JIM DOWNES 7’6” BAMBOO FLY ROD, 5WT

JIM DOWNES 7’6” BAMBOO FLY ROD, 5WT                         $1050                                 

This is a lovely 7’6” 2/2 rod from now-retired PA maker Jim Downes. The model is 7613. The workmanship is distinctive and very impressive, and the rod’s casting characteristics rival those of the very best rods available.  Downes built his rods on proprietary tapers, which he says were influenced by Heddon, but were by no means copies.  The result is a softer full-flexing rod with the ability to work dry flies or sub-surface flies equally well.  The cane work and finish on this rod is exemplary.  The cane is medium-brown, nodes are 3-up, tips are mirrored, and there is a modest taper at the butt.  The reel seat is blued cap-and-ring over a dark hardwood burl spacer, cork rings are 1 ¼”, 5 ¾” grip, floppy ring hook keeper, dark red silk with tiny black tipping, agate stripper (looks like Darryl Whitehead’s work), blued snakes, blued Super Z style ferrules, thoughtfully-made bag and brass-capped tube.  Condition is essentially new with plastic still on the cork.   There is a light smudge on the bag, and the paper tube label has some scrapes.  All in all, this is a terrific rod at an attractive price.