Vintage Working Class Fly Rod and Reel

**wwelz** · 12-13-2009, 09:45 AM

A friend of mine who is now disabled generously gave me some of her fly fishing equipment. Looking through her gear was a bittersweet experience , bringing back memories of an earlier and more innocent time and a sad reminder to all of us of a time when we can no longer wade the rivers and streams.
One rod was particularly interesting and made me I think of a fly reel my grandfather gave me in 1955 stashed away in my bed stand drawer. The reel was a brass Pflueger Progress made in the USA . My Grandfather was not a fly fishermen . He thought a fly rod and reel was the best way to drift night crawlers down a deep swampy brook at night. He was right and caught big Brown trout where other fishermen came up empty handed.

I found it interesting that the first thing I thought of when I carefully removed the Bamboo rod from its canvas sack was the value of the rod. Did my friend give me a vintage fly rod worth thousands of dollars ? Should I call her right away and offer to return it?

The rod turned out to be an early L.L Bean model - Bean's Special

I examined the rod carefully and found a dent in the reel seat , a rewound guide, and a cracked ferrule. Otherwise the rod was in good condition but these flaws ment the rod was maybe worth fifty bucks. I must admit that I was a little disappointed but then I thought of my first time going to L.L bean in the late 60,s and that this rod that saw a lot of action. How many big Brookies and land locked Salmon had this rod fought .The L.L Bean store would not be recognizable to those of you familiar with the L.L Bean international corporation of today. Freeport Maine the home of L.L beam was a run down post industrial New England town. The store was an old factory about for or five stories tall. No elevators , heaved wooden floors ,and dirty windows. Everything with the exception of Fishing rods and guns was pilled up on long tables in huge heaps. The sale staff were all friendly locals . There was an air adventure and excitement , L.L Bean was the last stop before the wilderness . Get what you needed now or suffer in the bush latter. Everything in that store was made in the U.S.A.

I could not photograph the upper potion of the tag but it says Made in the USA by L.L Bean. I did not know this at the time but this was the end of an era. The last days of American manufacturing and the last days when a fishermen could responsibly bring home a big stringer of trout for breakfast .

The simplicity of this rod and reel reminded me that I sometimes loose my way in this sport , coveting expensive equipment and forgetting the simple joy of my first fish on a bobber and worm. Fly Fishing is a sport often defined by the rich and privledged when in truth fly fishing is a working class sport . Many of the true innovators have been every day working people .

I will end this post with a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all and some final pictures of this old well worn warrior rod. Thank You Jane.

Leather Rod case

reel seat

fly holder

This is a classic four piece rod , two different tips, 9 feet and 8 feet 6 inches

**Magnet** · 12-14-2009, 02:06 AM

I still have my medalist reels. Nice story wwelz. Makes you think.

**Adam** · 12-14-2009, 12:30 PM

Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

**wwelz** · 12-14-2009, 12:39 PM

You are Welcome!!

**Adam** · 12-14-2009, 01:13 PM

The simplicity of this rod and reel reminded me that I sometimes loose my way in this sport , coveting expensive equipment and forgetting the simple joy of my first fish on a bobber and worm.

Great line Welz....makes you rethink things. I think I need to jump start my simplicity thread again.