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Post 18 Jun 2012, 12:05 • #1 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
This rod deserves to be presented in pictures. The rest is history.

/Chris

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Post 18 Jun 2012, 15:17 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 2462
Location: Seattle, WA
That's a gem. I think it sold for over $200 in the 1960's. I would imagine there aren't too many of them floating around. Your a lucky man ...


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Post 18 Jun 2012, 16:39 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
That's correct. It sold for $175. There are a few posts on this rod already here on the board. I won't tell the story since I guess most of you know it already. It's a piece of flyfishing history, and I'm proud to take care of it for a while.

Only two of these rods were exported to Europe in the 60's, and one of those rods are in Germany. The other rod is incognito. But today there are perhaps three of them over here in Europe.

I'm sorry for the bad matching reel. It's way too big. Any ideas what to pair it up with? What would be the appropriate reel from that era? Bulldog?


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Post 18 Jun 2012, 18:12 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 1778
Location: Western Colorado
Congrats, Chris. I don't know much about the rod, but I dig the cool jade green blank color and the matching reel seat hardware. And that cigar grip sure looks slim!

And I agree, the unique rod aesthetic deserves "the right reel." It'll be fun to see what you come up with.


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Post 18 Jun 2012, 18:58 • #5 
Master Guide
Joined: 09/21/09
Posts: 369
Location: US-TX
Thanks for posting the pictures. I've always wanted to see what one looked like.
How about matching it up with a Hardy Viscount or SA 130


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Post 18 Jun 2012, 21:01 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/03/07
Posts: 2055
Location: Marble Falls, Texas
Now I've seen one! Let us know how it fishes.


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Post 18 Jun 2012, 22:22 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
Chris, congratulations on your new acquisition and thanks for posting photos of your extremely rare Purist. I was recently talking with Bob Selb of the Classic Flyfisherman and he told me that he finally found another Purist for himself. He said he had one years ago and sold it to Per Brandin - said he's been kicking himself for years for ever selling it and has only seen the two in all the years he has been dealing in rods. Interestingly, he told me that Tom Dorsey also though that it was a wonderful taper and asked Bob if he could mic it before turning it over to Per.


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Post 18 Jun 2012, 23:56 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
Duff - Very interesting info! I really look forward to string it up and go fishing. Guess I'll have to take it nice and easy though ...


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 03:01 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/11
Posts: 1231
Location: Fresno, CA
Wow, so that's what they look like. What are the reel names made of?

Also have you fished it yet?


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 07:51 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/16/08
Posts: 3540
Location: Upstate-NY
Nice find Christian!
So that makes you and Donny as two forum members who own this rod?

Duff, well that sure speaks to this rods rarity if Selb has only even seen two!

What is the purpose of that oddly-shaped fixed hardware at the butt?


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 09:18 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
Corey, I had the same question on the fixed butt cap. I am guessing that you can turn the two sliding rings until they fit together to make one ring and then use it and the fixed cap or just use the two rings as shown by Christian. Maybe it gives two options depending on the size of the reel foot?


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 09:26 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/30/09
Posts: 2527
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Duff wrote:
Corey, I had the same question on the fixed butt cap. I am guessing that you can turn the two sliding rings until they fit together to make one ring and then use it and the fixed cap or just use the two rings as shown by Christian. Maybe it gives two options depending on the size of the reel foot?

I've been staring at the pictures trying to figure out the purpose of that configuration.
What a cool idea!


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 15:13 • #13 
Guide
Joined: 02/23/11
Posts: 344
Location: US-CO
WOW! Speechless ...


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 19:17 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/10/09
Posts: 1651
Location: US-OH
Neat rod! Perhaps a Hardy Featherweight or the green Heddon 300 Featherweight clone would look nice.


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Post 19 Jun 2012, 21:37 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/26/09
Posts: 1106
Location: Richmond, TX
Very interesting rod. I had heard about them, but never seen one, and not being a Shakespeare rod* guy didn't know anything about them except by reputation. (* I am a Shakespeare Supreme reel guy, both fly and spinning.)

I agree with tiptop, a Heddon 300 series reel would be a perfect complement (and one as new in box can be found for a reasonable price). Like Shakespeare reels, I have had good success with various green Heddon reels, again both fly and spinning.

Andrew.


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 00:47 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/11
Posts: 1231
Location: Fresno, CA
Or a real classy choice would be a hardy tealweight


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 03:59 • #17 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/31/06
Posts: 1262
Location: Mid- coast Maine
Proper match or not, those Count Morner reels sure are sexy.
RFMcD


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 08:32 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/30/09
Posts: 2527
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Glass Enthusiast wrote:
Or a real classy choice would be a hardy tealweight

A Tealweight would be cool but unfortunately I think it'd be waaaaay too small on it.


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 11:02 • #19 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/15/06
Posts: 804
Location: Fayetteville, NC
The Tealweight wouldn't hold very much 6wt line, and is 35 yrs too young. The newest reel that would look right, imo, might be an old CFO III or IV. Still too young by a few years, but ground-breaking design, like the Purist. I'd think a vintage Hardy Lightweight would also be appropriate, and it was designed with a similar form-is-function, ultralight aesthetic, just a few years prior to the Purist.


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 12:08 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
I forget what year Shakespeare bought JW Young, and I forget what year those rods were sold. Nevertheless, a very authentic and high-grade combo would be a Shakespeare labled Young reel such as the Beaulite.


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 13:37 • #21 
Guide
Joined: 01/12/08
Posts: 342
Location: Penn's Woods
Chris, I remember seeing one of these rods many years ago as a youngster behind a lighted glass showcase in a local sporting goods store (now long gone). The image is still indelibly etched in my mind as I was awestruck by such a neat, futuristic rod. The entire package is a work of art. Too bad Shakespeare can't make a rod of this caliber today. Back in the late 60's/ early 70's, Shakespeare had a good reputation as a tackle manufacturer. I look forward to your casting/fishing impressions. IIRC, the rod only weighs 2.5 oz., so it might balance with a light reel. Sacrilege as it may be, I think this rod would look good with the 1st generation Lamson Litespeed 2 in the pale olive gray type III anodization.


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Post 20 Jun 2012, 18:48 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/05/10
Posts: 5229
Location: Mid Hudson Valley of New York
Wow, that's the first time I've ever seen one of those. I'm not really into white as a color for fishing rods but that is very cool looking. I especially like the reel seat. Are the sliding bands made of agate? What is the butt cap made of? A vintage Hardy Lightweight gets my vote for the reel pairing.


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Post 23 Jun 2012, 12:30 • #23 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/22/09
Posts: 1494
Location: Sweden
Criscip - The sliding bands are made of fiberglass tubing, cut in pieces. The butt cap is made from walnut, and the extra "handle" on the butt cap is also made of fiberglass.

A green Heddon 300 sounds nice, or perhaps a green, narrow drum Condex.

Chris


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Post 03 Jul 2012, 08:32 • #24 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/11/05
Posts: 1008
Location: US-NY
Very cool rod. I think paveglass has one also.


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Post 10 Jul 2012, 22:48 • #25 
Guide
Joined: 02/23/11
Posts: 344
Location: US-CO
I second the idea of a green condex, that would be a lovely pairing. though, so would a Heddon 300 ... dang it, I want one of those rods!


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