quashnet.clarksclassicflyrodforum
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Quashnets PHY Co Rod Photos
Rod Maker Handwriting and Other Identification Markings on Paul H. Young Co. Fly Rods
Several rod makers worked for the Paul H. Young Co. They include Paul H. Young, Robert W. Summers, Jack Young, and Todd Young. These makers were active at various (sometimes overlapping) periods during the company's history.
Reproduced signature by Paul H. Young, from 1938 PHY catalog.
Handwriting by Paul H. Young, July 1948.
Handwriting by Paul H. Young, November 1949.
The link below takes you to a group of close-up photos identifying handwriting seen on PHY Co. rods. Although a signature helps to identify a rodmaker and thus the time period when a particular rod was built, note that the maker who signed a rod may or may not have carried out every step in that rod's construction. If you have useful photos that may be added, please contact me through my Forum inbox or at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net.
Handwriting by Bob Summers, 1962.
Handwriting by Bob Summers, 2009 rod refinish.
To see close-up photos of inked handwriting by various Paul H. Young Co. rod makers, please click on the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
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Several rod makers worked for the Paul H. Young Co. They include Paul H. Young, Robert W. Summers, Jack Young, and Todd Young. These makers were active at various (sometimes overlapping) periods during the company's history.
Reproduced signature by Paul H. Young, from 1938 PHY catalog.
Handwriting by Paul H. Young, July 1948.
Handwriting by Paul H. Young, November 1949.
The link below takes you to a group of close-up photos identifying handwriting seen on PHY Co. rods. Although a signature helps to identify a rodmaker and thus the time period when a particular rod was built, note that the maker who signed a rod may or may not have carried out every step in that rod's construction. If you have useful photos that may be added, please contact me through my Forum inbox or at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net.
Handwriting by Bob Summers, 1962.
Handwriting by Bob Summers, 2009 rod refinish.
To see close-up photos of inked handwriting by various Paul H. Young Co. rod makers, please click on the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
Quashnets NNN List
Quashnet's "NNN" List of
Notable, Non-Numbered PHY Co. rods
167 rods listed.
Most recent entry: July 1, 2009
The link below takes you to photos and descriptions of some interesting Paul H. Young Co. rods built before serial numbering was instituted in 1955. I call them "NNN" rods: Notable, Non-Numbered PHY Co. rods.
PHY PARA 17, dated November 1951, built for Herb Witte.
8'6", 2/2, 5.20 oz. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap, brown decorative spiral wraps at ferrules, guides, tip tops, and at front of grip.
Lettered on two flats by PHY.
First flat: "PARABOLIC 17" 8 1/2' - 5.20 oz. HCH Herb Witte Nov. 1951
Second flat: Fer. 17/64 Tip Top 5 1/2/64
Largemouth bass fishing with the Herb Witte Para 17 on June 19, 2009.
Unique PHY 6'9" PUMPKIN SEED SPECIAL, built by Paul H. Young circa 1953 for nine-year-old Anne Lively - "I think I was about 9 years old when Mr. Young came to visit my parents in Pittsburgh. He took me out to the front yard to cast the little rod he'd brought. I remember we talked about his grandkids, who were the ages of my sister and me, dogs, and fishing. I told him I liked catching brook trout and bluegills. I guess I passed the casting audition because he then presented me with the rod. That was 1953, I think. I've used it ever since."
PHY 8'0" ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, very early, circa 1925-1927 according to Patrick Garner (author of Playing With Fire: The Life & Fly Rods of E.W. Edwards) , "clearly EW's work using Edwards components." Many features mirror the Edwards Special. One tip down 1/8". Never refinished & in excellent condition. Paul Young-style "thumb rest" in cork grip. No "Detroit" die stamp on butt cap. A 7'6" Ace of the same design is listed in MJK catalog 50 (1988).
A few rods made after 1955 were built without serial numbers.
Please contact me if you know of similar rods that may be listed here, through my forum inbox or at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net. To see the list, please click the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
Notable, Non-Numbered PHY Co. rods
167 rods listed.
