Quashnet's "NNN" List
186 rods listed
November 20, 2009 - Added PHY 8'0" rod dated April 1950.
November 15, 2009 - Added PHY Para 15 built July 1949 for Dr. Carleton A. Smith, Birmingham, MI.
October 31, 2009 - Added PHY Ace 8'0" with B-29 tube; tube marked G.L. Dolbee, Kalamazoo, MI.
October 30, 2009 - Added 6'0" bonefish bait rod built for Col. G.M. O'Connell.
October 8, 2009 - Added more info, PHY Prosperity, Edwards-built, 8'6", 3/2
September 13, 2009 - Added more info, PHY Para 18, 9'6" 6.09 oz. built in 1951 for Chauncy K. Lively.
September 12, 2009 - Added PHY Bonefish / Salmon / Steelhead / Bass rod built 1950, personal rod owned by PHY.
Most of the following Paul H. Young rods were built before serial numbering was instituted in 1955. I call them "NNN" rods: Notable, Non-Numbered PHY rods that for one reason or another may be of particular interest.
Even after serial numbering was instituted, some fly rods were built without numbers, such as a rod (listed below) built by Bob Summers in 1970 for Greg Young. Some post-1955 unnumbered fly rods may also have lost inked information when refinished. I have not yet seen any numbered baitcasting rods. I have seen several numbered rods with spinning capability; see the serial-numbered list for more information.
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.
PHY = Paul H. Young
MJK = Martin J. Keane
RODS ONCE OWNED BY PHY OR BY A YOUNG FAMILY MEMBER (see also the serial-numbered list)
The June 1984 (Vol. 4, No. 1) issue of the Hearthside News, published by Thomas & Thomas of Turners Falls, listed for sale a group of seven Paul Young rods, described as "rods built for his own fishing or as developmental prototypes. Each was built between 1945 & 1950 and is accompanied by a letter of authentication signed by Paul's wife, Martha Marie Young, and by Jack Young, Paul Young's son."
PHY 8'6", Parabolic 17. A PHY Para 17 prototype, built October 1948, listed for $335 by T&T in 1984. 8'6", 2/1, 4-5/8 oz. Varnished cane, straw color; cheap red-finished aluminum screwlock seat, black spiral decorative wraps. Inked handwriting by PHY on butt, First line: 4-5/8 oz Second line: 'Parabolic', 8-1/2'-17 fer., 5-1/2 tip-top Third line: Paul H. Young - Detroit - Maker Fourth line: Oct. 1948. The tip is lettered "Parabolic 16 - 8-1/2' - 4-5/8 oz." The N/S ferrules "mate and match." Built by PHY in October 1948 as an experimental model, according to letter of provenance from Martha Marie Young which accompanies the rod. Received by Len Codella in 1984 directly from Martha Marie Young, sold to an owner, then offered by Len Codella on his tackle web site April 19, 2008. Now owned by "customline" of the Classicv Fly Rod Forum."
PHY 9'0", Parabolic 18, listed for $525 by T&T in 1984. 2/2, 5-1/2 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. Beige wraps.
PHY 8'6" "Steelhead Special" mooching rod, listed for $135 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 7-1/2 oz. Varnished cane. Reel seat is metal screwlock. Red wraps. "A salmon mooching rod designed especially for bait fishing for Steelhead."
PHY 6'0", Bait Cast "Bonefish Stick," listed for $145 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 5.48 oz. Marked "Bonefish Stick," for bonefishing with lures up to 5/8 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cork screwlock. Dark brown wraps. Came with original vinyl case only.
PHY 6'0", Bait Cast, listed for $115 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 5 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is bakelite screwlock. Red to gold wraps. Came with original vinyl case only.
PHY 5'9", Bait Cast prototype, listed for $85 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 7-1/2 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is bakelite screwlock with trigger. For 3/4 to 1 oz. lures. Maroon wraps. "Great Musky rod. Comes with original vinyl case only."
PHY 9'0", Parabolic 18, with three tips, listed for $660 by T&T in 1984. Varnished, darkly flamed cane. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. 5.82 oz. Kelly green wraps.
--- (end of Hearthside News group. More Young family rods appear below.)---
5'11" MIDGE ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by MJK as "one of the first of 6 experimental Midge's he built; this unique specimen is 5'11", built prior to adopting the standard 6'3" length customary with this model... black guide wraps... snake stripping guide; black featherlight ferrules, satin oil finish, darkly flamed shafts, dual aluminum sliding bands on cork seat...original bag and tube." The rod came with a letter of authenticity "from the Young family." Offered for $4250. in MJK catalog 80 (2000).
PERFECTIONIST ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by MJK as "built by, owned by & was the personal rod of Paul Young - has Young letterhead letter of authenticity dated 1989, explicitly detailing the ownership, signed by Paul's wife Martha Marie Young & grandson Todd Young. Rod is 7-1/2', 2/2, dated 1954, shaft data indicates a special taper at 2-1/2 oz. for #4 line, has .275 Dry Fly butt design & slightly finer tips for accuracy & delicacy, black featherweight ferrules...dark flamed shafts... black wraps... satin varnish... snake stripping guide, cigar grip with thumb imprint, cork seat with alum. bands with early cross-check designs... original bag & tube." Offered for $5500. in MJK catalog 80 (2000).
EXPERIMENTAL PARA 14 ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by PHY in a handwritten letter to Chauncy K. Lively, dated October 28, 1949: "I had finished an experimental "Parabolic 14", 8' - 3.38 oz. and was just aching to try it, so my son Jack and I took a dash out 50 mi. where my brother and I have stocked a deep spring-fed lake... a little on the toy side, but a pleasure to use. With an HEH Silk, I was reaching circles 75 - 80' yesterday, but it is not the rod for the average person." Thank you to Anne Lively for sharing this letter with me.
PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 9'0", dated August 1947: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 9', 2/2, inscribed "9', 5.29 oz., Aug. 47", screwlock reel seat over original wood (not cork), dark brown cane, gold wraps, marked butt cap, dual thumbprint Wells grip, was sold with letter of authenticity. MJK catalog 59 (1992).
PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 8'6", dated May 1948: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 8-1/2', 2/2, inscribed "May 48, 8 1/2, 4 7/8 oz. Parabolic 16 Fer. 5TT" (meaning 5/64" tips). Flamed cane, gold wraps, longer than average dual thumbprint Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat with Detroit die-stamp on cap, blued ferrules, original bag & tube, was sold with letter of authenticity. MJK catalogs 59 and 60 (1992).
PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 8'6", two different tips, dated July 1953: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 8-1/2', 2/2, 4.57 oz., 0.305" butt measurement, inscribed "July 1953" plus much more unreported writing. Comes with a 5/64 tip and a heavier 5-1/2/64 tip. Extra-dark flamed cane reportedly with additional special dark stain, deluxe open-spiral tan/bronze wraps, lightweight tungsten guides, dual thumbprint Wells grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, original brown nylon bag & B-29 tube, was sold with letter of authenticity from the Paul H. Young Co. MJK catalog 84 (2002).
TWO RODS PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, each dated 1948: Described by Bob Summers and offered for sale in 2008 on his web site, at $8000 for the pair. Each is a two-piece, one tip rod. One is 9'0", 14/64 ferrule, 3/64 tip top, 3-3/4 oz., dated 1948. The other is 8'0", 12/64 ferrule, 3/64 tip top, 2-1/2 oz., dated 1948. each rod has its own cloth bag; both were stored together in one large aluminum tube. Both rods cast a DT4 line. Summers wrote: "These two rods are ones that Paul Young made for himself and he used. They could be called experimental rods because they were never cataloged models... I worked for the Paul H. Young Co. starting in 1956 and can remember this rod tube and these rods. They stood in a corner of the shop with others of Paul's personal rods. In 1969 when we moved the company to Traverse City from Detroit these rods and other were offered for sale to friends and customers. Dick Nissley, a long time customer and nephew of K.T. Keller, purchased these rods. Dick owned these for about twenty years..."
PHY PARA 15 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, the "Best Rod in the World," built April 1951. Sold at Lang's Fishing Tackle Auction, Boxborough, MA in November 2007, this lightweight 8'0", 2/2 Para 15 is covered with PHY's notations. All six flats are labeled as follows:
Measurements
P.H.Y. April '51 H.E.H. Parabolic 15 '51
Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz. Fin wt. 3.42 oz.
Fer. 15/64 TipTops 4/64
Best rod in the world.
Grip changed Sept. '57 - Dog chewed.
PARA 18 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 9'6", 2" ext. butt, 2/2, 6.39 oz., circa 1951: Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, "...was one of Paul's personal rods and came directly from the Young family..." MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).
PHY 9'6" SALMON/STEELHEAD ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG. 9'6", 2/2, varnished flamed cane, detachable handle with double thumbprint rests, screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, letter of authenticity from MJK was provided, bag and tube. MJK catalog 85 (2002).
PHY 9'6" BONEFISH / SALMON / STEELHEAD / BASS ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, built 1950. 9'6", probably 2/2, described by PHY in a postcard to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated February 14, 1951: "Have just developed a 9 ½ - 6.25 oz. Bonefish - Steelhead - Salmon - Bass… for G.A.F." PHY said he took 12 bonefish on this rod, December 1950.
PHY 9'0" SALTWATER SURF ROD OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG. 9'0", 2/1, flamed cane, described by MJK as having "integral fancy spring butt, has large foulproof guides, red wraps w/ fancy accent wraps on the 8-1/4" open cane shaft between the lower cork handle & upper handle w/ reel seat... came directly from the Young family & was owned by Paul H. Young." MJK catalog 52 (1989).
PHY 8'0" Dry Fly Rod built by Paul H. Young for his own use, with #14 ferrule and 4-1/2 size tiptops. Circa 1950. 8'0", 2/2, 4 oz., varnished flamed cane, very long-tapered swelled butt, Super-Z ferrules, oversized blued guides, bronze wraps, semi-Wells grip w/ dual thumbprint cork grip, blued cap and ring, original B-29 tube and original bag. Rod is marked "Yellowstone" with much additional data marked on the rod shaft, according to MJK, who unfortunately did not share that information in his catalog listing. MJK catalog no. 77 (1999). See photo below.
PHY Para 15 8'0" built by Paul H. Young as a Christmas 1949 gift for his son Jack Young. Inscribed "Jack Young Xmas '49 from Dad." Also inscribed "Parabolic 15 3.63 oz. bamboo 2.89 oz.", plus additional data not shared by MJK in his catalog listing. A "K.T. Keller" model with wet and dry tips, flamed cane, black deluxe spiral wraps, blued ferrules, ventilated Wells grip with single thumb indentation, dual sliding band cork seat,original B-29 tube and original bag. MJK catalog no. 77 (1999). See photo below.
(Above) PHY 8'0" Dry Fly Rod built by PHY for his own use. Circa 1950. (Below) PHY Para 15 8'0" built by PHY as a Christmas 1949 gift for his son Jack Young.
PHY FLY ROD BUILT FOR PHY's SON PAUL A. YOUNG: 8'0", 3/2, 4.24 oz., marked "Lt. Paul A. Young, 8' - 4 Oz., From Dad June 1943" Lightly flamed cane, oil finish, cap and ring over cork reel seat, translucent tan wraps, thumb depression in grip, dry fly and wet fly tapered tips, original bag and tube. Sold at Lang's Spring Fishing Tackle Auction April 13, 2002 for $1300 plus buyer's premium, and sold at Lang's January 3, 2004 auction for $1320. plus buyer's premium.
PHY "TEXAS KID" BAIT CASTING ROD BUILT FOR PHY's SON PAUL A. YOUNG, dated 1949: 6'0", 2/1, 3.85 oz., flamed cane, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork. Inked in PHY's handwriting on two flats; First flat: Paul A. Young - Xmas '49 Second flat: 6' - Texas Kid 3.85 oz. Accompanied by a handwritten note of provenance from Paul A. Young: "I, the undersigned, have sold to Malcolm B. Seaholm the 6' 3.85 oz. "Texas Kid" tonkin cane casting rod made for me by my father, Paul H. Young, & given to me on Christmas Day 1949 Paul A. Young."
FIRST PHY DRIGGS EVER BUILT, dated January 1953, gift of PHY to his wife Martha Marie Young. Rod inscribed: Driggs River Special, 7'2", 2.86 oz., H.E.H. Rod also dated "Jan. 1953, Fer. .203, tip top .063." Two lighter-action tips, plus an additional, original third tip built in the slightly heavier tip taper that Young later came to favor (although some anglers prefer the lighter tips). Rust-brown spiral wraps at each guide w/tipping, blued ferrules and guides, thumbprint cigar grip, cap and ring cork seat with Detroit die-stamp on cap, came with signed letter of authentication by Mrs. Young when sold by MJK, offered in MJK catalogs 59 (1992), 60 (1992), and 61 (1992).
PHY MIDGE, owned by PHY's wife Martha Marie Young. Robert Summers showed me this rod back in the mid-1980's, at the old Northeast Antique Anglers Show in Marlborough, MA (precursor to the Lang's shows now held at Boxborough, MA). It was a long time ago and about all I remember was that the Midge had a ventilated cork grip, was in its bag and tube, and Bob was selling it as Mrs. Young's agent: he wanted $3000. I don't remember whether or not it had a serial number.
PHY 7'6" rod, owned by PHY's wife Martha Marie Young. Martin J. Keane described this 7'6", 3/1, light dry fly rod as having "med. dark colored cane, pine green wraps, Ritz-style cork handle, locking seat, 4 oz., a fast df for #5 line. Believe a DF Spec.; tip wraps and one guide rewrapped w/a slightly brighter color green, shaft marked, "Maker P.H. Young Detroit, Mich." This rod was Mrs. Martha Marie Young's personal rod. Original velvet bag w/three partitions, v.g.+-exc. cond. $325." No info given on how it was known that this rod belonged to Mrs. Young. MJK catalog 44 (1986).
This is probably the same rod that Paul H. Young described on page 4 of the 1941 PHY Co. catalog: Mrs. Young has used a 7 1/2 footer in the D.F.S. for all trout, bass and blue gill fishing for ten years, and takes more big browns in a season than most people. This rod has had one new tip joint in its ten years of hard work. It seems inconceivable that the delicate appearing tips in these little rods could take the punishment they do.
PHY 5'9" BAITCASTING ROD, owned by PHY's wife Martha Marie Young. Mrs. Young's initials are on the rod shaft, also dated 1933. 5'9", 2/1, for 5/8 oz. lures, straight grip w/ black screwlock reel seat, 2" cork foregrip and finger spur, burgundy wraps, orig. bag, no tube. MJK catalog no. 82 (2001).
PHY SPECIAL-PRESENTATION BAITCASTING ROD given by PHY to his brother Ben. 6'3", 2/1, lightly flamed cane, initials BEY on shaft, coke-bottle handle, sumac wood locking seat with 1-1/4" foregrip, honey wraps, blued ferrules, orig. bag & tube, letter of authenticity was included with sale. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995) and no. 68 (1995).
PHY PARA 17 reportedly built by PHY for his brother. 8'6", 2/2, wet and dry tips, rod weighs 5.33 oz. with dry tip and 5.43 oz. with wet tip; this tip 1/2" short. Rod is marked "C.C. Young Kansas City, Mo." and is believed to have been built by PHY for his brother. MJK catalogs no. 51, 52, and 53 (1989).
TWO RODS, A MATCHED PAIR OF PHY BAITCASTERS from the YOUNG family: Described by MJK as follows: "Matched pair of orig. PAUL YOUNG bait casting rods, both 6', one med. action, one heavy, med. dark cane, both have foregrips above their screwlocking seats, each wrapped w/ dark red fancy deluxe wraps, heavy rod is unmarked, med. action rod is marked, "Maker Paul H. Young, Detroit, Mich." on shaft, both appear unused, both came from the Young family." MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).
Post-1955 Non-serial Numbered PHY DRIGGS dated 1970, once owned by GREG YOUNG, son of JACK YOUNG: The rod has no serial numbers but is inscribed in Bob Summers handwriting, on First Flat: "Greg Young 1970 Paul H Young Co" , Second Flat: "7'2" 3 1/2 oz #5 line" Detroit die-stamp on cap. Original bag, tube. Current owner Dave Lyons reports, "The blank is a very early leftover blank. It is heat treated instead of flamed and has the Rust/maroon colored wraps." A letter from Bob Summers accompanies the rod; in part, Bob wrote,"Just a little about the Greg Young Rod. I moved to Traverse City with the Paul Young Co in 1969. Greg was about 10 then. One of the big things about moving north from Detroit was, we were all going to do fly fishing for trout. At that time I don't think that Greg had ever seen a trout. I put this rod together for him using older style Young blanks. had planned to taking him fishing, but it never happened. His grandmother, Martha Young, purchased a cabin on the Ausable river near Grayling, & Greg did get to fish with her a few times using this rod..."
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SIGNIFICANT RODS BUILT FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE
PHY RODS OWNED BY THE LIVELY FAMILY of Pittsburgh, PA.
Chauncy K. Lively, Marion Lively, and their daughters Anne and Claudia
UNIQUE 6'9" PUMPKIN SEED SPECIAL, 2/1, 2-3/4 oz., built circa 1953 for nine-year-old Anne Lively, daughter of Marion and Chauncy Lively. Anne wrote to me, "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... The 'Anne Lively' looks like my father's lettering."
All other lettering is in PHY's hand, as follows:
First flat: Pumpkin Seed Special
Second flat: 6'9" - 2 3/4 oz.
Third flat: HEH Line ANNE LIVELY
Fourth flat: For Barbless hooks
Fifth flat: only
There is also has an inked ruler, as shown in the photo.
UNIQUE 7'0" FLY ROD, 2/1, 3 oz., built June 1954 for Claudia Lively, daughter of Marion and Chauncy Lively. Dual rings over cork, cigar grip, red wraps at hookkeeper slightly overwrap front of cigar grip. Red cardboard tube with metal cap.
All lettering is in PHY's hand, as follows:
First flat: Miss Claudia Liveley. Pittsburg Pa. June 1954
Second flat: 7' - 3 oz. E Level or H.D.H. Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz.
Third flat: From Paul H. Young Co. Detroit.
PHY DRIGGS, 2/2, 3 oz., built August 1954 for Marion Lively, married to Chauncy Lively, mother of Anne and Claudia. Dual rings over cork, cigar grip with thumb indentation, red/orange wraps with decorative spiral wrap in front of cigar grip. B-29 aircraft aluminum tube.
First flat: Paul H. Young's "Driggs River Special"
Second flat: 7'2" 13 Fer. 2.86 oz. HEH Silk
Third flat: Marion Lively Pittsburgh, Pa. Aug. 1954
PHY PARA 15 with CUSTOM 8'3" DRY FLY TIP, dated December 1949, belonging to noted fly tyer and author Chauncy Lively. 2/2, 8'0" wet tip and 8'3" dry tip (custom built). Dual rings over cork, non-tapered cork grip, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip and at tips. Inked on three flats; First flat: C.K. Lively - Pittsburgh, Pa. Second flat: Parabolic 15-5 8' - 3.85 oz. H.D.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. - Detroit Dec. 1949. One tip labeled Fer. 15/64 T.T. 4/64 on one flat, the other tip is labeled Fer. 15/64 T.T. 5/64 on two flats. Tube is B-29 aircraft aluminum-origin, with PHY Co. label. Chauncy Lively's personal notes on this rod were as follows:
Paul H. Young Parabolic: (2 pc.)
Christmas 1949
Length - 8' (8'3" with Dry Fly Tip)
Weight - 3.85 oz.
Ferrule - 15/64
Tip-top - 5/64 Para, 4/64 Dry Fly Tip
Line-size - HDH silk (HEH silk D.F.)
Cork Bore - 21/64
Photo and information courtesy of Anne Lively.
PHY PROTOTYPE MIDGE 6'0", 1-5/8 oz.
PHY MIDGE 6'3"
PHY PARA 14 7'6"
PHY PERFECTIONIST 7'6"
PHY PARA 18 9'6", 6.09 oz., built 1951 (In addition to a brief description by Chauncy K. Lively in a 1975 letter cited below, this Para 18 rod is also known from a postcard written by PHY to CKL: "Have just put your name on… 9 1/2 6.09 oz. you can use this rod on saltwater, salmon, stripers, etc. It is an enlarged version of the "Para 15," knows no limit with correct line - in right hands. I use it in 9' - 5.26 oz. with skeleton reel seat, on Bones, Reds - snook, etc. … shipping rod Saturday" (postcard to CKL, November 8, 1951)
These rods (and others listed elsewhere in the PHY Database) were described by Chauncy K. Lively in a 1975 letter he wrote to Eugene A. De Fouw): "My wife and I have a battery of twenty Young rods, ranging from a prototype Midge of 6' and 1 5/8 oz. to a 9 1/2' Parabolic 18, weighing 6.09 oz. Several are models no longer made but during the course of a season each gets its share of use and I would be hard put to select a single favorite. The original Midge and its newer brother have assisted in the capture of trout upwards of four pounds, while the 7 1/2' Parabolic 14 has subdued a twenty-six inch Pennsylvania brown. Then there has been the fascinating Tricorythodes fishing with the Perfectionist, the great Sulphur hatches with the Driggs and the conquest of rough and ready Allegheny River smallmouth with the big rods. - Not to mention the Martha Marie and the Green drake hatches, a 21 1/2" Au Sable brownie on the Parabolic 15, etc., etc., etc. Each conjures memories of favorite streams and individual encounters but most of all, they reflect the personality of their mentor; to me, flexing a Young rod is almost like shaking hands with a revered friend and fishing companion: P.H.Y." (The Driggs and the Para 15 are listed above. The Martha Marie is probably rod #4200 in the serial-numbered list of Paul H. Young Co. rods. Some of the other rods could be serial-numbered too. Thank you to Anne Lively for this information.).
---------------- (end of Lively family rods) --------------
FIRST "BOBBY DOERR" PROTOTYPE ROD: "In 1950 or 1951, [Ted] Williams requested that Young develop a custom taper for his friend, Bobby Doerr, to use for steelhead and salmon on the big water in Oregon. Doerr picked up his rod at the Young's shop in the fall of 1951, the year he retired. He paid $75 for the rod... Unfortunately, Doerr lost his only prototype Doerr model in the 1950's on the Rogue River. When he returned to where he left it on the riverbank one afternoon, the rod was gone!" - John A. Feldenzer, "Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company," The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31, No. 4 (Fall 2005).
PHY EXPERIMENTAL DISTANCE ROD built for Ted Williams. 9'0", 9.33 oz., built in July 1951 for Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox to attempt a new record in tournament distance casting. Two thumb depressions are carved into the cork grip. This rod was built solely for competitive casting, not for fishing, so there is no reel seat. The line was placed on the ground next to the caster. PHY's handwriting on two flats, First flat: Experimental Distance - By Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. July 1951 Second flat: 9' - 9.33 oz. For Ted Williams Tryout Much of what is known about this rod and five other similar ones that Young built comes from four letters written by PHY to Louis Simon of Quebec, Canada in the early 1950's. Simon made a winning cast in competition of 155 feet with an Experimental Distance rod, for which PHY congratulated him in a 1952 letter. Young said that a similar rod was in Dallas, Texas, and "…when they get 120' - 130', they crow about it." Young's letters to Simon show that Ted Williams hoped to set a world record with his rod, but Williams' service in the Marine Corps made it impossible for him to try it, at least during the period of time covered by the letters. Thanks to Bob Summers, who showed me this rod in mid-October 2008.
