Still looking for information on Odgen Smith and His rods . I have one which has the Butt and Middle sections of what looks like natural Bamboo. The tip is six sided, the sections are different lengths and need repair .
Could soneone point me in the right direction for information ?
Thanks
Tyron

Tyron,

Sounds like a greenheart rod with bamboo tip.

As far as I know Ogden Smith did not make rods, but bought in from 'trade'

Brian

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“Let’s TACKLE Cancer” supporter

Do you mean He was just a middle man ? retailer?

He must be more than that. His name is on the rod butt.

James Ogden


James Ogden, originally from near Bakewell, set up his flies and fishing tackle business in Cheltenham circa 1850 and built a large, successful and mainly mail order operation there. Cheltenham being very well positioned for him to make use of the Victorian World Wide Web, the railways. The rods his business made had the legend: "Maker James Ogden Cheltenham" on the butt botton or the reel seat. When he died in 1897 his daughter and son-in-law carried on the business changing the name to Ogden Smith. Ogden Smith moved to London in the early 20th century and the business gradually became a straight forward retail operation with fly dressing remaining as the only production work.

Post some photographs of the rod so we might be able to comment on its construction.

richard

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

Sound's like their version of a Wallace Wizzard.

cheers,

Andy

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Wm. Salter & Grandson - Merchants
www.wmsalter.co.uk

Doubt it; the Wallis Wizard (and Wallis Avon) rods had split cane middle sections, and were developed in the early 1930s, well after Ogden's heyday. From the description it sounds more like a general bottom or Nottingham style rod from the turn of the century.

I stand corrected about the middle section , but Ogden Smith kept going until the 60s.

cheers,

Andy

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Wm. Salter & Grandson - Merchants
www.wmsalter.co.uk