Restoring Old Rods

Restoring old rods Oh well, I'm back home after an eventful trip to the Far East, and fortunately, I shan't bore you with the details, other than to say it was very enjoyable. I return to find I have to fend off the horde of autograph hunters who have seen my picture accompanying the article that was published recently in Angler's Mail. Fame at last, however fleeting……. I've done my best to catch up with what's been happening on the Forums, and there was one thread in particular from Iain (Hooktie) that caught my eye. Although questions about rod repairs are a recurring theme Iain does seem to be genuinely interested in bringing an old cane rod back into use. Now, it seems to me that there are some interesting issues with the repairing, restoring or refurbishing (hate that word!) of cane rods. Leaving aside the tat that some people are trying to pass off as 'antique/vintage', on the likes of eBay (other web-based auctions are available) which I've touched on before, there appears to be a growing interest in actually putting some of these old rods to use, as opposed to hanging them over fireplaces or hiding them away in glass display cases. So if you are off on a nostalgia-fest, what are you to do when it comes to looking for an old cane rod, or, and perhaps far more importantly, what are you going to do with it? And by that, I don't just mean go fishing! As far as I can tell there are four grades of cane rods: A) The first are pristine, completely original specimens by 'known' makers, complete with rod bags, ferrule stoppers, the whole nine yards. Never been on a bank, and because of their value, perceived or otherwise, never likely to be. And if said piscatorial Holy Grail comes with 'provenance', or even better, has been within 100 miles of a certain R Walker, then the price will to be stratospheric. B) Then we have the RRR (repaired restored or refurbished) offerings, and here, to my mind, is a real minefield. To begin with, just how much RRR should be allowed in order for the rod to still classed as 'original' and therefore able to command the 'proper' price? Perhaps replacement of the tip ring, properly done, would be acceptable. Stripped down to the blank, re-built with new rings, whippings, ferrules and cork handle cannot really be classed as 'original' and the value of such RRR's are significantly influenced by the quality of the work. A properly done RRR can restore an old rod to its as-new condition and arguably maintains its value. However, factor in the cost of such high-class workmanship to bring it back up to scratch and it may not make much financial sense. On the other hand, a low-cost and perhaps botched RRR is going to make the rod almost worthless, and the standard of the workmanship is always open to interpretation. Some repairs may be almost imperceptible, others, although technically correct, might stand out like a sore thumb. C) Firewood. Let's be blunt, there are some cane rods being offered for sale that are only fit to be hung up on the chimney breasts of pubs called the 'Ye Olde Trout Inn' or whatever, or slung on the fire below. Full stop. D) And then there are some cane rods, which are still perfectly serviceable, are not so precious or fragile that you dare not even breathe over them, and will not have their value decimated if you whip on a new ring or two. Or have cost you so much that you will be in floods of tears should it snap like a carrot when you proudly put a line through the rings and give it a 'swish' on the bank side. And it's this type of rod that is of interest here. Being as old as I am, back in my day, just about everyone would be capable of at least whipping a replacement ring onto a rod. Names such as JB Walkers, Hopkins and Holloways, Conoflex, Gudebrod and North Western were bywords to those of us who tinkered with making, repairing or more likely 'modifying' rods. Now, what we are talking about aren't exactly ancient lost arts. Whipping on a new ring is much the same process as securing an axe head to a wooden shaft with strips of animal skin, and if a cave man could manage that……..albeit perhaps not quite to aesthetic appearance we would like now, but you get the drift. Fitting and shaping new corks for a straight handle is not exactly rocket science either. Bit different if you are attempting to shape a Full Wells grip for a fly rod, but these days such handles are available in ready-made form and you can just slide them on. Brass ferrules are normally fairly easy to remove with the application of a little heat to soften the glue, even splits in cane joints can be repaired with the fabulous range of modern adhesives we have today. A bit of a change from when we only had the likes of Cascamite powder and Evo-Stik to work with (not brilliant at sticking, but oh, those fumes……!). To finish off your new pride and joy we now have almost idiot-proof varnishes and lacquers in every sheen from matt to blinding flash. So what are you waiting for, someone to show you how to do it……? Restoration project for the closed season Right then, I will..! During the Closed Season (what better time) I will try and acquire a suitable, tatty but sound, old cane rod (or some brave soul can donate one….) and as a project I will go through the various processes to bring it back to a usable condition. Not saying my workmanship will be exemplary, but hopefully the rod will be presentable enough, and the various updates will show what is being done, and how to do it, where to get the necessary bits etc, etc. When the deed is done, perhaps on one our FM experts can put it through its paces, and give us a report on how it shapes up. Might even encourage a few more to get out there and give these old pea-sticks a twirl, that is surely a far better fate for them than ending up nailed to the wall of 'Ye Olde Trout Inn'.