Pflueger big game rod

[mike]

Would anyone have any knowledge on a Pflueger split bambo rod ? I ran across one today, Iv'e seen plenty of boat rods but this thing is huge, about 7 ft. long, there is gold writing on it, I can't remember everything that was on it, but I do remember is has Pflueger and a date of 1930. The tip of the rod must be at leat a 1/4 in across and the but end just above the fore grip is around a 1 1/2" across maybe 2", the guy said he had the reel for it also and that was very large and would get it out of storage. I'd like to make a fair offer on the rod and would like to find some type of ball park value, the only problem with the rod was the tip top that I could see,thanks. Mike

[spey_chucker]

Hey Mike, I have a fair sized collection of similar rod. I also have surf rods, spey rods and trout rods. A great many of the boat rods were quite weel built but the auction prices are a fraction of the replacement value if you were to commision a new rod from a well known Builder. Most boat rods go for 30.00 to 50.00 almost regardless of the builder. I have paid mre because of special interests in certain builders or because an interesting individual owned the rod. Unless Pflueger commisioned the rod from someone like Gary Howells the rod should come fairly cheaply. I doubt that was the case though...most of these rods were cranked out in Utica. I would love to see a picture of this one...

Best Regards,
Sean Woodburn
Bend Oregon

[mike]

Thanks for the info Sean, if I'm able to pick it up I'll post a picture. Mike

[Brian F.]

Sean,

As someone who searches ebay every day for Pflueger reels and other items from that company, I come across Pflueger bamboo rods maybe at a rate of one rod per year. I seem to remember the last one going for over $100 and it appears to me that they are not that common. Certainly nothing like the multitude of Montague rods out there.

I'm not sure if you've found many elsewhere, but as a rod collector you may have better resources. I found it strange that they didn't pop up more often. I've been collecting Pflueger items for over 7 years now and I have yet to add one to my collection. Another Pflueger collector with much more experience than I has also conveyed the same perception about their rods. Which seems strange because their reels were so popular and they offered a pretty wide selection of rods in their catalogs.

When you mention that they were made in Utica, do you mean that you feel the rods were not made at the Pflueger factory in Akron? Please excuse my poor geography schooling but where might Utica be? Also, did Pflueger's catalogs indicate or advertise at any time that they employed outside builders for their rods? I never paid much attention to the rod sections so I suspect I may have missed something.

Mike, I'm sure we'd all like to hear more about the reel too!

[Reel Geezer]

Brian: I assume that Sean means the rod was made by H-I for Pflueger. Utica is in NY.

[spey_chucker]

Reel Geezer nailed it. H-I made a huge number of rods for other names.
As I stated, I sometimes have paid more than I should have for certain names that I was interested in. A pristine Pflueger may well command 100.00. In the world of cane as you well know that is a fraction of what you might pay for a comparable trout rod. Montague for example. Depending on model and condition you might pay between 150.00 to 350.00 for some of the trout models. A fanatic MIGHT pay 75.00 for a boat rod in perfect shape. I have seen people pay more but they should have waited for another opportunity, it certainly would have come. Odd cane on ebay always seems to sell high or low. I think allot of novices buy thinking they have hit a great deal. As far as Pflueger building cane in house I am quite sure they did not. I do know the man with the answer on that one however and will have that answer on monday. Come to think of it...that old Templar that's sitting on the shelf sure would look good on a Pflueger rod...

Best Regards,
Sean Woodburn

[Brian F.]

Phil, thanks for clarifying.

Sean, thanks for the additional information. It never occured to me that Pflueger didn't make their rods and, yes, I'd be interested in hearing if others can confirm that.

I just assumed that with such a huge factory and all the other products they made, why is it that Pflueger would have not done rods too. Does anyone know if there were other things Pflueger offered that were made by other companys? I can't think of any off the top of my head but would be interested in learning more. I've never thought of Pflueger as a re-branding company.

I have quite a few different Templars too and wouldn't mind finding a couple of Pflueger boat rods to match the different models. Better yet would be an Atlapac on a beefy cane rod.

Please let me know if you come across any Pflueger boat rods - I'm a novice when it comes to cane rods (and maybe a Pflueger phanatic) so I'd be interested in the next opportunity if they're priced as you mentioned.