Can you tell me anything about this rod?

[WDRookie]

Can you tell me anything about this rod? It it a 7 1/2' Headliner by Heddon Model #8103 for lines D - HDH - HCF. This rod is in very good condition for it's age. Does anybody know anything about this rod? It it worth anything? What weight would this rod be? What are these line designations? I have never seen these line designations.

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[Fish Bones]

This is a fiberglass Headon Headliner made in the 1950's. Heddon has been making fishing rods since about 1900. Some of their fly rods are worth in excess of $500 today. Unfortunately this is not one of them. In mint condition this rod is worth around $30.

Now as far as casting, I’d hate to fish with it all day. It’s obviously heavy. You can compare the diameter of this rod at the handle with a good graphite rod of today. This rod will simply wear you out. Plus it’s not going to cast very well. It’s almost like casting a stick of metal conduit.

It is a nice collector’s item though and has earned its place in history.

Steve

 

[dougm]

In the old days, the marking D, HDH, and HCH stood for a size D Level line, a Double Taper HDH in a silk line, and a Double Taper HCH in a nylon line. All three were in common use. The "H" is the historic standard for a line .025 in diameter; the "C" the historic standard for a line .05 in diameter. Most serious anglers carried a personal micrometer so that they could accurately measure the diameter of their lines.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This rod looks to be in good shape and at 7.5 feet probably will cast a DT-6-F with little difficulty. Compared to graphite, this era of fiberglass is a bit heavy.

Doug

 

[WDRookie]

Thanks guys. This is very info to find out. I knew Heddon had been in business forever and I had guessed the rod to be late 50's-early 60's just on looks. I really had not other information on it.

Doug , the line information is bery interesting as well. Seems the industry has changed identification/nomenclature along with the developement of newer and better equipment.

I pick this particular rod up for less that $5 at a garage sale and just though it was a nice looking rod in great condition for the period. It would probably be a bear to use but who knows, maybe just for fun one day I might try it.

Thanks again for the information.

Robin

 

[Curtis]

Glass is still nice. I would love to fish with this rod you have there. You should take it out and cast it. Glass is very sensitive and VERY strong. One of my favorite rods is the new Diamondglass series. While it is different glass entirely, it still has that sweet feel to it. Here is a site that focuses on classic glass rods. Those numbers you got will tell you what line weight exactly the rod was made for. You could get some really good info. about glass and your rod in particular from there. There are guys that can even tell you what town your rod was made in over there. Enjoy that rod. It is a beauty.

http://p205.ezboard.com/bglassflyrodshopforum