flyrod wrote: ↑12/31/20 19:37
Here's another 6' Superfine (Ser # 52970). Strangely it has two different names written on it from the Orvis Rod Shop.
Wish I knew the provenance of this rod. I'm thinking there's a family connection:
"Jeffrey Godfrey, born April 30th 1918, began his career with the Orvis Company in the early part of the 1960's, becoming the Rod Shop manager in 1967, a position he held until 1972. During his reign as manager, Mr. Godfrey experienced many changes implemented by then President, Leigh H. Perkins, such as the introduction of the Fly-Fishing School in Manchester, VT a year prior, with expanded marketing through the ever-increasing mail order business, each having an equal demand on a manager's time. Godfrey, a meticulous record keeper, was determined to not only keep the company in the black by maintaining explicit records as any good manager would do, but also interjected his love of fishing and the products he worked with by developing new "experimental" rod tapers, producing a limited number of these rods in an effort to provide the Orvis customers with the best rods money could buy. Corresponding with his contemporaries and peers, Godfrey kept pace with the ever-increasing interest in fly fishing, and worked very hard to keep his company at the fore-front, as evidenced by the great attention to detail he provides in his records. The rods offered today are examples of his work, many inked with his notes or improvements, or simply "Experimental" on the rod shaft. Leaving employment in 1972, Mr. Godfrey returned home to Abinton, CT, where he passed away on May 23rd, 1999. The collection offered here is a great chance to own a part of Orvis rod making history, an opportunity that does not come along often."
Also wish I knew more about Jeff Godfrey and his working relationship to Wes Jorden. I'd never heard of him until his estate was sold about 15 years ago. I purchased the 1969 rodshop records indirectly from his estate.