PHY "TED WILLIAMS" MODEL FLY ROD, built March 1951, 9'0", 6.18 oz. Varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp on reel seat just forward of permanent 2-inch extension butt. Lettered on four flats; First flat: .375 - .281 - .103 Second flat: Paul H. Young - Detroit Mar. 1951 Third flat: Ted Williams Model - 9' - 6.18 oz. Bamboo wt. 4.46 oz. Fourth flat: GAF line Paul Young intended to develop a cataloged "Ted Williams" rod model. However, as John Feldenzer noted in his article "Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company," The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31, No. 5 (Fall 2005), Ted Williams had his own plans for using his name to sell fishing tackle, and so Williams personally asked Young not to name a rod model after him. Bob Summers estimates that about six "Ted Williams" rods were built before the project was halted. Bob Summers showed me this rod on October 17, 2008.
PHY OREGON EGG CASTING ROD used by Ted Williams to catch his first bonefish. Length unknown; these rods were built in varying weights with cataloged length up to 9'0". Handle and grip are Young's #9 configuration for "Bonefish and Heavy Duty." Rod shown in photo on page 10 of circa 1951 PHY catalog; Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox holds the rod and his first bonefish.
PHY EXPERIMENTAL TARPON FLY ROD, built 1951 with two different tips. 9'6", 6.82 oz. with one tip, 6.95 oz. with the other tip. Inked handwriting by PHY on two flats, First flat: 9 1/2' - 6.95 oz. Tip No. 1 (7) 6.82 Tip No. 2 (6) Second flat: .390 Butt - .281 fer. Exp. Tarpon - Mar. '51. Exaggerated, single thumbprint depression in cork grip, spiral gold wrap just forward of cork grip, "Detroit" stamp on reel seat, screwlock seat with ext. butt, more writing under tape covering cork spacer between screwlock mechanism and extension butt. Labeling on spacer: First Exp. .390 Butt / Tarpon and Heavy Bone / Paul H. Young / Detroit / ..... 1951 / ......., 8' Bob Summers showed me this rod on October 17, 2008.
PHY PARA 15 by Robert W. Summers, dated July 30, 1956; the first rod he built for himself. Varnished cane, ventilated cork grip, thumb depression. Orange wraps tipped black at cork and tiptop. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Built July 30, 1956 Refinished Dec. 20, 1965 Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Third flat: "Para. 15" 8' 4 oz. H.D.H. This personal rod was not given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. The signature, particularly the "S" of "Summers," does not look like Bob Summers' later, standardized script, but it is authentic. Bob Summers personally showed me this rod. Bob Summers told me, "This is my own first Para 15. I've refinished it a few times. I built it in 1956, and refinished it in '65. At first I wrapped it orange. I didn't like it, but I left that there." (He pointed to the wrap just forward of the grip). Employee rods were made from blemished blanks. Summers said, "That was what we did to make rods of our own. It might have been something like that." (He pointed to a node). "See that? Side by side. So you'd use a stick like that. It isn't going to hurt anything. I've seen South Bends with four [nodes] together, many of them. I've never seen one break in a node. They talk about that being weak, but I have never seen one broken in a node."
PHY 7'0" fly rod by Robert W. Summers, dated 1957. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, light rusty-red wraps with decorative spiral wrap after lettering. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det 57 Third flat: 7' 2.78 oz. HEH. This personal rod was not given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. Bob Summers personally showed me this rod. Photo below, this rod is held by Bob's friend Pat Hughes. Park Smith is the man in the middle. Bob Summers is on the right. Photo taken October 2008.
PHY "ENCAMPMENT SPECIAL" owned by J.Clark Salyer II. This Encampment Special was custom built by PHY as an 8'0", 2/2 rod, 4.28 oz. with wet and dry tips, marked on shaft, "J.C. Salyer II, Jul. '53." Flamed, varnished cane, dark red wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, black screwlock cork seat, straight grip with thumb depression. J.C. Salyer directed the Fish & Wildlife Service, US Dept. of the Interior. Paul H. Young named his lightest 6'4" spinning rod the "J.C. Salyer" model. Salyers's enthusiastic letters of commendation for Young's rods appeared in the 1950's Young catalogs. MJK catalog no. 71 (1996), no. 72 (1997), and also in MJK catalog no. 74 (1998).
PHY "ENCAMPMENT SPECIAL" or "BOAT ROD," owned by Ned Jewett, who is pictured on the front cover of the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog. 8'0", 2/2 rod built May 1954 for Ned Jewett, reportedly refinished by Bob Summers. One tip is nearly three inches short. Full length tip has 1-1/2" repair wrap by Summers. Rod is inked, first line: Ned Jewett Grosse Point May 1954 second line: 8' 4.29 oz HCH third line: Fer 15/64 Tip Top 5/64 Paul H. Young Co. Det. Tips are both inked: 5/64 TT Detroit stamp on butt cap, screwlock cork seat, ventilated grip with two thumb depressions, Super-Z ferrules, Cal-Air tube and replacement sock. Sold for $1282. on eBay, April 2008.
PHY 9'0" ROD built for Luis Marden. 9'0", 2/2, 6-1/8 oz. Marked on three flats. First flat: Luis Marden 1949 Second flat: 9' 6 1/8 oz. 18 Fer. 6 TipTop Third flat: Paul H. Young - Detroit - Maker. Built by Paul H. Young for Luis Marden, perhaps the greatest writer, photographer, and editor ever to work at National Geographic, the magazine with which he was associated for 64 years. Built for Marden by Paul H. Young. Bob Summers said to me, "Here's the story now, he [Luis Marden] told me this. He went to Spain, and Paul Young was in Spain, because Paul Young went there to buy leaders… And so while they were there, they were going to fish with Franco in his private waters - and they did! Paul Young gave him [Luis Marden] this rod, or sold it to him, after they got back… This was Luis's rod… it's some powerhouse." Thanks to Bob Summers for showing me this rod.
PHY 9'0", 2/2, dated August 1948, early parabolic rod with 18 ferrule built for Bill Currie. Lettered on four flats, First flat: Bill Currie - Aug '48 Second flat: 9' - 5 ½ oz. 18 Fer. 7 TipTop Third flat: By Paul H. Young Detroit Fourth flat: Parabolic action. Varnished cane, light caramel flamed. Ritz grip with thumb depression, screwlock cork seat, flip ring hookkeeper, tube and cream bag with brown piping with additional writing on bag by PHY. Photos shown to me March 2007.
PHY "MIDGE" owned by Vivian Kerlee, the rod that "launched the short rod revolution." 6'3", 2/2, oil finish, aluminum ferrules. Offered and described in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY, this is the Midge that Arnold Gingrich tried and instantly fell in love with. As a result, Gingrich heavily promoted Paul H. Young and the Midge rod in books and magazine articles. In The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich described his first experience with a Midge rod when fishing with his friends Charles and Vivian Kerlee: "Charlie had got one from Paul Young in Detroit... and had bought it with no intention of using it himself, as he is over six foot, with the build of a tackle. But Vivian is small, and he wanted a light little rod that she could use without arm fatigue... Vivian let me try it, and the very first cast was a revelation... giving it back was like giving back a piece of my arm. I wrote a check for one that same day. They only cost $65 at that time, but I'd have paid five times as much, if that had been the price. I never wanted anything more avidly in my life. Once I got it, I used no other rod..."
PHY "MIDGE" owned by Charles Kerlee, Vivian Kerlee's husband. 6'3". Known from an undated letter from Charles Kerlee to Paul H. Young, reproduced in the circa 1958 PHY catalog: Dear Mr. Young: I was finally able to try out the "Midge" this weekend. It is beautiful. However, I originally bought the rod for my wife, so that she will be using it and I'll have to wait until she rests, so will you please make me another one." In The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Arnold Gingrich notes the Kerlees as having two Midge rods.
PHY MIDGE, Featherweight Model, 1.73 oz., built June 1954 for Harry Brown, 6'3", 2/2, inked in PHY's handwriting, first flat: Harry Brown - June '54 second flat: "Midge" 6'3" - 1.73 oz. H.E.H. third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit - Maker Dual band cork seat, slightly tapered cigar grip, satin oil finish, black wraps with decorative spiral wrap at front end of cork grip, featherweight ferrules, gray bag & tube. Seen October 2008 at this Japanese web site: http://www.bamboorod.jp/shopdetail/005001000022/order/
Probably the same rod is the Midge listed in Fall 2005 in Carmine Lisella's "Jordan-Mills Rod Co." catalog no. 25. Year date given as 1954, no month given; ferrules are described as "jappanned aluminum," all else the same except no owner name given, no spiral wrap mentioned.
And probably the same rod is the Midge listed in 1998 by Martin J. Keane as a Featherweight Model, 1.73 oz., built June 1954, 6'3, 2/2, dual band cork seat, slightly tapered cigar grip, satin oil finish, black wraps, featherweight ferrules, orig. bag & tube. No owner name given. MJK catalog 76 (1998).
PHY MIDGE built for Joe Brooks, author of Trout Fishing and other angling classics. 6'3", 2/2, 1-3/4 oz., cap and ring over cork seat, flamed cane, one flat is inked "Made for Joe Brooks" and Keane states, "this flat only requires varnish coating" which may mean that the rod was oil finished with just a protective coat of varnish over the ink. Gold-tan wraps, silver Super-Z-type ferrules, letter of authentication from Mrs. Brooks accompanied rod. MJK catalog 51 (1989).
PHY PERFECTIONIST owned by Al McClane, fishing editor of Field & Stream and author of some of the most essential fly fishing books. 7'6", 2/2, 2.74 oz., dates to early 1950's. The rod is known to me only through references in McClane's writings. Quote from new material in the 1975 edition of The Practical Fly Fisherman, first published in 1953: "I own a Paul Young Perfectionist... which is entering its twenty-fifth season, and except for having it refinished once before Paul died, the rod is as good as new. The little stick has stood the test of time and several large Atlantic salmon." Quote from "The Case for the Flea Rod," first published in 1965, collected in the book The Compleat McClane (1988): "The rod I use is made of heat-tempered bamboo; it is 7 1/2 feet long and weighs exactly 2.74 oz. It is slower than the sticks usually classified as having dry-fly action. The butt section works. It doesn't shrug off the load, but flexes down into the corks... It has stopped big trout and Atlantic salmon without stress. In twelve years I have broken two tips in the usual way rods are demolished - with a car door."
PHY "MARTHA MARIE" owned by Dan Bailey. 7'6", 2/2, Deluxe version with tan-gold open spiral ferrule wraps; varnished, flamed cane; black screwlock cork seat, Wells grip, super-Z ferrules. Inked in Paul H. Young's handwriting, "Made to Order for Dan Bailey, Livingston, Montana" plus additional writing; orig. bag and B-29 tube case. MJK catalog no 79 (1999).
PHY 8'3" FLY ROD built with three tips for H.J. "Harry" Noll, who sold fly tying kits in the 1950's. marked on the rod as built for Noll. 8'3", 2/3, 4.24 oz., ferrule 15/64, one tip is marked "Dry Fly Tip", another is marked "Parabolic Tip," screwlock cork seat, brown wraps, bag and tube. Sold as lot #598, R.W. Oliver Fourth Annual Summer Auction, Kennebunk, ME, July 1, 1988, for $900. Also believe this rod is the same one listed in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY.
PHY 8'6" ICELAND SPECIAL, built for Arnold and Jane Gingrich, described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK catalog Spring 1985, offered for $1500 from MJK's private collection: "Custom built specifically for Arnold & Jane Gingrich and so noted on the rod is this exotically flame finished 8 1/2' PAUL YOUNG Iceland Special. The exact rod mentioned by Arnold in his book, The Well-Tempered Angler, 2/2 (tips wet and df tapers), a stunning highly finished rod, one of Paul Young's rarest creations for one of his most devoted customers and famed angler/author. Exc.+ - new cond. $1500.
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
PHY 8'0" DRY FLY ROD, built for John McDonald, size 13 ferrule, known from McDonald's note to PHY published in the circa 1951 PHY Co. catalog under the title "Good Feel - Good Action": Dear Mr. Young: I had my first experience with the new rod last Saturday on the Battenkill in Vermont - a really very, very nice rod - light, good feel, good action, balance sensitive. John McDonald, Fortune Magazine (8' - 13 DF). John McDonald wrote an article on trout flies and fly tying for the May 1948 issue of Fortune that featured PHY as one of the premier fly tiers in the USA. McDonald also edited The Complete Fly Fisherman: The Notes and Letters of Theodore Gordon (1947).
PHY 6'0" BONEFISH BAIT ROD, built for Col. G.M. O'Connell, known from PHY's written description in the 1949 PHY catalog. The unferruled cane shaft was fitted to a removable straight handle. Probably the rear cork grip was 7" long, with an anodized aluminum screwlock reel seat and a 4" forward cork grip. The rod was six feet overall length and the weight of the tip finished out at 2-3/4 oz. PHY wrote that tips of various weights and lengths could be adapted for use on the same handle. PHY wrote, "While I fished with the Col., he took his 17th bone on this rod, and he, also other men of long experience, pronounce the rod perfect, for use on bones, with live shrimp, and 1/2 oz. egg sinker."
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PHY "MIDGE" FLY RODS
PHY MIDGE, early, built with snake guide in place of stripper guide, 6'3", MJK calls it 2/1 configuration but adds, "second tip has invisible wrap 12" up" (?), dark flamed cane, cork sliding band seat, cigar grip with thumb depression, black wraps, oxidized featherweight ferrules, 1-1/2 oz., not the more common 1-3/4 oz. weight. Snake guide in place of a stripper is a mark of a very early Midge, according to MJK. MJK catalog 69 (1996).
PHY MIDGE built and marked as 6'4", not the usual 6'3", the rod was described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK catalog no. 45 (1986): "Remarkable Original by: PAUL YOUNG 6'4" Midge (and so marked) not usual 6'3", 2/2, 1 3/4 oz., for 4/5, used twice. excepting bug spray reaction to varenish on tiny area, rod is 99% new, richly dark, gorgeous and rare. $1125." The description does not indicate whether or not this rod was dated or had a serial number.
PHY MIDGE built July 1954 for Lloyd Lawson, Dearborn, MI, 6'3", 2/2. Inked on three flats; First flat: Lloyd Lawson Dearborn July 1954 Second flat: Midge 6'3" 1.75 oz H.E.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker Reported by "mikestan" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. (See PHY #2226, a Para 17 also built for Lloyd Lawson, in the list of serial-numbered PHY rods).
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PHY LITTLE GIANT, 6'6", 2/2, flamed varnished cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumb indentation, featherweight aluminum ferrules with cork ferrule plug, black wraps with decorative spiral wrap just forward of grip, inked first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit - Maker second flat: "Little Giant - 6'6" - 2.45 oz. H.D.H. third flat: Fer. 14/64 Tip Top 5/64 Rod was owned by a Pennsylvania dentist, purchased on eBay by "firehole" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for $2100, and sold through Bob Summers for $3200 in 2005. firehole: "I should have kept it since the rod was a cannon with either a 5/6 line. Never met a Young I didn't like."
PHY LITTLE GIANT, 7'0", 2/2, 2.72 oz., marked "Little Giant" 7' - 2.72 oz. HDH 14/13/5 Paul H. Young Co. Detroit, Maker All cork straight grip, reel seat is dual bright bands over cork, decorative spiral wrap at front of grip, black anondized aluminum ferrules. Restored condition, original tube. Lot 86 at Lang's January 3, 2004 auction, sold for $3300 (includes buyers premium) at Boxborough, MA.
Probably the same rod is the 7'0" Little Giant listed in 1984 by Martin J. Keane, also 7'0" and exactly 2.72 oz., flamed cane, recently professionally refinished and retaining original markings. "Only two known to exist," claimed MJK. Offered for $850 in Special Quickie Holiday Catalog 1984, consisting of four legal-size stapled sheets, very different from MJK's usual bound catalogs.
PHY DRIGGS, 7'2", circa 1953-1955. First flat inked: Paul H. Young Det. Maker Second flat inked: Driggs 7'2" 2 7/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane, dual rings over cork, light bronze wraps nearly blend into cane color, Garrison/Ritz style grip. Rod was reportedly built for a man named Bonbright. This may (or may not) be William P. Bonbright of Grosse Point, Michigan. Sold by Bob Summers to quashnet of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY DRIGGS, 7'2", 2 7/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane. Sales listing doesn't say whether or not this Driggs rod has a serial number. It is listed here to document use of black screwlock cork seat and truncated (shorter male sections) Super-Z ferrules. Bag, tube, and custom-made canvas outer bag. MJK catalog no 71 (1996).
PHY 6'0" rod, purchased late 1954, 6'0", 2/2 (second tip 1/2" short), 2-3/4 oz., Wells grip, red wraps, screwlock seat with unmarked Young cap, MJK catalog no. 55 (1990) and 56 and 57 (1991). The same rod was listed seven years later by Keane, with these additional notes: "...vg+ cond. varnish, though not smooth, should polish out to be very acceptable; has replacement bag & scarce & exc. Payne tube & cap," - quote from MJK catalog no. 74 (1998).
PHY 7'0" rod built 1949 with one dry fly tip and one "bug" tip, 7'0", 2/2, inscribed Sept 49 - signed Paul H. Young Detroit 2.9302 Bamboo weight 2.0002 - all cork reel seat, slide band - information drawn from the late Joe Garman's web site of antique tackle for sale. Garman died in 2006.
PHY 7'0" rod built 1956, 7'0", 2/2, hand-inked Paul H. Young Co. Det. 56 / 7' 3.49 oz. 14/64 Fer. 6/64 T.T. Bright, downlocking screwlock reel seat over cork, Garrison/Ritz grip with dual thumb depressions, decorative spiral green wraps. One tip short, and its green wraps are a slightly lighter tint than the other two sections. Ferrule fit on the short tip was a bit worn and needed adjustment when inspected by Jim Bresko in Sept. 2008. Jim speculated that the rod was originally built as a 2/1 prototype, with the second (now short) tip built later without regard to matching exact thread color. Rod was not cast by Jim, who believes it might take a WF6 or DT6 line. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.
PHY 7'6" rod built for Carolyn Miller dated June 1953. 7'6", 2/1, mottled flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, cap and ring over cork, straight cork grip with single thumb indentation, marked Paul H. Young Co., Detroit mich. - Carolyn Miller June '53 7 1/2' - 3.49 Oz. - Bamboo Wt. 2.37 Oz., also marked Fer - 14/64 tip top 4 1/2/64 Z.N. Bag and tube. Lot #474, Lang's Fall Auction of Fishing Tackle & Accessories, November 14, 1998, Boxborough, MA.
PHY 7'6" rod built for Charles McClaren, 1949. 7'6", 2/2 (replacement tips), 3-3/4 oz. Known solely from McClaren's letter to PHY published in the 1958 PHY Co. catalog: Dear Sir: I am in need of replacement tips for my 7 1/2' 3-3/4 oz. rod of 1949 vintage. I might add this rod, my favorite for seven years, has seen exceptional service in all the northwestern states, British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Alaska. The rod built with Missouri fishing in mind has served well in the fast streams and on heavy fish of the west, but the tips were no match for my Weimaraner pup. - CHARLES McCLAREN, St. Louis, Mo.
PHY PERFECTIONIST dated Christmas 1954. 7'6", 2/2, flamed cane, black anodized aluminum ferrules, black wraps, bright dual rings over cork, double thumb indentations, marked Perfectionist 7-1/2 Ft. - 2.55 Oz. H.E.H. Sidney Small - Xmas 1954. Original cloth bag and Cal-Air tube. Sold July 1, 1988, R.W. Oliver's Fourth Annual Summer Auction of Fishing Tackle & Related Items, lot #597, $3700. Also sold January 3, 2004, Lang's auction, lot #145, $3850. plus buyers premium.
PHY 7'6" Modified Parabolic rod with three tips, with rod tube plus labeled PHY shipping tube. 7'6", 2/3 (one tip short). Varnished, flamed cane, tan/gold wraps, "Detroit"-marked cap and ring over cork, half wells grip, butt inked in PHY's handwriting on two flats, First flat: Mod. Parabolic - 7 ½' - 3.54 oz. H.D.H. Second flat: Bamboo wt. 2.50 oz. Photos show that one of the tips is inked: Fer. 14/64 Tip Top 4 1/2/64 Typed shipping label to: Mr. Robert Hesick, 151 So. Prospect St., Kalamazoo, Mich. Tube has Paul H. Young Co. pre-printed labels in green ink, business address is the W. Eight Mile Road address in Detroit, post office cancellation indicates package was sent from Detroit but unfortunately a date cannot be seen. This rod caused a bit of a stir in 2007 when it came to public attention as a raffle prize for a Michigan trout conservation group. Because of its length and other measurements, some said that it was a prototype for the Martha Marie model, or even that it was a rod that Mrs. Young once owned. It was not Mrs. Young's rod and almost certainly is not a prototype, but just a nice trout rod that shares some measurements with that model. If it was sent new in the mailing tube, it would have been built years after the Martha Marie model had already gone into production. However, the shipment of an early rod could have been done after it had been damaged and sent back to the PHY shop for a new third tip to be built. The lack of a serial number also points to a date of 1955 or earlier. As with many PHY rods, there are some unanswered questions. The rod shows indications of wear due to frequent fishing.
PHY "MARTHA MARIE" dated August 1953. 7'6", 2/2, 3.56 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, bronze wraps, black cap and ring cork mortised seat, Detroit stamp on cap, cigar grip with thumbprint flat, inked in PHY's handwriting Aug. '53, also "MarthaM. model, 7 1/2' - 3.56 oz. H.D.H., also Bamboo wt. - 2.46 oz. Was owned by rdsphoto, now owned by poudre1 of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY "MARTHA MARIE" dated April 1955. 7'6", 2/2, 3.28 oz., very dark varnished, flamed cane with deluxe bright bronze wraps; sliding band cork mortised seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumbprint flat, blued super-Z ferrules. MJK catalog no 64 (1994).
PHY "WOOFTAIL" ROD, 8'0", 3/2. With typed label on rod tube stating "Special Dry Fly Rod," this 8'0", 3/2 rod built with light-colored cane, cap and ring over cork seat, and thumb depression in cork grip, is marked Madalen - 3-3/4 oz. - 'Wooftail.' Seen at R.W. Oliver Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, lot #13; sold for $2500 plus 10% buyer's premium. At the Oliver auction the rod was accompanied by a letter of authenticity described in the Oliver catalog as signed by Paul Young's grandson. The letter stated the rod dates from the mid- to late-1930's and was built for Detroit musician Tommy Avigne, whose wife was named Madalen; Tommy's pet name for Madalen was "Wooftail." When seen again at Lang's January 3, 2004 auction, the letter of authenticity had been lost, and the rod (Lot #146) sold for $700 plus 10% buyer's premium.
PHY 8'0" ROD dated April 1950, 8'0", 2/2, probably dry fly taper, not parabolic, rod's specifications as shown on the inked markings do NOT match any cataloged rod for 1950. Varnished, flamed cane, tan/gold decorative spiral thread wraps, "Detroit"-marked cap, screwlock reel seat (black threading, bright screw ring) over cork, cigar/Ritz grip, butt inked in PHY's handwriting on three flats, First flat: Detroit Apr. 1950 Second flat: 8' - 4.30 oz. Bamboo wt - 2.95 oz. Third flat: H.C.H. or H.C.F. The tips are inked: Fer. - .234 (appropriate for a 15/64" ferrule). Tube was made from war surplus material, specifically aluminum conduit tubing from a B-29 bomber. Thanks to Steve Miner.
PHY "DRY FLY SPECIAL" FLY RODS
PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, very early, once owned by Jim Schaaf, 7-1/2', 3/2, cap and ring, Detroit stamp on cap, very finely mortised wood seat (cherry? cedar?), cigar grip, metal winding check, ring hookkeeper, swelled butt, orange and black wraps below hookkeeper, black wraps at guides with dark staining of cane at these wraps, plus other black stains (not flame marks) elsewhere, red agate stripping guide, inked handwriting "Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special" on two flats, two tips are each a bit short. Node spacing is random. Aluminum tube with tight-fitting slip-top cap; green bag. Possibly a much-refinished, early 1930's Heddon-built or Heddon kit rod, or a 1930's rod that Paul Young rebuilt. This kind of guessing is necessary because rod descriptions are vague or non-existent in the 1930's Young catalog materials. It was the Depression, and Young had to build rods, or subcontract their assembly, using whatever materials might be scrounged at any given time to try to make a buck. So probably rods varied a lot within a given model like the "Dry Fly Special." The 1933 catalog does say that Dry Fly Specials are 8'0" or 8'6". A 7'6" model is not mentioned there.
PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, early, Heddon-based, same inked handwriting "Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special" on two flats as the rod above, 7'6", 3/2, cap and ring over cork reel seat, dark winding check, ring hookkeeper, swelled butt, similar but not identical wrap pattern below hookkeeper as rod above, attached card on bag reads "Paul H. Young / 7 1/2' 3.86 oz. - 1 1/2 Fer" - thus combining Paul Young's typical practice of recording exact rod weight with Heddon's ferrule size designation. 1930's? This rod was seen at Bob Selb's booth at a Lang's show, around 2006.
PHY SPECIAL (originally a Dry Fly Special?), dated 1927 with a 1953 refinish by PHY, 7'0", 2/2. One tip is 1" short. Varnished, caramel-color cane, brown wraps. Unmarked cap and ring over cork seat that blends smoothly into a superfine-style grip. Handwriting inked on rod is by PHY and shows good examples of his cursive writing, upper case printing, and lower case printing. Butt is lettered on three flats, First flat: Elms T. Knowlson - Detroit. Second flat: Paul Young's "SPECIAL" 7' - 2.78 oz. Third flat: 1927 Model - Re-Fin Mar. '53. Given the context, this may be a rod built 1927 and heavily rebuilt / refinished in 1953. Looks much like a rod of the 1950's but has much earlier elements, such as an agate guide and ring hookkeeper. Custom rod tube beautifully engraved in two lines: ELMS T. KNOWLSON / DETROIT. MICH. Inside the tube was a map that may show a fishing camp owned by Knowlson or a friend. Offered on eBay, May 2009.
PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, early, two differently tapered tips. 7'6", 3/2, cap and ring over cork reel seat, both cap and shaft are marked but no other information was given, Wells grip, rust wraps w/black tipping, orig. bag, no tube. MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).
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PHY "SPECIAL" FLY RODS
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. Reportedly marked Special 7 1/2 ft., 3 1/2 oz. (handwritten?) Cap and ring over mortised cork, half Wells cork grip, decorative maroon spiral wraps, original bag and tube. Had broken snake guide and butt section ferrule needed resetting. Was the only Young rod auctioned at the very first R.W. Oliver's Antique and Classic Fishing Tackle Auction, July 3, 1985 (lot 42, $165 plus 10% buyer's premium. By comparison, a new used Payne 96 with paper wrapping still on the grip sold for $1600.)
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. Attractive trout rod with cap and ring over cork, Detroit stamp on cap, almost Ritz-like cork grip, decorative spiral wraps, non-original bag and tube. can be seen in catalog photos from two auctions: R.W. Oliver's fifth annual summer auction, July 8, 1989 (lot 10, $1550 plus 10% buyer's premium) and Lang's January 3, 2004 auction (lot 147, $900 plus 10% buyer's premium.).
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. 3-7/8 oz., "light color cane," maroon wraps, screwlock cork seat, offered for $210, circa 1975 Thomas & Thomas flyer.
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. Varnished. Built with "clear cane & resourcinol glue," honey wraps, blued oversize guides, size 14 shouldered ferrules, Wells grip, sliding band over cork seat with unmarked cap, one of the tips appeared unused. Action described as smooth, semi-parabolic, similar to a Martha Marie model. Original bag and possibly original lightweight tube. MJK catalog no. 83 (2001).
PHY SPECIAL, 8'0", 2/2. Lightly flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold-tan wraps, mortised cork reel seat, Wells grip, Detroit die-stamp on cap. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).
PHY SPECIAL, 8'6", 3/2, unusual wooden spacer in sliding band reel seat. A damaged rod described as follows, PAUL YOUNG Special 8 1/2', 3/2, SB wood seat, rod is missing its mid section, rust color wraps, blued ferrules for #7/8 line. $85 B&T. MJK catalog no. 66 (1994).
PHY SPECIAL, 8'6", in rare three-piece, two-tip format with two differently-tapered tips. Mottle-flamed, varnished cane; decorative burgundy spiral wraps at guides and ferrules, cap and ring reel seat over cork with Detroit stamp on cap, half-Wells grip, blued ferrules, ink-stamped Special above grip, between decorative wraps. 2X2 node arrangement butt section, random node arrangement mid section, 2X2 node arrangement lighter tip section, somewhat random node arrangement heavier tip section. Late 1940's? From Bill McRoy to czkid of the Forum to quashnet of the Forum.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", in rare three-piece, two-tip format, ink stamped Special, but also hand-inked 9' and 5 1/2 on either side of the ink stamp "Special." This indicates that the rod tapers to fit a 5-1/2/64 tiptop. Half Wells grip, decorative spiral light-brown wraps. Late 1940's. In the photo below, quashnet's 8'6" 3/2 Special is on top, and below that is this rod, the 9'0" Special.
PHY SPECIAL, 8'6", 2/2, ink stamped Special, but also hand-inked on separate tips with "WET FLY TIP" and "DRY FLY TIP." Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip with single thumb depression, decorative spiral brown wraps. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles, who reports that "the rod was light in the hand and had a medium-slow action" with WF6 or DT6 lines.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 2/2. Flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral copper-brown wraps, dark blued hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Circa 1946-1950. Owned by Reeldane of Copenhagen, Denmark and member of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 2/2, with 2" detachable fighting butt. Deluxe open-spiral olive/tan wraps, half Wells grip, bright core, black ring and cap on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Stubby 2" ext. butt. Beige bag w/brown piping, tube. Late 1940's. Offered by Bob Summers on his web site, December 2008.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 2/2, with sliding band seat, extra-deluxe spiral wrap. Varnished cane, little or no flaming. Deluxe maroon/brown wraps with a double spiral wrap at front of cork grip, blued ferrules reportedly reset by Bob Summers, long half-Wells grip, cap and sliding band reel seat over cork, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Offered on "Redwing Fly Rods" web site, March 2009.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 3/2, 5-1/4 oz., with sliding band seat. "Natural" varnished cane, deluxe brown wraps, blued ferrules, Wells grip, cork sliding band reel seat, incorrect bag and tube. MJK catalogs no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 3/2, with long, detachable fighting butt. Blonde cane, deluxe open-spiral maroon wraps, half Wells grip, bright hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Circa 1946-1950. Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing this photo and info.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'6", 3/2. Described as "original PHY," otherwise no useful information beyond "Western style grip, sliding band on cork. Excellent condition." Included on the NNN List to document this length and format for a "Special." From a "Vintage Tackle" catalog dated Spring 1987, by Frederick E. Grafeld of Secaucus, NJ.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'6", built with three tips for Keith Van Kirk, 9'6", 3/3, inscribed Keith Van Kirk 9-1/2' 6.85 oz. GBG line Special. Unusual wooden spacer, rather than cork, on otherwise typical downlocking screwlock reel seat with Detroit stamp on butt cap. A rod suitable for salmon fishing, one tip is labeled "bass bug." Oxidized ferrules, carboloy stripping guide. Offered July 2008 by Bud Frasca on his web site, www.northwestclassictackle.com. Bud said that Bob Summers told him that this rod design was originally done for Ted Williams - although Bud guessed that examples made for Williams were probably built with a reel seat suitable for saltwater use.
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PHY "ACE" FLY RODS
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. (See also the list of PHY bait casting rods, below).
PHY 7'6" ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, aside from its length it appears to be exactly like the 8'0" Ace shown above. Described in MJK catalog #50, from 1988, this is the listing of item #31 as it appeared in the catalog: 31. PAUL H. YOUNG Ace, 7 1/2', 3/2, a very handsome instrument w/ lovely med. even colored cane w/ deep coppery bronze silks w/ plum tipping at each guide. Wells grip w/ thumb flat, locking walnut seat w/ black ring, med. DF fine progressive tapers for #5 line. Few slight varnish defects but almost imperceptible. Rod at least exc., orig. throughout. Orig. bag & tube also. A scarce earlier Young. $670. As Patrick Garner said to me, now "we know there's at least one more of these early Youngs out there."
PHY 7'6" ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, 3-7/8 oz., very slightly differing from the 7'6" Ace described above. Described in MJK catalog #61, from 1992, this is the catalog listing of item #48: 48. Nicest, most attractive PAUL YOUNG 7 1/2' Ace 3/2 in my 23 years - appears unused new. dark brown wraps w/blk. tipping each guide over medium dk. lovely shafts, slightly swelled butt w/fine orig, finish, fine GS ferrules, pretty wood seat w/blk. and alum. locking parts & GS butt cap. Rod is a fast DF 3 7/8 oz. for #5 line, circa 1940 w/Wells grip & thumb flat, beautifully proportioned; this is a Museum grade Young, doubt there's a better one in existence. $850. Thanks to his research, I am sure that Patrick Garner would disagree about the date, placing this rod much earlier at circa 1925-27.
PHY ACE, 7'6", 2/2, Young's work, estimate late 1940's. Old varnish and/or very light flaming of the cane, a few darker marks. Cap and ring seat over cork, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, hookkeeper appears to be replacement snake guide bent into place, burgundy wraps. Long repair wrap on butt below female ferrule, one tip short. B-29 tube with paper label applied stating rod is an "Ace" model. Off-white/beige stitched bag. Sold for $365 on eBay, March 2009.
PHY ACE, 8'0", 2/2, hand-signed by Paul H. Young on one flat: Paul H. Young "Ace" Believed by Bob Summers to be entirely Young's work. Estimate late 1940's. Smooth, light flaming of the cane. Screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, 6-1/2" long grip flares slightly at front end, built without hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. Found at a southern Michigan yard sale and sold via eBay to quashnet of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY Ace, 8'0", an eight-foot 2/2 Ace dated 1951, listed in Martin Keane's catalog no. 67 (1995). Almost certainly by PHY himself, the date and the precise weight (3.74 oz.) strongly imply that this data was handlettered on the cane, as no one would make an ink stamp to communicate such details. This would be the latest date for an Ace that I know of. Described as "...#14 ferrules and # 4 1/2 top guides; a very wonderful transitional dry fly-to modified-parabolic action... lovely orig. dk. honey varnish w/dk. red wraps over medium-flamed shafts, semi-wells grip; blued cap, band & ferrules, cork SB seat..." Very much like my Ace shown in the photo above, except for the additional lettering and the sliding band instead of screwlock reel seat.
PHY Ace, 8'0", 2/2 (one tip full length, other tip 5-1/4" short). Flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, blued ferrules, burgundy wraps. MJK says, "marked 'Ace' under the varnish," which to me seems most likely to be a stamp rather than hand-written. MJK catalog 55 (1990), offered at $675 and 56 (1991), offered at $540, and then also catalog 69 (1996), offered at $460.
PHY Ace, 8'0", 2/2 (one tip full length but scarfed, other tip a few inches short, butt section overwrap, some guides rewrapped). Flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, blued ferrules, burgundy wraps, 'Ace' stamp, has a snake guide for a hookkeeper. In B-29 tube with paper ID label on tube, stating G.L. DOLBEE, 1604 EVANSTON AVE. / KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN / ACE ROD by PAUL H. YOUNG. Sold late October 2009 on eBay for $909. plus shipping.
PHY Ace, 8'6", 3/2, hand-inked on butt Paul H. Young's Ace / 8 ½ HCH. Hand-inked on separate tips, WET TIP 5 and DRY TIP 4 1/2. Bright cap and black screwlock mechanism over cork, believed to be a replacement by Bob Summers, who restored the rod, according to a prior owner. Half Wells grip, winding check (addition? Not seen elsewhere), brown wraps. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.
PHY 7'10" 4-pc. PACK ROD, most closely resembling a late 1940's - very early 1950's ACE. Supplied with one butt section, one second section, two third sections, and two tips. Each of the six matched sections measures 1' 11-3/4". It is not known for certain whether this is the original configuration. Whether or not the rod was rebuilt and modified to a pack format, it appears that the rod has been refinished since Paul Young's time (the two-tone amber and reddish-brown thread wrap colors are unlike any previously seen on a Young rod. The closest such wraps I have seen were on PHY rod serial #4969, built by Todd Young). This pack rod has blonde cane, standard butt cap with "Detroit" die-stamp, downlocking screwlock reel seat with cork spacer, half Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, Champion tube, bag. First known from 1999 when it was sold by Len Codella as a Parabolic 15. Purchased by David Bershtein in 2006, who had it authenticated by Bob Summers. Summers' letter of authentication is dated July 27, 2007. Summers disagreed with the Codella attribution. Summers believed the rod was standard-built as an 8'0" PHY rod in the 1940's and later cut down to present size and configuration, possibly done at the PHY Co. subsequent to Summers' 1974 departure from the company. This does not explain the presence of the additional third section (custom built from new cane?). The discrepancies between the Codella and Summers attributions cannot be reconciled. Rod seen July 2009; thanks to David Bershtein.
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PHY "PROSPERITY" FLY RODS
PHY Prosperity, 7'6" 2/2, ink stamped Prosperity, but also hand-inked Paul H. Young Detroit Maker / 7'6" 3 ¾ oz. HEH. Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip, orange/black jasper wraps. Casts a modern DT4 line. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.
PHY Prosperity, 7'6" 3/2, jasper variegated wraps, screwlock wood seat, agate stripping guide, dry fly action for #5 line, had varnish meltdown when sold in replacement Wonderod tube. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).
PHY Prosperity, 8'0" 2/2, described as parabolic action, half Wells grip with orig. thumbprint depression, built w/resourcinol glue, jasper wraps, 3/4" invisible wrap on one tip, cork screwlock seat, orig. bag and tube. MJK catalog no. 54 (1990).
PHY Prosperity, 8'6", 3/2, Edwards-built, all sections full-length, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, mottled green/black wraps tipped black, ring hookkeeper, original aluminum tube and green cloth bag, dates to mid-1930s (PHY also sold Edwards' rods at this time; the 1935 PHY catalog showed two full pages of Edwards rods). Sold by "lakenpine" (John Pickard) on eBay, July 2009, $660. Offered on eBay by another seller October 2009 for $990 or best offer.
PHY Prosperity, 8'6", 3/2, one tip 1/2" short, downlocking reel seat w/walnut spacer, mottled green wraps, bag, tube, B/W photo appears to show Edwards-built rod, was lot #120A and sold for $600 + buyers premium at R.W. Oliver's Fifth Annual High Rollers Auction, February 28, 1992, Marlborough, MA.
PHY Prosperity, 9'0", 2/2, caramel-colored cane, half Wells grip, variegated copper/black wraps, Prosperity ink stamp (not hand-signed), inexpensive downlocking all-metal reel seat. Sometimes these seats may possibly be later substitutions, but sometimes I think Paul Young really did use a cheaper seat, particularly on the lower-end rods like the Prosperity, and at least once on a prototype rod where Young probably was interested in seeing how the rod fished, and possibly not concerned about every final detail looking perfect. This rod looks like Paul Young may have built or assembled it. Sold for $615. plus shipping, eBay, August 2008.
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PHY 8'6" custom built w/ 3 tips in 1952, 4.15 oz., slightly flamed cane, blued shouldered ferrules size 15, tan wraps, two dry fly tips and an original, heavier tip, Wells grip, reel seat is sliding band over mortised cork, with original bag for all three tips, and tube. MJK catalog 74 (1998).
PHY 8'0", 2/2 light trout rod, very similar to description in 1940 PHY Co. catalog of a Featherweight (Dry Fly) Special. This rod sold for $5100 on eBay on January 23, 2008. Varnished (refinished), smoothly flamed cane, slight swell ahead of the cork; Garrison/Ritz grip, cap and ring, very nicely knurled and finished, with Detroit die-stamp, over cork seat. Brown spiral wraps typical of "Special" grade rods. Inked in three lines: First line: 8' 3 5/8 oz Bamboo Wt 2 5/8 oz Second line: 14/64 Fer. 4/64 Tip Top HEH Third line: Paul H Young - Detroit Maker An original Young identification tag is stapled to the top of the bag; I have never seen this before. Tube and an outer leather case are not original.
PHY "Don West Dream," built 1949. 8'0", 2/2 (one tip 2" short) trout rod. Slender cigar grip, cap and ring over cork, black wraps, refinished, marked with 1949 date, bag and tube. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #265, sold for $650 plus 10% buyer's premium.
PHY 7'6" rod built for Mrs. H.Y. Barnes circa 1950, 7'6", 2/2, 12/64 ferrule, 3/64 tiptop, unusually light tiptop not cataloged in that time period, only one tip known for this rod, assembled rod with other tip was lost near the Brueal River, Minnesota in the late 1970's. Reported by macbarn of the Classic Fly Rod Forum (his mother's rod).
PHY 8'0" rod built with three tips for H.Y. Barnes of Toledo, Ohio in 1950, 8'0", 2/3, rod is marked H.Y. Barnes, Toledo, Mar 29 50 8' 3-3/4 oz 14/64 fer 4 1/2/64 tip top Paul H Young Detroit Maker. Reported by macbarn of the Classic Fly Rod Forum (his father's rod).
PHY 8-1/2', 2/2, built 1952, 4.59 oz., same ferrule and tiptop sizes as the "Texan" model, completely refinished by Bob Summers. Inked inscription in three lines: First line: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit 52 Second line: 8 1/2 - 4.59 oz. HCH HCF Third line: Fer. 15/64 TipTop 5/64 Bamboo wt. 3.44 oz. Varnished flamed cane, cap and ring cork seat, "Detroit" stamp on cap, new half-Wells cork grip, brown wraps. Comes in brown bag with darker brown piping; bag is for 8'6" rod but is marked on inner cloth flap Aug '47 8 1/2 - 4 7/8 16 Fer. This appears to be a bag that originally held another, earlier PHY rod. Tube appears to be modern. Offered February 2009 on eBay.
PHY 8-1/2', 2/2, built 1953, variation on a Para 17 - "a little more butt diameter. Making it a little less Parabolic." (Bob Summers). Inked inscription in two lines: First line: Paul H. Young Maker Detroit 1953 Second line: 8'6" 5.25 oz. HCH Black screwlock cork seat. New half-Wells cork grip, guides replaced with new old-stock guides, and refinished by Bob Summers. 14/64 ferrule, 5/64 tip top. Fishes a 7-weight line. Owned by 'teter' of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY "PARA 13" FLY RODS
PHY custom-built Para 13, 7'9", date unknown or not recorded. From MJK's description: "Built for Mr. O.S. Wood of Michigan who reportedly had a very bad medical problem with his shoulder. His son brought him to see Paul Young who built this rod specifically to allow him to continue fishing w/a minimum of discomfort. The rod shaft is marked 'Parabolic 13 7'9" 2.95 oz. HEH line' Also marked 'Fer. 13/64 Tip Tops 4/64 Orville S. Wood Ann Arbor Mich.'" One lightweight dry tip (with red spiral wrapping at tip top) and one heavier tip (green wraps at tip top). Flamed cane, lime green wraps, 2x2 node arrangement, half Wells grip, dual band cork reel seat, second tip ¼" short but apparently built exactly this way. Orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog 84 (2002).
PHY custom Para 13, 7'3", 4-pc. pack rod with wet & dry tips, rod shaft marked Parabolic 13 7'3" 4 pc. wet/dry. From MJK's description: "Custom designed for a doctor from Pennsylvania. The rod sections were selected and cut by Paul Young himself... a pack rod with six pieces, including a top and third section of lighter taper for dry fly use as well as a second top section and additional third section of heavier tapers for wet fly or distance casting." Very dark flamed cane, gold wraps over blued guides, Super-Z blued ferrules, semi half Wells grip, Midge-style inletted cork reel seat w/ dual black aluminum reel bands. Weighs 2.92 oz. in heavy configuration, 2.84 oz. in dry fly configuration. Original six-section bag & tube. MJK catalog 84 (2002).
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PHY "PARA 14" FLY RODS
PHY Para 14, 7'3", 2/3, marked, "Paul H. Young Co., Parabolic 14, 7'3", 2.65 oz.," built June 1949 with three different original tips. Built with butt section 3" longer than tips. Tips individually marked "dry fly," "fast dry-fly," and "bug action." Dark flamed cane. Fancy, deluxe open-spiral gold-tan wraps. Halstead-style ferrules. Cap and ring over cork reel seat, standard Young stamp on butt cap, slightly flared cigar grip. MJK catalog 47 (1987), and also MJK catalog 58 (1991), and also MJK catalog 66 (1994).
PHY Para 14, 7'6", 3.58 oz. (weight of bamboo alone, 2.35 oz.). The owner sent a letter to Paul H. Young which was reproduced in the circa 1955 PHY Co. catalog (picture of Ned Jewett on the cover holding an Atlantic salmon). All that I know about the rod is from the letter. Interestingly, the owner states that he got the rod at Von Lengerke & Antoine, the sporting goods store in Chicago, IL. I don't know whether VL&A was representing and displaying Young rods in a formal arrangement with the PHY Co. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Young: You no doubt will be pleased to know how well I like one of your rods. Recently, I purchased a "Parabolic 14 / 7 1/2 ft." 3.58 oz. bamboo weight 2.35 oz., at V.L. & A. in Chicago. When I picked it up at the store I had no intention of buying a rod at all, but it felt so good I took it home and put an HDH nylon line on it. Its action exceeds my expectations. Always thought my little old rod was tops but I believe fishing with this Young rod will be even more of a pleasure. As I stated the nylon HDH line seems to work perfectly; bringing out excellent action. The rod doesn't seem to be overloaded even upon "picking up" and false casting with about 40 ft. of this line. It will shoot more than that. - Dr. Harvey C. Roll, Evanston, Ill.
PHY Para 14, 8'0" (see note), 3-1/2 oz, 2/3, three tips - one for dry fly, one for slightly heavier dry fly/nymph, a third tip for larger nymphs and bass bugs is a copy of a damaged original tip which accompanied this rod when sold, burgundy-colored wraps, sliding band cork seat, ritz grip, super-Z ferrules, refinished. Note: unfortunately, MJK did not actually state how long the rod is! But the description is embedded among a list of eight foot rods, so best guess is that this is an 8'0" Para 14. MJK catalog 56 (1991).
This is probably the same Para 14 rod that was listed in MJK's Spring 1985 catalog even though the weight was given as 3-3/4 oz (of course the weight will vary depending upon which of the three tips is used). The third tip is described as having a large invisible wrap.
PHY Para 14, 8'0", 2.58 oz., 2-piece, 2 tips, sliding band seat. Listed by Allan Liu at www.sportingspirit.com.
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PHY "PARA 15" FLY RODS
PHY Para 15 dated July 1949, 8'0", 2/2, 4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold/bronze wraps. Cork grip has two thumb indentations. PHY's handwriting on four flats. First flat: "Parabolic 15" 8' - 4 oz. Second flat: 15/64 Fer. 5/64 Tip Top. Third flat: Dr. Carleton A. Smith, Birmingham. July 1949. Fourth flat: PAUL H. YOUNG Co. - Detroit Maker. "Birmingham" is believed to be Birmingham, Michigan, a town located north of Detroit. Tube is probably made from surplus B-29 aircraft aluminum tubing. Reported by Chuck Snyder.
PHY Para 15 dated August 1949, 8'0", 2/2, 3.82 oz. Tips are full length. Flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral bright green wraps with decorative spirals on either side of Paul H. Young's handwriting in black ink on three flats. Straight grip almost without taper. First flat: "PARABOLIC 15" 8' - 3.82 oz. Second flat: 15/64 Fer. 5/64 T.T. H.D.H. Third flat (not adjacent to either of the other two lettered flats): Grace O. Beach, Pittsburgh. Aug '49. Thank you to Bob Summers for showing me this rod.
