An Interesting Mid-1890s Bass Rod

[David Lehmann]

This ornate Henshall combination casting rod was likely made for Shipley by Chubb (based upon the hardware). This rod is unusual in that it has two different length tips, with one forming a standard 8' 3" Henshall black bass rod and the other forming a 7' "mini" version of Henshall's "Little Giant" pattern. The rod is made of bethabara wood and has German silver hardware and agate lined tip guides. A very similar rod (No. 805) appears in Shipley's 1896 catalog (photo included below). Shipley was a big proponent of bethabara, and his top-quality bethabara rods (like this one) were comparable in price to the finest split bamboo rods that he sold. This rod appears to be very lightly used (of not used) and is in its original form case and bag. Most of the cloth label is intact, although the printing has faded.

[Paul Roberts]

Beautiful rod, David! Wonderful piece of bass fishing history too. I looked up bethabara and found that it's another name for Ipe, a very dense tropical hardwood. It's so dense it actually sinks in water. I'm surprised the rod only weighs 10oz. I have a Horton steel rod, only 4'6", that weighs 8oz. I've wondered what the role mass plays in casting, similar to the arrow mass vs speed discussion in archery hunting circles. The slower the cast (of the bow) the more mass is required for penetration.

Have you seen many sassafras rods? Read at one point that it was a favorite of some makers.

[Steve]

In his bill, the plaintiff [M.A. Shipley] avers that on March 15, 1882, he adopted the arbitrarily selected name " Bethabara Wood" as a trade-mark and means of identifying his leading fishing rods and wood for the manufacture of the same, and that since that time he has continued to manufacture, put up, ship, and deliver specially chosen and prepared wood of high grade and quality and marked with the said trade-mark ; that he was the first to adopt and use the arbitrary word "Bethabara Wood" as a trade-mark for wood so manufactured, and that he is the sole and exclusive owner of the trade-mark.

There's no good reason to suppose that Chubb made the rod. The Shipleys made rods for many years, and that butt design is characteristic. Meanwhile, Chubb was selling "Complete sets of Brass, Nickel-Plated and German Silver Rod Trimmings," not to mention castings and "various parts for making reels."

[kyreels]

Dave, great rod example of historical tournament rods. When Henshall published his seminal 1881 Book of the Black Bass, he describes a rod in 3 sections of 34 ½ inches each, which assembled measured 8’ 3” long and weighed 8 ounces. He engaged Abbey & Imbrie of New York to produce it. After publication and widespread acclamation, most rod manufacturers were producing the Henshall rod, and it became the standard for baitcasting through the end of the nineteenth century. I consider this type of rod to be the first tournament rod for tournament accuracy casting. Rods such as these were most likely used in 1884 NRRA tournaments, promoted by Henshall. Of course, the 1896 tournaments, competitive tournament rods were also leaning towards the 6 foot "Chicago" rods from makers like Fred Devine, also using Bethabara. The shorter rods eventually won out. We think that early tournament casters used bamboo, but Bethabara was king for a while.

[David Lehmann]

Steve,
You hit on the reason that it is so difficult to identify wood rod makers from this time frame: many makers were buying Chubb hardware. The ferrules and guides are almost certainly made by Chubb. The black and white celluloid wrapped handle was a favorite of Chubb at the time, but it may reflect a "customer preference," with a lot of makers following suit. Shipley (at least his dad) was likely making reels, so I guess there is no reason to think he could not have also been manufacturing rods.

[Dustnstuff]

Hi all,
I have Shipley rod that was made by Edward Vom Hofe. That may be a good place to start your research.
Dustnstuff

[David Lehmann]

Well, all hardware components (guides, ferrules, reel seat) were made by Chubb. Chubb even sold "you assemble" rod kits, besides just the components. To Steve's point, Chubb favored lancewood and ash. And to Steve's point, Shipley did trademark the bethabara label. I'm not sure if anyone has identified/described a signature wrapping pattern for Shipley (if they made rods). If so, that would help. Cane rods--although not easy--are easier to attribute to particular makers because there is more variability in manufacture and--with the 20th century ones--there is a better paper/document trail.

[Steve]

Shipley (if they made rods)

Why would you question their rodmaking? Here's a portion of an 1895 ad in American Angler, shortly before Malcolm bought out his father. Note the "by us."


Just for kicks, here are two rods given as prizes in an 1884 tournament:

For comparison, the Sage and Milam reel prizes were each valued at $20, whereas the Malleson Perfection was valued at $25. Times change.