History of the Dickerson Rod Co. and its models

History of the LL Dickerson Rod Co. Feel free to discuss Dickerson Rods here.

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History of the Dickerson Rod Co. and its models

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Lyle L. Dickerson was quoted in the book by authors Dr. Gerald Stein and rodmaker Jim Schaaf as saying "If the depression had never come along when it did, I probably never would have gone into the rodmaking business." I say the bamboo rod community would have been all the poorer had he not." While Dickerson is most noted for his 2 pc fast series of rods his first rods were of 3 pc construction and while there are some fast rods in that series most were of moderate taper which Dickerson himself preferred. It has been acknowledge that Dickerson published 2 catalogs in his career which were prompted by noted author of Trout, Ray Bergman, himself a Dickerson aficionado. Bergman had been fishing near Dickerson's home when they met and his favorite rod was a Leonard which he asked Dickerson if he could duplicate. Dickerson acknowledged that he could but in reality wasn't quite sure how he would accomplish the task but took it on in any event. When Bergman received the rod Dickerson made he was quite taken with Dickersons achievement which began a life-long singing the praise of his work and assistance in obtaining orders. Living in the Detroit area Dickerson also got orders from some of the influential folks of the period, like Drs, dentists and the hard driving, fast paced executives of the auto industry. The model descriptions below come from the 1938 and 1947 catalogs which Bergman was the force behind. The information I list as 1934 comes from an obscure circular that Dickerson made in 1934. This circular was unknown when the Dickerson book was published but both Dr Stein and Jim Schaaf now have copies I have supplied them which I had made up from my original. Research shows this circular was available upon request and was in a 1934 Paul Young Catalog, which had a section on Dickerson, this information first surfaced. Models and information from the 1934 circular 7'6" 3 pc. for E line No. 761510 8' 3 pc. for E line No. 801510 8' 3 pc. for D line No. 801610 8'6" 3 pc. for D line No. 861711 8'6" 3 pc. for C line No. 861812 9' 3 pc. for D line No. 901711 9' 3 pc. for C line No. 901812 9'6" 3 pc for D line No. 961812 9'6" 3 pc. for C line No. 961913
Dickerson Models 1938 Catalog 3 pc rods
7'6" No. 761510 E line 3 3/4 ozs. 8' No. 801510 D line 4 1/4 ozs. 8' No. 801611 D line 4 1/2 ozs. 8'6" No. 861711 D line 4 3/4 ozs. 8'6" No. 861812 C line 5 ozs. 9' No. 901711 D line 5 1/4 ozs. 9' No. 901812 C line 5 1/2 ozs. 9'6" No. 961812 D line 5 3/4 ozs. 9'6" No. 961913 C line 6 ozs. 10' No. 102013 C line 6 3/4 ozs.
2 pc. rods
7' No. 7011 E line 3 1/4 ozs. 7'6" No. 7612 E line 3 3/4 ozs. 8' No. 8013 D line 4 ozs. 8'6" No. 8614 D line 4 1/2 ozs. 9' No. 9015 C line 5 ozs.
Dickerson Models 1947 Catalog 3 pc rods 7'6" No. 761510 E line 3 1/4 ozs. 8' No. 801510 D line 4 1/4 ozs. 8'6" No. 861711 D line 4 3/4 ozs. 9' No. 901711 D line 5 1/4 ozs. 9' No. 901812 C line 5 1/2 ozs. 9'6" No. 961812 C line 9'6" No. 961913 C line
2 pc. rods 7'6" No. 7612 E line 3 3/4 ozs. 8' No. 8013 D line 4 ozs. 8' No. 8014 C line 4 1/4 ozs. 8'6" No. 8614 D line 4 1/2 ozs. All line sizes are for silk if using nylon use one size higher.

Generally Dickerson rods are marked Dickerson then the model, i.e. Dickerson 8014 Guide. Sometimes the word Detroit can be found and R.B. or Bergman which signifies the rod was ordered through Ray Bergman for a customer or as inventory for his fly shop. Another reseller of Dickerson rods was Earl Leitz and those rods were marked with Dickerson-Leitz then the model designation. Rods could also be marked 861711D which would mean a 3 piece rod 8'6" long for a D silk line with 17/64" and 11/64" ferrules, The last two things that can be found on Dickerson rods would be the date, i.e. 1950 or 50 and the name for who the rod was built.

Dickerson had planned on selling his rod shop to Robert Summers but due to personal problems the deal was not consummated and Bob later purchased the Morris Kushner Rod Shop materials from the Kushner family after Kushners passing. It was a fishing companion and customer of Dickerson (Tim Bedford) who did purchase the rod shop with Dickerson driving some of the contents to CA to Bedford. Sadly Bedford died several years later from an injury in the shop and the shop passed on to Jim Schaaf who has recently sold it to rodmaker John Pickard.

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