In a bout of nostalgia I am trying to find an example of a Garcia Conolon Gold Four Star two piece freshwater spinning rod I owned as a kid. It was the rod I used with my Garcia/Michell 300 that I still own, however I traded the Garcia rod towards a discount on my first good fly rod, a Orvis Limestone Special which I still use on occasion.

All I remember about the rod was it was gold, four star, Conolon, I BELIEVE it was medium action with a red "G" in the butt cap and it had a distinctive internal metal spigot ferrule that looked like a large, long, zinc plated steel roll pin.

I found a couple examples of similar rods on eBay that are described as Model 2111-D 4 Star 7 ft. The eBay offerings look almost identical to what I remember but what I am hoping to find is images from a catalog(s) that features the Gold Four Star freshwater spinning rod models with the internal metal spigot ferrule so I can narrow down the model number. I've seen a few catalog pages from the late 1960's and mid 1970's but those Gold Four Star Rods have sizematic ferrules.

Any insight or information to help me narrow down the search would be appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance!!!

Hersh:

Take a look at these images from "the Bay"



Both of these spinning rod offerings look identical to what my cloudy memory recalls. Both rods are described as Garcia Gold Four Star Conolon 2111-D 4 Star 7 ft spinning rods.

Maybe all I need to know but I just wonder what other rods were available in the series with that ferrule before I start to search in earnest for a 2111-D.

I also THINK I read on some old catalog pages that the Gold Four Star were not the "top of the line" at the time but below the brown Four Star. I have to look again...

Just did some quick research. At least in 1970 the "rankings" were:

Top of the line: Custom

Next: Deluxe Five Star, (brown blank)

Next: Gold Four Star

Followed by: Brown Three Star, Blue Two Star, Green and Black.

There was also an internal metal ferrule advertised but it has a metal female insert and looks completely different from what I remember and what is pictured above.

Thanks for the help!!!

The metal spigot is very much like the Berkley Tri-Sport I fished inshore in high school

I checked the Mitchell Museum - they don't seem to have the list of Conolon rod catalogs they archived before.
Looks like they got a "restart" last year, so maybe data was lost.
They have a forum and it links a thread on Conolon rods.
Might be worth asking there.
https://mail.mitchellreelmuseum.com/for ... php?p=1678

ouch, that's a creepy end.
I always take my lightweight portable rod stand, and set up my rods away from the activity.
Especially rigging boats is hectic, and cars have to be moved to parking.