Most recent entry: July 1, 2009
The link below takes you to photos and descriptions of some interesting Paul H. Young Co. rods built before serial numbering was instituted in 1955. I call them "NNN" rods: Notable, Non-Numbered PHY Co. rods.
PHY PARA 17, dated November 1951, built for Herb Witte.
8'6", 2/2, 5.20 oz. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap, brown decorative spiral wraps at ferrules, guides, tip tops, and at front of grip.
Lettered on two flats by PHY.
First flat: "PARABOLIC 17" 8 1/2' - 5.20 oz. HCH Herb Witte Nov. 1951
Second flat: Fer. 17/64 Tip Top 5 1/2/64
Largemouth bass fishing with the Herb Witte Para 17 on June 19, 2009.
Unique PHY 6'9" PUMPKIN SEED SPECIAL, built by Paul H. Young circa 1953 for nine-year-old Anne Lively - "I think I was about 9 years old when Mr. Young came to visit my parents in Pittsburgh. He took me out to the front yard to cast the little rod he'd brought. I remember we talked about his grandkids, who were the ages of my sister and me, dogs, and fishing. I told him I liked catching brook trout and bluegills. I guess I passed the casting audition because he then presented me with the rod. That was 1953, I think. I've used it ever since."
PHY 8'0" ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, very early, circa 1925-1927 according to Patrick Garner (author of Playing With Fire: The Life & Fly Rods of E.W. Edwards) , "clearly EW's work using Edwards components." Many features mirror the Edwards Special. One tip down 1/8". Never refinished & in excellent condition. Paul Young-style "thumb rest" in cork grip. No "Detroit" die stamp on butt cap. A 7'6" Ace of the same design is listed in MJK catalog 50 (1988).
A few rods made after 1955 were built without serial numbers.
Please contact me if you know of similar rods that may be listed here, through my forum inbox or at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net. To see the list, please click the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
PHY Co Catalogs and Advertising
The link below takes you to photos of Paul H. Young Co. catalogs, books, and advertising pieces, shown in chronological
order.
There you will find items spanning five decades, such as these magazine advertisements:
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Sports Afield, January 1937.
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Field & Stream, May 1950.
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Sports Afield, May 1952.
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Field & Stream, April 1955.
Please click the link below. After viewing the photos, use the "back" button on your browser to return to my profile page.
[Read more]
There you will find items spanning five decades, such as these magazine advertisements:
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Sports Afield, January 1937.
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Field & Stream, May 1950.
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Sports Afield, May 1952.
Paul H. Young Co. ad, Field & Stream, April 1955.
Please click the link below. After viewing the photos, use the "back" button on your browser to return to my profile page.
[Read more]
PHY Items and Accessories
A NOTE CONCERNING THE PHY CO. LEDGER: The PHY shop ledger, in which serial numbered rods were recorded from 1955
onward, was recently sold by Lang's Auctions. Some people have asked whether I bid on and won the ledger. I did not bid. I do not have the ledger, and do
not know who now owns it. My hope is that the owner will make the contents of the ledger public, so that everyone has access to this important historical
record of the Paul H. Young Company. My ongoing effort to document PHY Co. rods will continue, so that Paul H. Young's accomplishments may be better
understood and appreciated.
THANK YOU! to the wonderful person who sent me a copy of this 1951 PHY catalog, for which I had been searching a long time.
I am always interested in obtaining Paul H. Young Co. catalogs, fliers, correspondence and accessories. These items shed light on the history of the PHY Co. and help me better understand its development. Please contact me at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net to discuss sales or trades. Thank you!
THANK YOU! to the wonderful person who sent me a copy of this 1951 PHY catalog, for which I had been searching a long time.
I am always interested in obtaining Paul H. Young Co. catalogs, fliers, correspondence and accessories. These items shed light on the history of the PHY Co. and help me better understand its development. Please contact me at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net to discuss sales or trades. Thank you!
