Vintage Southbend 290 Bamboo Fly Rod Rare Early Model Two Tips 7.5' 5 Wt

Description

Vintage Southbend 290 Bamboo Fly Rod Rare early slender grip  Model Two Tips 7.5' 5 Wt. In good condition, all the guides and wraps and ferrules are sound. Very nice two tip example of the early 290 model with darker bamboo, similar appearing  to that found on Orvis bamboo rods. Very difficult to find one of these early SB 290 rods in pretty much original condition and in good fishable condition. The early slender cork grip has been shellacked at some point in time to protect the cork, old application, not tacky, nice hand feel. Has the early up locking reel seat. The upper aluminum reel seat has a crack (see photo) that has been repaired with liquid metal, solid fix  holds the reel well, not very noticeable. Because of its age and use the tips have a typical small amount of set  about 1/4" in one and a half inch in the other, see photos. Most likely could be removed by a good bamboo smith if it bothers you, otherwise fish them as they are, the rod casts a 5 wt line nicely. The rod has a better casting feel to me than later models of the SB 290  perhaps due to the bamboo source or the hand taper planing used in the 1930's. With the exception of the shellacking of the cork grip,  the rest of the rod appears to me to be original and unaltered. Comes in a well used black  fiberboard tube, not sure if it is original or not, no markings.