[axle27]

I am vacationing in SC and my brother-in-law was just showing me his fly rod. It was a hand-me-down from his grandfather who was a consumate fisherman (too much to tell).

Anyways, it's a Wright & McGill 8ft. DT 6wt. It had some rod seat damage, but it's all there and, although it does not say, I think it's a Medium action.

Any information on this company or these rods?

[Brunner]

You might be able to find something from the Manufacturer..

Wright-Mcgill

Doing a quick Google search, I found a pretty interesting company history that someone wrote.

Hope this helps.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi axle,

Wright & McGill has been in the fishing business since the 20's. I first became aware of them in the 50's. Back then they were making inexpensive fiberglass rods and bamboo rods. I don't remember much about the bamboo rods but I think some were made by Granger. I would guess your brother-in-law has a fiberglass rod. I was surprised that they have a pretty good line up of equipment today.

Frank

[axle27]

Yeah, me too, Frank. I think that this a fiberglass rod. It is marked "Wright & McGill Gander" It seems to be hand-placed rather than stamped.

[hardhat]

W & M is actually Eagle Claw out of the Denver area.

[dshort]

I don't remember much about the bamboo rods but I think some were made by Granger.

Actually Frank, W&M took over the Granger operation in 46 and continued making the Granger rods on the same equipment and with many of the same employees. Those rods are generally considered to be some of the best production (as opposed to hand made) bamboo rods made. Some of their glass rods, like the Sweetheart, are pretty nice too. I've never heard of a Gander though.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi dshort,

I was sure that W&M had some arrangement with Granger. I didn't realize that W&M had bought Granger. Thanks for the info.

A lot of people don't realize that back in the 40's there were only two choices for fresh water fishing. A bamboo fly rod or a bamboo casting rod. Every body that I knew had a bamboo fly rod. It was late 40's early 50's that spinning rods and reels were available in the US. The first US made spinning reel I bought was a Langley and I still have it. The ring gear is made from nylon.

Frank

[axle27]

Gander was a gaff on my part. It does say Granger on it. But it's not a split bamboo rod. It's round, probably fiberglass. Although, in the article that I read from a link here (thanx Brunner), it says that somewhere around 1951 (?) they went to a stamped logo in lieu of the hand painted one. This definately has a hand-painted logo (basically the name and the number). AND, the lettering was changed at that time to read going toward the grip, not away. This one had the lettering going away from the handle.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a real long look at the rod like I wanted to. I took it out (still had the cloth sock in the aluminum tube), put it together and played around with it. Man, it had a whippy action, definately a medium action. It felt just like the old Garcia spinning Trout rod that I have. (Can't find out anything about that one either. Never seen another like it)

The only problem is that my wife's grandfather was a frugal guy....OK, cheap. Although I cannot confirm this, it is assumed by my mother-in-law that he bought it with the rod seat broken and fixed it. He did fix it, but the job is an ugly one. It still works, though. My brother-in-law still uses it to this day. Perhaps, as time goes by, I might try to get it out of him....although I doubt it.

This is the same grandfather who had the split bamboo South Bend rod still in the sock and tube. It has a broken tip, though.

[wtex50]

The Stamped logo was around 1951 but was on their bamboo rods - also how to tell whether their bamboo were pre 51 or post 51 - the Wright Mcgill ran away from the grip prior to 50 or 51. it was reversed then and ran toward the grip. I would guess your fiberglass rod would be a bit later than 51 - perhaps 53-55...I may be wrong but I didn't think WM put the Granger name on fiberglass til then.

I have a WM Granger Special 8642 Bamboo made in 1949 as well as a Granger 8642 from the late 30's..love them both....the true Granger has the history though and is the one I fish the most.