I picked up this rod and reel for $5 yesterday at a garage sale. It was encrusted in old barn dust, so I wasn't sure I would be able to find a manufacturer's mark. After soaking overnight in a mild dish-soap solution, I've removed enough grime to vaguely read the word "Phantom" and to clearly see the model number "F286" in block letters. (Unfortunately, there is no casper logo.) The rod is tubular (not solid). All guides are in good shape. Wraps are tight around the guides, but the spiral portions of the wraps are coming loose. The rod has a hook keeper and stripping guide with mylar underneath. There are four snake guides (without mylar). The tiptop was designed with a crimped tube. The guide feet are full thickness (not filed down) and the tips of the feet appear to be deliberately exposed in the wraps.
After a vigorous cleaning with isopropanol, the ferrules now work great (but they still need lots of external cosmetic cleaning). I cast it in the road with 6-WF line, and I love it--very slow and smooth action.
I plan to continue cleaning, stabilize the wraps, and fish with it a few times this fall. Over the winter, I'll completely refinish and re-wrap with new (and more) guides and thread. (If the word "Phantom" was easier to read, I'd just clean it up and repair the spiral wraps. Without a good original logo, however, I think I prefer to give it a complete refinish and make it nice.)
The rod came with a cheap, corroded reel. I intended to toss the reel in the junk bin, but it operates smoothly and the clicker works great. It's such a simple and functional reel, I'm thinking about putting some line on it. If I succeed in getting rid of the rust, is there a way to prevent the corrosion from coming back? It appears to be made of ferrous metal with a flaking chrome finish. I think the clearances are large enough to accommodate some rust-o-leum or other finish on the visible parts. Any thoughts?
Best wishes.
Mitch