Casting a Spell: The Bamboo Fly Rod and the American Pursuit of Perfection - George Black

wrote:
I can direct you right to a rod: call Len Codella at Codella's
(www.codellas.com), explain your situation, and ask him what he'd
recommend in something fishable under 500USD, preferably under 300, and
if you feel OK with some rewrapping, etc., ask about "project rods."
Talk with him and _listen_ to what he has to say. If something he
recommends fits the fishing you intend, give him your CC number and wait
for a package. Will this be the absolute least-expensive way to go?
Nope. But I'd offer that what you'd get in both rod and knowledge will
be worth it. And for the record, I have nothing whatsoever to do with
or gain from anyone buying from him. By the same token, I don't offer a
guarantee on his behalf either. IME, he simply has a good reputation
and knows his gear. IMO, you'll not find a "sleeper," but you'll get a
fair dealer/market price on an accurately-represented rod.

If that isn't an option with which you're comfortable, maybe Wayne K.,
Charlie Wilson, or another ROFFian bamboo'er might agree to make a
recommendation/selection on your behalf on eBay or such. I would not
agree to do so because I've suggested it.

I kicked the eBay habit when my pile of grass rods grew to the
extent that most of them don't get fished, and I there are a lot of them in
the pile that I forget I even own. That said, I just took a quick look at
eBay and saw some stuff in there that would suit him quite well. Check out
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-WEBER-BA...QcmdZViewItem;
this is a 8 1/2' Weber with full length tips, minimal sets, and nice looking
blued ferrules. 8 1/2' is as long as I car for, but it has a buy-it-now
price set at just $150. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but there is a good
chance this rod was made for Weber by Heddon.
Generally speaking, I'd avoid most Montagues and H+Is; they made some
upper end stuff that performs well, but you aren't going to get any steals
on it. Stay away from unnamed rods, they are likely to be post war Japanese
made Calcutta cane crap that was made to sell to GIs for about five bucks.
Grangers, Phillipsons, and Heddons were well made, but the market has driven
prices up on these. South Bends don't seem to have the snob appeal, but they
made good rods that can still be found at relatively bargain prices.