Hi all,

My Grandfather has recently given me his first fly rod, obviously its quite old so wouldnt want to use it, so I was wandering if anybody has any info on the rod? like origionall price, how many were made, and price now for one in good condition.
Thanks

here is what is printed on the rod:

Shakespeare Worcestershire fly, Boron 1726/285, (hash symbol, i think as in number) 8/10.

any info much apreciated

The version you have I need to know the colour of and also has it Fuji SiC rings .

Originally launched 28 years ago and the first batches were made by an excellent Japanese Commercial Rodmaker who subsequently committed Seppuku when he became one of the first victims of cheap Korean Manufacture and went bust .

Original finished in Dark Bottle Green with SiC rings Gold Framed and Dark Claret Whipping . Weren't especially cheap - around £85/90 . Current worth £15 - £25 unless you can find an incautious punter .

Later versions Korean made usually finished in Claret with Red Whippings and not that great !

More detail might help but not a treasure - wear it out is the best advice .

Best wishes

Steve P

some of the old shakespear tackle is really reliable even today i use a shakespear reel that is older than me but is in better nick
then agen me old grandad made sure theyd last a lifetime

Hi thanks for the info,
it is bottle green, the rings are not rings as such more wire bent to form a guide but not a ring with legs, and yes whipped with gold and red.
Thanks for then info, will keep hold of it i think!
Cheers

If i remember correctly, this was one of the first rods to be experimented in 'boron' Glassfibre had given way to carbon, and some manufacturers then moved to 'boron' for their top end rods. It was probably made in early '80s.

Another thing, if its #8-10 that probably relates to the line weights. 8-10 weight rods are aimed at larger fish and saltwater so would probably be unsuitable for river/small stillwater fishing.