Vintage Phillipson Preferred split-bamboo fly rod

This is a 7’ 3 HCH three-piece vintage Phillipson Premium, varnished split-bamboo fly rod with two full length tips. According to Sinclair’s book "Colorado classic cane", the preferred rod was introduced in the 1953 catalogue. The Peerless rod was introduced at the same time and these rods were the first impregnated rods made by Phillipson. By 1955, according to "Colorado Classic Cane," the impregnated Preferred and Peerless were the only bamboo fly rods Phillipson still offered, as he had shifted much of his focus to fiberglass by then.

Bill Phillipson was the protégé of Goodwin Granger and his supervisor at the Goodwin Granger Co. rod shop up until its closing in the early 1940s and is in the era of other great split-cane fly rod makers like the early Orvis, Wright and Payne fly rods. The bamboo is in excellent shape with no breaks or cracks and all sections are straight, the grip is clean, all are the correct original length, including both tips. All the varnish is original and the ferrules fit snugly and separate with a nice pop. The rod is totally original and has a very smooth , beautiful feel and cast. From all indications it was only used a very few times and stored, properly, since; it comes with, I believe to be the original aluminum tube and cloth bag. Thank you for offerding