[wanderingscott]

Can anybody tell me what weight flyline would work best with this rod and reel. I'm not sure of it's age, though my dad taught me to fly fish with it in the mid 1970's. Is it possible to remove rust from the reel w/o damaging the reel itself?

The label reads.... Shakespeare Wonderod...the straight fiberpatented rod trademarked by the spiral markings.....pat. 2,571,712....canadian pat. 536 252
Howard Process....made in the USA

here's some pics

Shakespeare Wonderod 007 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Shakespeare Wonderod 005 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Shakespeare Wonderod 002 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Shakespeare Wonderod 001 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Shakespeare Wonderod8 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Thanks,
Scott

[Rip Tide]

The vast majority of glass rods of that vintage are 6 or 7 wts
What's the length?

I'm inclined to think that the reel is more trouble than it's worth

[Joni]

I am going to agree with the 6/7. There is no fighting butt so I wouldn't guess bigger, and not allot of lighter line glass made in the old days.

[wanderingscott]

Originally Posted by Rip Tide

The vast majority of glass rods of that vintage are 6 or 7 wts
What's the length?

I'm inclined to think that the reel is more trouble than it's worth

Oops, I knew I forgot something. It's an 8 ft rod. Though not pretty, the reel works fine. The line that's on it is at least 30 years old so it's due for a change.

[Rip Tide]

Sorry, can't tell you anything more without the model number
It would have been written on the blank along with the line size and perhaps a date of manufacture code

D, HDH would mean a 6wt level line or a 6 DT
C, HCH would indicate 7wt lines

You could try Naval Jelly on the rust

[wtex50]

Here is some general info on cleaning a old reel that I got off a website from an expert reel refurbisher and I have used this technique alot:

1. Take the reel down as far as you feel comfortable - it might help in reassembly if you do a diagram of parts first (it will help you reassemble)....especially if it is an old click and pawl reel with spring, etc
2. wipe everything off with papertowels and q-tips to get as much gunk off as possible
3. vinegar- water bath - 4 parts warm water to 1 part vinegar - leave in bath for 30-45 minutes if reel is painted, and an hour for lead finished alloy reels.
Ues a soft toothbrush every 15 minutes to scrup a way the gunk. Rinse well with lukewarm water (be sure to put the stopper in the sink for this step....you don't want to loose anything down the drain)
4.dillute soap bath - very dilute. again scrub with soft toothe brush
5. Final Rinse - very thorough cold water rinse
6. air dry - preferrably overnight.
7. Rub with wax or rub silicone gun cloth. Butchers Bowling Alley Wax is really good.
8. Relub drag, gears etc with a good quality lube...no auto oil or grease. I use Quantum hot sauce - you can get it at Cabelas.

One final thought - most of these old reels don't take paint well..but if you are going to try that be sure and use a good primer.

I have used these steps in refurbishing reel as old as back to the 1920's with great success. good luck

[wanderingscott]

Thanks for all the help!! If the naval jelly and clean up is successful and it returns to it's original silver metallic state, how do I protect it from rusting again for the long term? I'm guessing that's the purpose of the wax?

[wtex50]

Yes - the was should slow the rusting process down... rub the wax on...let it dry and then buff it.... put multiple coats on.....then be sure and rub the reel down after fishing to dry it and you should be good to go.

[tie one on]

I now own the two Wonder Rods that my Father taught me how to fly fish, one was His one was mine. The rods I have are a white fiberglass with red & black windings. The reel mounts are green/black metal. When I was mounting the old Pfluger Medalist reels that we used on the rods in my display shelf they were both loaded with 5 wt floating lines. I am pretty sure the ones I own are 5/6 weight. I do not use them any longer & just have them mounted for display only. They are a very good constant reminder of Dad & the great times we had fly fishing together.

Tie One On----------------------------<*))))))))><