For many years, the J.W. Gallas Rod Company produced exceptional custom bamboo fly rods, pairing proprietary tapers with the traditions and designs of the great American rodmakers. With the Halstead Tribute Series, John Gallas turned his attention to the parabolic rods of George H. Halstead of Danbury, Connecticut, one of the distinguished figures of the Golden Age of American bamboo rodmaking.
The intention was to recreate a line of rods that had, by then, become almost unobtainable. Original Halstead rods are exceedingly rare today, and correspondingly sought after by collectors and anglers alike. The Halstead Tribute Series comprises some of the rarest of these parabolic models, including this handsome and powerful 8'1" 5-weight.
Built as a two-piece, two-tip rod, it follows the original Halstead taper in beautifully flamed cane. The furnishings are equally considered: blued Halstead-style stepped ferrules, an agate stripping guide, bronzed snake guides, and brown silk wraps accented in green and red. The mahogany reel seat is fitted with a polished aluminum screw-locking hardware, the latter displaying Halstead's characteristic dual knurling.
Each rod bears a consecutive serial number specific to the Tribute Series—this being rod no. 7. It remains straight as an arrow and is in fine condition, complete with its original sock and tube.
The late John Gallas wrote the following about his Halstead rods:
“My historical connection and interest in Halstead's work relates to carrying on the great tradition of classic rodmakers from the Danbury area, which also includes Halstead's colleague, H.S. Gillum. Also, through Halstead's stepson, I obtained the last original, unfinished rod blanks from Halstead's shop. I produced a limited edition series of these rods several years ago. They are unmistakably identifiable by two sets of stampings, ‘G.H. Halstead Rod’ and the ‘J.W. Gallas Rod Co.’ logo, bearing credit to each maker. The Halstead Tribute Series is a continuation of this effort in classic rodmaking.
For 28 years, I have offered my original tapers in distinguished rods to discriminating fly fishermen and bamboo rod lovers in the same tradition of past rodmakers. I now look forward to adding the unique Halstead Tribute rods, whose tapers have not been available since the master's death in 1961.”
Maker
J.W. Gallas Rod Company
Rodmaker
John Gallas
Series
Halstead Tribute Series
Length
8'1"
Configuration
2-piece / 2-tip
Line
#5
Weight
4.7 oz
Action
Parabolic
Serial Number
No. 7
Cane
Flamed bamboo
Wraps
Brown silk with green and red accents
Ferrules
Blued Halstead-style stepped ferrules
Guides
Agate stripper and bronzed snake guides
Reel Seat
Mahogany spacer, aluminium screw-lock
Condition
Fine condition; straight, without set
Includes
Original rod bag and tube
Questions about this piece, international shipping, or price are always welcome.
For many years, the J.W. Gallas Rod Company produced exceptional custom bamboo fly rods, pairing proprietary tapers with the traditions and designs of the great American rodmakers. With the Halstead Tribute Series, John Gallas turned his attention to the parabolic rods of George H. Halstead of Danbury, Connecticut, one of the distinguished figures of the Golden Age of American bamboo rodmaking.
The intention was to recreate a line of rods that had, by then, become almost unobtainable. Original Halstead rods are exceedingly rare today, and correspondingly sought after by collectors and anglers alike. The Halstead Tribute Series comprises some of the rarest of these parabolic models, including this handsome and powerful 8'1" 5-weight.
Built as a two-piece, two-tip rod, it follows the original Halstead taper in beautifully flamed cane. The furnishings are equally considered: blued Halstead-style stepped ferrules, an agate stripping guide, bronzed snake guides, and brown silk wraps accented in green and red. The mahogany reel seat is fitted with a polished aluminum screw-locking hardware, the latter displaying Halstead's characteristic dual knurling.
Each rod bears a consecutive serial number specific to the Tribute Series—this being rod no. 7. It remains straight as an arrow and is in fine condition, complete with its original sock and tube.
The late John Gallas wrote the following about his Halstead rods:
“My historical connection and interest in Halstead's work relates to carrying on the great tradition of classic rodmakers from the Danbury area, which also includes Halstead's colleague, H.S. Gillum. Also, through Halstead's stepson, I obtained the last original, unfinished rod blanks from Halstead's shop. I produced a limited edition series of these rods several years ago. They are unmistakably identifiable by two sets of stampings, ‘G.H. Halstead Rod’ and the ‘J.W. Gallas Rod Co.’ logo, bearing credit to each maker. The Halstead Tribute Series is a continuation of this effort in classic rodmaking.
For 28 years, I have offered my original tapers in distinguished rods to discriminating fly fishermen and bamboo rod lovers in the same tradition of past rodmakers. I now look forward to adding the unique Halstead Tribute rods, whose tapers have not been available since the master's death in 1961.”
Maker
J.W. Gallas Rod Company
Rodmaker
John Gallas
Series
Halstead Tribute Series
Length
8'1"
Configuration
2-piece / 2-tip
Line
#5
Weight
4.7 oz
Action
Parabolic
Serial Number
No. 7
Cane
Flamed bamboo
Wraps
Brown silk with green and red accents
Ferrules
Blued Halstead-style stepped ferrules
Guides
Agate stripper and bronzed snake guides
Reel Seat
Mahogany spacer, aluminium screw-lock
Condition
Fine condition; straight, without set
Includes
Original rod bag and tube
Questions about this piece, international shipping, or price are always welcome.
