New-Old Glass

Squatchin · May 22, 2023

I recently came into possession of Heddon 702 Tubular Glass rod from 1951, complete with Faux Bamboo "browntone" finish! Cork and reel seat are in great condition, and has a nice patina. Guide and ferrule wraps are starting to come undone, but that will be a fun project to fix. I'd like to put new black nickle snake guides on and a Agate stripping guide. Hopefully get it out on the water this summer.

I'd like to know what line choices y'all would recommend. Despite it heft, It does not feel like a 7wt! Maybe a modern 4 or 5?

mcswny · May 22, 2023

That faux bamboo is hilarious

Squatchin · May 22, 2023

mcswny said:
That faux bamboo is hilarious

It is! Back when glass was new they needed a transition I guess.

Mike Monsos · May 22, 2023

Nice catch! Personally, I'd think twice about an agate stripping guide and go with a all metal style. The agate guides are more apt to fail or get broken in the long run IMHO. Plus I like the looks better of these.

Mike Monsos · May 22, 2023

That being said if you are set on using an agate stripping guide I'd recommend one from Joe.

Agate Guides

Click on images to enlarge I am now offering Agate Stripping Guides to my fellow rod makers. These are the finest Agate Strippers avaliable. I make these stripping guides as you would make jewlery. Each one is hand made and the Agate rings are hand bezeled which allows me to use some very fine...

jearguello.com

Mike

Bambooflyguy · May 22, 2023

That’s a cool rod! I’d start with a 5 wt and go from there to see how it casts. I like agate guides......

Squatchin · May 22, 2023

Tested it today with a WF5F and DT5. It seemed to like the DT more. I started removing the comically small guides from the blank. The stripping guide looks to be about 4mm ID.

1 stripping guide, 8 snake guide and the tip-top.

I am thinking for guide sizes10mm, 3, 2, 1,1/0, 1/0, 1/0, 1/0, 1/0 5tt

Does that seem about right?

Mike Monsos · May 23, 2023

This is a good guide for sizing and spacing your guides.

https://www.snakeguides.com/pdf/guide_spacing_size.pdf

Mike

Squatchin · May 23, 2023

Thanks Mike. Thats perfect

clarkman · May 23, 2023

If you're a faster graphite guy, you'll probably love it with a 5wt. If you're a slower glass/boo guy, you'll love ith a 7wt. Or if you're completely contrarian, you'll just throw on 225-250 shooting head and call it a day....I know which category that I fall into.