Classic Rods and Rodmakers

Classic Rods and Rodmakers; by Martin J. Keane; Classic Publishing Company, Ashley Falls, Massachusetts, third printing limited to 1,500 copies, 1992. First published in 1976. From the blurb – Today’s advanced quad and hollow-construction fly-rod designs are a far cry from the ash and lancewood rods of the early nineteenth century. While the modern American fly rod perhaps began with Samuel Phillippe, it took the undeniable genius of Hiram Leonard to bring it to worldwide acclaim. Proceeding chronologically, and moving across the country, Martin J. Keane investigates the handiwork of virtually every master rod-craftsman, and considers every major development in the craft over the last hundred years. Every classic rod, signed or unsigned, proclaims its maker and vintage. Martin Keane teaches the angler and the collector how to recognize and judge a classic rod by inspecting its structure, its glue, winding, ferrules, and reelseats. For the angler in search of a dream rod, Keane compares the fishing characteristics of each rod as well. No doubt his conclusions will delight and provoke rod aficionados for years to come. This large format book, 246 pages, is fine condition, as is the dust jacket that is now enclosed in a protective mylar wrap. A very nice personal gift presentation on the first free endpaper. A beautiful volume.…