Victory, in more ways than one

[EmergingFisher]

Just picked up a Wright & McGill Granger Victory. 3 pieces, 9 foot. To my very untrained eye, looks like all original wraps and guides. Slight bend in the tip section.

$22 estate sale find.

 

[PhilR]

Damn. Nice find

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Score! Do you have a vintage reel to hang on it?

 

[EmergingFisher]

Score! Do you have a vintage reel to hang on it?

I have a Montague Rapidan and a Pflueger Progress 1774 - either would look nice. A tuna can Martin 63 that may also be a fun pairing.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

The Martin is a little light for a long heavy bamboo rod.....like the 63 they’re kinda small in diameter too. I like my Hardy’s but a Pfluger 1495 could do the trick....

 

[EmergingFisher]

The Martin is a little light for a long heavy bamboo rod.....like the 63 they’re kinda small in diameter too. I like my Hardy’s but a Pfluger 1495 could do the trick....

I have a well-loved 1494 and a shiny 1495 I could choose from as well

 

[Cliff]

You did really well on that score! I had a similar deal on an 8642 Special 20 years ago, but it needed a new wrap on one guide. I'm jealous as I always wanted a Victory. I think the wraps on a Victory are one of their best color schemes.

 

[Dave Westburg]

Big fan of the Victory fly rods. Have an 8642 5 weight Victory and a 9050 6 weight Victory. There's a delightful story about the name. Granger production foreman Bill Phillipson was feuding with Granger business manager Anges Marshall about changing the reel seat on Granger rods after Goodwin Granger's death. Granger's widow May Granger Stocks settled the dispute by giving Phillipson full discretion over rod design and components. Phillipson named the new rod the Victory, which must have rankled Anges Marshall every time she processed an order for the rod. Here's my 9' 6050 Granger being put throughg its paces up at Cooper Lake.

 

[Cliff]

Great story. I'd love to have a Victory, these are some of my favorite fly rods. I have an 8642 Special and did own a 7-1/2ft Special at one time. I guess the holy grail for me would be the 8040. I love the wraps on the Victory.

 

[@Dryflyphotography]

I also love the Victory model, but particularly the first version made before the company was bought by Wright McGill. That WM model is fine, but the extra black tipping wraps on the original version are beautiful IMO. Here's a pic of an 8-1/2' first version, I have a print hanging on my wall...
[url=https://postimg.cc/tZ3377Pz][/URL]

 

[@Dryflyphotography]

For anyone looking...there's a local CL listing for an 8642 W&M Victory. Repaired and in very good fishing condition with a price tag that reflects those traits. Based on the description and location I think I know who is selling it and if that is the seller I'd trust their workmanship all day long, every day. He's a solid guy and very good at bamboo rod work.

 

[Cliff]

I just bought two W&M Granger rods recently or else I would jump on this.