A South Bend 9´6´´ #10 Classic III. Claims to be Action Tested but has never seen action. Maybe I´ll try to remove the labels and take it to the river the coming salmon season? It seems a shame that a rod doesn´t get to fish and this one has been waiting since the sixties...

That is a nice looking rod. I would definitely fish it.

Bruce

Will probably be a bit heavy!!

Thanks for the pictures.

A rocket launcher for sure. Would be fun to air that baby out.
On the other hand, if it’s found a way to remain mint after all these years, maybe it “deserves” to remain mint?
Tough call.
Thanks for the pics!

I have three South Bend Classic IV rods in different lengths. All of them still have the South Bend label firmly attached to the rod grip. I have an older South Bend rod that still has the Comficient grip label. I agree with GRASSNGLASS, don't take the labels off. If they were going to come off easily, they would already be off. Removing the labels is more likely to damage the cork.

My Classic IV rods all have a glass tip over butt ferrule. The rod action is slow, but nice. The grips are large. One rod has a tan painted blank, the other two have dark amber, translucent blanks. The wraps and fittings are classic 70s.

There are some sleeper glass fly rods with the South Bend trademark. Even in excellent shape they rarely sell for more than pocket change. Don't toss them aside at the swap meet, but bargain hard instead.


Tom