, trade rod names were given by the company ordering the rods. The Conway Special rod was a trade rod for Marshall Field & Co. of Chicago, Ill., and I believe it has a different namesake. From a little research I've...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (Telecaster) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:40:03 GMT

Rex, being from VA and fishing the Shenandoah National Park frequently, I've always had a thing for Montague Rapidans. I've always assumed the Rapidan model was named after the Rapidan River in the SNP (site of Herbert Hoover's fishing camp). I've been reading through this thread and came across your references to the Conway Special. Do you think the Conway Special is also named after the Conway River in the SNP? It's actually one drainage south of the Rapidan.

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:06:48 GMT

Not many of these lying around!

I would guess that the owner did the carving, not the rod maker. I'd be proud enough to carve "Varney" on my rod holder if I had the rod to match!

This rod is in the "official" Henshall Black Bass style, at 8'3" and the reel seat positioned between the 2 grips.

I'd love to see close-ups of the ferrules, if you can swing it.

Nice find!!

http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/reply/143333#reply-143333

As the other post indicates, one of the rods pictured is marked M.C. Rod...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (Gnome) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:51:37 GMT

Rob,

Nice rod and I do see a few of the burn marks that are indicative of Calcutta cane.

Jeff

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (robcane) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:51:11 GMT

I posted these photos on another thread sometime ago but thought I might add them here again. I've been told this is a Varney-made trade rod. It's 8-1/2' 3/2 marked

Sagamore
Iver Johnson S.G. Co.
Boston

Does it appear to be Calcutta cane?

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (OldCanerods) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:20:11 GMT

I've got a 7' or 7'6" rod labeled "Empire" that seems to be steel wired. It is the least flexing rod that I've ever owned. Even more so than the 6'2-1/4" (so labeled) Fallows 7 wt. I purchased this rod from Dick Spurr years ago and at the time he claimed he didn't know the maker. I'll need to dig it out and see if I've developed a better feel for the maker since I last played with it. Maybe post some JPG's if it's possible to be a...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:33:49 GMT

OldCanerods,

I have not run across any reference to hollow built bamboo rods in the Monty line. They had a line of double-built rods, marketed under the Powr-Built trade name. Also, Chubb had a line of rods with a steel wire running down the center of the rod. They were described this way,

"STEEL CENTER SPLIT BAMBOO RODS - Made from best selected Bamboo with a piece of finest...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (Flykuni2) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:06:33 GMT

If Monty was hollowing-out fly rods that early, it's probably where we'll find Judge Crater.

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (OldCanerods) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:43:02 GMT

TheMontyMan wrote:
OldCaneRods,

I thought it would get more attention in the Appraisals section, so I talked to Flykuni2, and hijacked his thread over to there at -

http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/topic/25523

Result... Definitely a...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:34:19 GMT

OldCaneRods,

I thought it would get more attention in the Appraisals section, so I talked to Flykuni2, and hijacked his thread over to there at -

http://clarksclassicflyrodforum.yuku.com/topic/25523

Result... Definitely a Monty from the Varney era, based on a marked specimen with the same signature windings.

...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (Flykuni2) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:38:55 GMT

Monty was good enuf to move the Q&A on my rod over to App. and ID. Check it there, believe we're identified.

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (OldCanerods) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:37:11 GMT

Rex,

How about Flyuni2's rod? Varney? Varney Montague? Montague? None of the above?

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (darrelll) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:44:25 GMT

TheMontyMan wrote:
Darrelll,

Your rod is not only a Varney rod, but it is an example of the Varney model. I can tell by those distinctive signature and intermediate wraps, and the hardware. This was Montague's top production model in the mid 1920's. Great specimen!!

. . . Rex
...

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:28:10 GMT

Darrelll,

Your rod is not only a Varney rod, but it is an example of the Varney model. I can tell by those distinctive signature and intermediate wraps, and the hardware. This was Montague's top production model in the mid 1920's. Great specimen!!

. . . Rex
TheMontyMan

Re: George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (OldCanerods) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:58:55 GMT

Flykuni2 wrote:

hope this shot helps, thanks.

Yikes! Is this rod marked as a Varney? I ask because I picked up an unmarked 8'6" rod a few years ago and haven't been able to...

George Varney's Influence at Montague???

feeds@yuku.com (TheMontyMan) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:36:19 GMT

It seems to be common knowledge that George I. Varney had a significant, positive impact on the design and quality of rods at the Montague City Rod Company. Campbell's book indicates that he came on board around 1900. Does anybody have any information about his actual activities while at Montague, or how long he was there?

I'd also love to see some examples of his first-hand work from the Varney Brothers & Company days (and any other pre-Montague Varney work)....