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Post 02 Feb 2010, 06:33 • #1 
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Being a longtime fan of The Andy Griffith Show, I've oftened wondered what kind of tackle was used on the show in the many episodes that featured fishing. Has anyone here been observant enough to figure out what brand of rods or reels were shown in any of the episodes?

Here's a few pics:

Image

Image

Image


Last edited by gaddis on 02 Feb 2010, 06:58, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 02 Feb 2010, 11:44 • #2 
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Gaddis,
In one episode, Andy trades his favorite rod to the Mayor in return for a bed jacket for Aunt Bea's birthday. If I remember correctly, he referred to the rod as
Eagle Eye Annie. I don't know if this an indication that the rod might be an Eagle Claw? Interesting question, I can't wait for the correct answer.

Doug


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Post 02 Feb 2010, 14:17 • #3 
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Yep, that's a good episode. I don't know if that name suggests Eagle Claw but it's a good a guess as any. For some reason True Temper keeps popping into my head. I don't know why - I've never owned a True Temper rod.


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Post 02 Feb 2010, 16:42 • #4 
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He's got some sweet boots, too. They look like Red Wings.


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Post 03 Feb 2010, 04:50 • #5 
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My take:

Andy's casting rod here is a Shakespeare Wonderod (Howald process) from the late Fifties. Produced in Columbia SC.

The handle section is almost identical to a 5'2" rod currently on eBay marked C1180-M. (Search Shakespeare Wonderod, scroll down to BIN's to compare photos).

The only difference is the placement of the knob securing the reel seat ... and the glass section is ifferent from Andy's. Just one more of Shakespeare's thousand variations on their basic Wonderod themes ...

Opie's double cork rod could be anything ... Andy's level line appears to be an older nickle silver model, looks a lot like my Shakespeare Wondereel but could be almost any brand ... Opie's is clearly a cheaper and newer LL ...

The best fishing gear shots on the show were probably in the episode Big Fish in a Small Town, although the 1968 airing means the gear manufacture was a lot later ...

Andy and Opie used different gear on different episodes ... including Andy's more modern straight-shaft spinning rod and fixed spool reel in one version of the whistling intro ...


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Post 03 Feb 2010, 06:54 • #6 
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I agree that the reels in the top photo are probably Shakespeares but I'm not so sure about the rod Andy's holding. It doesn't really look that much like the C1180-M handle other than in a very general sense.

If I remember right, Andy's outfit in the Big Fish in a Small Town episode was a baitcasting reel on a spinning rod.


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Post 03 Feb 2010, 13:53 • #7 
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I'm stickin' with Shakespeare variant.

Image

My St. Croix baitcaster has the similar "uplocking (!)" reelseat tightening knob in the same place as Andy's, it was a common switch in vintage b-casters..


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Post 03 Feb 2010, 18:49 • #8 
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I think it's an Actionrod.

Tom


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Post 04 Feb 2010, 05:10 • #9 
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Tom, you're probably right. I don't know the Actionrods a'tall.

BTW-Aaron Ruben, producer (and sometimes director) of the first few years of the show, died earlier this week.

Griffith at one point credited him with "co-creating" the series. His obit is here:

http://www.nytimes.com/20 ... /television/03ruben.html


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Post 17 Feb 2010, 06:04 • #10 
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Saw an episode this am. It was a later show where Opie saves a young boy from a bully. The little boy becomes attached to Opie. Everyone is concerned that Opie will find something and lose interest with the boy. New neighbors move in across the street from the Griffiths (cute young girl included). Aunt B is looking out the window as they are moving in commenting on their furniture and such. Andy is sitting reading the paper and saying B shouldn't be so nosey. B says "Oh he has 5 fishing rods". Andy jumps up looking out the window saying "fiberglass or bamboo?"! Had a good laugh. And the music the young kids are listening to ... my god what a '60's buzzing guitar atrocity!


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Post 17 Feb 2010, 11:49 • #11 
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That show was the last of the great situation comedies. Every episode had a lesson to teach our youth and a proper one at that. Not like the "get even" trash that's been spewing from the tele for the last 40 years.


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Post 17 Feb 2010, 16:31 • #12 
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Stomias, Wow! In all the years watching the show for clues, I missed that one.

I'll check it out on Ewetube.

And- ditto peacefisher, and Amen!


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Post 17 Feb 2010, 17:20 • #13 
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From the Opie's Fortune episode:

Opie: I'm sorry mister. I was just practicin' with my new rod.

Parnell Rigsby: Ummm, Ummmh. Mighty sharp.

Opie: It's made of fiberglass!

Parnell Rigsby: Fiberglass hah. Reckon bamboo must be hard to get these days.


Last edited by gaddis on 17 Feb 2010, 17:26, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 22 Feb 2010, 14:44 • #14 
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I remember at least one episode where Andy was carrying a cane casting rod.


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Post 04 May 2010, 05:18 • #15 
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I was just in Mayberry (Mt. Airy, NC) and saw this statue outside of the Andy Griffith Playhouse. I'm not really sure what that contraption is on Andy's spinning rod. BTW, we ate at the Snappy Lunch which is right beside Floyd's Barber Shop. .. seriously.
ImageImage


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Post 04 May 2010, 07:24 • #16 
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Duff, excellent!

I think that's the sculptor's reel-ization of Andy's actual gear ... not ... !

We know that several of the scupted rods/reels have been stolen over the years so I don't know if this is the reel deal as far as the originals ...


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Post 04 May 2010, 08:32 • #17 
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Kevin, somebody also recently painted Opie's head pink. .. which amounts to blasphemy in my book.


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Post 04 May 2010, 09:17 • #18 
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That reel is definitely called "Artistic License"


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Post 04 May 2010, 13:52 • #19 
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It looks like Opie i has an underspin reel. I didn't know the design was that old.

Mike


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Post 05 May 2010, 07:51 • #20 
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my recollection of the old closed face underspin reels is that they had a longer neck to the foot. I remember my Mom's favorite was a Zebco that had a finger hole as the neck.


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Post 10 May 2010, 10:08 • #21 
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Interesting. I've never payed a whole lot of attention but I am 100% sure Eagle Eye Annie was in fact a glass rod. I guess it's time to go watch some TV!


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