Let's see your South Bend fly rods

[Holdover]

Answering out of turn...I have two 323 HEH rods, both prefer a light tapered 5wt line.
Mine are very nice with a yellow Classic Rio (discontinued?) and a wf 406 line. Very sweet with these lines, the combo makes for one of my favorite trout rods.

[Shrimpman]

My "HDH or E" 8 1/2' #323 (Thanks, Ron!) is a dream with any true 5 weight line, such as Sylk, 444 Peach, and even a cheap WF5 Chinese line. In no way would it be better with a DT6, and with the soft tip would be darned fine with a DT4.

[bulldog1935]

I'll arm wrestle anybody that the 8-1/2' HDH or E is the very same rod as the marked HEH or E.

No longer own, but perfect SB combo, 8-1/2' 359 with SB 1185 perfect reel.

[EastslopesTH]

Answering out of turn...I have two 323 HEH rods, both prefer a light tapered 5wt line.
Mine are very nice with a yellow Classic Rio (discontinued?) and a wf 406 line. Very sweet with these lines, the combo makes for one of my favorite trout rods.

My "HDH or E" 8 1/2' #323 (Thanks, Ron!) is a dream with any true 5 weight line, such as Sylk, 444 Peach, and even a cheap WF5 Chinese line. In no way would it be better with a DT6, and with the soft tip would be darned fine with a DT4.

Thanks Gentlemen, I will try both Sylk and 444 Peach in DT and WF. On the lighter side, perhaps the Rio Selective Trout or Trout LT may fit better. I actually don't have the rod yet as it is in transit from the previous owner. This is my first South Bend rod and perhaps not the last.

***If anyone has a SB 290 with full length sections that they would like to part with please let me know (I'm particularly interested in rods requiring refinishing/restoration)***

I'll arm wrestle anybody that the 8-1/2' HDH or E is the very same rod as the marked HEH or E.
No longer own, but perfect SB combo, 8-1/2' 359 with SB 1185 perfect reel.

Bulldog, Can you tell me roughly what the SB 1185 weighs?

[bulldog1935]

it's fairly heavy, 6-7 oz
it's also rare, they only made them with the exposed spool backplate one year, 1935 - also hard to find them with anodizing that good.

[EastslopesTH]

it's fairly heavy, 6-7 oz
it's also rare, they only made them with the exposed spool backplate one year, 1935 - also hard to find them with anodizing that good.

Yes that reel is a beauty. I'm going to have to settle on a South Bend 1133 for now, which weighs about 6.8 oz empty and 7.8 oz with 444 Peach and backing.

[paramount]

might as well get in on this topic. My SB's



359-8 1/2'
359-9'
377-8 1/2 HDH or D
323-8 1/2' HDH or D
323-8 1/2' HEH or E
Not in the picture, 59-9 and what I think is a 55-9.
Bruce

[xvigauge]

I have wanted a SB 7 1/2' for a while and recently found one in pretty good shape that I could afford (or justify the price). I did have to reset and wrap the female ferrule as that was its' only flaw. It is fine now. two piece w/ extra tip.
Joe

[solo8232000]

Purists turn away now before it is too late!! I bought this SB 359 8 1/2" from THE auction site for $68! So you can guess the condition it was in. I am not known as a man who gives up on a great old vintage rod (Just ask Michael Sinclair or Chris Bogart!!), so I sent the old derelict to the rehab center in Placerville, California so Ed Beck could work his magic!! Two weeks a a few dollars later I have my next keeper rod for rainbows!!


Updated and upgraded, I will fish this little beauty for a long time to come!!

[Hankinsfly]

My one and only classic bamboo- SB 346-9, in action. Looking around for my next classic.

[Shrimpman]

... and a fine rod it is! It's hard to find prettier flamed cane than that of an SB 346.

[teter]

... and a fine rod it is! It's hard to find prettier flamed cane than that of an SB 346.

I agree!

[teter]

From the top by model #:
#290
8' Cross 1640
8 1/2' #323 (HEH)
8 1/2' #323 (HEH)
8 1/2' #323 (HDH)
8 1/2' #346
8 1/2' #359
9' #12
9' #47

Lon, I would like to know what line do you prefer on the 8 1/2' #323 (HEH)?

I can't believe I missed this post more than a year ago. I fish them with a DT-5 or a WF-6. One of them is much slower than the other.

[teter]

Here's one that's not in my earlier post. It's a SB Cross 1500, 7 1/2-ft. 2/2.

[oldschoolcane]

... and a fine rod it is! It's hard to find prettier flamed cane than that of an SB 346.

The 346 is stained, not flamed.

[teter]

Flamed or stained, it's still pretty!

[jimmymac448]

Here's one you don't often see, a Cross (South Bend) No.253 "Doublebuilt", with the original bag and labeled tube. These were believed to have been produced for a short time near, or immediately after the end of WWII. These, like so many of the later Cross models, were never catalogued. How South Bend was able to market them is a mystery.

Hey Mark,
I was researching a SB #253 I am currently re-building and re-finishing, and ran across your post from 2017. What a beautiful rod! I went through your catalog listings, but never found it, so I am wondering about model year, description, etc. The guides on mine are rusted, so I'm replacing them with Snake Brand Originals. The cane underneath the 3 coats of varnish is a beautiful honey blonde bamboo, very similar to the old Granger Colorado and Denver Specials from an earlier era. Please share some info and background if you have the time.
I see you are from the Bay Area. I raised my kids in Novato, from 1981-2016, before heading to Novato. I used to go over to Creative Sports in Walnut Creek to buy gear from Andre Puyons, who taught me how to double haul out in the street under the 24/580 interchange back in the day.

Jim McCray

[wrong66]

Never did find a catalog listing for these. I don't know if they exist. Many different Cross and some South Bend models were made just before and after the war, but remain obscure because they were never catalogued. Novato seems unchanged to me over the years. Just went through there the other day. Wish I could offer more info on the #253. Mine had the earlier tube label and rod shaft decal, so I assumed it was pre-war. But I don't know if anyone really knows when production occurred. Tough rod to find, though. Good luck on yours.

[Brier549]

These are my SB rods , the 119 is an 8’6” that was redone by an old friend back in 92 . It casts a 5wt like a dream.

[solo8232000]

Results of the rebuild of a SB290 that was almost done in by abuse..Ed Beck worked his magic on this rod..Of course it is likely purists will not care for it..but I love the way the rod came out!!