A Forgotten Beauty
From the pages of the May 1942 issue of Field & Stream comes this ad for an all but forgotten beauty, the True Temper Professional Fly Rod. When one mentions a steel fly rod today, the usual reaction is rolling eyes and heads shaking along with a lot of statements about how tired one's arm would get using such a heavy beast. The fact is that just prior to the introduction of glass, True Temper had taken the development of the steel fly rod to a point not appreciated by those unfamiliar with it, and I think that includes the majority of living fly fisherman.
About a year ago my neighbor at the lake had as his house guest, a nationally famous fly fisherman and tackle producer. Though I will not name him, his exploits have made the Monday news round up on the Fishing History Blog. He is approaching 70 years of age, and I was surprised that the first time I mentioned bamboo to him as a fly rod material, he dismissed it as much inferior to graphite. Somewhat taken aback, I waited for his next yearly visit and as he was coming in off the lake, laid out my circa 1950, 7ft True Temper Professional Fly Rod and invited him over to take a look at it. I did not tell him what the rod was made of and with its beautiful baked enamel finish (described by True Temper as “Pearlesent Goosebone White”), his first guess was glass as the rod weighs only a tiny fraction over four ounces. He finally gave up and was astounded when I told him it was steel. The rod was outfitted with a 5 weight line and Pflueger Medalist reel. He picked it up and put on one of the most amazing demonstrations of fly casting I've ever witnessed. With seemingly little effort, 60 feet of line was flying back and forth with nary a dip at either end. After this he handed me the rod and talked on for some time about how great a feel it had and how light the rod was.
This rod was one of the most expensive rods that True Temper produced selling for $27.50 in the 1940's. Its guides, as the ad states, are tungsten and in the 1950 catalog it was stated that “One hundred and fifty four tube drawing operations are required to produce the sections of this rod”. The only qualms I have ever had with this grade of True Temper rod is that well into the 1950 era the guides were still wrapped with silk rather than Nylon. By 1954 the True Temper catalog no longer contained the Professional or any other grade of steel fly rod. Glass had taken over. It was not that glass made fly rods of far superior action and lighter weight, but glass was proving to be far easier and cheaper to manufacture than high quality, seamless tubular steel had ever been.
-- Bill Sonnett
3 comments:
Hi Todd. Stumbled upon your blog during research on a newly acquired True Temper rod. Your blog was very informative on the fly rod products that the company had produced and it was a shock to find out that in fact the rods were made in Ohio. I have but yet to fish the rod that I purchased, but surely after learning more on it no matter what it feels like it will have the historical factor that makes it fun. Now to the totally ironic part of this whole history lesson. After reading through you whole blog I came to your bio. It says that you are from Duluth Minnesota and that you reside in cincinnati now. I too am from Minnesota. Brainard to be exact. And I too now live in cincinnati. Small world. Just buy curiosity. In your research in fishing history over the years has the name Knutson ever pop up? My Minnesota family has been steep in fishing, guiding, trapping, and hunting in that state for over 100yrs. It would be very exciting to see if there’s any thing on them. Thanks for reading. Arik Messerscmidt
Hi all
I stumbled across my True Temper Professional fly rod in an antique store. It was in its original case and tube. It was all in original condition, even with the painted label. The goosebone looks as good as it did straight from the manufacturer. The silk wrappings, though present, were all dried out and cracking. To this day, it is truly the best trout rod I have ever used. It is incredibly balanced and the casting is almost effortless. Sure, it needs some maintenance as time goes on. The paint peels away and the silk has worn out. But it's casting ability and the suppleness of its action are incredible. It is an honor to use a 1950s American made rod on a daily basis that will still produce fish. I would love to hear from anyone that has stumbled upon one of these rods and has stories or more information on them. This rod has become a real special tool in my fly fishing arsenal.
I have a true temper Raider square steel rod. Pat. no. 1755159. Is there anyone who can tell me it’s approximate age? It will be placed in a museum, so I’m looking for information for it.
Skipkadar@gmail.com
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