Fly Fishing

[David Unnerstall]

I am honored to inherit the fishing gear of my late father-in-law. He was a good man. I am glad I did get the opportunity to get to know him – I just wish we had more time.

My buddy Bob and I plan on leaving my bass boat at home and head to Sunburst on the NFOW for our fall fishing trip. I got out his fly rods and reels. I have two reels: a Pflueger Medalist and a South Bend Open-A-Matic (I know the general opinion of these but I have used it a bit in Marble Creek and I like it).

I have three rods:

South Bend/359-9’

Shakespeare/A13627-9’

Heddon/#30-Trout-8’ D-HDH

My questions are:

Should I replace the line on the reels?

Can I determine the taper of the line by looking at it?

How do I tell the weight of the rods? The only thing written on the rods are what I noted above.

And any other advice would be appreciated.

[lee G.]

The Classic fly rod forum puts the south bend and the heddon at a 6 weight line.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I would put new line on the best reel, you can always move it to the rod you settle on. With the older rods I think a double taper works better and I'm sure you will find yourself roll casting, something a double taper excels at.

Justin should be able to help you if he isn't too busy and that will be more helpful than what can be said here.

[David Unnerstall]

Thanks for this.

The Classic fly rod forum puts the south bend and the heddon at a 6 weight line.

[David Unnerstall]

Thanks Wayne. I do plan on buying flies there -- I just want to get setup and work on this before going.

I would put new line on the best reel, you can always move it to the rod you settle on. With the older rods I think a double taper works better and I'm sure you will find yourself roll casting, something a double taper excels at.

Justin should be able to help you if he isn't too busy and that will be more helpful than what can be said here.

[Wayne SW/MO]

By all means start ahead. I do believe if you aren't experienced you will have some questions about the casting and someone with experience observing you will get you the best answers.

[Gavin]

The Heddon is the only one with any significant value...8' probably a 5wf or 6dt...the Shakespeare...likely a 7wt...and a dog...the 359 South Bend...that's a 6wt...nice rod, but a bit heavy...Maybe 250+ for the Heddon if in good condition..the other two...$75 bucks on up depending on condition...A Plueger Medalist would look good on any of them...Maybe a Western Auto click pawl or an old South Bend Automatic. Were are you at? Have some pictures for an idea of condition? Check the ferrules...make sure that the are glued on well, fit well...clean them with some denatured alcohol and a q tip till clean...lube with paraffin wax...then check fit..Feel free to PM with Q's.

[David Unnerstall]

Gavin,

Thanks for this information. I am in North St. Louis County but I have no plans on selling these. It is just that I have been dragging my buddy Bob (who IS an avid fly fisherman -- at least he looks like it with all of the gear he has) bass fishing for quite a few years and he wants to fish the NFOW this year. I AM going to put the Medalist on the Heddon. I work in Fairview Heights, IL and am heading to Jerry's Tackle in Highland, during lunch, and go about getting the Medalist spooled. Attached is a couple pictures of the Heddon and one of both reels.

The Heddon is the only one with any significant value...8' probably a 5wf or 6dt...the Shakespeare...likely a 7wt...and a dog...the 359 South Bend...that's a 6wt...nice rod, but a bit heavy...Maybe 250+ for the Heddon if in good condition..the other two...$75 bucks on up depending on condition...A Plueger Medalist would look good on any of them...Maybe a Western Auto click pawl or an old South Bend Automatic. Were are you at? Have some pictures for an idea of condition? Check the ferrules...make sure that the are glued on well, fit well...clean them with some denatured alcohol and a q tip till clean...lube with paraffin wax...then check fit..Feel free to PM with Q's.

[Gavin]

That Heddon is fiberglass, not bamboo...thinking $75-150 value...maybe $20 for the Medalist, and $10 for the Orenomatic...Still fun rods to fish...Get a DT6 spooled on that Medalist and it will work on the Heddon and the Southbend 359...The 359 would work better on the NFoW. I'm more interested in those canoe plans...what are you building?

[David Unnerstall]

Gavin,

I built that canoe a couple of years ago. I needed a white background and those plans were handy. I posted on the canoe at the time. I hope this link functions.