Rod Rating Designations and Abbreviations
Rod Rating Designations and Abbreviations
(M) Mint - Appears to be new/unused
(NM) Near Mint or As New - As above with minor noted exceptions
(EXC) Excellent - Shows signs of light to medium use
(VG) Very Good - Shows signs of normal to heavy use
(G) Good - May be fishable as is, but likely needs work
(F) Fair - Needs work prior to being fished
(RS) Restored - Original hardware/specifications were used
(RF) Refinished - Non-original hardware and/or specifications were used
Other Abbreviations:
C&R - Cap & Ring
D/L'ing - Down Locking
HK - Hook Keeper
N/S - Nickel Silver
S/B - Slide Band
U/L'ing - Up Locking
WC - Winding Check
Current Inventory Of Graphite & Glass Rods
The graphite & glass rods listed below are available for purchase (unless noted otherwise in the description). The rods are listed by length first, then alphabetically by the maker. A sale pending tag denotes that an agreement to purchase the item has been reached, but the sale may not yet have been completed.
I update the website frequently so bookmark it and check back often. Make sure to hit your browser's refresh/reload button to get the most up-to-date info. If you are looking for a particular item and don't see it, drop me a note and I will check around for you. Also, please don't hesitate to email coldwatercollectibles@gmail.com with any questions. Trades are always considered.
L.L. Bean Pocket Water ~ 7.5’ ~ 4pc. ~ 2.3oz. ~ 4wt. ~ EXC+ ~ From the maker… “This precise, sensitive rod was designed for subtle presentations on spring creeks and calm waters as well as streams and features: bamboo-like finish, smooth medium-casting action, premium hardware including cork half wells grip, burled wood spacer and double-foot snake guides, four-piece design for easy packing on hikes into remote streams and lightweight carbon fiber rod tube won't weigh down your pack.” This rod comes with original bamboo-like aluminum tube with rod stats engraved into the top of the cap. This is great buy on a cool looking and sweet-casting rod that has seen very little use. $125
Livingston Rod Co. (from Blank) ~ 7.5’ ~ 3pc ~ 3.3oz. ~ 4wt ~ NEW ~ This sweet little glass rod was custom built by Knoxville’s Rich Margiotta on a set of attractive light honey colored E-glass blanks supplied by Dusty Smith of Montana’s Livingston Rod Company. Mr. Smith designs rods specifically for the streams of Western Montana and Yellowstone Park. This one features tan-brown silk wraps tipped olive with black accents at the HK and female ferrule stations, Mildrum carbide stripper and black snakes and top. On the business end of the butt section you’ll find a comfortable cigar grip, custom finished Spanish cedar seat fitted with D/L’ing N/S cap and ring hardware, petite N/S grip and WC and a folding ring HK. It comes with a new tan twill bag with stiffener and hang tag and a blue coated aluminum tube with water-tite antiqued gray cap and collar. The comfortable, easy throwing medium action performs with a SA Mastery WF or DT-4 line and is in an ideal format for dry fly work. $395 $345
Phillipson EF76 ~ 7.5’ ~ 2pc. ~ 3.7oz. ~ 5wt. EXC ~ This 3M era fiberglass classic comes from the Epoxite series which is well-known for high-density laminates and fine performance. It features a brown blank, brown wraps, chrome guides, spigot ferrules, comfortable cigar grip, bronze D/L’ing screw and slide hood aluminum seat and a HK loop. The rod comes with a light tan 2-compartment bag and Phillipson-labeled aluminum tube. I found the rod has a sweet medium action and an affinity for a Cortland 444 Peach WF-5 and DT-5. This lightly used wand will surely please the Phillipson aficionado and/or any glass rod enthusiast. $250
Wright & McGill Pack Rod ~ 7.5’~ 4pc. ~ 7wt. ~ EXC+/As New ~ This sweet fiberglass rod from the famous Rocky Mountain maker features an attractive brown blank, black wraps with fancy open spiral white/black signature and stripping guide wraps, chrome stripper and tip-top, black snakes N/S ferrules, comfortable straight cork grip, and patented screw U/L’ing metal seat with makers name nicely stuck at the top. The rod comes with a W/M issue tan bag and aluminum tube. The rod fit inside the tube is tight. The rod has a crisp action that is far superior to the more common spin/fly rod combo model. This one is in like new condition and is a nice find for the glass rod enthusiast. $125 $75