Quashnets Sites
- R.W. Summers Co. - Bamboo Rods
- C.K. Lively's "Memories of Paul H. Young"
- A Japanese PHY rod collection
- bo~:bo~: Paul H. Young Rods
- Obituary, Paul A. Young
- Obituary, Jack Young
- banjo's Paul H. Young Co. page
- LHW's PHY Special, 7-1/2', 2/2
- Bamburakentaja PHY page
- No. Michigan Journal - Summers article
- Dr. Todd Larson's "Fishing for History"
Welcome to the PHY Database Page
The Paul H. Young Database Pages celebrate the work of
master bamboo rod maker Paul Holden Young (1890 - 1960), and the history of the Paul H. Young Co.
FOUR GREAT RODS from the PAUL H. YOUNG CO.
(left to right) MIDGE #3622 (built 1958); MARTHA MARIE #4020 (built 1962); PARABOLIC 15 #4378 (built 1967); PARABOLIC 17 pre-serial number (built 1951).
PARA 15 (Summers, built 1967) and PARA 17 (Young, built 1951), with three classic flies from the PHY Co: Strawman nymph (above), Redhead (lower left), and Brown Bivisible (lower right).
FOUR GREAT RODS from the PAUL H. YOUNG CO.
(left to right) MIDGE #3622 (built 1958); MARTHA MARIE #4020 (built 1962); PARABOLIC 15 #4378 (built 1967); PARABOLIC 17 pre-serial number (built 1951).
PARA 15 (Summers, built 1967) and PARA 17 (Young, built 1951), with three classic flies from the PHY Co: Strawman nymph (above), Redhead (lower left), and Brown Bivisible (lower right).
Quashnet
I am a full-time illustrator and artist with thirty years of professional
experience, who specializes in fisheries and wildlife subjects. I illustrate books and magazines, design exhibit
spaces for museums, nature centers and zoos, and accept commissions for framed artwork and murals. To discuss illustration projects, please contact me at
robertgolder AT comcast DOT net.
For more information about me and my artwork, please click on the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
For more information about me and my artwork, please click on the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
Quashnets List of Paul H Young Co Bamboo Fly Rods
Quashnet's List of
Serial-Numbered Paul H. Young Co. Fly Rods
299 rods listed.
Most recent entry: June 24, 2009
The link below takes you to a list of serial numbered Paul H. Young Co. rods that I have researched.
Serial numbering began in 1955, beginning with the serial number 1955, or possibly #1950. It is believed that Paul H. Young deliberately introduced a gap of 750 or more serial numbers in the numbering system, roughly from #2350 to #3300.
PHY #3622, Midge, built in 1958 by Paul H. Young.
Paul H. Young died on April 28, 1960. Rod #3888, model unknown, build date March 14, 1960, is reported to be the last rod built during PHY's lifetime. Rod #3889, model unknown, build date May 21, 1960, is reported to be the first rod built after PHY's death.
If you know of PHY serial-numbered rods that may be added to this list, please contact me through my Forum inbox or at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net.
PHY #4378, Para 15, finished on September 20, 1967. Built for Bob Church, who was the real estate agent who found the commercial property that the Paul H. Young Co. moved into when the company moved from the Detroit area to Traverse City, MI. Bob Church also wrote a book titled Fly Fishing the Manistee in which Church talks about Bob Summers and Paul Young. This rod was built for night fishing for big brown trout on the Manistee River.
To see the list, please click the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
Serial-Numbered Paul H. Young Co. Fly Rods
299 rods listed.
Most recent entry: June 24, 2009
The link below takes you to a list of serial numbered Paul H. Young Co. rods that I have researched.
Serial numbering began in 1955, beginning with the serial number 1955, or possibly #1950. It is believed that Paul H. Young deliberately introduced a gap of 750 or more serial numbers in the numbering system, roughly from #2350 to #3300.
PHY #3622, Midge, built in 1958 by Paul H. Young.
