SOLD F.E. THOMAS “SPECIAL” 8’6” BAMBOO FLY ROD

F.E. THOMAS “SPECIAL” 8’6”

 Here is an F.E. Thomas 3-piece, 2-tip Special grade rod recently restored by Steve Blake. The rod weighs 5.1 ounces on my scale, with 17/64” and 11/64” ferrules. The tips taper to a tiny 4/64”. The diamond on the butt cap dates the rod to 1936, following the chronology in Bob Stewart and Jerry Girard’s book on Thomas rods. The tube is the black-finished aluminum with nickel plated brass cap, collar and end piece. The bag is not original. The Thomas decal appears to be recent.

The rod features the Thomas down-locking reel seat over mahogany spacer, 6” cork grip, hook keeper on winding check, agate stripper, blued Thomas NS ferrules, blued steel English twist snakes. Perfection style tip-tops (no struts) were on the rod before restoration. They could be original or an interim replacement. All cane is original and excellent, ferrule fit is tight, cork is good with slight ridging. The cane is light colored.

This rod should fish a 6wt or 7wt line with plenty of power. Top choice for big water trout, steelhead, still water, or bass.