PHY Para 15, believe built c.1949, 8'0", 2/2, 4 oz.. One tip about 1" short. Lightly flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral yellow wraps, Ritz/cigar grip, cap and band over cork, lettered in PHY's handwriting on three flats, First flat: 8' - 4 oz. "Parabolic 15" Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. - Detroit - Maker Third flat: H.D.G. or H.D.H. Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing photos and info.
PHY Para 15, believe built 1950, 8'0", 2/2, 3.97 oz., cap and ring, cigar grip, lemon wraps. Marked "Parabolic 15" 8' 3.97 oz. / 15/64 Fer. 5/64 TipTops H.D.H. Was owned by Malcolm "Mac" Seaholm, whose notes on the rod include "made in 1950?" Mac bought the rod April 7, 1972 from Art Neumann of Wanigas Rod Co., and paid $125. He received the rod April 17, 1972. The first fish Mac caught with this Para 15 was a 12-1/2" brown trout on a caddis pupa - "took it with a surging wake." Mac put a thumb indentation in the grip, and put a hookkeeper on the rod. He sold the rod on September 20, 2000 and received $2450.
PHY Para 15 dated January 1951, 8'0", 2/2, 3.90 oz., built with two "wet" tips (5/64 top-guides). One tip 1-1/2" short, the other 4-1/2" short. Deluxe open-spiral tan/brown wraps, "slightly oversize" cigar grip, cap and band over cork, orig. bag and tube with B-29 collar with cap. MJK catalog 82 and 83 (2001), and catalog 84 (2002).
PHY Para 15, circa 1952, 8'0", 2/2, 3-3/4 oz., K.T. Keller model, built with two "dry" tips. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Wells grip, brown wraps, blued ferrules. MJK described the rod as "circa 1952" and if this is true the rod should be pre-serial numbering. MJK catalog 61 (1992) and 62 (1993).
PHY Para 15 built in 1954, 8'0", 2/2, 4.14 oz., built with "dry" and "wet" tips. Varnished, flamed cane, slightly swelled cork grip, screwlock over cork reel seat. Offered for $2200, MJK catalog 67 (1995).
PHY Para 15 Deluxe dated December 1954, 8'0", 2/2, rod shaft marked "Special Parabolic 15", built with "dry" and "wet" tips. Flamed cane, dark rust-brown wraps, straight grip, screwlock over cork reel seat. MJK catalog 44 (1986).
PHY Para 15 retrofitted to a 4-piece pack rod format, 8'0", originally 2/2, now 4/2, originally 4 oz., MJK's description: "...presently being made into a 4 pc. pack rod w/ Super-Z ferrules and traditional Young wraps, etc... rod was damaged in shipment precisely in the center of the butt section & tips..." MJK catalog 50 (1988). It is not known whether this rod has two dry tips, two parabolic "wet" tips, or one of each. It is possible that this was a serial-numbered rod, as MJK didn't give any information about when the rod was built. I know of only one Para 15 that was deliberately built as a 4-piece pack rod. PHY built it in 1957 using red-anodized ferrules; it is PHY rod #2284 listed in the serial-numbered rod section.
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PHY "BOAT ROD," 8'0", 2/2. Rod is inked on two flats, First flat: "Boat Rod" Second flat: 8' 16/15 Bamboo wt. 3.06 oz HCH - HCF Varnished, lightly flamed cane, Detroit stamp on butt cap, screwlock cork seat, solid half-Wells cork grip with two thumb depressions, step-down ferrules, solid (not decorative spiral) burnt-orange thread wraps, shiny satin greenish-brown bag, Champion-style tube, believe circa 1951-54, reported by owner Steve Keim, 2009.
PHY 8'0" rod built for Ted Doman, 8'0", 2/2, described in Lang's Fishing tackle Auction catalog for April 13, 2002, as follows: "Paul H. Young - Custom... Ted Doman - 4 oz. - 8' - med - HED (sic)" marked 8 ft. Trout Rod. This 8 ft. 2 piece 2 tip HDH wt. line rod has screw down-locking over cork reel seat. The mid section is1 3/4" short and the varnish appears to be stripped in preparation for refinishing. Bag and tube." (catalog page 45, item 282).
PHY Para 16 built for Ted Doman, dated June 1948, blonde cane, now owned by uniphasian of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. This is the same rod listed as item 79 in MJK catalog 49 (1988). MJK's description: Extremely rare PAUL YOUNG PARABOLIC 16, 8 1/2', 2/2, 4 5/8 oz. for #6/7 line, marked "June 1948," Wells grip, lock cork seat, blued guides w/deluxe brown wraps, exc.++ cond., w/orig. bag & early correct tube; this is not a flamed finish Young, but is extremely pretty w/a smooth easy powerful taper offering light weight w/power, very scarce. $750.
PHY Para 16, built November 1949, unfished. 8'6", 2/2, 4.47 oz. Lightly flamed cane, yellow wraps, half Wells grip with sharply sculpted thumb indentation, cap and band over cork, butt lettered in PHY's handwriting on three flats, First flat: 8 1/2' - 4.47 oz. Parabolic 16 H.C.H. - H.C.F. Second flat: Ferrule 16/64 - Tip Tops 5/64 Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. - Detroit - Maker. Nov. 1949 Each tip is also lettered: 16/64 Fer. - 5/64 Tip Top Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing photos and info.
PHY Para 17, 8'6", 2/1, 5.4 oz., flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, rod was refinished by Bob Summers, original bag and tube. No information on whether there was a serial number or a date, or whether it was built with only one tip. MJK catalog no. 66 (1994).
PHY Para 17, 8'6", 2/2, 5.27 oz., described by MJK as "built during Paul's lifetime" so it could possibly be a serial-numbered rod. Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, rod refinished 1971. MJK catalog 52 (1989), 54 and 55 (1990), 56 and 57 (1991). Rod of same description - believe it was the same rod - was also offered in MJK catalog 68 (1995), 69 (1996) and 71 (1996).
PHY "FLORIDA SPECIAL" FLY RODS
PHY Florida Special shown in photo page 9, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1951, and page 57, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1955 (red-and-white cover with photo of Ned Jewett), caption reads, "Record shark taken on fly tackle by Jack Ardis. Rod is 9' 18-7 modified parabolic. (Florida Special)" Same photo also shown in April 1955 Field & Stream article by Joe Brooks, "Shark in the Shallows," starts page 64, photo caption reads "Angler Jack Ardis of Miami, Florida, and his 41-pound lemon shark, possibly largest ever taken on regulation fly-fishing tackle." Brooks' article does not mention Paul Young by name, but tells the story of how Ardis caught the shark while fishing with Capt. Leo Johnson of Islamorada, taking an hour and ten minutes to land it.
PHY Florida Special, circa 1949, 9'0", size 18 ferrule, size 7 tip top, shown in photo page 8, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1951, and page 57, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1955 (red-and-white cover with photo of Ned Jewett), more info available in 1951 catalog. In 1949 Wendell H. Peterson of Miami, FL, won the fly division of the Metropolitan Tournament with a Jack Crevalle weighing 10 lb. 2 oz. As a prize, he received this PHY Florida Special rod. In 1950, using the Florida Special, Peterson again won the fly division of the tournament, also setting a new tournament record with a Jack Crevalle of 14 lb. 3 oz.
PHY Florida Special w/ 2" integral ext. butt, 9', 2/2, built March 1953, flamed cane, gold-bronze wraps, 6.43 oz. with dry tip, 6.54 oz. with wet tip, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, MJK catalog 58 (1991) and 59 (1992).
PHY Florida Special, 1954, known from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively: "Today was varnish day and among others, was a rod for Carl B. Shelley of Pittsburg, the order coming through Shenk @ Tittle. It is my first dealing with either of them. I assume Mr. Shelly got our cat. and had the dealer order the Florida Special." (letter to CKL, March 31, 1954).
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PHY 9'0" Bass rod with light and heavy tips, listed for $300 by T&T in Hearthside News, Vol. 4 No. 1 (June 1984) and Vol. 4 No. 2 (December 1984). 2/2, 5-3/4 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cork screwlock. Red wraps. Refinished.
PHY Parabolic 9'0" rod, built 1951, similar to or may be a Nymph Special as described in circa 1952 PHY catalog. 9'0", 2/1, varnished, lightly flamed cane; lettering in two lines Paul H. Young Detroit Maker 51 / Parabolic 9' 16/64 Fer. 5/64 TipTop 4.25 oz. HDG , screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap, Garrison/Ritz grip tapers with slight increase in diameter from back to front, step-down ferrules (not Super-Zs); very unusual two-color wrap pattern, solid rose wraps against cork grips, ferrules, and guide feet, followed by yellow decorative spiral wraps. Khaki bag, silver tube with black cap. Owned by czkid of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY Texas General, built in 1951. 8-1/2', 2/2, 5.41 oz. Open-spiral burgundy wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat. MJK catalog 76 (1998).
PHY Texas General, built in December 1952, 8-1/2', 2/2, wet and dry tips. Shaft marked "12-52" plus other unspecified writing. Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip w/ thumb print, black screwlock cork seat. MJK catalogs 58 (1991) and 59 (1992).
PHY Texas General, built in 1953 for champion fly caster Don West, whose name is on shaft. 8-1/2', 2/2, wet and dry tips. Open-spiral burgundy wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, slightly oversize partial wells grip w/ thumb print, sliding band cork seat. Quashnet believes that Don West of Texas and Paul Young had shared business interests; West may have sold Young rods and even built them from blanks supplied by PHY. MJK catalog 75 (1998).
PHY Texas General, wet and dry tips, 8-1/2', 2/2. In Paul H. Young's handwriting, on the butt: "Texas General" 8 1/2' 5.54 oz. Bug Tip 5.32 oz. Dry Tip Fer. 16/64 1 Tip 5/64 1 Tip 6/64. On one tip: "Wet Bug" GBF - C level. On other tip: Dry - HCH - HCF. Flamed cane, brown/gold wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, cigar grip, black screwlock cork seat, refinished by Steve Blake. Carmine Lisella's "Jordan-Mills Rod Co." catalog 21 (Fall 2003).
PHY "PARA 18" FLY RODS
PHY 10'0" marked (9'10" actual length) Para 18, owned by Harry Darbee and modified by Jim Payne. Marked 10', Para 18, 2/2, 7.32 oz., the rod was reported by Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY, to be 9'10" (no info on whether this due to broken tips or the Payne modifications). Built with detachable handle (no detachable butt). Liu wrote, "Harry didn't like it so brought it to Jim Payne - completely rebuilt by Payne - handle is Payne with uplocking Payne RS - a unique piece of angling history with the Darbee, Payne & Young association - bag & alum. tube." Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Winter 1985 catalog.
PHY Para 18, built May 1949, 9'0", extension butt is present, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, decorative spiral bronze/tan wraps, screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp, bag & tube. Refinished by Bob Summers. Offered on Bob Summers' web site, June 2008.
PHY Para 18, built 1949, 9'0" with 2" replacement extension butt, 2/1, weight 6-1/4 oz., ferrule 18/64, tiptop 8/64, flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, bag & replacement tube. MJK catalog 74 (1998).
PHY Para 18, built 1949, 10'0" with 5" extension butt, 2/2, flamed cane, deluxe yellow wraps, detachable handle with screwlock cork seat, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog 75 (1998).
PHY Para 18, built December 1949, 9'6", extension butt is missing, 2/2, flamed cane, marked in gold lettering, fading and not in good condition, Parabolic 18 9'6" 10 oz. G.A.F. Line Bamboo only 4.51 oz. Gordon F. Burgess - Waquoit, Dec. 1949. Tips marked .2807, tip tops .125. Double spiral wrap at front of grip, decorative spiral bronze wraps, screwlock cork seat, bag & tube. Waquoit is a village on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Offered on eBay February 2008.
PHY Para 18, built 1951, 9'0", 5.90 oz., for GBF line, Ferrule 18/64, tip top 7/64, reported by "bow river" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, owned by a guided fishing client.
PHY Para 18, built January 1952, 9'0", 2/2, flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, step-down blued ferrules, solid (not spiral decorative) wraps, two different tips, one with 7/64 tip top, the other is a 6/64 tip top labeled FlyTip 6/64 Tip Top written near the ferrule. Much other inking in Paul H. Young's handwriting: D.A. Lisenby - Weldon, Ill. Jan 1952 5.97 oz : 6.14 oz ... Original bag, tube. Offered on eBay by Hoagy B. Carmichael, May 2009.
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PHY rod built for Lee Cuddy ("Powerhouse" model?) Big fly rod shown on cover of 1951 PHY catalog, held in J. Lee Cuddy's right hand, beside fly rod record-catch tarpon on 12 lb. test leader. Letter from J. Lee Cuddy to PHY is reprinted on page 16 of catalog: "...all time record for tarpon taken on regular fly equipment. I caught the record 63 lb., 5 ft. 3-1/2 inch tarpon on your rod..." Rod size is not designated, but the same catalog describes the Lee Cuddy "Powerhouse" rod as a 9'0", size 20 ferrule, size 8 tiptop rod weighing seven ounces. The circa 1955 catalog describes a "Powerhouse" fly rod as a 9'6", size 19 ferrule, size 7 tiptop rod weighing seven-and-a-quarter ounces. The catalog says, "This rod was developed mainly for fly-caught tarpon record seekers." This rod is probably the same, or similar, to one of these. The Miami (FL) Rod and Reel Club web site reports that in 1948 J. Lee Cuddy established 17 club records in eight tackle classes.
PHY 9'0", built circa 1950, 2/2, two differently tapered tips, one with 6/64 tiptop and the other 5/64 tiptop, size 16 ferrule, weight with 0.078 tip is 5.50 oz., with 0.095 tip is 5.70 oz., lightly flamed cane, Wells grip, 100% black finish screwlock cork seat, Young-marked butt cap, dark red wraps, blued shouldered ferrules, unfortunately the owner had original shaft markings removed to have his name inscribed, rod action described as "very similar to a Texas General," MJK catalog 81 (2000).
PHY 9'0" Bone/Steelhead/Salmon Special, 2/2, 6.79 oz., varnished, lightly flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with 1" permanent extension butt, bronze wraps. Hearthside News, Vol. 4 No. 2 (December 1984), published by Thomas & Thomas, Turners Falls, MA.
PHY 9'2" 3/2 rod, 6.55 oz., varnished, richly flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat with 2" permanent extension butt, light green wraps with chromed guides, blued Super-Z ferrules are sizes 21 and 15, large Wells grip w/ dual thumbprint depressions, marked on reel fittings and original markings (not otherwise described) on cane shaft, orig. bag and B-29 aluminum tube with cap. MJK catalog 82 (2001) and 83 (2001).
PHY 9'3" "Parabolic 20/19". 6-3/4 oz., 2/1, 8/64" tip, 20/64" mid. Bright alum. Screw-lock cork seat into N/S cap w/ fixed 2-1/2" ext. butt. Cap stamped "Paul H. Young Co. / Detroit Mich." 8" grip with thumb indents. Cane marked: 9'3" - 6 ¾ oz. "Parabolic" 20/19 20/64 fer. 8/64 T.T. / Axxx I. Dxxxx Feb. '54 - G.A.F.. Maroon wraps, chrome snakes, tip tops, and Perfection strippers. Seen Adams angling catalog 51 (2004) and catalogs 54 and 55 (2005).
PHY 9'3" 2/2, 7-1/2 oz., varnished cane, screwlocking reel seat over cork, unique and completely detachable 13" handle, black wraps, a special rod built for Mr. I.E. Jacobs of the Rod and Reel Club, Miami, Florida as a tarpon rod, described as having "immense power." Offered in Hearthside News (Vol. 4 No. 1; June 1984), published by Thomas & Thomas of Turners Falls, MA.
PHY 9'6" 3/2, varnished cane, cap and ring, unusual identification sticker: in two lines, MAKER, PAUL H. YOUNG / DETROIT, MICH. Much later handwritten notation by Bob Summers: Refinished by RW Summers. Seen at a vendor's table, Lang's antique tackle show, Boxborough, MA, November 2008.
PHY 9'6" 3/2, varnished (possible old over-varnish), deeply-flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with Young-marked cap, Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, no extension butt, described as a parabolic 3/2 rod for nine- to ten-weight lines. MJK catalogs no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).
PHY 9'6" 2/2, low water salmon/steelhead rod with detachable handle. Varnished, flamed cane, cork screwlock reel seat, cork grip with double thumb depressions, Super-Z ferrules, bag and tube. MJK provided a letter of authenticity. MJK catalogs no. 82 and 83 (2001) and 84 (2002).
PHY 7'0" 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., screwlock cork seat with Detroit stamp on butt cap, cigar grip, orig. bag & tube, lightweight semiparabolic action for #4 line. MJK catalog 54 (1990).
PHY 7'6", custom built 1942, 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., light dry fly action, Wells grip with thumb print, sliding band over cork, blued fittings, jasper wraps. MJK catalog Winter 1985-86.
PHY 8'0" dated August 1947, 2/1, 4 oz., parabolic, lightly-flamed, rod shaft marked Sticks by Paul Young, also dated Aug 1947. Unmarked otherwise on cane; has authentic Young butt cap on a sliding band cork seat, "hammer-style" (?) cork grip. Needed total refinish, had no bag or tube. Possibly a kit rod? Impossible to know from the written description. MJK catalog no. 65 (1994).
PHY BAITCASTING RODS
PHY BAITCASTING ROD, Edwards-based, with light-ink handwriting by same person who inked the Edwards-based "Ace" shown above. 5'0", 2/1, varnished cane, white or light ink signature exactly like the Young/Edwards "Ace." Judging from photos, Pat Garner thought the black reel seat might be a later addition. The rod was seen on Bob Summers' web site for one day in early 2009, and then removed.
PHY BAITCASTING ROD, dated 1942. 6'0", 2/1, varnished cane, decorative burgundy open spiral wraps, refinished by Bob Summers, 1-1/2" foregrip, black screwlock seat. MJK catalog no. 88 (2004).
PHY BAITCASTING ROD built by PHY, dated September 1953. 6'0", 2/1, lightly flamed cane, decorative spiral wraps, Detroit stamp on black reel seat, in PHY's handwriting marked, first line: Dana Summers Sept. '53 second line: 6' 3.70 oz. 3/8 oz. lure third line: 13/64" Fer. 7/64" TipTop Also marked #3 in different handwriting, on both butt and tip. Bob Summers told me that Dana Summers is not a relative of his. Owned by quashnet.
PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 6'0", 2/1, for 5/8 oz. lures. Built for Stuart W. Fenton. Six serial-numbered rods built for Stuart W. Fenton are listed in the database.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master's degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada's National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)
PHY 6'0", ONE-PIECE ROD (baitcasting?). Known from this short description of lot #411, Fishing and Sporting Collectibles Auction, Richard A. Bourne Co., Hyannis, MA, July 20, 1989: PAUL H. YOUNG. Detroit, Mich. 72-inch 1-piece rod, red wraps, cork reel seat with "screw up-locking" (7). The "7" was a grading system indicating the rod's condition scored 7 out of a possible 10. The limited description seems most consistent with a one-piece baitcasting rod. The rod sold for twenty dollars plus 10% buyers premium.
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PHY KIT RODS
PHY KIT ROD COMPONENTS, unassembled group for 7'6", 3/2 fly rod, possible late-1940's date. Butt and two tips built with 2x2 node arrangements, butt cap and ring, mortised cork reel seat, 12 snake guides, one stripping guide, two tip tops. The butt cap is authentic, marked with the "Detroit" stamp, and shows diagonal edge marks. The butt cap is attached to a mortised cork reel seat. The ferrules predate use of Super-Zs. The ends of the blank have been turned to accept the ferrules, an operation that PHY separately described in the 1948 catalog as one that he would do for a dollar. If a cork grip was originally supplied, it is now missing, as is any thread for the wraps. Reported by "mtn" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. The intention is to build a rod from these components.
PHY KIT ROD, 8'0", 2/1, 13/64 ferrule, varnished flamed cane, taper unknown, said to be built "sometime prior to the mid-1960's... there may have been an extra tip..." Inked in black in a very clear, printed hand, First Flat: Made by Second flat: Gilbert Vander Male Third flat: Materials by Fourth flat: Paul H Young Co. Fifth flat: 3.5 oz. 8 ft. Sixth flat: 13/64 HDH Cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, mortised underside of cork seat appears varnished, Ritz-style grip with almost no taper from back to front of corks, black decorative spiral wrap in front of cork grip, appears to be Super-Z ferrule. Sold for $456.51 on eBay, January 2009.
PHY PARA 15 KIT ROD, once belonging to Ernest Schwiebert, 8'0", 2/2, acquired at a Lang's auction. Originally built with a cigar grip. Auction purchaser "dshx" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum asked Bob Summers to replace the cigar grip with a ventilated half-Wells. Cork rings were glued conventionally together, but then turned down at intervals to "ventilate" leaving a core of cork encasing the blank, rather than gluing corks to the blank with 1/16" separations, as is the norm. Butt is labeled in an unknown hand on two flats, First flat: Doc Schwiebert Second flat: 8' 3 3/4 oz. 15/64 HDH I speculate that "Doc" could refer to Ernest G. Schwiebert, Sr. (the fly fishing author's father) who was a Ph.D. historian. The butt is also lettered on three flats in Bob Summers' handwriting, First flat: Paul H. Young Para. 15 Kit Rod Second flat: Assembled and used by Ernest Schwiebert Third flat: Refinished by RW Summers 7/2/09 Tips are 5/64 and 4/64 and have markings by Bob Summers as follows: 5/64 TIP TOP Dry and 4/64 TIP TOP XDry. (Often Para 15 rods have a 5/64 "wet" parabolic tip and a 4-1/2/64 dry tip). Varnished flamed cane, bright screwlock cork seat, marked Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps.
PHY PARA 15, believed to be a KIT ROD, dated June 15, 1954, 8'0", 2/2, dry and wet tips, varnished lightly flamed cane, gold-bronze decorative spiral wraps are far more widely spaced apart than I have seen in any rod from the PHY shop. Inked in black caps in a very clear, printed hand, almost a classic hand as found on architectural drawings, First Flat: RAY YAMAMOTO Second flat: 6-15-54 Bright cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit stamp on cap, half Wells grip, original bag and tube. Ray Yamamoto is said to have been a frequent PHY Co. customer in the 1950s and 1960s. Sold for $2126.99 on eBay, January 2009.
PHY PERFECTIONIST KIT ROD, age unknown, was 2/2, rebuilt in 2008 by Bob Summers with an additional tip. Rod was sold on eBay as a PHY 7'6" rod in generally poor condition, model unknown (although one might guess either a Perfectionist or a Martha Marie). There was no writing on the blank. The butt and one tip were flamed, the other tip was not flamed and was heavier than the flamed tip. The rod had a black screwlock cork seat with a "Detroit" die-stamp on the cap. Winning bidder Gerry Ichikawa sent the rod to Bob Summers, who thought it might have originally been a kit rod using a Perfectionist blank. The aluminum of the reelseat was corroded, and the aluminum ferrules were quite loose. Bob Summers rebuilt the rod with dual black bands over cork, half Wells grip, nickel silver ferrules. Bob Summers inscribed the rod on three flats: First flat: Rebuilt by RW Summers 9/20/08 Second flat: Perfectionist 7'6" #4 Line Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Kit Rod
Orvis kit rod finished with a PHY butt cap. 7'6". This is the complete description from MJK's catalog no. 63 (1993): "ORVIS 7-1/2' kit rod, 2/1 for #5/6 line, 3-1/4 oz., dk. red wraps, used, but tight & sound, rod finished w/a Paul Young-stamped cap & sliding band, v.g. + cond. w/bag & tube. $200."
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186 rods listed
November 20, 2009 - Added PHY 8'0" rod dated April 1950.
