Montague Blue Streak

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fishthebow	Montague Blue Streak		Lead	[-]
Posts: 154 04/14/2009 18:57	Tags : None Hi I was looking at a Monty Blue Streak and trying to figure out if it is the 1940s version or the 1952 version as in Sinclairs book. I think the clue is the reelseat spacer. This one has a plastic or pyralin spacer and it almost looks like red cedar. I think that is the 1952 version but in the book under reelseat Sinclair put the following: CP, ST, Blue. What does that mean? Thanks for any info. Don
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lewis2dl		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 50 04/16/2009 01:48	The "Blue Streak" was a nice mid to upper mid range rod. In 1939, the Rapidan sold for $8.50 and the Blue Streak sold for $12.00 In 1939 it was sold as a 3/2 and advertised as extra quality flame finish split bamboo with hand welt ferrules of chromium plated nickel silver. The reel seat was a chromium plated scrulock design. Doesn't indicate a spacer. The guides were chromium plated with the stripping guide being a ring guide. It had a 7' solid cork grip and a hook keeper. It was wound with two colors of silk and came in an aluminum rod case with a bayonet top. In 1951, the rod was advertised as a brand new rod with straight, hand welt "serrated" nickle silver ferrules. Same scrulock reel seat with plastic insert. The bamboo was hand filed. The guides were bronzed. Price was $22.00 where the Rapidan was now $17.50. I would guess that the "blue" above referrers to the color of the insert for the reel seat. The CP would be chromium plated and I am not sure what ST would be but Sinclair has his codes listed in the book and you should be able to find them. I don't have a copy to look at right now. Sometimes, the rods came out of the factory with non standard color reel seats. It came in an aluminum rod case. Hope this helps. A photo would be most useful if you could post one. Dean
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fishthebow		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 155 04/16/2009 04:38	Thanks Dean, this rod has the gold and blue wraps as it should. It has white metal, not bronze guides, 3 snakes on the tip and 3 on the mid, hand welt nickel ferrules, and scrulock plastic spacer. As I said earlier you have to look pretty closely at the plastic to realize it is not red cedar. Seems like a blend of the earlier and later models with a non standard reel seat. Sorry no picture. The Montague label is about half there, including the word blue but streak is missing. Its an 8.5 foot model which is nice and the guy wants about $130 for it.
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lewis2dl		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 51 04/16/2009 15:49	Fishthebow, My sense is that you could get a much better Montague rod for less money. I suppose if this rod is in like new condition, someone might pay that much for it. Higher end Montague rods usually have 4 or 5 guides on the tip section. It is a funny world out there. I have seen Rapidans go for more money than a much better rod. It will all depend on you and whether or not you like the rod and feel the price is reasonable. Me, I think it is a bit too high, but that is just my opinion. I got a really nice "fly only" Splitswitch for $80.00. The Blue Streak sold for $12 and the Splitswitch sold for $10 in 1939. Using a comparative ratio, that would make the Blue Streak sell for about $100 based on my $80 purchase. Offer $110 and see what he says. Dean Last Edited By: lewis2dl 04/16/2009 21:55. Edited 1 time.
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TheMontyMan	Blue Streak...	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 69 04/17/2009 05:00	Don, The 1952 Montague catalog does not specify the color of the reel seat spacer. It simply states "Scrulock and plastic". I found the reel seat on the Blue Streak listed 3 ways in 4 different advertisements - "Scrulock, chromium plated", "Scrulock chromium plated and blue plastic", and "Scrulock and plastic". I have 3 Blue Streaks, and 2 of them have blue plastic reel seat inserts, and one has a chrome insert. One key indicator for dating Scrulock reel seats is the fact that the sliding band on models from 1950 forward are attached to the lock-down nut. Proir to 1950, the sliding band is a separate piece from the nut. I'd guess it was typically made in blue and chrome. I would not be surprised to find one with an actual cedar insert, a faux cedar insert, or in black. The Blue Streak model is not very common. I've only seen 4 of them, and each one was a bit different from the others. Dean is right, you can pick up a higher quality Montague rod, such as a Fishkill or Trail for as much or less. Heck, I saw a decent Red Wing (no extra tip, with an original tube) go for $128 this week on the the big online auction. On the other hand, $130 is not an unreasonable price, considering its rarity, if the rod is in good shape. I've seen a couple of standard Rapidans in good shape, with original tube and sock, go for over $150 recently. If you do end up buying it, please post or send me pictures. . . . Rex TheMontyMan
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hopkintoncane		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 395 04/17/2009 06:55	If its a 8.5 foot rod, all sections are full length, and there's a good sock and labelled tube I would not hesitate at $130. Like Rex said, the Blue Streaks don't come up that often and you can fish that rod. Todd
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cebfishing		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 505 04/21/2009 23:17	I understand the rationale for some of the estimates for the value of a Blue Streak, but given the number of collectors out there and how seldom a Blue Streak comes up for sale, I thing it would sell very fast for $130.00. Chuck
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fishthebow		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 156 04/21/2009 23:58	Thanks guys I am going to take another look at it later this week. If I buy it I will post pictures.
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baetisrodhani	Blue Streak money...	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 47 04/24/2009 17:07	Hi, I got one about 3 months ago on the "who-knows-why-taboo site" for $132, with the paper label still around the grip, although it obviously had been fished a few times, but only a few. It came with a perfect bag and clearly labelled cardboard tube. And I'm really happy I went for it ! Now for my criminal intentions: conjecturing that what seperated this model from a Trail or Flipline cousin was only perhaps the costly wrapping of three extra guides and more expensive packaging (because the blue Streak's cane work appears really "up to it" ), and that it is not a "sacred icon" collector's piece... I'm going to add those guides, for which I just ordered the proper blue thread, and henceforth enjoy its full potential on the stream.... Best to all of you, Giles
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fishthebow		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 157 04/25/2009 06:26	Went back for a second look, contrary to what I was told the first time there was no spare tip or sack or tube. And the rod had been fished a fair amount, so too expensive. Still an interesting rod. Don
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TheMontyMan	Blue Streak...	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 85 05/01/2009 19:42	Fishthebow, For $130 you should be able to find one in good shape, or pick up a good Fishkill, Comet or Trail, and be better off. By the way, the ferrules on the Blue Streak were not brass, they were chrome plated nickel silver, hand welted. Back then, chrome plating was actually considered an upgrade. Baetis, I think the quality level of the Blue Streak is probably in line with the Trail and Flipline, just fewer guides, as you suggested. I have a couple of them, and the quality looks comparable. One of mine has lots of intermediates. Throwing a few more guides on the rod should make for a nice upgrade that should make it a much more fishable rod. Sounds like it's already been broken in a bit, so fish it and enjoy the experience! . . . Rex TheMontyMan
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