Need help with cane rod?

[BradFromPotter]

Anybody know anything about this rod? Has anybody ever owned or cast one? There is no line weight on the rod. I've seen lines from 3 wt up 7 wt used. I tried it with a 4 wt but I still think at least a 5wt would be better.

 

[Rolf]

You may want to try here.

Information About Makers and Manufacturers - The Classic Fly Rod Forum

 

[Bamboozle]

That appears to be a

Anybody know anything about this rod? Has anybody ever owned or cast one? There is no line weight on the rod. I've seen lines from 3 wt up 7 wt used. I tried it with a 4 wt but I still think at least a 5wt would be better.

That appears to be a Farlow's/Sharps built 6-1/2' 2pc, 1 tip, 5wt. 2.35 oz. Lee Wulff "Midge."

If so it is made in England so the snake guides twist in the opposite direction from US made guides and it is impregnated like an Orvis meaning it it should be impervious to water damage EXCEPT at the wraps and grip like any other rod.

There were several iterations of that rod including a 1 piece version. The two piece rods were almost always built as one tip rods so if you have a rod bag and it only has two compartments, it is all there.

They were marketed as 5 weights, but you may like it better with a different line weight.

Good luck & enjoy!!

 

[JoeE]

Brad

Nice! Try a 5wt you will love that rod!

 

[BradFromPotter]

Brad

Nice! Try a 5wt you will love that rod!

unfortunately it's not mine It's a friend's. He picked it up at a yard sale for $100 ! He doesn't do the internet.

But that grip is small !!

 

[raydar]

+1 for trying The Classic Fly Rod Forum.

 

[redietz]

That appears to be a

That appears to be a Farlow's/Sharps built 6-1/2' 2pc, 1 tip, 5wt. 2.35 oz. Lee Wulff "Midge."

If so it is made in England so the snake guides twist in the opposite direction from US made guides and it is impregnated like an Orvis meaning it it should be impervious to water damage EXCEPT at the wraps and grip like any other rod.

There were several iterations of that rod including a 1 piece version. The two piece rods were almost always built as one tip rods so if you have a rod bag and it only has two compartments, it is all there.

They were marketed as 5 weights, but you may like it better with a different line weight.

Good luck & enjoy!!

They were marketed as 5 weights, but you may like it better with a different line weight.

The Sharpes 1983 catalog listed them as 6 weights.

 

[Bamboozle]

The Sharpes 1983 catalog listed them as 6 weights.

Interestingly enough, I've heard them described as "broomsticks" with some folks preferring a 7wt line on them...

An Orvis Flea they're not...

 

[BradFromPotter]

Interestingly enough, I've heard them described as "broomsticks" with some folks preferring a 7wt line on them...

An Orvis Flea they're not...

yeah I would describe it as a broomstick. The grip is very small. Actually too small! I'm not sure what it's designed purpose was.

 

[redietz]

yeah I would describe it as a broomstick. The grip is very small. Actually too small! I'm not sure what it's designed purpose was.

Wulff fished for salmon with them.

 

[BradFromPotter]

Wulff fished for salmon with them.

I do remember reading that. But not sure why the grip is so small.

 

[JoeE]

You can see Lee using a short rod in this video with a short grip.

 

[JoeE]

Sorry here is Part 1

 

[Bamboozle]

I do remember reading that. But not sure why the grip is so small.

I'm hardly an expert, but maybe it's a UK thing (as it was built in Scotland) on rods that short??

Ironically, like small grips even though I have big hands. The Superfine grips on some of my Orvis rods and the small grips on my Leonard 38H are my favorites.

 

[redietz]

I'm hardly an expert, but maybe it's a UK thing (as it was built in Scotland) on rods that short??

Ironically, like small grips even though I have big hands. The Superfine grips on some of my Orvis rods and the small grips on my Leonard 38H are my favorites.

Not a UK thing. The Brits were horrified at rods Wulff used.

I kind of like small grips as well.

 

[BradFromPotter]

when I say small, I mean really small! My hand covers the grip & some!

 

[JGR]

when I say small, I mean really small! My hand covers the grip & some!

I also prefer small grips and most of my rods have ones that are less than 5-inches long.

The grips on these two Orvis Superfines are similar to your friends Farlow/Lee Wulff and are 4 5/8-inches long. Rest the heel of your hand on the reel seat and your index finger on the top flat:



The grip on this Orvis Deluxe is 4-inches long and it works just fine:


Big grips look clunky on short rods anyway...

 

[Canoetripper]

I sent my grandfather's Orvis Battenkill bamboo fly rod to Art Weiler in Kunckletown, PA to be reconditioned. I knew what I had because of the Orvis serial # and their customer service.

Art builds bamboo fly rods and is very knowledgeable about bamboo fly rods.

You can find him on the internet. I am sure that if he had that fly rod in his shop, he would be able to really nail down exactly what you have.