November 15, 2009 - Added PHY Para 15 built July 1949 for Dr. Carleton A. Smith, Birmingham, MI.
October 31, 2009 - Added PHY Ace 8'0" with B-29 tube; tube marked G.L. Dolbee, Kalamazoo, MI.
October 30, 2009 - Added 6'0" bonefish bait rod built for Col. G.M. O'Connell.
October 8, 2009 - Added more info, PHY Prosperity, Edwards-built, 8'6", 3/2
September 13, 2009 - Added more info, PHY Para 18, 9'6" 6.09 oz. built in 1951 for Chauncy K. Lively.
September 12, 2009 - Added PHY Bonefish / Salmon / Steelhead / Bass rod built 1950, personal rod owned by PHY.
Most of the following Paul H. Young rods were built before serial numbering was instituted in 1955. I call them "NNN" rods: Notable, Non-Numbered PHY rods that for one reason or another may be of particular interest.
Even after serial numbering was instituted, some fly rods were built without numbers, such as a rod (listed below) built by Bob Summers in 1970 for Greg Young. Some post-1955 unnumbered fly rods may also have lost inked information when refinished. I have not yet seen any numbered baitcasting rods. I have seen several numbered rods with spinning capability; see the serial-numbered list for more information.
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.
PHY = Paul H. Young
MJK = Martin J. Keane
RODS ONCE OWNED BY PHY OR BY A YOUNG FAMILY MEMBER (see also the serial-numbered list)
The June 1984 (Vol. 4, No. 1) issue of the Hearthside News, published by Thomas & Thomas of Turners Falls, listed for sale a group of seven Paul Young rods, described as "rods built for his own fishing or as developmental prototypes. Each was built between 1945 & 1950 and is accompanied by a letter of authentication signed by Paul's wife, Martha Marie Young, and by Jack Young, Paul Young's son."
PHY 8'6", Parabolic 17. A PHY Para 17 prototype, built October 1948, listed for $335 by T&T in 1984. 8'6", 2/1, 4-5/8 oz. Varnished cane, straw color; cheap red-finished aluminum screwlock seat, black spiral decorative wraps. Inked handwriting by PHY on butt, First line: 4-5/8 oz Second line: 'Parabolic', 8-1/2'-17 fer., 5-1/2 tip-top Third line: Paul H. Young - Detroit - Maker Fourth line: Oct. 1948. The tip is lettered "Parabolic 16 - 8-1/2' - 4-5/8 oz." The N/S ferrules "mate and match." Built by PHY in October 1948 as an experimental model, according to letter of provenance from Martha Marie Young which accompanies the rod. Received by Len Codella in 1984 directly from Martha Marie Young, sold to an owner, then offered by Len Codella on his tackle web site April 19, 2008. Now owned by "customline" of the Classicv Fly Rod Forum."
PHY 9'0", Parabolic 18, listed for $525 by T&T in 1984. 2/2, 5-1/2 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. Beige wraps.
PHY 8'6" "Steelhead Special" mooching rod, listed for $135 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 7-1/2 oz. Varnished cane. Reel seat is metal screwlock. Red wraps. "A salmon mooching rod designed especially for bait fishing for Steelhead."
PHY 6'0", Bait Cast "Bonefish Stick," listed for $145 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 5.48 oz. Marked "Bonefish Stick," for bonefishing with lures up to 5/8 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cork screwlock. Dark brown wraps. Came with original vinyl case only.
PHY 6'0", Bait Cast, listed for $115 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 5 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is bakelite screwlock. Red to gold wraps. Came with original vinyl case only.
PHY 5'9", Bait Cast prototype, listed for $85 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 7-1/2 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is bakelite screwlock with trigger. For 3/4 to 1 oz. lures. Maroon wraps. "Great Musky rod. Comes with original vinyl case only."
PHY 9'0", Parabolic 18, with three tips, listed for $660 by T&T in 1984. Varnished, darkly flamed cane. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. 5.82 oz. Kelly green wraps.
--- (end of Hearthside News group. More Young family rods appear below.)---
5'11" MIDGE ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by MJK as "one of the first of 6 experimental Midge's he built; this unique specimen is 5'11", built prior to adopting the standard 6'3" length customary with this model... black guide wraps... snake stripping guide; black featherlight ferrules, satin oil finish, darkly flamed shafts, dual aluminum sliding bands on cork seat...original bag and tube." The rod came with a letter of authenticity "from the Young family." Offered for $4250. in MJK catalog 80 (2000).
PERFECTIONIST ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by MJK as "built by, owned by & was the personal rod of Paul Young - has Young letterhead letter of authenticity dated 1989, explicitly detailing the ownership, signed by Paul's wife Martha Marie Young & grandson Todd Young. Rod is 7-1/2', 2/2, dated 1954, shaft data indicates a special taper at 2-1/2 oz. for #4 line, has .275 Dry Fly butt design & slightly finer tips for accuracy & delicacy, black featherweight ferrules...dark flamed shafts... black wraps... satin varnish... snake stripping guide, cigar grip with thumb imprint, cork seat with alum. bands with early cross-check designs... original bag & tube." Offered for $5500. in MJK catalog 80 (2000).
EXPERIMENTAL PARA 14 ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by PHY in a handwritten letter to Chauncy K. Lively, dated October 28, 1949: "I had finished an experimental "Parabolic 14", 8' - 3.38 oz. and was just aching to try it, so my son Jack and I took a dash out 50 mi. where my brother and I have stocked a deep spring-fed lake... a little on the toy side, but a pleasure to use. With an HEH Silk, I was reaching circles 75 - 80' yesterday, but it is not the rod for the average person." Thank you to Anne Lively for sharing this letter with me.
PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 9'0", dated August 1947: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 9', 2/2, inscribed "9', 5.29 oz., Aug. 47", screwlock reel seat over original wood (not cork), dark brown cane, gold wraps, marked butt cap, dual thumbprint Wells grip, was sold with letter of authenticity. MJK catalog 59 (1992).
PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 8'6", dated May 1948: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 8-1/2', 2/2, inscribed "May 48, 8 1/2, 4 7/8 oz. Parabolic 16 Fer. 5TT" (meaning 5/64" tips). Flamed cane, gold wraps, longer than average dual thumbprint Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat with Detroit die-stamp on cap, blued ferrules, original bag & tube, was sold with letter of authenticity. MJK catalogs 59 and 60 (1992).
PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 8'6", two different tips, dated July 1953: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 8-1/2', 2/2, 4.57 oz., 0.305" butt measurement, inscribed "July 1953" plus much more unreported writing. Comes with a 5/64 tip and a heavier 5-1/2/64 tip. Extra-dark flamed cane reportedly with additional special dark stain, deluxe open-spiral tan/bronze wraps, lightweight tungsten guides, dual thumbprint Wells grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, original brown nylon bag & B-29 tube, was sold with letter of authenticity from the Paul H. Young Co. MJK catalog 84 (2002).
TWO RODS PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, each dated 1948: Described by Bob Summers and offered for sale in 2008 on his web site, at $8000 for the pair. Each is a two-piece, one tip rod. One is 9'0", 14/64 ferrule, 3/64 tip top, 3-3/4 oz., dated 1948. The other is 8'0", 12/64 ferrule, 3/64 tip top, 2-1/2 oz., dated 1948. each rod has its own cloth bag; both were stored together in one large aluminum tube. Both rods cast a DT4 line. Summers wrote: "These two rods are ones that Paul Young made for himself and he used. They could be called experimental rods because they were never cataloged models... I worked for the Paul H. Young Co. starting in 1956 and can remember this rod tube and these rods. They stood in a corner of the shop with others of Paul's personal rods. In 1969 when we moved the company to Traverse City from Detroit these rods and other were offered for sale to friends and customers. Dick Nissley, a long time customer and nephew of K.T. Keller, purchased these rods. Dick owned these for about twenty years..."
PHY PARA 15 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, the "Best Rod in the World," built April 1951. Sold at Lang's Fishing Tackle Auction, Boxborough, MA in November 2007, this lightweight 8'0", 2/2 Para 15 is covered with PHY's notations. All six flats are labeled as follows:
Measurements
P.H.Y. April '51 H.E.H. Parabolic 15 '51
Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz. Fin wt. 3.42 oz.
Fer. 15/64 TipTops 4/64
Best rod in the world.
Grip changed Sept. '57 - Dog chewed.
PARA 18 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 9'6", 2" ext. butt, 2/2, 6.39 oz., circa 1951: Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, "...was one of Paul's personal rods and came directly from the Young family..." MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).
PHY 9'6" SALMON/STEELHEAD ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG. 9'6", 2/2, varnished flamed cane, detachable handle with double thumbprint rests, screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, letter of authenticity from MJK was provided, bag and tube. MJK catalog 85 (2002).
PHY 9'6" BONEFISH / SALMON / STEELHEAD / BASS ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, built 1950. 9'6", probably 2/2, described by PHY in a postcard to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated February 14, 1951: "Have just developed a 9 ½ - 6.25 oz. Bonefish - Steelhead - Salmon - Bass… for G.A.F." PHY said he took 12 bonefish on this rod, December 1950.
PHY 9'0" SALTWATER SURF ROD OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG. 9'0", 2/1, flamed cane, described by MJK as having "integral fancy spring butt, has large foulproof guides, red wraps w/ fancy accent wraps on the 8-1/4" open cane shaft between the lower cork handle & upper handle w/ reel seat... came directly from the Young family & was owned by Paul H. Young." MJK catalog 52 (1989).
PHY 8'0" Dry Fly Rod built by Paul H. Young for his own use, with #14 ferrule and 4-1/2 size tiptops. Circa 1950. 8'0", 2/2, 4 oz., varnished flamed cane, very long-tapered swelled butt, Super-Z ferrules, oversized blued guides, bronze wraps, semi-Wells grip w/ dual thumbprint cork grip, blued cap and ring, original B-29 tube and original bag. Rod is marked "Yellowstone" with much additional data marked on the rod shaft, according to MJK, who unfortunately did not share that information in his catalog listing. MJK catalog no. 77 (1999). See photo below.
PHY Para 15 8'0" built by Paul H. Young as a Christmas 1949 gift for his son Jack Young. Inscribed "Jack Young Xmas '49 from Dad." Also inscribed "Parabolic 15 3.63 oz. bamboo 2.89 oz.", plus additional data not shared by MJK in his catalog listing. A "K.T. Keller" model with wet and dry tips, flamed cane, black deluxe spiral wraps, blued ferrules, ventilated Wells grip with single thumb indentation, dual sliding band cork seat,original B-29 tube and original bag. MJK catalog no. 77 (1999). See photo below.
(Above) PHY 8'0" Dry Fly Rod built by PHY for his own use. Circa 1950. (Below) PHY Para 15 8'0" built by PHY as a Christmas 1949 gift for his son Jack Young.
PHY FLY ROD BUILT FOR PHY's SON PAUL A. YOUNG: 8'0", 3/2, 4.24 oz., marked "Lt. Paul A. Young, 8' - 4 Oz., From Dad June 1943" Lightly flamed cane, oil finish, cap and ring over cork reel seat, translucent tan wraps, thumb depression in grip, dry fly and wet fly tapered tips, original bag and tube. Sold at Lang's Spring Fishing Tackle Auction April 13, 2002 for $1300 plus buyer's premium, and sold at Lang's January 3, 2004 auction for $1320. plus buyer's premium.
PHY "TEXAS KID" BAIT CASTING ROD BUILT FOR PHY's SON PAUL A. YOUNG, dated 1949: 6'0", 2/1, 3.85 oz., flamed cane, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork. Inked in PHY's handwriting on two flats; First flat: Paul A. Young - Xmas '49 Second flat: 6' - Texas Kid 3.85 oz. Accompanied by a handwritten note of provenance from Paul A. Young: "I, the undersigned, have sold to Malcolm B. Seaholm the 6' 3.85 oz. "Texas Kid" tonkin cane casting rod made for me by my father, Paul H. Young, & given to me on Christmas Day 1949 Paul A. Young."
FIRST PHY DRIGGS EVER BUILT, dated January 1953, gift of PHY to his wife Martha Marie Young. Rod inscribed: Driggs River Special, 7'2", 2.86 oz., H.E.H. Rod also dated "Jan. 1953, Fer. .203, tip top .063." Two lighter-action tips, plus an additional, original third tip built in the slightly heavier tip taper that Young later came to favor (although some anglers prefer the lighter tips). Rust-brown spiral wraps at each guide w/tipping, blued ferrules and guides, thumbprint cigar grip, cap and ring cork seat with Detroit die-stamp on cap, came with signed letter of authentication by Mrs. Young when sold by MJK, offered in MJK catalogs 59 (1992), 60 (1992), and 61 (1992).
PHY MIDGE, owned by PHY's wife Martha Marie Young. Robert Summers showed me this rod back in the mid-1980's, at the old Northeast Antique Anglers Show in Marlborough, MA (precursor to the Lang's shows now held at Boxborough, MA). It was a long time ago and about all I remember was that the Midge had a ventilated cork grip, was in its bag and tube, and Bob was selling it as Mrs. Young's agent: he wanted $3000. I don't remember whether or not it had a serial number.
PHY 7'6" rod, owned by PHY's wife Martha Marie Young. Martin J. Keane described this 7'6", 3/1, light dry fly rod as having "med. dark colored cane, pine green wraps, Ritz-style cork handle, locking seat, 4 oz., a fast df for #5 line. Believe a DF Spec.; tip wraps and one guide rewrapped w/a slightly brighter color green, shaft marked, "Maker P.H. Young Detroit, Mich." This rod was Mrs. Martha Marie Young's personal rod. Original velvet bag w/three partitions, v.g.+-exc. cond. $325." No info given on how it was known that this rod belonged to Mrs. Young. MJK catalog 44 (1986).
This is probably the same rod that Paul H. Young described on page 4 of the 1941 PHY Co. catalog: Mrs. Young has used a 7 1/2 footer in the D.F.S. for all trout, bass and blue gill fishing for ten years, and takes more big browns in a season than most people. This rod has had one new tip joint in its ten years of hard work. It seems inconceivable that the delicate appearing tips in these little rods could take the punishment they do.
PHY 5'9" BAITCASTING ROD, owned by PHY's wife Martha Marie Young. Mrs. Young's initials are on the rod shaft, also dated 1933. 5'9", 2/1, for 5/8 oz. lures, straight grip w/ black screwlock reel seat, 2" cork foregrip and finger spur, burgundy wraps, orig. bag, no tube. MJK catalog no. 82 (2001).
PHY SPECIAL-PRESENTATION BAITCASTING ROD given by PHY to his brother Ben. 6'3", 2/1, lightly flamed cane, initials BEY on shaft, coke-bottle handle, sumac wood locking seat with 1-1/4" foregrip, honey wraps, blued ferrules, orig. bag & tube, letter of authenticity was included with sale. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995) and no. 68 (1995).
PHY PARA 17 reportedly built by PHY for his brother. 8'6", 2/2, wet and dry tips, rod weighs 5.33 oz. with dry tip and 5.43 oz. with wet tip; this tip 1/2" short. Rod is marked "C.C. Young Kansas City, Mo." and is believed to have been built by PHY for his brother. MJK catalogs no. 51, 52, and 53 (1989).
TWO RODS, A MATCHED PAIR OF PHY BAITCASTERS from the YOUNG family: Described by MJK as follows: "Matched pair of orig. PAUL YOUNG bait casting rods, both 6', one med. action, one heavy, med. dark cane, both have foregrips above their screwlocking seats, each wrapped w/ dark red fancy deluxe wraps, heavy rod is unmarked, med. action rod is marked, "Maker Paul H. Young, Detroit, Mich." on shaft, both appear unused, both came from the Young family." MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).
Post-1955 Non-serial Numbered PHY DRIGGS dated 1970, once owned by GREG YOUNG, son of JACK YOUNG: The rod has no serial numbers but is inscribed in Bob Summers handwriting, on First Flat: "Greg Young 1970 Paul H Young Co" , Second Flat: "7'2" 3 1/2 oz #5 line" Detroit die-stamp on cap. Original bag, tube. Current owner Dave Lyons reports, "The blank is a very early leftover blank. It is heat treated instead of flamed and has the Rust/maroon colored wraps." A letter from Bob Summers accompanies the rod; in part, Bob wrote,"Just a little about the Greg Young Rod. I moved to Traverse City with the Paul Young Co in 1969. Greg was about 10 then. One of the big things about moving north from Detroit was, we were all going to do fly fishing for trout. At that time I don't think that Greg had ever seen a trout. I put this rod together for him using older style Young blanks. had planned to taking him fishing, but it never happened. His grandmother, Martha Young, purchased a cabin on the Ausable river near Grayling, & Greg did get to fish with her a few times using this rod..."
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SIGNIFICANT RODS BUILT FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE
PHY RODS OWNED BY THE LIVELY FAMILY of Pittsburgh, PA.
Chauncy K. Lively, Marion Lively, and their daughters Anne and Claudia
UNIQUE 6'9" PUMPKIN SEED SPECIAL, 2/1, 2-3/4 oz., built circa 1953 for nine-year-old Anne Lively, daughter of Marion and Chauncy Lively. Anne wrote to me, "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... The 'Anne Lively' looks like my father's lettering."
All other lettering is in PHY's hand, as follows:
First flat: Pumpkin Seed Special
Second flat: 6'9" - 2 3/4 oz.
Third flat: HEH Line ANNE LIVELY
Fourth flat: For Barbless hooks
Fifth flat: only
There is also has an inked ruler, as shown in the photo.
UNIQUE 7'0" FLY ROD, 2/1, 3 oz., built June 1954 for Claudia Lively, daughter of Marion and Chauncy Lively. Dual rings over cork, cigar grip, red wraps at hookkeeper slightly overwrap front of cigar grip. Red cardboard tube with metal cap.
All lettering is in PHY's hand, as follows:
First flat: Miss Claudia Liveley. Pittsburg Pa. June 1954
Second flat: 7' - 3 oz. E Level or H.D.H. Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz.
Third flat: From Paul H. Young Co. Detroit.
PHY DRIGGS, 2/2, 3 oz., built August 1954 for Marion Lively, married to Chauncy Lively, mother of Anne and Claudia. Dual rings over cork, cigar grip with thumb indentation, red/orange wraps with decorative spiral wrap in front of cigar grip. B-29 aircraft aluminum tube.
First flat: Paul H. Young's "Driggs River Special"
Second flat: 7'2" 13 Fer. 2.86 oz. HEH Silk
Third flat: Marion Lively Pittsburgh, Pa. Aug. 1954
PHY PARA 15 with CUSTOM 8'3" DRY FLY TIP, dated December 1949, belonging to noted fly tyer and author Chauncy Lively. 2/2, 8'0" wet tip and 8'3" dry tip (custom built). Dual rings over cork, non-tapered cork grip, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip and at tips. Inked on three flats; First flat: C.K. Lively - Pittsburgh, Pa. Second flat: Parabolic 15-5 8' - 3.85 oz. H.D.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. - Detroit Dec. 1949. One tip labeled Fer. 15/64 T.T. 4/64 on one flat, the other tip is labeled Fer. 15/64 T.T. 5/64 on two flats. Tube is B-29 aircraft aluminum-origin, with PHY Co. label. Chauncy Lively's personal notes on this rod were as follows:
Paul H. Young Parabolic: (2 pc.)
Christmas 1949
Length - 8' (8'3" with Dry Fly Tip)
Weight - 3.85 oz.
Ferrule - 15/64
Tip-top - 5/64 Para, 4/64 Dry Fly Tip
Line-size - HDH silk (HEH silk D.F.)
Cork Bore - 21/64
Photo and information courtesy of Anne Lively.
PHY PROTOTYPE MIDGE 6'0", 1-5/8 oz.
PHY MIDGE 6'3"
PHY PARA 14 7'6"
PHY PERFECTIONIST 7'6"
PHY PARA 18 9'6", 6.09 oz., built 1951 (In addition to a brief description by Chauncy K. Lively in a 1975 letter cited below, this Para 18 rod is also known from a postcard written by PHY to CKL: "Have just put your name on… 9 1/2 6.09 oz. you can use this rod on saltwater, salmon, stripers, etc. It is an enlarged version of the "Para 15," knows no limit with correct line - in right hands. I use it in 9' - 5.26 oz. with skeleton reel seat, on Bones, Reds - snook, etc. … shipping rod Saturday" (postcard to CKL, November 8, 1951)
These rods (and others listed elsewhere in the PHY Database) were described by Chauncy K. Lively in a 1975 letter he wrote to Eugene A. De Fouw): "My wife and I have a battery of twenty Young rods, ranging from a prototype Midge of 6' and 1 5/8 oz. to a 9 1/2' Parabolic 18, weighing 6.09 oz. Several are models no longer made but during the course of a season each gets its share of use and I would be hard put to select a single favorite. The original Midge and its newer brother have assisted in the capture of trout upwards of four pounds, while the 7 1/2' Parabolic 14 has subdued a twenty-six inch Pennsylvania brown. Then there has been the fascinating Tricorythodes fishing with the Perfectionist, the great Sulphur hatches with the Driggs and the conquest of rough and ready Allegheny River smallmouth with the big rods. - Not to mention the Martha Marie and the Green drake hatches, a 21 1/2" Au Sable brownie on the Parabolic 15, etc., etc., etc. Each conjures memories of favorite streams and individual encounters but most of all, they reflect the personality of their mentor; to me, flexing a Young rod is almost like shaking hands with a revered friend and fishing companion: P.H.Y." (The Driggs and the Para 15 are listed above. The Martha Marie is probably rod #4200 in the serial-numbered list of Paul H. Young Co. rods. Some of the other rods could be serial-numbered too. Thank you to Anne Lively for this information.).
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FIRST "BOBBY DOERR" PROTOTYPE ROD: "In 1950 or 1951, [Ted] Williams requested that Young develop a custom taper for his friend, Bobby Doerr, to use for steelhead and salmon on the big water in Oregon. Doerr picked up his rod at the Young's shop in the fall of 1951, the year he retired. He paid $75 for the rod... Unfortunately, Doerr lost his only prototype Doerr model in the 1950's on the Rogue River. When he returned to where he left it on the riverbank one afternoon, the rod was gone!" - John A. Feldenzer, "Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company," The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31, No. 4 (Fall 2005).
PHY EXPERIMENTAL DISTANCE ROD built for Ted Williams. 9'0", 9.33 oz., built in July 1951 for Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox to attempt a new record in tournament distance casting. Two thumb depressions are carved into the cork grip. This rod was built solely for competitive casting, not for fishing, so there is no reel seat. The line was placed on the ground next to the caster. PHY's handwriting on two flats, First flat: Experimental Distance - By Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. July 1951 Second flat: 9' - 9.33 oz. For Ted Williams Tryout Much of what is known about this rod and five other similar ones that Young built comes from four letters written by PHY to Louis Simon of Quebec, Canada in the early 1950's. Simon made a winning cast in competition of 155 feet with an Experimental Distance rod, for which PHY congratulated him in a 1952 letter. Young said that a similar rod was in Dallas, Texas, and "…when they get 120' - 130', they crow about it." Young's letters to Simon show that Ted Williams hoped to set a world record with his rod, but Williams' service in the Marine Corps made it impossible for him to try it, at least during the period of time covered by the letters. Thanks to Bob Summers, who showed me this rod in mid-October 2008.
PHY "TED WILLIAMS" MODEL FLY ROD, built March 1951, 9'0", 6.18 oz. Varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp on reel seat just forward of permanent 2-inch extension butt. Lettered on four flats; First flat: .375 - .281 - .103 Second flat: Paul H. Young - Detroit Mar. 1951 Third flat: Ted Williams Model - 9' - 6.18 oz. Bamboo wt. 4.46 oz. Fourth flat: GAF line Paul Young intended to develop a cataloged "Ted Williams" rod model. However, as John Feldenzer noted in his article "Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company," The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31, No. 5 (Fall 2005), Ted Williams had his own plans for using his name to sell fishing tackle, and so Williams personally asked Young not to name a rod model after him. Bob Summers estimates that about six "Ted Williams" rods were built before the project was halted. Bob Summers showed me this rod on October 17, 2008.
