Gary Howells 8'6″ #6 — A Rod with Provenance
A fine Gary Howells bamboo fly rod with exceptional provenance, both as a piece of American rodmaking history and through its previous owner, the Danish fly-fishing legend and author Preben Torp Jacobsen.
Measuring 8'6″ and built in two sections with two tips, this rod is marked “G. H. Howells” and “8 1/2' 4 1/4 oz #4154” on the shaft. The serial number places its manufacture in 1978–79. Although originally designated for a #6 line, the rod performs beautifully with a modern #5, bringing out its smooth, medium full-flexing action.
The cane is a handsome medium wheat-straw colour, with nodes arranged in Howells' characteristic three-up pattern. The varnish remains excellent, while the familiar brown wraps are finished with yellow tipping. The ferrules feature Howells' distinctive Winston-inspired brown overwraps, complemented by chrome tip tops.
The 6″, twelve-cork Full Wells-style grip shows only light soiling and some minor ridging consistent with use. Ferrule fits remain excellent, and both tips are straight and free from set. The reel seat is an aluminium uplocking slide-band design with pocket cap, built around Gary Howells' trademark zebrawood spacer.
The rod is accompanied by its original bright red cloth bag and aluminium tube with brass hardware, with the original Howells data sticker still intact. Some dents and transport scars on the tube associated with use
This particular rod was formerly owned by Preben Torp Jacobsen, one of Denmark's best-known fly fishermen and authors. His name, together with his “Flyleaves” mark, is engraved on the tube cap, providing a particularly appealing connection to Scandinavian fly-fishing history.
Gary Howells (1930–2008) was one of America's highly regarded bamboo fly-rod makers and a central figure in the modern American tradition of hand-built bamboo rods. Based in California, Howells developed a reputation for rods distinguished by refined tapers, exceptional craftsmanship and a characteristic medium to medium-fast, progressive action.
His work was influenced by the great American tradition of makers such as Winston, where he learned his trade, while remaining distinctly his own. Howells was particularly admired for his careful selection and preparation of cane, precise node placement and meticulous construction. His rods were made in relatively limited numbers and have become increasingly sought after by collectors and anglers who appreciate both their fishing qualities and their place in twentieth-century American rodmaking.
The combination of a well-preserved original configuration, a desirable late-1970s Howells taper and the documented connection to Preben Torp Jacobsen makes this a particularly interesting rod for both the angler and collector.
Gary Howells 8'6″ #6 — A Rod with Provenance
A fine Gary Howells bamboo fly rod with exceptional provenance, both as a piece of American rodmaking history and through its previous owner, the Danish fly-fishing legend and author Preben Torp Jacobsen.
Measuring 8'6″ and built in two sections with two tips, this rod is marked “G. H. Howells” and “8 1/2' 4 1/4 oz #4154” on the shaft. The serial number places its manufacture in 1978–79. Although originally designated for a #6 line, the rod performs beautifully with a modern #5, bringing out its smooth, medium full-flexing action.
The cane is a handsome medium wheat-straw colour, with nodes arranged in Howells' characteristic three-up pattern. The varnish remains excellent, while the familiar brown wraps are finished with yellow tipping. The ferrules feature Howells' distinctive Winston-inspired brown overwraps, complemented by chrome tip tops.
The 6″, twelve-cork Full Wells-style grip shows only light soiling and some minor ridging consistent with use. Ferrule fits remain excellent, and both tips are straight and free from set. The reel seat is an aluminium uplocking slide-band design with pocket cap, built around Gary Howells' trademark zebrawood spacer.
The rod is accompanied by its original bright red cloth bag and aluminium tube with brass hardware, with the original Howells data sticker still intact. Some dents and transport scars on the tube associated with use
This particular rod was formerly owned by Preben Torp Jacobsen, one of Denmark's best-known fly fishermen and authors. His name, together with his “Flyleaves” mark, is engraved on the tube cap, providing a particularly appealing connection to Scandinavian fly-fishing history.
Gary Howells (1930–2008) was one of America's highly regarded bamboo fly-rod makers and a central figure in the modern American tradition of hand-built bamboo rods. Based in California, Howells developed a reputation for rods distinguished by refined tapers, exceptional craftsmanship and a characteristic medium to medium-fast, progressive action.
His work was influenced by the great American tradition of makers such as Winston, where he learned his trade, while remaining distinctly his own. Howells was particularly admired for his careful selection and preparation of cane, precise node placement and meticulous construction. His rods were made in relatively limited numbers and have become increasingly sought after by collectors and anglers who appreciate both their fishing qualities and their place in twentieth-century American rodmaking.
The combination of a well-preserved original configuration, a desirable late-1970s Howells taper and the documented connection to Preben Torp Jacobsen makes this a particularly interesting rod for both the angler and collector.