Tom Morgan Rodsmiths ~ 7’9” ~ 2pc. ~ 2 1/2oz. ~ 3wt. #02-3-18 ~ EXC+ ~ Not only did Mr. Morgan own the Winston Rod Company for the better part of 2 decades, he was one of the preeminent craftsmen and designer of fly fishing rods in America. Using the finest materials this impeccably crafted graphite rod features deep burgundy blanks elegantly wrapped in burgundy silks with fine gold accents at the WC, signature wraps, ferrule station and tip-top, red agate stripper, chrome snakes and tip-top. The business end of the butt section has a wells grip, beautifully figured Amboina seat, silver D/L’ing cap and ring hardware with company logo stamped into the bottom of the cap, petite N/S hexagonal WC and HK loop. The rod stats and original owner’s name are present on the butt section. The rod comes with a beautifully crafted burgundy soft-lined poplin rod bag with designed accented edges and a textured-enamel garnet finish octagonal rod tube with a gloss black cap and minted sterling medallion with company logo on top and a thick black diamond-patterned soft cloth rod tube bag with a quick-close loop that cinches up tightly. The rod has a comfortable medium-fast action with a supple, sensitive tips for fishing small flies and light tippets, but with enough power in the butt for good casting range. As finely-tuned a graphite rod as you will find. Superb! $895 $675
Echo Edge 480-4x ~ 8’ ~ 4pc. ~ 3oz. ~ 4wt. ~ EXC ~ From the maker… “This pleasurable trout class fly rod from Echo is a travel friendly 4 piece pack rod with a medium to fast action at a price that can't be beat. Features include: ultra durable blanks, TiCH stripper guides, premium grade cork, cordura rod case, rich wine gloss blank, single foot light weight snake guides, and a layered impregnated wood insert reel seat.” This comes with original labeled cordura covered tube with rod stats on the zippered cap. A great buy on a nice looking and easy-casting stick. $125
Garcia Conlon S-637 ~ 8’ ~ 2pc. ~ 4.2 oz. ~ 6/7wt. ~ EXC ~ This rod with the Conoguard sealed protection features an attractive silver blank, black wraps with silver accents, white ceramic stripper, chrome guides, black alloy ferrules. comfortable Wells grip, black metal seat with D/L’ing svrew and slide hood hardware and exposed black WC. No bag or tube. The medium action throws a sweet loop and will handle a 6 or 7 wt. line of your choosing. It will also throw 5 if asked and would be a good choice for trout or bass. $75
Orvis Boron/Graphite ~ 8’9” ~ 2pc. ~ 3 3/4oz.~ 7wt. ~ Serial No. 0486 ~ EXC ~ This hard to find early Orvis Boron/Graphite classic from the Powerflex Series was built in April 1986 and features a gray unsanded blank, gray wraps, comfortable light wells grip and U/L’ing screw and slide hood seat with a figured cedar spacer. The butt section is shorter than the tip (made that way). The bottom of the butt cap carries the rod name and info. The rod comes in the original Orvis labeled bag and Orvis labeled aluminum tube. A wonderful find for the Orvis enthusiast that does not look like it has seen that much use $225
Sage Model 890-4DS ~ 9’ ~ 4pc. ~ 4oz. ~ 8wt. ~ EXC ~ From Sage… “The Graphite II Discovery Series offers an updated, easy-to-cast action that's reliable and economical. They're also a long-lasting example of Sage's groundbreaking design technology. A derivative of the legendary "Reserve Power" action rod, the blank is made with the same design philosophy that brought the world its first high line speed, fast action rod — all at an affordable price without compromising quality.” This rod from the famous Bainbridge Island maker features attractive brown graphite II unsanded blanks, dark chocolate wraps, chrome guides, comfortable wells grip, black seat with black U/L’ing screw and slide hood hardware and fighting butt. The rod comes with original the original labeled bag and labeled cordura covered tube with rod stats on the zippered cap. A great buy on a nice looking and easy-casting stick. $150
St. Croix Legend Ultra UFT905 ~ 9’ ~ 4pc. ~ 3oz. ~ 5wt. ~ EXC ~ The Legend Ultra from the famous Wisconsin maker is a lightweight, ultra-sensitive, super-strong performance fly rod featuring an attractive green super high-modulus graphite blank, slim profile ferrules, Fuji guides, and tiger maple seat fitted with U/L’ing screw and slide hood hardware. It comes with a rugged cordura-covered rod case with handle, divided polypropylene liners, and labeled cap. This model retailed for $299. Get this one with plenty of mileage left in the tank for… $150
Winston Air ~ 9' ~ 4pc. ~ 3.6oz. ~ 6wt. ~ Serial No. 217759 ~ As New ~ Maker comments: “Winston designed this versatile freshwater rod series to be 'do-it-all' freshwater fly rods and refer to them as the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods'. A unique, progressive SuperSilica resin system keeps the rod lightweight, powerful, and dynamic. These classics stay true to the Winston brand with a medium/medium-fast action and delicate when you need them to be.” This quality made high-end graphite features the hallmark Winston deep green blank, chrome guides, light wells grip with tapered nose and attractive tiger stripe maple seat with N/S U/L’ing screw and slide hood hardware with company logo engraved into the bottom of the butt cap. The rod comes with original labeled bag and light carbon fiber tube with rod info on the cap. This sweet casting rod appears unfished and is being offered a long way south of its retail price. $595