Paul H. Young died on April 28, 1960. Rod #3888, model unknown, build date March 14, 1960, is reported to be the last rod built during PHY's lifetime. Rod #3889, model unknown, build date May 21, 1960, is reported to be the first rod built after PHY's death.
If you know of PHY serial-numbered rods that may be added to this list, please contact me through my Forum inbox or at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net.
PHY #4378, Para 15, finished on September 20, 1967. Built for Bob Church, who was the real estate agent who found the commercial property that the Paul H. Young Co. moved into when the company moved from the Detroit area to Traverse City, MI. Bob Church also wrote a book titled Fly Fishing the Manistee in which Church talks about Bob Summers and Paul Young. This rod was built for night fishing for big brown trout on the Manistee River.
To see the list, please click the link below. Use your back button to return to the profile page.
[Read more]
PHY Co Photo Display
A small, occasionally-changing exhibit of Paul H. Young Co. flies, small tackle items, and accessories.
A PHY Preen tin. This fly and line dressing was marketed by Paul H. Young as early as 1933, and probably earlier. Bob Summers has shown me two different sizes of Preen tins, plus Liquid Preen in a small glass bottle. This tin measures 2-3/4" across, and is the larger tin. This tin is nearly full, and the contents look like mink oil or similar stuff for waterproofing boots.
Two PHY Trik-Kutters and a PHY line and leader gauge. Both tools were available at least as early as the 1930's. Shown with the materials they were designed to be used with: a packaged PHY Spanish gut leader, and a PHY dry fly (spentwing Adams Egg Sac pattern, circa 1942).
A PHY folding "Trik-Kup" shown with its catalog listing.
Two PHY spent-wing dry flies, an Adams Egg Sac and a Royal Coachman, circa 1942.
The "Trout Fisher's Cleaning Knife," shown with its description in the Paul H. Young tackle catalog.
Martha Marie Young's own Hardy St. George fly reel. Mrs. Young's initials are on the reel foot of this 2-9/16" Hardy St. George Junior, and her name and the address of the PHY Co. are on the side of the leather case. Built with an agate line guide and adjustable drag, the reel came with a letter of authenticity, circa 1991, when Martin J. Keane offered it for sale in his Classic Rods & Tackle catalog, No. 74 (1998).
Paul H. Young's own Meek (Horton Mfg.) No. 4 bait casting reel. Used by Paul Young in casting tournaments and for fishing, this reel was accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Mrs. Young, dated October 1985, when it sold at Lang's November 11, 2000 auction.
A PHY Preen tin. This fly and line dressing was marketed by Paul H. Young as early as 1933, and probably earlier. Bob Summers has shown me two different sizes of Preen tins, plus Liquid Preen in a small glass bottle. This tin measures 2-3/4" across, and is the larger tin. This tin is nearly full, and the contents look like mink oil or similar stuff for waterproofing boots.
Two PHY Trik-Kutters and a PHY line and leader gauge. Both tools were available at least as early as the 1930's. Shown with the materials they were designed to be used with: a packaged PHY Spanish gut leader, and a PHY dry fly (spentwing Adams Egg Sac pattern, circa 1942).
A PHY folding "Trik-Kup" shown with its catalog listing.
Two PHY spent-wing dry flies, an Adams Egg Sac and a Royal Coachman, circa 1942.
The "Trout Fisher's Cleaning Knife," shown with its description in the Paul H. Young tackle catalog.
Martha Marie Young's own Hardy St. George fly reel. Mrs. Young's initials are on the reel foot of this 2-9/16" Hardy St. George Junior, and her name and the address of the PHY Co. are on the side of the leather case. Built with an agate line guide and adjustable drag, the reel came with a letter of authenticity, circa 1991, when Martin J. Keane offered it for sale in his Classic Rods & Tackle catalog, No. 74 (1998).
Paul H. Young's own Meek (Horton Mfg.) No. 4 bait casting reel. Used by Paul Young in casting tournaments and for fishing, this reel was accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Mrs. Young, dated October 1985, when it sold at Lang's November 11, 2000 auction.
