My bamboo collection is starkly modest compared with some I've seen on this forum, but here goes:
6"6" two/two 5 weight Sewell Dunton "Angler's Choice" #162, one of his high-end models and my first bamboo, bought in 1971 for $150 at a Maryland sports shop.
7'6" two/two 4 weight Sewell Dunton "The Favorite"; says on tube rod was put up by Thomas & Thomas, apparently soon after T&T took over Dunton's shop (they verified this on a visit to their shop).. First class fittings.
9' three/two 6 weight F.E. Thomas Dirigo.
8'6" three/two 5 weight F.E. Thomas Special.
9' three/two 9 weight Sewell Dunton "Premium" bought from Leonard factory as new (don't know how they wound up with it).. First class fittings.
6' three/two 2 weight A. Noland (a western Maryland maker).. Ordered an 8'6" three/two 5 weight from him over two years ago with a hefty deposit, but so far haven't received it and have lost track of him (in frustration, bought the Thomas above).
7"6" two/two 6 weight Orvis Battenkill, inherited from a deceased relative.
7'6" two/one 6 weight Sewell Dunton D-137, probably one of the rods put up by T&T in early years from English blanks. High class fittings and appears new; got it at a fly-fishing show last year for $350.
9' three/one J.C. Higgins inherited from a relative. No idea who made it but probably Montague or H-I. Has decent ferrules and all-metal sliding ring real seat.
6'6" two/two 3 weight Zhus Rod bought from factory in China out of curiosity for $150. Found it very well-made with high-quality nickel silver ferrules and reel seat hardware and good quality cork. Casts very well. At the same time for $90 I bought from Zhus a classic-style reel (appears to be a Bodgan or Peerless copy) that is exceptionally well-made. I was so impressed I subsequently ordered a larger version at the same price.
The two I use the most are the 7'6" 4 weight Dunton in smallish streams and the 8"6" 5 weight F.E. Thomas in larger ones.. Both are medium soft actions, which I favor, and cast very well.
6"6" two/two 5 weight Sewell Dunton "Angler's Choice" #162, one of his high-end models and my first bamboo, bought in 1971 for $150 at a Maryland sports shop.
7'6" two/two 4 weight Sewell Dunton "The Favorite"; says on tube rod was put up by Thomas & Thomas, apparently soon after T&T took over Dunton's shop (they verified this on a visit to their shop).. First class fittings.
9' three/two 6 weight F.E. Thomas Dirigo.
8'6" three/two 5 weight F.E. Thomas Special.
9' three/two 9 weight Sewell Dunton "Premium" bought from Leonard factory as new (don't know how they wound up with it).. First class fittings.
6' three/two 2 weight A. Noland (a western Maryland maker).. Ordered an 8'6" three/two 5 weight from him over two years ago with a hefty deposit, but so far haven't received it and have lost track of him (in frustration, bought the Thomas above).
7"6" two/two 6 weight Orvis Battenkill, inherited from a deceased relative.
7'6" two/one 6 weight Sewell Dunton D-137, probably one of the rods put up by T&T in early years from English blanks. High class fittings and appears new; got it at a fly-fishing show last year for $350.
9' three/one J.C. Higgins inherited from a relative. No idea who made it but probably Montague or H-I. Has decent ferrules and all-metal sliding ring real seat.
6'6" two/two 3 weight Zhus Rod bought from factory in China out of curiosity for $150. Found it very well-made with high-quality nickel silver ferrules and reel seat hardware and good quality cork. Casts very well. At the same time for $90 I bought from Zhus a classic-style reel (appears to be a Bodgan or Peerless copy) that is exceptionally well-made. I was so impressed I subsequently ordered a larger version at the same price.
The two I use the most are the 7'6" 4 weight Dunton in smallish streams and the 8"6" 5 weight F.E. Thomas in larger ones.. Both are medium soft actions, which I favor, and cast very well.
