sold ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH “BANTA 44” FIBERGLASS FLY ROD SET

ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH “BANTA 44” FIBERGLASS FLY ROD SET

 A&F advertised this set in their 1968 catalog as the “most compact set ever developed” with a 4’4” fly rod weighing 1 ounce and the Hardy Flyweight reel weighing only 2 3/8 ounces.  It came with the rod, reel, a Perrine fly box, and a “special taper Banty fly line.”  The carrying case enclosed the reel, flies, and line, and the rod tube served as a handle.  I believe that the 2-piece rod was made by Phillipson.

The rod features a cap and ring reel seat over cork, 5 ½” handle, hook keeper, Mildrum style stripping guide, anodized ferrule with o-ring, and 3 snake guides on the tip.  It holds the little reel quite securely and will cast a line much better than you might expect.

Condition of the set is excellent, showing very little evidence of fishing use on the rod or reel.  The line has been spooled onto the reel, so the line package is missing.  The Perrine fly box holds a variety of flies and poppers.  All in all, a clever and eye-catching piece of mid-century Americana.