On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 14:15:25 +0100, "Mike Connor"
wrote:


"Conan The Librarian" wrote in message
...
ROFFians,

A co-worker of SWMBO's brought an old rod of his for me to take a
look at. He is getting back into flyfishing, and wondered if it would
be worth refurbishing to use, or if it has some value as an "antique".
SNIP

Such rods can bring a lot of money. What such things are "worth" is a moot
point.

It would depend on one's definition of "a lot of money," at least in as
far as the US market is concerned. In very good condition and complete,
similar rods can be seen fairly regularly on offer for under $500.00USD,
and often in the $300.00 range. Based on Chuck's description, I'd
guesstimate that if someone like Codella had a similar rod in similar
condition, it would be in his "handyman's special" section on offer at
well under $200.00. If it were a shorter, lighter rod, it would be
worth more, and this is generally true of all makes and conditions.

OK, that said, a few questions for Chuck: is this thing marked "6 wt."
or is it marked something like "HGH" in the old letter-diameter method,
how many total pieces, and what about any decals and inking on the rod?

Probably best to sell it. In which case, no "do-it-yourself" refurbishing
should be done. This may appreciably lower the value of such a rod.

I disagree. If the refurb work is reasonably done, it will not really
affect the value of such a rod enough to worry about. If this were an
historically-significant Payne 6-footer, I'd say leave it alone, but an
8-foot midweight Heddon in need of work isn't all that "collectable"
anyway, nor does it really have appreciable monetary value to lower
appreciably - IOW, unless you try to fix it with a rusty nailfile,
shipping twine, and Krylon, it'll be worth about the same fixed up as
untouched, and perhaps more if the work is done well and the rod is
"ready to fish." Most who would buy it would buy it to fix up and fish.

TC,
R