4' Superfine grip giving way to an all cork seat with dual rings and the usual aluminum button to the flared seat terminus. With exception noted, an excellent condition rod in a desirable size at the price of plastic. Rod has a very likeable brisk dry fly action with enough backbone to handle formidable prey in small water tight venues. 6' cigar grip, down locking seat with independent ring and unmarred varnished walnut filler. Sadly, the second tip lost along the way. Hex capped original gray tube, fully legible labeled as a two tip rod original green bag. Jim is quickly being considered one of the pre-eminent builders of our time having worked closely with both Walt Carpenter and George Maurer gleaning the best of their design and cosmetic offerings for his own work.

This rod is truly a work of art for appearance a casting machine for performance. Rod has a brisk full bodied medium dry fly action. 6' cigar grip, nickel silver cap and ring over figured rather dark maple, Jim's die stamp in place on the lovely machined end cap, blonde cane, pale red agate stripper guide, forged winding check, and an absolutely beautiful finish a la Tom Maxwell - transparent tan silks neatly tipped crimson. Previously sold rod back to me in a welcome trade is this stunning rod from Jim Downes. After a long relationship with Jim, I only just noticed that all of his tips on every rod are bookmatched!! Something that T and T features as collector grade hallmarks, what Ron Kusse did always and what many other of the best builders in the country spout about!!! And for missing that, apologies Jim.ĥ7. Very popular model.Īnticipate the arrival of another 7612, 7011, and 201 from Jim and will likely continue to stock all three in addition to any new tapers that he develops that I'm taken with. Working with Walt Carpenter in his early days, I believe Jim is among the most talented builders of our time. The rod is perfect in every way - dead straight (of course), perfect ferrule fit, flawless varnish and ever so beautiful wraps.

The rod enjoys a fabulous dry fly habit and may be the finest piece yet recieved from Jim for performance and finish. 6' flor quality cigar grip, cap and ring seat (die stamped with maker's mark) over tiger maple insert, blonde cane beautifully wrapped with avocado silks smartly and delicately tipped in a dark auburn, cocoa colored agate stripping guide blued ferrules and reel seat hardware.

Hardy split cane rod serial numbers