Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

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firehole
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Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#1

Post by firehole »

Can anybody tell me who replaced Maweill at Leonard and when approximately?
Thanks,
Dennis

JoeBolt
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#2

Post by JoeBolt »

viewtopic.php?t=115680

Out of my league here, but previous posts suggest Larry Foster

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firehole
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#3

Post by firehole »

Thanks JoeBolt
I did the research and came with that too a few minutes ago.

JoeBolt
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#4

Post by JoeBolt »

It's a great thread for a new Leonard guy like me.

joep
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#5

Post by joep »

I believe Simroe and Girards talk is on youtube in case anyone wants to listen.

Trout120-1
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#6

Post by Trout120-1 »

Tom was a rod maker ( the best ) Larry was not.

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Short Tip
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#7

Post by Short Tip »

I don't know who the primary maker or foreman was after Maxwell. But I think it's a tribute to Maxwell's influence and process that the quality of rods stayed very high after his departure. "Foster era" rods are generally very nice, most are identical to "Maxwell era" rods save for the handwriting on the shaft.

headwaters
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#8

Post by headwaters »

I'm pretty sure that Bob Taylor was still working there after Maxwell left in 1982 until 1985 when Leonard closed, and Bob moved to T&T.

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firehole
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#9

Post by firehole »

After my research into articles, books etc. Marc Aroner left shortly after Maxwell. During the Foster era the bamboo staff was Bob( R.D.)Taylor, Tom Bailey, Ron Taylor, Virginia Luhrs, Diane Charleston and Donna Denaxas were also with Maxwell. Still a formidable group to carry on the Maxwell tradition.
Dennis
Last edited by firehole on 04/28/22 18:27, edited 1 time in total.

headwaters
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#10

Post by headwaters »

Thanks for filling in some gaps, Dennis!

Rupert

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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#11

Post by Trains&Canes »

On the Westslope Classic fly Tackle site is a Leonard 100 year commemorative rod. It comes with a signed letter of the craftsmen who built it. Conspicuous in absence, the names Larry Foster and Marc Aroner are not on it, I own and have fished comparable examples of the Maxwell Era and the period immediately following. My experience tells me there was no loss in quality, beauty or craftsmanship. One can point to differences in blueing of guides and ferrules, reel seat varnish color, the handwriting on the shaft, and that sort of thing, but these differences were also present in different Maxwell rods. There is no doubt that Tom Maxwell was one of the great rod makers and designers, and his influence and standards of perfection are certainly evident in the era after he left!

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firehole
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#12

Post by firehole »

I owned the above rod and Rick sold it consignment for me. It included letter/pamphlet of all those responsible for building it.
Line 1 Thomas Bailey, Ron Taylor, Ronald J Taylor, Don Nazzaro
Line 2 Virginia Luhrs, Mark Murphy, Diane Charleston and Donna Denaxas
It was dated 8-81
Dennis

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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#13

Post by Trains&Canes »

This letter, previously posted on this forum, is reasonably conclusive evidence that Tom Maxwell left Leonard as of December 2, 1980. It is of course possible that having written this letter, TM could have returned for a while for financial reasons or to complete some unfinished or interim business. But until evidence surfaces to support those possibilities, I'll take him at his word, in his own hand.
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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#14

Post by Santafecino »

As manager of rod production, Tom Maxwell was succeeded by Jim Spanegal, an accountant.

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Re: Who replaced Maxwell at Leonard?

#15

Post by Trains&Canes »

Rick Sorensen at Westslope Classic Fly Tackle has given me permission to post photos of the letter posted by Dennis in #12 of this thread. He has also told me that he is in process of designing a new website that should be up and running in about three months. I'm looking forward to that, and thanks Rick for letting me post these pictures. They are important evidence in the Leonard time line.
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