PHY OREGON EGG CASTING ROD used by Ted Williams to catch his first bonefish. Length unknown; these rods were built in varying weights with cataloged length up to 9'0". Handle and grip are Young's #9 configuration for "Bonefish and Heavy Duty." Rod shown in photo on page 10 of circa 1951 PHY catalog; Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox holds the rod and his first bonefish.
PHY EXPERIMENTAL TARPON FLY ROD, built 1951 with two different tips. 9'6", 6.82 oz. with one tip, 6.95 oz. with the other tip. Inked handwriting by PHY on two flats, First flat: 9 1/2' - 6.95 oz. Tip No. 1 (7) 6.82 Tip No. 2 (6) Second flat: .390 Butt - .281 fer. Exp. Tarpon - Mar. '51. Exaggerated, single thumbprint depression in cork grip, spiral gold wrap just forward of cork grip, "Detroit" stamp on reel seat, screwlock seat with ext. butt, more writing under tape covering cork spacer between screwlock mechanism and extension butt. Labeling on spacer: First Exp. .390 Butt / Tarpon and Heavy Bone / Paul H. Young / Detroit / ..... 1951 / ......., 8' Bob Summers showed me this rod on October 17, 2008.
PHY PARA 15 by Robert W. Summers, dated July 30, 1956; the first rod he built for himself. Varnished cane, ventilated cork grip, thumb depression. Orange wraps tipped black at cork and tiptop. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Built July 30, 1956 Refinished Dec. 20, 1965 Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Third flat: "Para. 15" 8' 4 oz. H.D.H. This personal rod was not given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. The signature, particularly the "S" of "Summers," does not look like Bob Summers' later, standardized script, but it is authentic. Bob Summers personally showed me this rod. Bob Summers told me, "This is my own first Para 15. I've refinished it a few times. I built it in 1956, and refinished it in '65. At first I wrapped it orange. I didn't like it, but I left that there." (He pointed to the wrap just forward of the grip). Employee rods were made from blemished blanks. Summers said, "That was what we did to make rods of our own. It might have been something like that." (He pointed to a node). "See that? Side by side. So you'd use a stick like that. It isn't going to hurt anything. I've seen South Bends with four [nodes] together, many of them. I've never seen one break in a node. They talk about that being weak, but I have never seen one broken in a node."
PHY 7'0" fly rod by Robert W. Summers, dated 1957. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, light rusty-red wraps with decorative spiral wrap after lettering. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det 57 Third flat: 7' 2.78 oz. HEH. This personal rod was not given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. Bob Summers personally showed me this rod. Photo below, this rod is held by Bob's friend Pat Hughes. Park Smith is the man in the middle. Bob Summers is on the right. Photo taken October 2008.
PHY "ENCAMPMENT SPECIAL" owned by J.Clark Salyer II. This Encampment Special was custom built by PHY as an 8'0", 2/2 rod, 4.28 oz. with wet and dry tips, marked on shaft, "J.C. Salyer II, Jul. '53." Flamed, varnished cane, dark red wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, black screwlock cork seat, straight grip with thumb depression. J.C. Salyer directed the Fish & Wildlife Service, US Dept. of the Interior. Paul H. Young named his lightest 6'4" spinning rod the "J.C. Salyer" model. Salyers's enthusiastic letters of commendation for Young's rods appeared in the 1950's Young catalogs. MJK catalog no. 71 (1996), no. 72 (1997), and also in MJK catalog no. 74 (1998).
PHY "ENCAMPMENT SPECIAL" or "BOAT ROD," owned by Ned Jewett, who is pictured on the front cover of the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog. 8'0", 2/2 rod built May 1954 for Ned Jewett, reportedly refinished by Bob Summers. One tip is nearly three inches short. Full length tip has 1-1/2" repair wrap by Summers. Rod is inked, first line: Ned Jewett Grosse Point May 1954 second line: 8' 4.29 oz HCH third line: Fer 15/64 Tip Top 5/64 Paul H. Young Co. Det. Tips are both inked: 5/64 TT Detroit stamp on butt cap, screwlock cork seat, ventilated grip with two thumb depressions, Super-Z ferrules, Cal-Air tube and replacement sock. Sold for $1282. on eBay, April 2008.
PHY 9'0" ROD built for Luis Marden. 9'0", 2/2, 6-1/8 oz. Marked on three flats. First flat: Luis Marden 1949 Second flat: 9' 6 1/8 oz. 18 Fer. 6 TipTop Third flat: Paul H. Young - Detroit - Maker. Built by Paul H. Young for Luis Marden, perhaps the greatest writer, photographer, and editor ever to work at National Geographic, the magazine with which he was associated for 64 years. Built for Marden by Paul H. Young. Bob Summers said to me, "Here's the story now, he [Luis Marden] told me this. He went to Spain, and Paul Young was in Spain, because Paul Young went there to buy leaders… And so while they were there, they were going to fish with Franco in his private waters - and they did! Paul Young gave him [Luis Marden] this rod, or sold it to him, after they got back… This was Luis's rod… it's some powerhouse." Thanks to Bob Summers for showing me this rod.
PHY 9'0", 2/2, dated August 1948, early parabolic rod with 18 ferrule built for Bill Currie. Lettered on four flats, First flat: Bill Currie - Aug '48 Second flat: 9' - 5 ½ oz. 18 Fer. 7 TipTop Third flat: By Paul H. Young Detroit Fourth flat: Parabolic action. Varnished cane, light caramel flamed. Ritz grip with thumb depression, screwlock cork seat, flip ring hookkeeper, tube and cream bag with brown piping with additional writing on bag by PHY. Photos shown to me March 2007.
PHY "MIDGE" owned by Vivian Kerlee, the rod that "launched the short rod revolution." 6'3", 2/2, oil finish, aluminum ferrules. Offered and described in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY, this is the Midge that Arnold Gingrich tried and instantly fell in love with. As a result, Gingrich heavily promoted Paul H. Young and the Midge rod in books and magazine articles. In The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich described his first experience with a Midge rod when fishing with his friends Charles and Vivian Kerlee: "Charlie had got one from Paul Young in Detroit... and had bought it with no intention of using it himself, as he is over six foot, with the build of a tackle. But Vivian is small, and he wanted a light little rod that she could use without arm fatigue... Vivian let me try it, and the very first cast was a revelation... giving it back was like giving back a piece of my arm. I wrote a check for one that same day. They only cost $65 at that time, but I'd have paid five times as much, if that had been the price. I never wanted anything more avidly in my life. Once I got it, I used no other rod..."
PHY "MIDGE" owned by Charles Kerlee, Vivian Kerlee's husband. 6'3". Known from an undated letter from Charles Kerlee to Paul H. Young, reproduced in the circa 1958 PHY catalog: Dear Mr. Young: I was finally able to try out the "Midge" this weekend. It is beautiful. However, I originally bought the rod for my wife, so that she will be using it and I'll have to wait until she rests, so will you please make me another one." In The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Arnold Gingrich notes the Kerlees as having two Midge rods.
PHY MIDGE, Featherweight Model, 1.73 oz., built June 1954 for Harry Brown, 6'3", 2/2, inked in PHY's handwriting, first flat: Harry Brown - June '54 second flat: "Midge" 6'3" - 1.73 oz. H.E.H. third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit - Maker Dual band cork seat, slightly tapered cigar grip, satin oil finish, black wraps with decorative spiral wrap at front end of cork grip, featherweight ferrules, gray bag & tube. Seen October 2008 at this Japanese web site: http://www.bamboorod.jp/shopdetail/005001000022/order/
Probably the same rod is the Midge listed in Fall 2005 in Carmine Lisella's "Jordan-Mills Rod Co." catalog no. 25. Year date given as 1954, no month given; ferrules are described as "jappanned aluminum," all else the same except no owner name given, no spiral wrap mentioned.
And probably the same rod is the Midge listed in 1998 by Martin J. Keane as a Featherweight Model, 1.73 oz., built June 1954, 6'3, 2/2, dual band cork seat, slightly tapered cigar grip, satin oil finish, black wraps, featherweight ferrules, orig. bag & tube. No owner name given. MJK catalog 76 (1998).
PHY MIDGE built for Joe Brooks, author of Trout Fishing and other angling classics. 6'3", 2/2, 1-3/4 oz., cap and ring over cork seat, flamed cane, one flat is inked "Made for Joe Brooks" and Keane states, "this flat only requires varnish coating" which may mean that the rod was oil finished with just a protective coat of varnish over the ink. Gold-tan wraps, silver Super-Z-type ferrules, letter of authentication from Mrs. Brooks accompanied rod. MJK catalog 51 (1989).
PHY PERFECTIONIST owned by Al McClane, fishing editor of Field & Stream and author of some of the most essential fly fishing books. 7'6", 2/2, 2.74 oz., dates to early 1950's. The rod is known to me only through references in McClane's writings. Quote from new material in the 1975 edition of The Practical Fly Fisherman, first published in 1953: "I own a Paul Young Perfectionist... which is entering its twenty-fifth season, and except for having it refinished once before Paul died, the rod is as good as new. The little stick has stood the test of time and several large Atlantic salmon." Quote from "The Case for the Flea Rod," first published in 1965, collected in the book The Compleat McClane (1988): "The rod I use is made of heat-tempered bamboo; it is 7 1/2 feet long and weighs exactly 2.74 oz. It is slower than the sticks usually classified as having dry-fly action. The butt section works. It doesn't shrug off the load, but flexes down into the corks... It has stopped big trout and Atlantic salmon without stress. In twelve years I have broken two tips in the usual way rods are demolished - with a car door."
PHY "MARTHA MARIE" owned by Dan Bailey. 7'6", 2/2, Deluxe version with tan-gold open spiral ferrule wraps; varnished, flamed cane; black screwlock cork seat, Wells grip, super-Z ferrules. Inked in Paul H. Young's handwriting, "Made to Order for Dan Bailey, Livingston, Montana" plus additional writing; orig. bag and B-29 tube case. MJK catalog no 79 (1999).
PHY 8'3" FLY ROD built with three tips for H.J. "Harry" Noll, who sold fly tying kits in the 1950's. marked on the rod as built for Noll. 8'3", 2/3, 4.24 oz., ferrule 15/64, one tip is marked "Dry Fly Tip", another is marked "Parabolic Tip," screwlock cork seat, brown wraps, bag and tube. Sold as lot #598, R.W. Oliver Fourth Annual Summer Auction, Kennebunk, ME, July 1, 1988, for $900. Also believe this rod is the same one listed in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY.
PHY 8'6" ICELAND SPECIAL, built for Arnold and Jane Gingrich, described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK catalog Spring 1985, offered for $1500 from MJK's private collection: "Custom built specifically for Arnold & Jane Gingrich and so noted on the rod is this exotically flame finished 8 1/2' PAUL YOUNG Iceland Special. The exact rod mentioned by Arnold in his book, The Well-Tempered Angler, 2/2 (tips wet and df tapers), a stunning highly finished rod, one of Paul Young's rarest creations for one of his most devoted customers and famed angler/author. Exc.+ - new cond. $1500.
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
PHY 8'0" DRY FLY ROD, built for John McDonald, size 13 ferrule, known from McDonald's note to PHY published in the circa 1951 PHY Co. catalog under the title "Good Feel - Good Action": Dear Mr. Young: I had my first experience with the new rod last Saturday on the Battenkill in Vermont - a really very, very nice rod - light, good feel, good action, balance sensitive. John McDonald, Fortune Magazine (8' - 13 DF). John McDonald wrote an article on trout flies and fly tying for the May 1948 issue of Fortune that featured PHY as one of the premier fly tiers in the USA. McDonald also edited The Complete Fly Fisherman: The Notes and Letters of Theodore Gordon (1947).
PHY 6'0" BONEFISH BAIT ROD, built for Col. G.M. O'Connell, known from PHY's written description in the 1949 PHY catalog. The unferruled cane shaft was fitted to a removable straight handle. Probably the rear cork grip was 7" long, with an anodized aluminum screwlock reel seat and a 4" forward cork grip. The rod was six feet overall length and the weight of the tip finished out at 2-3/4 oz. PHY wrote that tips of various weights and lengths could be adapted for use on the same handle. PHY wrote, "While I fished with the Col., he took his 17th bone on this rod, and he, also other men of long experience, pronounce the rod perfect, for use on bones, with live shrimp, and 1/2 oz. egg sinker."
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PHY "MIDGE" FLY RODS
PHY MIDGE, early, built with snake guide in place of stripper guide, 6'3", MJK calls it 2/1 configuration but adds, "second tip has invisible wrap 12" up" (?), dark flamed cane, cork sliding band seat, cigar grip with thumb depression, black wraps, oxidized featherweight ferrules, 1-1/2 oz., not the more common 1-3/4 oz. weight. Snake guide in place of a stripper is a mark of a very early Midge, according to MJK. MJK catalog 69 (1996).
PHY MIDGE built and marked as 6'4", not the usual 6'3", the rod was described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK catalog no. 45 (1986): "Remarkable Original by: PAUL YOUNG 6'4" Midge (and so marked) not usual 6'3", 2/2, 1 3/4 oz., for 4/5, used twice. excepting bug spray reaction to varenish on tiny area, rod is 99% new, richly dark, gorgeous and rare. $1125." The description does not indicate whether or not this rod was dated or had a serial number.
PHY MIDGE built July 1954 for Lloyd Lawson, Dearborn, MI, 6'3", 2/2. Inked on three flats; First flat: Lloyd Lawson Dearborn July 1954 Second flat: Midge 6'3" 1.75 oz H.E.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker Reported by "mikestan" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. (See PHY #2226, a Para 17 also built for Lloyd Lawson, in the list of serial-numbered PHY rods).
---------------- (end of PHY Midge rods) --------------
PHY LITTLE GIANT, 6'6", 2/2, flamed varnished cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumb indentation, featherweight aluminum ferrules with cork ferrule plug, black wraps with decorative spiral wrap just forward of grip, inked first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit - Maker second flat: "Little Giant - 6'6" - 2.45 oz. H.D.H. third flat: Fer. 14/64 Tip Top 5/64 Rod was owned by a Pennsylvania dentist, purchased on eBay by "firehole" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for $2100, and sold through Bob Summers for $3200 in 2005. firehole: "I should have kept it since the rod was a cannon with either a 5/6 line. Never met a Young I didn't like."
PHY LITTLE GIANT, 7'0", 2/2, 2.72 oz., marked "Little Giant" 7' - 2.72 oz. HDH 14/13/5 Paul H. Young Co. Detroit, Maker All cork straight grip, reel seat is dual bright bands over cork, decorative spiral wrap at front of grip, black anondized aluminum ferrules. Restored condition, original tube. Lot 86 at Lang's January 3, 2004 auction, sold for $3300 (includes buyers premium) at Boxborough, MA.
Probably the same rod is the 7'0" Little Giant listed in 1984 by Martin J. Keane, also 7'0" and exactly 2.72 oz., flamed cane, recently professionally refinished and retaining original markings. "Only two known to exist," claimed MJK. Offered for $850 in Special Quickie Holiday Catalog 1984, consisting of four legal-size stapled sheets, very different from MJK's usual bound catalogs.
PHY DRIGGS, 7'2", circa 1953-1955. First flat inked: Paul H. Young Det. Maker Second flat inked: Driggs 7'2" 2 7/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane, dual rings over cork, light bronze wraps nearly blend into cane color, Garrison/Ritz style grip. Rod was reportedly built for a man named Bonbright. This may (or may not) be William P. Bonbright of Grosse Point, Michigan. Sold by Bob Summers to quashnet of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY DRIGGS, 7'2", 2 7/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane. Sales listing doesn't say whether or not this Driggs rod has a serial number. It is listed here to document use of black screwlock cork seat and truncated (shorter male sections) Super-Z ferrules. Bag, tube, and custom-made canvas outer bag. MJK catalog no 71 (1996).
PHY 6'0" rod, purchased late 1954, 6'0", 2/2 (second tip 1/2" short), 2-3/4 oz., Wells grip, red wraps, screwlock seat with unmarked Young cap, MJK catalog no. 55 (1990) and 56 and 57 (1991). The same rod was listed seven years later by Keane, with these additional notes: "...vg+ cond. varnish, though not smooth, should polish out to be very acceptable; has replacement bag & scarce & exc. Payne tube & cap," - quote from MJK catalog no. 74 (1998).
PHY 7'0" rod built 1949 with one dry fly tip and one "bug" tip, 7'0", 2/2, inscribed Sept 49 - signed Paul H. Young Detroit 2.9302 Bamboo weight 2.0002 - all cork reel seat, slide band - information drawn from the late Joe Garman's web site of antique tackle for sale. Garman died in 2006.
PHY 7'0" rod built 1956, 7'0", 2/2, hand-inked Paul H. Young Co. Det. 56 / 7' 3.49 oz. 14/64 Fer. 6/64 T.T. Bright, downlocking screwlock reel seat over cork, Garrison/Ritz grip with dual thumb depressions, decorative spiral green wraps. One tip short, and its green wraps are a slightly lighter tint than the other two sections. Ferrule fit on the short tip was a bit worn and needed adjustment when inspected by Jim Bresko in Sept. 2008. Jim speculated that the rod was originally built as a 2/1 prototype, with the second (now short) tip built later without regard to matching exact thread color. Rod was not cast by Jim, who believes it might take a WF6 or DT6 line. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.
PHY 7'6" rod built for Carolyn Miller dated June 1953. 7'6", 2/1, mottled flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, cap and ring over cork, straight cork grip with single thumb indentation, marked Paul H. Young Co., Detroit mich. - Carolyn Miller June '53 7 1/2' - 3.49 Oz. - Bamboo Wt. 2.37 Oz., also marked Fer - 14/64 tip top 4 1/2/64 Z.N. Bag and tube. Lot #474, Lang's Fall Auction of Fishing Tackle & Accessories, November 14, 1998, Boxborough, MA.
PHY 7'6" rod built for Charles McClaren, 1949. 7'6", 2/2 (replacement tips), 3-3/4 oz. Known solely from McClaren's letter to PHY published in the 1958 PHY Co. catalog: Dear Sir: I am in need of replacement tips for my 7 1/2' 3-3/4 oz. rod of 1949 vintage. I might add this rod, my favorite for seven years, has seen exceptional service in all the northwestern states, British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Alaska. The rod built with Missouri fishing in mind has served well in the fast streams and on heavy fish of the west, but the tips were no match for my Weimaraner pup. - CHARLES McCLAREN, St. Louis, Mo.
PHY PERFECTIONIST dated Christmas 1954. 7'6", 2/2, flamed cane, black anodized aluminum ferrules, black wraps, bright dual rings over cork, double thumb indentations, marked Perfectionist 7-1/2 Ft. - 2.55 Oz. H.E.H. Sidney Small - Xmas 1954. Original cloth bag and Cal-Air tube. Sold July 1, 1988, R.W. Oliver's Fourth Annual Summer Auction of Fishing Tackle & Related Items, lot #597, $3700. Also sold January 3, 2004, Lang's auction, lot #145, $3850. plus buyers premium.
PHY 7'6" Modified Parabolic rod with three tips, with rod tube plus labeled PHY shipping tube. 7'6", 2/3 (one tip short). Varnished, flamed cane, tan/gold wraps, "Detroit"-marked cap and ring over cork, half wells grip, butt inked in PHY's handwriting on two flats, First flat: Mod. Parabolic - 7 ½' - 3.54 oz. H.D.H. Second flat: Bamboo wt. 2.50 oz. Photos show that one of the tips is inked: Fer. 14/64 Tip Top 4 1/2/64 Typed shipping label to: Mr. Robert Hesick, 151 So. Prospect St., Kalamazoo, Mich. Tube has Paul H. Young Co. pre-printed labels in green ink, business address is the W. Eight Mile Road address in Detroit, post office cancellation indicates package was sent from Detroit but unfortunately a date cannot be seen. This rod caused a bit of a stir in 2007 when it came to public attention as a raffle prize for a Michigan trout conservation group. Because of its length and other measurements, some said that it was a prototype for the Martha Marie model, or even that it was a rod that Mrs. Young once owned. It was not Mrs. Young's rod and almost certainly is not a prototype, but just a nice trout rod that shares some measurements with that model. If it was sent new in the mailing tube, it would have been built years after the Martha Marie model had already gone into production. However, the shipment of an early rod could have been done after it had been damaged and sent back to the PHY shop for a new third tip to be built. The lack of a serial number also points to a date of 1955 or earlier. As with many PHY rods, there are some unanswered questions. The rod shows indications of wear due to frequent fishing.
PHY "MARTHA MARIE" dated August 1953. 7'6", 2/2, 3.56 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, bronze wraps, black cap and ring cork mortised seat, Detroit stamp on cap, cigar grip with thumbprint flat, inked in PHY's handwriting Aug. '53, also "MarthaM. model, 7 1/2' - 3.56 oz. H.D.H., also Bamboo wt. - 2.46 oz. Was owned by rdsphoto, now owned by poudre1 of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY "MARTHA MARIE" dated April 1955. 7'6", 2/2, 3.28 oz., very dark varnished, flamed cane with deluxe bright bronze wraps; sliding band cork mortised seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumbprint flat, blued super-Z ferrules. MJK catalog no 64 (1994).
PHY "WOOFTAIL" ROD, 8'0", 3/2. With typed label on rod tube stating "Special Dry Fly Rod," this 8'0", 3/2 rod built with light-colored cane, cap and ring over cork seat, and thumb depression in cork grip, is marked Madalen - 3-3/4 oz. - 'Wooftail.' Seen at R.W. Oliver Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, lot #13; sold for $2500 plus 10% buyer's premium. At the Oliver auction the rod was accompanied by a letter of authenticity described in the Oliver catalog as signed by Paul Young's grandson. The letter stated the rod dates from the mid- to late-1930's and was built for Detroit musician Tommy Avigne, whose wife was named Madalen; Tommy's pet name for Madalen was "Wooftail." When seen again at Lang's January 3, 2004 auction, the letter of authenticity had been lost, and the rod (Lot #146) sold for $700 plus 10% buyer's premium.
PHY 8'0" ROD dated April 1950, 8'0", 2/2, probably dry fly taper, not parabolic, rod's specifications as shown on the inked markings do NOT match any cataloged rod for 1950. Varnished, flamed cane, tan/gold decorative spiral thread wraps, "Detroit"-marked cap, screwlock reel seat (black threading, bright screw ring) over cork, cigar/Ritz grip, butt inked in PHY's handwriting on three flats, First flat: Detroit Apr. 1950 Second flat: 8' - 4.30 oz. Bamboo wt - 2.95 oz. Third flat: H.C.H. or H.C.F. The tips are inked: Fer. - .234 (appropriate for a 15/64" ferrule). Tube was made from war surplus material, specifically aluminum conduit tubing from a B-29 bomber. Thanks to Steve Miner.
PHY "DRY FLY SPECIAL" FLY RODS
PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, very early, once owned by Jim Schaaf, 7-1/2', 3/2, cap and ring, Detroit stamp on cap, very finely mortised wood seat (cherry? cedar?), cigar grip, metal winding check, ring hookkeeper, swelled butt, orange and black wraps below hookkeeper, black wraps at guides with dark staining of cane at these wraps, plus other black stains (not flame marks) elsewhere, red agate stripping guide, inked handwriting "Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special" on two flats, two tips are each a bit short. Node spacing is random. Aluminum tube with tight-fitting slip-top cap; green bag. Possibly a much-refinished, early 1930's Heddon-built or Heddon kit rod, or a 1930's rod that Paul Young rebuilt. This kind of guessing is necessary because rod descriptions are vague or non-existent in the 1930's Young catalog materials. It was the Depression, and Young had to build rods, or subcontract their assembly, using whatever materials might be scrounged at any given time to try to make a buck. So probably rods varied a lot within a given model like the "Dry Fly Special." The 1933 catalog does say that Dry Fly Specials are 8'0" or 8'6". A 7'6" model is not mentioned there.
PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, early, Heddon-based, same inked handwriting "Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special" on two flats as the rod above, 7'6", 3/2, cap and ring over cork reel seat, dark winding check, ring hookkeeper, swelled butt, similar but not identical wrap pattern below hookkeeper as rod above, attached card on bag reads "Paul H. Young / 7 1/2' 3.86 oz. - 1 1/2 Fer" - thus combining Paul Young's typical practice of recording exact rod weight with Heddon's ferrule size designation. 1930's? This rod was seen at Bob Selb's booth at a Lang's show, around 2006.
PHY SPECIAL (originally a Dry Fly Special?), dated 1927 with a 1953 refinish by PHY, 7'0", 2/2. One tip is 1" short. Varnished, caramel-color cane, brown wraps. Unmarked cap and ring over cork seat that blends smoothly into a superfine-style grip. Handwriting inked on rod is by PHY and shows good examples of his cursive writing, upper case printing, and lower case printing. Butt is lettered on three flats, First flat: Elms T. Knowlson - Detroit. Second flat: Paul Young's "SPECIAL" 7' - 2.78 oz. Third flat: 1927 Model - Re-Fin Mar. '53. Given the context, this may be a rod built 1927 and heavily rebuilt / refinished in 1953. Looks much like a rod of the 1950's but has much earlier elements, such as an agate guide and ring hookkeeper. Custom rod tube beautifully engraved in two lines: ELMS T. KNOWLSON / DETROIT. MICH. Inside the tube was a map that may show a fishing camp owned by Knowlson or a friend. Offered on eBay, May 2009.
PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, early, two differently tapered tips. 7'6", 3/2, cap and ring over cork reel seat, both cap and shaft are marked but no other information was given, Wells grip, rust wraps w/black tipping, orig. bag, no tube. MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).
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PHY "SPECIAL" FLY RODS
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. Reportedly marked Special 7 1/2 ft., 3 1/2 oz. (handwritten?) Cap and ring over mortised cork, half Wells cork grip, decorative maroon spiral wraps, original bag and tube. Had broken snake guide and butt section ferrule needed resetting. Was the only Young rod auctioned at the very first R.W. Oliver's Antique and Classic Fishing Tackle Auction, July 3, 1985 (lot 42, $165 plus 10% buyer's premium. By comparison, a new used Payne 96 with paper wrapping still on the grip sold for $1600.)
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. Attractive trout rod with cap and ring over cork, Detroit stamp on cap, almost Ritz-like cork grip, decorative spiral wraps, non-original bag and tube. can be seen in catalog photos from two auctions: R.W. Oliver's fifth annual summer auction, July 8, 1989 (lot 10, $1550 plus 10% buyer's premium) and Lang's January 3, 2004 auction (lot 147, $900 plus 10% buyer's premium.).
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. 3-7/8 oz., "light color cane," maroon wraps, screwlock cork seat, offered for $210, circa 1975 Thomas & Thomas flyer.
PHY SPECIAL, 7'6", 2/2. Varnished. Built with "clear cane & resourcinol glue," honey wraps, blued oversize guides, size 14 shouldered ferrules, Wells grip, sliding band over cork seat with unmarked cap, one of the tips appeared unused. Action described as smooth, semi-parabolic, similar to a Martha Marie model. Original bag and possibly original lightweight tube. MJK catalog no. 83 (2001).
PHY SPECIAL, 8'0", 2/2. Lightly flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold-tan wraps, mortised cork reel seat, Wells grip, Detroit die-stamp on cap. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).
PHY SPECIAL, 8'6", 3/2, unusual wooden spacer in sliding band reel seat. A damaged rod described as follows, PAUL YOUNG Special 8 1/2', 3/2, SB wood seat, rod is missing its mid section, rust color wraps, blued ferrules for #7/8 line. $85 B&T. MJK catalog no. 66 (1994).
PHY SPECIAL, 8'6", in rare three-piece, two-tip format with two differently-tapered tips. Mottle-flamed, varnished cane; decorative burgundy spiral wraps at guides and ferrules, cap and ring reel seat over cork with Detroit stamp on cap, half-Wells grip, blued ferrules, ink-stamped Special above grip, between decorative wraps. 2X2 node arrangement butt section, random node arrangement mid section, 2X2 node arrangement lighter tip section, somewhat random node arrangement heavier tip section. Late 1940's? From Bill McRoy to czkid of the Forum to quashnet of the Forum.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", in rare three-piece, two-tip format, ink stamped Special, but also hand-inked 9' and 5 1/2 on either side of the ink stamp "Special." This indicates that the rod tapers to fit a 5-1/2/64 tiptop. Half Wells grip, decorative spiral light-brown wraps. Late 1940's. In the photo below, quashnet's 8'6" 3/2 Special is on top, and below that is this rod, the 9'0" Special.
PHY SPECIAL, 8'6", 2/2, ink stamped Special, but also hand-inked on separate tips with "WET FLY TIP" and "DRY FLY TIP." Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip with single thumb depression, decorative spiral brown wraps. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles, who reports that "the rod was light in the hand and had a medium-slow action" with WF6 or DT6 lines.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 2/2. Flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral copper-brown wraps, dark blued hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Circa 1946-1950. Owned by Reeldane of Copenhagen, Denmark and member of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 2/2, with 2" detachable fighting butt. Deluxe open-spiral olive/tan wraps, half Wells grip, bright core, black ring and cap on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Stubby 2" ext. butt. Beige bag w/brown piping, tube. Late 1940's. Offered by Bob Summers on his web site, December 2008.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 2/2, with sliding band seat, extra-deluxe spiral wrap. Varnished cane, little or no flaming. Deluxe maroon/brown wraps with a double spiral wrap at front of cork grip, blued ferrules reportedly reset by Bob Summers, long half-Wells grip, cap and sliding band reel seat over cork, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Offered on "Redwing Fly Rods" web site, March 2009.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 3/2, 5-1/4 oz., with sliding band seat. "Natural" varnished cane, deluxe brown wraps, blued ferrules, Wells grip, cork sliding band reel seat, incorrect bag and tube. MJK catalogs no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).
PHY SPECIAL, 9'0", 3/2, with long, detachable fighting butt. Blonde cane, deluxe open-spiral maroon wraps, half Wells grip, bright hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, "Special" ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Circa 1946-1950. Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing this photo and info.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'6", 3/2. Described as "original PHY," otherwise no useful information beyond "Western style grip, sliding band on cork. Excellent condition." Included on the NNN List to document this length and format for a "Special." From a "Vintage Tackle" catalog dated Spring 1987, by Frederick E. Grafeld of Secaucus, NJ.
PHY SPECIAL, 9'6", built with three tips for Keith Van Kirk, 9'6", 3/3, inscribed Keith Van Kirk 9-1/2' 6.85 oz. GBG line Special. Unusual wooden spacer, rather than cork, on otherwise typical downlocking screwlock reel seat with Detroit stamp on butt cap. A rod suitable for salmon fishing, one tip is labeled "bass bug." Oxidized ferrules, carboloy stripping guide. Offered July 2008 by Bud Frasca on his web site, www.northwestclassictackle.com. Bud said that Bob Summers told him that this rod design was originally done for Ted Williams - although Bud guessed that examples made for Williams were probably built with a reel seat suitable for saltwater use.
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PHY "ACE" FLY RODS
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. (See also the list of PHY bait casting rods, below).
PHY 7'6" ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, aside from its length it appears to be exactly like the 8'0" Ace shown above. Described in MJK catalog #50, from 1988, this is the listing of item #31 as it appeared in the catalog: 31. PAUL H. YOUNG Ace, 7 1/2', 3/2, a very handsome instrument w/ lovely med. even colored cane w/ deep coppery bronze silks w/ plum tipping at each guide. Wells grip w/ thumb flat, locking walnut seat w/ black ring, med. DF fine progressive tapers for #5 line. Few slight varnish defects but almost imperceptible. Rod at least exc., orig. throughout. Orig. bag & tube also. A scarce earlier Young. $670. As Patrick Garner said to me, now "we know there's at least one more of these early Youngs out there."
PHY 7'6" ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, 3-7/8 oz., very slightly differing from the 7'6" Ace described above. Described in MJK catalog #61, from 1992, this is the catalog listing of item #48: 48. Nicest, most attractive PAUL YOUNG 7 1/2' Ace 3/2 in my 23 years - appears unused new. dark brown wraps w/blk. tipping each guide over medium dk. lovely shafts, slightly swelled butt w/fine orig, finish, fine GS ferrules, pretty wood seat w/blk. and alum. locking parts & GS butt cap. Rod is a fast DF 3 7/8 oz. for #5 line, circa 1940 w/Wells grip & thumb flat, beautifully proportioned; this is a Museum grade Young, doubt there's a better one in existence. $850. Thanks to his research, I am sure that Patrick Garner would disagree about the date, placing this rod much earlier at circa 1925-27.
PHY ACE, 7'6", 2/2, Young's work, estimate late 1940's. Old varnish and/or very light flaming of the cane, a few darker marks. Cap and ring seat over cork, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, hookkeeper appears to be replacement snake guide bent into place, burgundy wraps. Long repair wrap on butt below female ferrule, one tip short. B-29 tube with paper label applied stating rod is an "Ace" model. Off-white/beige stitched bag. Sold for $365 on eBay, March 2009.
PHY ACE, 8'0", 2/2, hand-signed by Paul H. Young on one flat: Paul H. Young "Ace" Believed by Bob Summers to be entirely Young's work. Estimate late 1940's. Smooth, light flaming of the cane. Screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, 6-1/2" long grip flares slightly at front end, built without hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. Found at a southern Michigan yard sale and sold via eBay to quashnet of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY Ace, 8'0", an eight-foot 2/2 Ace dated 1951, listed in Martin Keane's catalog no. 67 (1995). Almost certainly by PHY himself, the date and the precise weight (3.74 oz.) strongly imply that this data was handlettered on the cane, as no one would make an ink stamp to communicate such details. This would be the latest date for an Ace that I know of. Described as "...#14 ferrules and # 4 1/2 top guides; a very wonderful transitional dry fly-to modified-parabolic action... lovely orig. dk. honey varnish w/dk. red wraps over medium-flamed shafts, semi-wells grip; blued cap, band & ferrules, cork SB seat..." Very much like my Ace shown in the photo above, except for the additional lettering and the sliding band instead of screwlock reel seat.
PHY Ace, 8'0", 2/2 (one tip full length, other tip 5-1/4" short). Flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, blued ferrules, burgundy wraps. MJK says, "marked 'Ace' under the varnish," which to me seems most likely to be a stamp rather than hand-written. MJK catalog 55 (1990), offered at $675 and 56 (1991), offered at $540, and then also catalog 69 (1996), offered at $460.
PHY Ace, 8'0", 2/2 (one tip full length but scarfed, other tip a few inches short, butt section overwrap, some guides rewrapped). Flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, blued ferrules, burgundy wraps, 'Ace' stamp, has a snake guide for a hookkeeper. In B-29 tube with paper ID label on tube, stating G.L. DOLBEE, 1604 EVANSTON AVE. / KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN / ACE ROD by PAUL H. YOUNG. Sold late October 2009 on eBay for $909. plus shipping.
PHY Ace, 8'6", 3/2, hand-inked on butt Paul H. Young's Ace / 8 ½ HCH. Hand-inked on separate tips, WET TIP 5 and DRY TIP 4 1/2. Bright cap and black screwlock mechanism over cork, believed to be a replacement by Bob Summers, who restored the rod, according to a prior owner. Half Wells grip, winding check (addition? Not seen elsewhere), brown wraps. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.
PHY 7'10" 4-pc. PACK ROD, most closely resembling a late 1940's - very early 1950's ACE. Supplied with one butt section, one second section, two third sections, and two tips. Each of the six matched sections measures 1' 11-3/4". It is not known for certain whether this is the original configuration. Whether or not the rod was rebuilt and modified to a pack format, it appears that the rod has been refinished since Paul Young's time (the two-tone amber and reddish-brown thread wrap colors are unlike any previously seen on a Young rod. The closest such wraps I have seen were on PHY rod serial #4969, built by Todd Young). This pack rod has blonde cane, standard butt cap with "Detroit" die-stamp, downlocking screwlock reel seat with cork spacer, half Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, Champion tube, bag. First known from 1999 when it was sold by Len Codella as a Parabolic 15. Purchased by David Bershtein in 2006, who had it authenticated by Bob Summers. Summers' letter of authentication is dated July 27, 2007. Summers disagreed with the Codella attribution. Summers believed the rod was standard-built as an 8'0" PHY rod in the 1940's and later cut down to present size and configuration, possibly done at the PHY Co. subsequent to Summers' 1974 departure from the company. This does not explain the presence of the additional third section (custom built from new cane?). The discrepancies between the Codella and Summers attributions cannot be reconciled. Rod seen July 2009; thanks to David Bershtein.
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PHY "PROSPERITY" FLY RODS
PHY Prosperity, 7'6" 2/2, ink stamped Prosperity, but also hand-inked Paul H. Young Detroit Maker / 7'6" 3 ¾ oz. HEH. Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip, orange/black jasper wraps. Casts a modern DT4 line. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.
PHY Prosperity, 7'6" 3/2, jasper variegated wraps, screwlock wood seat, agate stripping guide, dry fly action for #5 line, had varnish meltdown when sold in replacement Wonderod tube. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).
PHY Prosperity, 8'0" 2/2, described as parabolic action, half Wells grip with orig. thumbprint depression, built w/resourcinol glue, jasper wraps, 3/4" invisible wrap on one tip, cork screwlock seat, orig. bag and tube. MJK catalog no. 54 (1990).
PHY Prosperity, 8'6", 3/2, Edwards-built, all sections full-length, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, mottled green/black wraps tipped black, ring hookkeeper, original aluminum tube and green cloth bag, dates to mid-1930s (PHY also sold Edwards' rods at this time; the 1935 PHY catalog showed two full pages of Edwards rods). Sold by "lakenpine" (John Pickard) on eBay, July 2009, $660. Offered on eBay by another seller October 2009 for $990 or best offer.
PHY Prosperity, 8'6", 3/2, one tip 1/2" short, downlocking reel seat w/walnut spacer, mottled green wraps, bag, tube, B/W photo appears to show Edwards-built rod, was lot #120A and sold for $600 + buyers premium at R.W. Oliver's Fifth Annual High Rollers Auction, February 28, 1992, Marlborough, MA.
PHY Prosperity, 9'0", 2/2, caramel-colored cane, half Wells grip, variegated copper/black wraps, Prosperity ink stamp (not hand-signed), inexpensive downlocking all-metal reel seat. Sometimes these seats may possibly be later substitutions, but sometimes I think Paul Young really did use a cheaper seat, particularly on the lower-end rods like the Prosperity, and at least once on a prototype rod where Young probably was interested in seeing how the rod fished, and possibly not concerned about every final detail looking perfect. This rod looks like Paul Young may have built or assembled it. Sold for $615. plus shipping, eBay, August 2008.
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PHY 8'6" custom built w/ 3 tips in 1952, 4.15 oz., slightly flamed cane, blued shouldered ferrules size 15, tan wraps, two dry fly tips and an original, heavier tip, Wells grip, reel seat is sliding band over mortised cork, with original bag for all three tips, and tube. MJK catalog 74 (1998).
PHY 8'0", 2/2 light trout rod, very similar to description in 1940 PHY Co. catalog of a Featherweight (Dry Fly) Special. This rod sold for $5100 on eBay on January 23, 2008. Varnished (refinished), smoothly flamed cane, slight swell ahead of the cork; Garrison/Ritz grip, cap and ring, very nicely knurled and finished, with Detroit die-stamp, over cork seat. Brown spiral wraps typical of "Special" grade rods. Inked in three lines: First line: 8' 3 5/8 oz Bamboo Wt 2 5/8 oz Second line: 14/64 Fer. 4/64 Tip Top HEH Third line: Paul H Young - Detroit Maker An original Young identification tag is stapled to the top of the bag; I have never seen this before. Tube and an outer leather case are not original.
PHY "Don West Dream," built 1949. 8'0", 2/2 (one tip 2" short) trout rod. Slender cigar grip, cap and ring over cork, black wraps, refinished, marked with 1949 date, bag and tube. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #265, sold for $650 plus 10% buyer's premium.
PHY 7'6" rod built for Mrs. H.Y. Barnes circa 1950, 7'6", 2/2, 12/64 ferrule, 3/64 tiptop, unusually light tiptop not cataloged in that time period, only one tip known for this rod, assembled rod with other tip was lost near the Brueal River, Minnesota in the late 1970's. Reported by macbarn of the Classic Fly Rod Forum (his mother's rod).
PHY 8'0" rod built with three tips for H.Y. Barnes of Toledo, Ohio in 1950, 8'0", 2/3, rod is marked H.Y. Barnes, Toledo, Mar 29 50 8' 3-3/4 oz 14/64 fer 4 1/2/64 tip top Paul H Young Detroit Maker. Reported by macbarn of the Classic Fly Rod Forum (his father's rod).
PHY 8-1/2', 2/2, built 1952, 4.59 oz., same ferrule and tiptop sizes as the "Texan" model, completely refinished by Bob Summers. Inked inscription in three lines: First line: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit 52 Second line: 8 1/2 - 4.59 oz. HCH HCF Third line: Fer. 15/64 TipTop 5/64 Bamboo wt. 3.44 oz. Varnished flamed cane, cap and ring cork seat, "Detroit" stamp on cap, new half-Wells cork grip, brown wraps. Comes in brown bag with darker brown piping; bag is for 8'6" rod but is marked on inner cloth flap Aug '47 8 1/2 - 4 7/8 16 Fer. This appears to be a bag that originally held another, earlier PHY rod. Tube appears to be modern. Offered February 2009 on eBay.
PHY 8-1/2', 2/2, built 1953, variation on a Para 17 - "a little more butt diameter. Making it a little less Parabolic." (Bob Summers). Inked inscription in two lines: First line: Paul H. Young Maker Detroit 1953 Second line: 8'6" 5.25 oz. HCH Black screwlock cork seat. New half-Wells cork grip, guides replaced with new old-stock guides, and refinished by Bob Summers. 14/64 ferrule, 5/64 tip top. Fishes a 7-weight line. Owned by 'teter' of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY "PARA 13" FLY RODS
PHY custom-built Para 13, 7'9", date unknown or not recorded. From MJK's description: "Built for Mr. O.S. Wood of Michigan who reportedly had a very bad medical problem with his shoulder. His son brought him to see Paul Young who built this rod specifically to allow him to continue fishing w/a minimum of discomfort. The rod shaft is marked 'Parabolic 13 7'9" 2.95 oz. HEH line' Also marked 'Fer. 13/64 Tip Tops 4/64 Orville S. Wood Ann Arbor Mich.'" One lightweight dry tip (with red spiral wrapping at tip top) and one heavier tip (green wraps at tip top). Flamed cane, lime green wraps, 2x2 node arrangement, half Wells grip, dual band cork reel seat, second tip ¼" short but apparently built exactly this way. Orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog 84 (2002).
PHY custom Para 13, 7'3", 4-pc. pack rod with wet & dry tips, rod shaft marked Parabolic 13 7'3" 4 pc. wet/dry. From MJK's description: "Custom designed for a doctor from Pennsylvania. The rod sections were selected and cut by Paul Young himself... a pack rod with six pieces, including a top and third section of lighter taper for dry fly use as well as a second top section and additional third section of heavier tapers for wet fly or distance casting." Very dark flamed cane, gold wraps over blued guides, Super-Z blued ferrules, semi half Wells grip, Midge-style inletted cork reel seat w/ dual black aluminum reel bands. Weighs 2.92 oz. in heavy configuration, 2.84 oz. in dry fly configuration. Original six-section bag & tube. MJK catalog 84 (2002).
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PHY "PARA 14" FLY RODS
PHY Para 14, 7'3", 2/3, marked, "Paul H. Young Co., Parabolic 14, 7'3", 2.65 oz.," built June 1949 with three different original tips. Built with butt section 3" longer than tips. Tips individually marked "dry fly," "fast dry-fly," and "bug action." Dark flamed cane. Fancy, deluxe open-spiral gold-tan wraps. Halstead-style ferrules. Cap and ring over cork reel seat, standard Young stamp on butt cap, slightly flared cigar grip. MJK catalog 47 (1987), and also MJK catalog 58 (1991), and also MJK catalog 66 (1994).
PHY Para 14, 7'6", 3.58 oz. (weight of bamboo alone, 2.35 oz.). The owner sent a letter to Paul H. Young which was reproduced in the circa 1955 PHY Co. catalog (picture of Ned Jewett on the cover holding an Atlantic salmon). All that I know about the rod is from the letter. Interestingly, the owner states that he got the rod at Von Lengerke & Antoine, the sporting goods store in Chicago, IL. I don't know whether VL&A was representing and displaying Young rods in a formal arrangement with the PHY Co. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Young: You no doubt will be pleased to know how well I like one of your rods. Recently, I purchased a "Parabolic 14 / 7 1/2 ft." 3.58 oz. bamboo weight 2.35 oz., at V.L. & A. in Chicago. When I picked it up at the store I had no intention of buying a rod at all, but it felt so good I took it home and put an HDH nylon line on it. Its action exceeds my expectations. Always thought my little old rod was tops but I believe fishing with this Young rod will be even more of a pleasure. As I stated the nylon HDH line seems to work perfectly; bringing out excellent action. The rod doesn't seem to be overloaded even upon "picking up" and false casting with about 40 ft. of this line. It will shoot more than that. - Dr. Harvey C. Roll, Evanston, Ill.
PHY Para 14, 8'0" (see note), 3-1/2 oz, 2/3, three tips - one for dry fly, one for slightly heavier dry fly/nymph, a third tip for larger nymphs and bass bugs is a copy of a damaged original tip which accompanied this rod when sold, burgundy-colored wraps, sliding band cork seat, ritz grip, super-Z ferrules, refinished. Note: unfortunately, MJK did not actually state how long the rod is! But the description is embedded among a list of eight foot rods, so best guess is that this is an 8'0" Para 14. MJK catalog 56 (1991).
This is probably the same Para 14 rod that was listed in MJK's Spring 1985 catalog even though the weight was given as 3-3/4 oz (of course the weight will vary depending upon which of the three tips is used). The third tip is described as having a large invisible wrap.
PHY Para 14, 8'0", 2.58 oz., 2-piece, 2 tips, sliding band seat. Listed by Allan Liu at www.sportingspirit.com.
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PHY "PARA 15" FLY RODS
PHY Para 15 dated July 1949, 8'0", 2/2, 4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold/bronze wraps. Cork grip has two thumb indentations. PHY's handwriting on four flats. First flat: "Parabolic 15" 8' - 4 oz. Second flat: 15/64 Fer. 5/64 Tip Top. Third flat: Dr. Carleton A. Smith, Birmingham. July 1949. Fourth flat: PAUL H. YOUNG Co. - Detroit Maker. "Birmingham" is believed to be Birmingham, Michigan, a town located north of Detroit. Tube is probably made from surplus B-29 aircraft aluminum tubing. Reported by Chuck Snyder.
PHY Para 15 dated August 1949, 8'0", 2/2, 3.82 oz. Tips are full length. Flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral bright green wraps with decorative spirals on either side of Paul H. Young's handwriting in black ink on three flats. Straight grip almost without taper. First flat: "PARABOLIC 15" 8' - 3.82 oz. Second flat: 15/64 Fer. 5/64 T.T. H.D.H. Third flat (not adjacent to either of the other two lettered flats): Grace O. Beach, Pittsburgh. Aug '49. Thank you to Bob Summers for showing me this rod.
