Among the PHY rods shown me by Bob Summers in October 2008 were two very early fly rods built by Bob. Unfortunately I only took photos of the inking on this
PHY PARA 15 by Bob, dated July 30, 1956. It is the first rod he built for himself. This personal rod, built with a ventilated grip and thumb rest, was not
given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. Bob Summers told me,
"This is my own first Para 15. I've refinished it a few times. I built it in 1956, and refinished it in '65. At
first I wrapped it orange. I didn't like it, but I left that there." (He pointed to the wrap just forward of the grip. The other, non-original
wraps blend in better with the cane). Employee rods were made from blemished blanks. Summers said, "That was what we did to make rods of our own. It
might have been something like that." (He pointed to a node). "See that? Side by side. So you'd use a
stick like that. It isn't going to hurt anything." Bob still fishes this rod at least
once a year.
I also saw this PHY 7'0" fly rod by Bob Summers, dated 1957. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, light rusty-red wraps with decorative spiral wrap after lettering. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det 57 Third flat: 7' 2.78 oz. HEH. This personal rod was not given a serial number. In the photo below, this rod is held by Bob's friend Pat Hughes. Park Smith is the man in the middle. Bob Summers is on the right, looking at a rod he built over half a century ago.
I also saw this PHY 7'0" fly rod by Bob Summers, dated 1957. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, light rusty-red wraps with decorative spiral wrap after lettering. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det 57 Third flat: 7' 2.78 oz. HEH. This personal rod was not given a serial number. In the photo below, this rod is held by Bob's friend Pat Hughes. Park Smith is the man in the middle. Bob Summers is on the right, looking at a rod he built over half a century ago.
