Most beautiful fly rod ever made?

[kevinhaney1]

Thanks to a Forum member, I was finally able to acquire a long sought after rod, the very rare Heddon #60 DeLuxe bamboo fly rod with the checkered circassian walnut handle, made in the 1930s, in very fine original condition. And like all pretty girls, the first thing she wanted to do is to have her picture made. This was the highest quality Heddon rod made at the time. It casts like a dream and it gets my vote as the most beautiful fly rod ever made!

If you have another rod you would like to nominate, please do so, although photographic evidence should be provided.

[cwfly]

there are some here:

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=50108

[Arubey]

Beautiful photo, Kevin! And I tend to agree with your taste in rods.

This 7'6" #60 supposedly belonged to Bernard Hills, and is dated 1938.
Apologies for the quick iPhone pic.

[jvh]

Yep, you have to love the #60's. Great rod.
Congrats.

Arubey, if that Hills rod ever needs a new home let me know. I have others to keep it company.

Vern

[para_adams]

Kevin, so glad you got that rod in hand, beautiful photo! Hard to argue there is another rod more beautiful ever made, IMO.

A. Rubey, I'm next in line dreaming about your 7'6" #60. All I can say is "wow." I have a local friend who has a 8-1/2' #60 he's been seeking a restorationist for. I'll recommend he look you up, your site shows great work and you'd likely be a perfect resource for him.

Here's a pic of mine...

[Seabowisha Salmo T]

hello, kevin, . . . tough choice! 204 payne, e. w. de luxe, j. b. hunter, any other f. e. thomas? my no. 2 choice for beauty is the heddon no. 60. no. 1 is the heddon no. 50 made for spalding. really a tough choice!
regards, jim w

[kevinhaney1]

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no. 1 is the heddon no. 50 made for spaldin

Seabowisha Salmo T, is there any difference between the Heddon 50 and 60 besides the fact that the 50 has a cork handle and the 60 a walnut handle?

[Seabowisha Salmo T]

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no. 1 is the heddon no. 50 made for spaldin

Seabowisha Salmo T, is there any difference between the Heddon 50 and 60 besides the fact that the 50 has a cork handle and the 60 a walnut handle?

the spalding has as you noted, an h. uppman half wells configuration and a lovely swell about two inches long. otherwise, about the same grand appearance. oh! and i have a puppy modified turtle creel, not the george lawrence. . regards

[Caneghost]

The most beautiful rod? Why the one that's in my hand when a ring appears upon bright water!

[Seabowisha Salmo T]

The most beautiful rod? Why the one that's in my hand when a ring appears upon bright water!

hello ghost, carbon copy (almost???) of the heddon no.50 upmann handle. regards jim w

[pete from mass]

I have a heddon model 65 which clearly must be more beautiful (since it is a bigger number).

I really like the look of the rods that Jeff Hatton makes.
I think they are unique ...and to my eye .. very nice looking.

[kevinhaney1]

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I have a heddon model 65 which clearly must be more beautiful (since it is a bigger number).

Do you have any pictures?

[kevinhaney1]

My vote for second place most beautiful rods are the rods with a swelled multi-species wood neck, like this Abbey & Imbrie 4wt bamboo rod.

[Gnome]

Pete,

Thank you! I really appreciate the compliments. I think one of the most Beautiful rods ever made was the 1876 Centennial expo rod made and signed by Solon C, Phillipe. and a close second would be the HLLeonard rod made for the same expo!

Jeff

[Tommasini]

I think Jerry Girard has a Golden Fly Rod (gold plated hardware) made for the 1896 Centennial Expo also. I don't recall who made it.

[jeffkn1]

I think Jerry has the 8' Golden Kosmic that was displayed in the '93 Columbian Expo. If he sends me a photo I'll post it here.

[cwfly]

Naturally, Jeff is correct.
I would add that the rod Hiram Lewis Leonard made and inscribed for his wife Elizabeth might be among the most beautiful.
Less money, more love.
Highly unusual then and now.

[billems]

It's totally subjective. I think Paynes are stunning, yet simple in design. The old Leonards. Aroner's decorative wraps blow me away. Carpenter Browntones. That guy in England, Ed Barder. Bob Taylor's rods are gorgeous. Loads more, and more that I haven't seen yet. But those're the ones for right now.