Garrison Bamboo fly Rod, Model 212
8 1/2 foot , 5 oz weight , 2 piece , 2 tips, line weight 6
The bamboo fly rod of a life time!
- This light weight rod has beautiful fast action designed for dry fly action.
- All components of this unique, vintage style are fully functional. The ferrules fit well , separating with a definite pop.
- This is a 6 sided, split cane, fly rod . I highly recommend it for those of you who may think bamboo rods are heavy and or slow.
- This rod casts like a stealth fighter. Please note all three sections are even and straight. This is a fully fishable ,restored vintage fly rod that has been fully tested.
I restored this rod using Pratt and Lambert # 61 Tung oil tinted amber (***see examples of research below). Finding this took months .
Q-864 serial number means:
Q=17th letter of the alphabet, if A=1932, counting up would mean the rod was built in 1948, then 86 means 8 1/2 feet and 1 is the first rod in 1948
Garrison staggered the nodes for strength and durability.
Note 212 label
Click history to see
History of Garrison and his rods.
The wrapping was done with Pearsall's Silk which is extremely close to the original and research results.
You may already know how great this rod is but here's some comments from the pros:
Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book, gives this rod a resale value of $7,000
Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by A.J. Campbell p302 says"
HANDCRAFTED $PLIT-BAMBOO CLA$$IC$
Without a doubt, the most sought-after classic rod is a Garrison, followed closely by a number of other high-priced zeniths of the rodmaker's art. In a scene right out of a Humphrey Bogart film I once sold one of these "high-classics," took the money, and flew to Mexico. That pretty much says it all. Martin J. Keane is the foremost authority on these lofty sticks, and his Classic Rods and Rodmakers should be on every rod collector's bookshelf. It is The Source for a wealth of material on the classic rods from our best craftsmen. Collecting these fine bamboo rods is frighteningly expensive, but it must be gratifying because it has an amazing following. Here's just a partial list of some of these great rodmakers:
| Sam Carlson |
Walt Carpenter |
| Lyle Dickerson |
Everett Garrison |
| Pinky Gillum |
George Halstead |
| Gary Howells |
Letcher Lambuth |
| Morris Kushner |
Edwin Powell |
| Walton Powell& |
Lew Stoner |
| Thomas & Thomas |
Frank Wire |
Why fish Bamboo?
Alfred W. Miller, known to all as Sparse Grey Hackle, and known for the fine H.L. Leonard and Garrison split bamboo fly rods he fished, was not a fan of modern fly rod technology. Sparse, one fellow member joked recently at the Angler's Club, when are you going to fish fiberglass? The old man took a thoughtful swallow of straight Laphroaig, a special pot-still whiskey so strong it numbs the tongue. I'll fish fiberglass, Sparse muttered behind his steel rimmed spectacles, the morning after some concertmaster plays a concerto at Carnegie Hall on a plastic violin!
Ernest G. Schwiebert
***An example of some of the research I did before restoring:
Hello Mac,
The Garrison 212 is a nice rod.
I apprenticed under three master cane rod makers to learn the craft before going out on my own . The last maker whom shared many secrets with me is truly the authentication resource as he is the only person Everett allowed in his shop, Hoagy Carmichael Jr. He too, is the only person whom ever apprenticed under Garrison.
Guides are whipped with Corticelli "A" white, ferrules, and Everett's winding grip check are done in Corticelli # 743 Chestnut. Both are hard to find , but can be had. Too, there are very close matches in the silk market today.
As for the finish , lets get it right ! ..Use a tung based oil, having an amber tinted base, so you will have to mix this at your shop. Everett Garrison used amber tinted Pratt and Lambert # 61 tung oil .Still available .
Have a good day,
John (contact information available upon request)
We are asking $8,500 , which is a great deal for this rod. I accept PayPal and will invoice you. It's the easy and secure way to send credit card payments via the internet. (no signup required) email click Mac
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