I just bought a Montague Slipswitch in good condition for $60.00, did I error on buying this rod and what line might it use?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Montague Slipswitch
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 narcodog |
Montague Slipswitch |
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Posts: 221 04/12/2009 13:52 |
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lewis2dl |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 49 04/12/2009 22:44 |
I think the proper name for the rod is "Splitswitch". Many of these rods were reversable, ie, the butt/handle section could be used from either end.
One end made it a fly rod, the other made it a bait casting rod. There would be a fly rod tip that would fit into the mid section and there would be a
different tip for the bait casting rod. A combo rod would consist of handle which has the cork grip and the reel seat. Then there would be the section that
would fit into either end of the handle. Then a mid section and three tip sections. One tip for bait casting and two for fly fishing.
The "Splitswitch" was also available as a straight fly rod. Butt section, mid and two tips, one of which would have an agatine tip top. The fly only rod was priced at $10.00 in 1939, when the Rapidan was $8.50, the Fishkill at $15.00 and the Redwing was priced at $25.00. That would put it slightly above the middle of the offerings in price and quality. It did have rolled welt, serrated, nickle silver ferrules. The combo rod sold for $11.00 at the time. Depending on the condition of the rod, the price doesn't seem too bad for this rod. If it is the fly only version, and in reasonable condition, I would have paid that amount without concern. Post a few photos if you can. On that famous auction site is a completed auction for a 3/1 Splitswitch for the $60.00 price. Only one tip. This rod is wrapped in maroon thread and has been completely refinished. Whether or not you paid too much depends on how it fishes. Myself, I would have rather purchased an original rod (not refinished) in reasonable condition that I could fix up or rebuild myself. I would want it to be in fishable condition however. The fellow selling the rod, on that auction site, has a number of rods available, all wrapped pretty much the same. It appears that he does a reasonable job, but I have never seen his work up close to be able to comment. Dean
Last Edited By: lewis2dl 04/12/2009 22:52.
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narcodog |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 223 04/13/2009 10:30 |
Thanks, for the response. I feel a little better since I bought it on that famous site, for that price. I bought it to use. I posted elsewhere about my
Dad's Kingfisher having split ferrels and I wanted to fish it. So until I can get it repaired I'll fish this one.
Last Edited By: narcodog 04/13/2009 10:34.
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TheMontyMan |
Montague Splitswitch... | #3 | ||
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Posts: 64 04/14/2009 13:52 |
Dean's right on the money on this one. Nice job! The key here is whether it is a combination fly/spin rod or a regular fly rod. The regular fly rod version of this model is much less common, and was a fairly high quality rod. What it lacked in the number of guides, it made up for with some nice hardware, higher quality cane and usually some nice windings. The older models, from the 20's, seemed to be even better quality. Is yours a combo or regular fly rod? Does it have a scrulock reel seat or a sliding band? . . . Rex TheMontyMan |
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narcodog |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 224 04/16/2009 09:33 |
It is a regular rod, I'm not sure of the reel seat. I have not received rod.
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narcodog |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 225 04/17/2009 19:43 |
I received the rod today, what a disappointment. The seller stated that all sections were straight and of the same length, not so. The tip had a very bad set
and was about 51/2in short it was also a different color to the mid and bottom section. I contacted the seller and we have come to an agreement but it still is
a bummer.
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lewis2dl |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 54 04/19/2009 11:12 |
I am always suspicious of auctions where the seller shows only a portion of the rod. I feel they are trying to hide something from you. If you see a rod you
are interested in, always ask for more photos if they only show part of the rod. Get them to show the complete rod with all the sections laid out evenly. Try
to get closeups of the tips and ferrules and reel seat/grip. At the very least ask for the measurements of each section. You will find out quickly if the rod
is worth bidding on. If one section is short, I would pass and wait for another interesting rod. 5 1/2 inches short is certainly not the "same
length". Sounds like he found a tip to go with the mid and butt he had from some other rod.
Dean |
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narcodog |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 226 04/19/2009 12:11 |
I have learned my lesson on what you stated Dean. Hopefully the rod the seller sends will be up to snuff. The other thing that got my goat is I found an
original rod tube for that rod and I bought it. Through the agreement with the rod seller I sent it to them in exchange for another rod. Live and learn.
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kermit |
Splitswitch | #8 | ||
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Posts: 101 04/25/2009 22:19 |
 I have a Montague Splitswitch. I purchased the rod with
a JC Higgins fly reel and unnamed level wind reel. The rod came in its hard card board tube with fabric slip case. The fly reel came set up with 6wt line,
which seemed right for this rod. I retired this rod and set it up in this display for my book case. I think this was a clever idea for the times.
Last Edited By: kermit 04/25/2009 22:39.
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TheMontyMan |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 76 04/27/2009 21:30 |
Kermit,
Nice pics, great info! For some reason, I just love these old combo rods. Maybe not so much for the fishability, but for the ingenuity. From the pics, I'd guess that your rod is an Eel River model. It was identical to the Splitswitch, as far as I can tell, except it was typically wrapped in green, while the Splitswitch was typically wrapped in red and black. Both the Splitswitch, and the Eel river models typically sported 5 signature wraps, just above the winding check. The hardware on yours places it as being built in the 1950's, when they began connecting the sliding band to the lock-down nut. If yours does not have the Montague label, and it came with a JC Higgins reel, I'd guess that it was probably a Sears trade rod. Many Eel River models were sold to Sears and retailed as the JC Higgins model 3045. The green wraps matched the green and white JC Higgins color scheme. . . . Rex TheMontyMan |
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kermit |
Splitswitch/Eel River Combination Rod | #10 | ||
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Posts: 102 04/27/2009 22:31 |
Thanks for the info TheMontyMan. This rod has the faint remains of the Montague label, as does the slip case and cardboard tube. The old catalog photo was
taken from my 1950 STOEGER Catalog (The Shooters Bible). For more, view my images under my users name, then go to "Rods from the 50's". Enjoy,
KERMIT
  
Last Edited By: kermit 04/28/2009 01:22.
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TheMontyMan |
Montague Eel River... | #11 | ||
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Posts: 77 04/28/2009 01:29 |
Kermit,
Thanks for the info on the Stoeger catalog. Were there any other Monty rods advertised in that catalog? I can see the remnants of the letters "EL" on the Monty label on the shaft of your rod, confirming that it is indeed an Eel River model. Not many people know that Montague made at least 13 combination rod models, including Fishkill, Rapidan and Flash combo models. The Splitswitch is the most common combo model found today, followed by the Eel River. The Fishkill, Rapidan and Flash models are pretty rare. . . . Rex TheMontyMan |
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kermit |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 103 04/28/2009 01:48 |
Thanks again TheMontyMan. I can see that it must be an EEL RIVER model rod. What do you know about that level wind reel that I show. Is it period correct for the rod. The rod was purchased about 30 years ago with both the JC Higgins (Ocean City) fly reel and this level wind reel. KERMIT
Last Edited By: kermit 04/28/2009 18:39.
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TheMontyMan |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 78 04/28/2009 23:40 |
Kermit,
I'm not much help when it comes to reels. You might post some pics on the reel forum, and see what responses you get. There are some genius reel guys tuned in to that thread. . . . Rex TheMontyMan |
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OldCanerods |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 4 05/12/2009 15:17 |
Too bad on the Splitswitch that you got screwed on, I've picked up a few over the years because they were better ferruled rods than the Rapidan model that so many pay much too much for on some auction sites. Single fly tip or better yet the two fly tip versions. Keep looking. |
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