Sublime Rods

 

Most good quality rods are lovely things once they are restored. Some rods that were fundamentally very well made, but let down by bad rings and finishing, become really excellent when restored to perfection. The best examples of these are the Allcocks rods, which were made from excellent cane, but generally very poorly furnished and finished. Other rods were prettily finished, but occasionally let down by poor cane quality. B.James rods sometimes come into this category, I’m afraid. Provided the original split-cane blanks were properly hardened/seasoned/baked (however you care to describe the process) the skilled restorer can often make a wonderful rods from the most unprepossessing pile of sticks.

 

There are a few rods which simply go beyond the normal range of the excellent. Such rods are perhaps made from exceptional blanks, beautifully furnished and finished, utterly suitable for their purpose, historic, or incredibly rare. Some will include several features from this list, and just a few will have all of the above. There comes a point where such a rod is so utterly perfect that it approaches an almost sublime state of desirability. Some rods have this wonder incorporated from the first day of their existence (Tom Moran’s fly rods are all grey imports from Heaven, it seems) others evolve over the years. The national total number of sublime rods in the vintage sector probably doesn’t run to three figures. I have had hundreds of high quality vintage rods through my hands, and would describe no more than a few as sublime.

 

People who whine about the high price of soapflakes, or who want to barter down the price of a good wife, should avoid sublime rods. They are expensive. Where such a rod is available it will be offered in the list below. The market for such rods must be small because few anglers would want to pay three or four times the price of an alternative, perfectly good rod; and many will simply not be able to afford it. Sublime rods will appeal to the angler who can rationalise the use of a lot of money for the pride of owning something really exceptional that also does a first class job of work.  He will also recognise that his investment is unlikely to be worth any less when he sells it, having had a lifetime of pleasure from his extravagance. One point to consider, is that well made NEW coarse rods cost almost as much (and many good fly-rods MUCH more). They are available to anyone who cares to place an order. Sublime vintage rods are (in the writer’s opinion) profoundly superior fishing rods, and they offer an exclusivity that marks out their users from the commonplace.  In buying the sort of rods listed below, you effectively join an exclusive club

 

 

B. James (BOB SOUTHWELL)

Type 2 Avocet ( See article on the evolution of the Avocet).

 

Available after nearly fifty years with its original owner. A known rod, for sale following a meticulous 65 hour restoration. Dark Southwell cane that feels like sprung steel. Tied in the very best dark green #100 gauge, filament silk, with finest (about 1/64th inch wide) graduated intermediates. Original rod circa 1952/3. New tip by B. James around 1954/5. With its original real agate in German sliver butt and tip rings. LBL intermediate rings. Full original B. James’ decals.

 

Utterly, utterly, beautiful. Tight, steely, straight. Will stop every passing cane-using angler dead in his tracks. As rare as angel dust, and as desirable as a Fabergé egg. Deserves an early Aerial to do it justice, or perhaps a Witcher/Plowman.

 

                 £1,285

 

Homers (London)

Circa 1955  ‘Lea’ 

 

11’3” /3 Whole cane butt, split cane middle and top.   A wonderful rod from a very famous London maker. Light, but very powerful. Superb quality hand-split dark tempered cane: tremendously steely, yet progressive in action, thanks to the relatively steep taper mid section. The whole-cane butt is particularly beautiful, with flame patterning in tiny fan flares. Long, thin, shive cork handle. Light-weight aluminium fittings, with convex knurl reel bands. Agate butt and tip. New stainless LBL intermediate rings. Superfine #50 gauge,  quality Japanese filament silk ties in dark emerald green, with coordinated colour, graduated intermediates, and a state of the art finish.

 

This is undoubtedly one of the finest barbel rods in the country. Absolutely magnificent.

 

                 £925