PHY Para 15, believe built c.1949, 8'0", 2/2, 4 oz.. One tip about 1" short. Lightly flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral yellow wraps, Ritz/cigar grip, cap and band over cork, lettered in PHY's handwriting on three flats, First flat: 8' - 4 oz. "Parabolic 15" Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. - Detroit - Maker Third flat: H.D.G. or H.D.H. Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing photos and info.
PHY Para 15, believe built 1950, 8'0", 2/2, 3.97 oz., cap and ring, cigar grip, lemon wraps. Marked "Parabolic 15" 8' 3.97 oz. / 15/64 Fer. 5/64 TipTops H.D.H. Was owned by Malcolm "Mac" Seaholm, whose notes on the rod include "made in 1950?" Mac bought the rod April 7, 1972 from Art Neumann of Wanigas Rod Co., and paid $125. He received the rod April 17, 1972. The first fish Mac caught with this Para 15 was a 12-1/2" brown trout on a caddis pupa - "took it with a surging wake." Mac put a thumb indentation in the grip, and put a hookkeeper on the rod. He sold the rod on September 20, 2000 and received $2450.
PHY Para 15 dated January 1951, 8'0", 2/2, 3.90 oz., built with two "wet" tips (5/64 top-guides). One tip 1-1/2" short, the other 4-1/2" short. Deluxe open-spiral tan/brown wraps, "slightly oversize" cigar grip, cap and band over cork, orig. bag and tube with B-29 collar with cap. MJK catalog 82 and 83 (2001), and catalog 84 (2002).
PHY Para 15, circa 1952, 8'0", 2/2, 3-3/4 oz., K.T. Keller model, built with two "dry" tips. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Wells grip, brown wraps, blued ferrules. MJK described the rod as "circa 1952" and if this is true the rod should be pre-serial numbering. MJK catalog 61 (1992) and 62 (1993).
PHY Para 15 built in 1954, 8'0", 2/2, 4.14 oz., built with "dry" and "wet" tips. Varnished, flamed cane, slightly swelled cork grip, screwlock over cork reel seat. Offered for $2200, MJK catalog 67 (1995).
PHY Para 15 Deluxe dated December 1954, 8'0", 2/2, rod shaft marked "Special Parabolic 15", built with "dry" and "wet" tips. Flamed cane, dark rust-brown wraps, straight grip, screwlock over cork reel seat. MJK catalog 44 (1986).
PHY Para 15 retrofitted to a 4-piece pack rod format, 8'0", originally 2/2, now 4/2, originally 4 oz., MJK's description: "...presently being made into a 4 pc. pack rod w/ Super-Z ferrules and traditional Young wraps, etc... rod was damaged in shipment precisely in the center of the butt section & tips..." MJK catalog 50 (1988). It is not known whether this rod has two dry tips, two parabolic "wet" tips, or one of each. It is possible that this was a serial-numbered rod, as MJK didn't give any information about when the rod was built. I know of only one Para 15 that was deliberately built as a 4-piece pack rod. PHY built it in 1957 using red-anodized ferrules; it is PHY rod #2284 listed in the serial-numbered rod section.
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PHY "BOAT ROD," 8'0", 2/2. Rod is inked on two flats, First flat: "Boat Rod" Second flat: 8' 16/15 Bamboo wt. 3.06 oz HCH - HCF Varnished, lightly flamed cane, Detroit stamp on butt cap, screwlock cork seat, solid half-Wells cork grip with two thumb depressions, step-down ferrules, solid (not decorative spiral) burnt-orange thread wraps, shiny satin greenish-brown bag, Champion-style tube, believe circa 1951-54, reported by owner Steve Keim, 2009.
PHY 8'0" rod built for Ted Doman, 8'0", 2/2, described in Lang's Fishing tackle Auction catalog for April 13, 2002, as follows: "Paul H. Young - Custom... Ted Doman - 4 oz. - 8' - med - HED (sic)" marked 8 ft. Trout Rod. This 8 ft. 2 piece 2 tip HDH wt. line rod has screw down-locking over cork reel seat. The mid section is1 3/4" short and the varnish appears to be stripped in preparation for refinishing. Bag and tube." (catalog page 45, item 282).
PHY Para 16 built for Ted Doman, dated June 1948, blonde cane, now owned by uniphasian of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. This is the same rod listed as item 79 in MJK catalog 49 (1988). MJK's description: Extremely rare PAUL YOUNG PARABOLIC 16, 8 1/2', 2/2, 4 5/8 oz. for #6/7 line, marked "June 1948," Wells grip, lock cork seat, blued guides w/deluxe brown wraps, exc.++ cond., w/orig. bag & early correct tube; this is not a flamed finish Young, but is extremely pretty w/a smooth easy powerful taper offering light weight w/power, very scarce. $750.
PHY Para 16, built November 1949, unfished. 8'6", 2/2, 4.47 oz. Lightly flamed cane, yellow wraps, half Wells grip with sharply sculpted thumb indentation, cap and band over cork, butt lettered in PHY's handwriting on three flats, First flat: 8 1/2' - 4.47 oz. Parabolic 16 H.C.H. - H.C.F. Second flat: Ferrule 16/64 - Tip Tops 5/64 Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. - Detroit - Maker. Nov. 1949 Each tip is also lettered: 16/64 Fer. - 5/64 Tip Top Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing photos and info.
PHY Para 17, 8'6", 2/1, 5.4 oz., flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, rod was refinished by Bob Summers, original bag and tube. No information on whether there was a serial number or a date, or whether it was built with only one tip. MJK catalog no. 66 (1994).
PHY Para 17, 8'6", 2/2, 5.27 oz., described by MJK as "built during Paul's lifetime" so it could possibly be a serial-numbered rod. Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, rod refinished 1971. MJK catalog 52 (1989), 54 and 55 (1990), 56 and 57 (1991). Rod of same description - believe it was the same rod - was also offered in MJK catalog 68 (1995), 69 (1996) and 71 (1996).
PHY "FLORIDA SPECIAL" FLY RODS
PHY Florida Special shown in photo page 9, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1951, and page 57, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1955 (red-and-white cover with photo of Ned Jewett), caption reads, "Record shark taken on fly tackle by Jack Ardis. Rod is 9' 18-7 modified parabolic. (Florida Special)" Same photo also shown in April 1955 Field & Stream article by Joe Brooks, "Shark in the Shallows," starts page 64, photo caption reads "Angler Jack Ardis of Miami, Florida, and his 41-pound lemon shark, possibly largest ever taken on regulation fly-fishing tackle." Brooks' article does not mention Paul Young by name, but tells the story of how Ardis caught the shark while fishing with Capt. Leo Johnson of Islamorada, taking an hour and ten minutes to land it.
PHY Florida Special, circa 1949, 9'0", size 18 ferrule, size 7 tip top, shown in photo page 8, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1951, and page 57, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1955 (red-and-white cover with photo of Ned Jewett), more info available in 1951 catalog. In 1949 Wendell H. Peterson of Miami, FL, won the fly division of the Metropolitan Tournament with a Jack Crevalle weighing 10 lb. 2 oz. As a prize, he received this PHY Florida Special rod. In 1950, using the Florida Special, Peterson again won the fly division of the tournament, also setting a new tournament record with a Jack Crevalle of 14 lb. 3 oz.
PHY Florida Special w/ 2" integral ext. butt, 9', 2/2, built March 1953, flamed cane, gold-bronze wraps, 6.43 oz. with dry tip, 6.54 oz. with wet tip, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, MJK catalog 58 (1991) and 59 (1992).
PHY Florida Special, 1954, known from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively: "Today was varnish day and among others, was a rod for Carl B. Shelley of Pittsburg, the order coming through Shenk @ Tittle. It is my first dealing with either of them. I assume Mr. Shelly got our cat. and had the dealer order the Florida Special." (letter to CKL, March 31, 1954).
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PHY 9'0" Bass rod with light and heavy tips, listed for $300 by T&T in Hearthside News, Vol. 4 No. 1 (June 1984) and Vol. 4 No. 2 (December 1984). 2/2, 5-3/4 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cork screwlock. Red wraps. Refinished.
PHY Parabolic 9'0" rod, built 1951, similar to or may be a Nymph Special as described in circa 1952 PHY catalog. 9'0", 2/1, varnished, lightly flamed cane; lettering in two lines Paul H. Young Detroit Maker 51 / Parabolic 9' 16/64 Fer. 5/64 TipTop 4.25 oz. HDG , screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap, Garrison/Ritz grip tapers with slight increase in diameter from back to front, step-down ferrules (not Super-Zs); very unusual two-color wrap pattern, solid rose wraps against cork grips, ferrules, and guide feet, followed by yellow decorative spiral wraps. Khaki bag, silver tube with black cap. Owned by czkid of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
PHY Texas General, built in 1951. 8-1/2', 2/2, 5.41 oz. Open-spiral burgundy wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat. MJK catalog 76 (1998).
PHY Texas General, built in December 1952, 8-1/2', 2/2, wet and dry tips. Shaft marked "12-52" plus other unspecified writing. Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip w/ thumb print, black screwlock cork seat. MJK catalogs 58 (1991) and 59 (1992).
PHY Texas General, built in 1953 for champion fly caster Don West, whose name is on shaft. 8-1/2', 2/2, wet and dry tips. Open-spiral burgundy wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, slightly oversize partial wells grip w/ thumb print, sliding band cork seat. Quashnet believes that Don West of Texas and Paul Young had shared business interests; West may have sold Young rods and even built them from blanks supplied by PHY. MJK catalog 75 (1998).
PHY Texas General, wet and dry tips, 8-1/2', 2/2. In Paul H. Young's handwriting, on the butt: "Texas General" 8 1/2' 5.54 oz. Bug Tip 5.32 oz. Dry Tip Fer. 16/64 1 Tip 5/64 1 Tip 6/64. On one tip: "Wet Bug" GBF - C level. On other tip: Dry - HCH - HCF. Flamed cane, brown/gold wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, cigar grip, black screwlock cork seat, refinished by Steve Blake. Carmine Lisella's "Jordan-Mills Rod Co." catalog 21 (Fall 2003).
PHY "PARA 18" FLY RODS
PHY 10'0" marked (9'10" actual length) Para 18, owned by Harry Darbee and modified by Jim Payne. Marked 10', Para 18, 2/2, 7.32 oz., the rod was reported by Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY, to be 9'10" (no info on whether this due to broken tips or the Payne modifications). Built with detachable handle (no detachable butt). Liu wrote, "Harry didn't like it so brought it to Jim Payne - completely rebuilt by Payne - handle is Payne with uplocking Payne RS - a unique piece of angling history with the Darbee, Payne & Young association - bag & alum. tube." Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Winter 1985 catalog.
PHY Para 18, built May 1949, 9'0", extension butt is present, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, decorative spiral bronze/tan wraps, screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp, bag & tube. Refinished by Bob Summers. Offered on Bob Summers' web site, June 2008.
PHY Para 18, built 1949, 9'0" with 2" replacement extension butt, 2/1, weight 6-1/4 oz., ferrule 18/64, tiptop 8/64, flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, bag & replacement tube. MJK catalog 74 (1998).
PHY Para 18, built 1949, 10'0" with 5" extension butt, 2/2, flamed cane, deluxe yellow wraps, detachable handle with screwlock cork seat, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog 75 (1998).
PHY Para 18, built December 1949, 9'6", extension butt is missing, 2/2, flamed cane, marked in gold lettering, fading and not in good condition, Parabolic 18 9'6" 10 oz. G.A.F. Line Bamboo only 4.51 oz. Gordon F. Burgess - Waquoit, Dec. 1949. Tips marked .2807, tip tops .125. Double spiral wrap at front of grip, decorative spiral bronze wraps, screwlock cork seat, bag & tube. Waquoit is a village on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Offered on eBay February 2008.
PHY Para 18, built 1951, 9'0", 5.90 oz., for GBF line, Ferrule 18/64, tip top 7/64, reported by "bow river" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, owned by a guided fishing client.
PHY Para 18, built January 1952, 9'0", 2/2, flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, step-down blued ferrules, solid (not spiral decorative) wraps, two different tips, one with 7/64 tip top, the other is a 6/64 tip top labeled FlyTip 6/64 Tip Top written near the ferrule. Much other inking in Paul H. Young's handwriting: D.A. Lisenby - Weldon, Ill. Jan 1952 5.97 oz : 6.14 oz ... Original bag, tube. Offered on eBay by Hoagy B. Carmichael, May 2009.
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PHY rod built for Lee Cuddy ("Powerhouse" model?) Big fly rod shown on cover of 1951 PHY catalog, held in J. Lee Cuddy's right hand, beside fly rod record-catch tarpon on 12 lb. test leader. Letter from J. Lee Cuddy to PHY is reprinted on page 16 of catalog: "...all time record for tarpon taken on regular fly equipment. I caught the record 63 lb., 5 ft. 3-1/2 inch tarpon on your rod..." Rod size is not designated, but the same catalog describes the Lee Cuddy "Powerhouse" rod as a 9'0", size 20 ferrule, size 8 tiptop rod weighing seven ounces. The circa 1955 catalog describes a "Powerhouse" fly rod as a 9'6", size 19 ferrule, size 7 tiptop rod weighing seven-and-a-quarter ounces. The catalog says, "This rod was developed mainly for fly-caught tarpon record seekers." This rod is probably the same, or similar, to one of these. The Miami (FL) Rod and Reel Club web site reports that in 1948 J. Lee Cuddy established 17 club records in eight tackle classes.
PHY 9'0", built circa 1950, 2/2, two differently tapered tips, one with 6/64 tiptop and the other 5/64 tiptop, size 16 ferrule, weight with 0.078 tip is 5.50 oz., with 0.095 tip is 5.70 oz., lightly flamed cane, Wells grip, 100% black finish screwlock cork seat, Young-marked butt cap, dark red wraps, blued shouldered ferrules, unfortunately the owner had original shaft markings removed to have his name inscribed, rod action described as "very similar to a Texas General," MJK catalog 81 (2000).
PHY 9'0" Bone/Steelhead/Salmon Special, 2/2, 6.79 oz., varnished, lightly flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with 1" permanent extension butt, bronze wraps. Hearthside News, Vol. 4 No. 2 (December 1984), published by Thomas & Thomas, Turners Falls, MA.
PHY 9'2" 3/2 rod, 6.55 oz., varnished, richly flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat with 2" permanent extension butt, light green wraps with chromed guides, blued Super-Z ferrules are sizes 21 and 15, large Wells grip w/ dual thumbprint depressions, marked on reel fittings and original markings (not otherwise described) on cane shaft, orig. bag and B-29 aluminum tube with cap. MJK catalog 82 (2001) and 83 (2001).
PHY 9'3" "Parabolic 20/19". 6-3/4 oz., 2/1, 8/64" tip, 20/64" mid. Bright alum. Screw-lock cork seat into N/S cap w/ fixed 2-1/2" ext. butt. Cap stamped "Paul H. Young Co. / Detroit Mich." 8" grip with thumb indents. Cane marked: 9'3" - 6 ¾ oz. "Parabolic" 20/19 20/64 fer. 8/64 T.T. / Axxx I. Dxxxx Feb. '54 - G.A.F.. Maroon wraps, chrome snakes, tip tops, and Perfection strippers. Seen Adams angling catalog 51 (2004) and catalogs 54 and 55 (2005).
PHY 9'3" 2/2, 7-1/2 oz., varnished cane, screwlocking reel seat over cork, unique and completely detachable 13" handle, black wraps, a special rod built for Mr. I.E. Jacobs of the Rod and Reel Club, Miami, Florida as a tarpon rod, described as having "immense power." Offered in Hearthside News (Vol. 4 No. 1; June 1984), published by Thomas & Thomas of Turners Falls, MA.
PHY 9'6" 3/2, varnished cane, cap and ring, unusual identification sticker: in two lines, MAKER, PAUL H. YOUNG / DETROIT, MICH. Much later handwritten notation by Bob Summers: Refinished by RW Summers. Seen at a vendor's table, Lang's antique tackle show, Boxborough, MA, November 2008.
PHY 9'6" 3/2, varnished (possible old over-varnish), deeply-flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with Young-marked cap, Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, no extension butt, described as a parabolic 3/2 rod for nine- to ten-weight lines. MJK catalogs no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).
PHY 9'6" 2/2, low water salmon/steelhead rod with detachable handle. Varnished, flamed cane, cork screwlock reel seat, cork grip with double thumb depressions, Super-Z ferrules, bag and tube. MJK provided a letter of authenticity. MJK catalogs no. 82 and 83 (2001) and 84 (2002).
PHY 7'0" 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., screwlock cork seat with Detroit stamp on butt cap, cigar grip, orig. bag & tube, lightweight semiparabolic action for #4 line. MJK catalog 54 (1990).
PHY 7'6", custom built 1942, 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., light dry fly action, Wells grip with thumb print, sliding band over cork, blued fittings, jasper wraps. MJK catalog Winter 1985-86.
PHY 8'0" dated August 1947, 2/1, 4 oz., parabolic, lightly-flamed, rod shaft marked Sticks by Paul Young, also dated Aug 1947. Unmarked otherwise on cane; has authentic Young butt cap on a sliding band cork seat, "hammer-style" (?) cork grip. Needed total refinish, had no bag or tube. Possibly a kit rod? Impossible to know from the written description. MJK catalog no. 65 (1994).
PHY BAITCASTING RODS
PHY BAITCASTING ROD, Edwards-based, with light-ink handwriting by same person who inked the Edwards-based "Ace" shown above. 5'0", 2/1, varnished cane, white or light ink signature exactly like the Young/Edwards "Ace." Judging from photos, Pat Garner thought the black reel seat might be a later addition. The rod was seen on Bob Summers' web site for one day in early 2009, and then removed.
PHY BAITCASTING ROD, dated 1942. 6'0", 2/1, varnished cane, decorative burgundy open spiral wraps, refinished by Bob Summers, 1-1/2" foregrip, black screwlock seat. MJK catalog no. 88 (2004).
PHY BAITCASTING ROD built by PHY, dated September 1953. 6'0", 2/1, lightly flamed cane, decorative spiral wraps, Detroit stamp on black reel seat, in PHY's handwriting marked, first line: Dana Summers Sept. '53 second line: 6' 3.70 oz. 3/8 oz. lure third line: 13/64" Fer. 7/64" TipTop Also marked #3 in different handwriting, on both butt and tip. Bob Summers told me that Dana Summers is not a relative of his. Owned by quashnet.
PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 6'0", 2/1, for 5/8 oz. lures. Built for Stuart W. Fenton. Six serial-numbered rods built for Stuart W. Fenton are listed in the database.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master's degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada's National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)
PHY 6'0", ONE-PIECE ROD (baitcasting?). Known from this short description of lot #411, Fishing and Sporting Collectibles Auction, Richard A. Bourne Co., Hyannis, MA, July 20, 1989: PAUL H. YOUNG. Detroit, Mich. 72-inch 1-piece rod, red wraps, cork reel seat with "screw up-locking" (7). The "7" was a grading system indicating the rod's condition scored 7 out of a possible 10. The limited description seems most consistent with a one-piece baitcasting rod. The rod sold for twenty dollars plus 10% buyers premium.
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PHY KIT RODS
PHY KIT ROD COMPONENTS, unassembled group for 7'6", 3/2 fly rod, possible late-1940's date. Butt and two tips built with 2x2 node arrangements, butt cap and ring, mortised cork reel seat, 12 snake guides, one stripping guide, two tip tops. The butt cap is authentic, marked with the "Detroit" stamp, and shows diagonal edge marks. The butt cap is attached to a mortised cork reel seat. The ferrules predate use of Super-Zs. The ends of the blank have been turned to accept the ferrules, an operation that PHY separately described in the 1948 catalog as one that he would do for a dollar. If a cork grip was originally supplied, it is now missing, as is any thread for the wraps. Reported by "mtn" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. The intention is to build a rod from these components.
PHY KIT ROD, 8'0", 2/1, 13/64 ferrule, varnished flamed cane, taper unknown, said to be built "sometime prior to the mid-1960's... there may have been an extra tip..." Inked in black in a very clear, printed hand, First Flat: Made by Second flat: Gilbert Vander Male Third flat: Materials by Fourth flat: Paul H Young Co. Fifth flat: 3.5 oz. 8 ft. Sixth flat: 13/64 HDH Cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, mortised underside of cork seat appears varnished, Ritz-style grip with almost no taper from back to front of corks, black decorative spiral wrap in front of cork grip, appears to be Super-Z ferrule. Sold for $456.51 on eBay, January 2009.
PHY PARA 15 KIT ROD, once belonging to Ernest Schwiebert, 8'0", 2/2, acquired at a Lang's auction. Originally built with a cigar grip. Auction purchaser "dshx" of the Classic Fly Rod Forum asked Bob Summers to replace the cigar grip with a ventilated half-Wells. Cork rings were glued conventionally together, but then turned down at intervals to "ventilate" leaving a core of cork encasing the blank, rather than gluing corks to the blank with 1/16" separations, as is the norm. Butt is labeled in an unknown hand on two flats, First flat: Doc Schwiebert Second flat: 8' 3 3/4 oz. 15/64 HDH I speculate that "Doc" could refer to Ernest G. Schwiebert, Sr. (the fly fishing author's father) who was a Ph.D. historian. The butt is also lettered on three flats in Bob Summers' handwriting, First flat: Paul H. Young Para. 15 Kit Rod Second flat: Assembled and used by Ernest Schwiebert Third flat: Refinished by RW Summers 7/2/09 Tips are 5/64 and 4/64 and have markings by Bob Summers as follows: 5/64 TIP TOP Dry and 4/64 TIP TOP XDry. (Often Para 15 rods have a 5/64 "wet" parabolic tip and a 4-1/2/64 dry tip). Varnished flamed cane, bright screwlock cork seat, marked Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps.
PHY PARA 15, believed to be a KIT ROD, dated June 15, 1954, 8'0", 2/2, dry and wet tips, varnished lightly flamed cane, gold-bronze decorative spiral wraps are far more widely spaced apart than I have seen in any rod from the PHY shop. Inked in black caps in a very clear, printed hand, almost a classic hand as found on architectural drawings, First Flat: RAY YAMAMOTO Second flat: 6-15-54 Bright cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit stamp on cap, half Wells grip, original bag and tube. Ray Yamamoto is said to have been a frequent PHY Co. customer in the 1950s and 1960s. Sold for $2126.99 on eBay, January 2009.
PHY PERFECTIONIST KIT ROD, age unknown, was 2/2, rebuilt in 2008 by Bob Summers with an additional tip. Rod was sold on eBay as a PHY 7'6" rod in generally poor condition, model unknown (although one might guess either a Perfectionist or a Martha Marie). There was no writing on the blank. The butt and one tip were flamed, the other tip was not flamed and was heavier than the flamed tip. The rod had a black screwlock cork seat with a "Detroit" die-stamp on the cap. Winning bidder Gerry Ichikawa sent the rod to Bob Summers, who thought it might have originally been a kit rod using a Perfectionist blank. The aluminum of the reelseat was corroded, and the aluminum ferrules were quite loose. Bob Summers rebuilt the rod with dual black bands over cork, half Wells grip, nickel silver ferrules. Bob Summers inscribed the rod on three flats: First flat: Rebuilt by RW Summers 9/20/08 Second flat: Perfectionist 7'6" #4 Line Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Kit Rod
Orvis kit rod finished with a PHY butt cap. 7'6". This is the complete description from MJK's catalog no. 63 (1993): "ORVIS 7-1/2' kit rod, 2/1 for #5/6 line, 3-1/4 oz., dk. red wraps, used, but tight & sound, rod finished w/a Paul Young-stamped cap & sliding band, v.g. + cond. w/bag & tube. $200."
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Last edited by: quashnet 11/19/09 18:37:45.
Edited 287 times.
