An Orvis Midge with an exceptional provenance, having belonged to Preben Torp Jacobsen, the renowned Danish author, veterinarian and one of the great figures of Scandinavian fly fishing.
Jacobsen's name and the year are engraved on the reel seat cap, while his published writings describe an Orvis Midge of precisely this length and line rating (see below).
The rod itself is an Orvis Midge, measuring 7'6", built in two sections with two tips and designed for a #5 line. Serial number 73392, with a listed weight of 3⅝ oz. It has seen light use and retains some light hand soiling.
The cane is a warm tan colour, finished in the characteristic three-up node configuration and constructed with traditional resorcinol glue. The original-style burgundy wraps are complemented by a carbide stripping guide and chrome guides. The step ferrules have developed an attractive oxidized black finish.
The classic Orvis cigar grip has very little front taper and a distinctive broad, square-ended butt. The reel seat is an aluminium down-locking screw-lock design with pocket cap and a handsome walnut spacer.
The rod is housed in an original Orvis aluminium tube and a non-original two-pocket tan cloth bag.
A lovely fishing rod in its own right, but above all a piece with an unusually personal connection to Scandinavian fly-fishing history. The combination of an Orvis Midge, Jacobsen's ownership and his own published appreciation of this very rod makes it a particularly evocative piece for the collector of both American bamboo and Scandinavian angling history.
This particular Orvis Midge was formerly owned by the celebrated Danish fly fisherman, author and fly dresser Preben Torp Jacobsen, one of the most influential figures in Scandinavian fly fishing. His name and year are inscribed on the rod's cap, providing unusually tangible provenance.
The importance of the association is further strengthened by Torp Jacobsen's own writing. In Tørfluefiskeri, in the chapter “Mine fluestænger” (“My Fly Rods”), he discusses the great American bamboo makers and writes of Leonard and Orvis:
“Alongside Leonard, Orvis has in recent years been among the most reliable makers for those who have wanted a true ‘Stradivarius’.”
He then specifically describes adding an Orvis Midge to his personal collection:
“Later I also added to my collection an Orvis ‘Midge’, 7½ feet long … and intended for a #5 line.”
Torp Jacobsen goes on to explain that, although the actions of the many rods in his collection inevitably overlapped, each possessed its own individual character, and that certain rods had qualities that made him prefer them over the others.
This is therefore considerably more than an Orvis Midge with an interesting former owner. The model itself is documented in Torp Jacobsen's own writing as part of his personal collection, while Orvis is placed alongside Leonard among the makers capable of producing what he evocatively called a “true Stradivarius.”
Explore our other classic Orvis bamboo fly rods, including the Orvis Midge Nymph, featuring an unusual longer tip for nymph fishing, and the 1968 Orvis Battenkill, a fine example of the Wes Jordan era.
Maker
Orvis
Model
Midge
Length
7'6"
Configuration
2-piece / 2-tip
Line
#5
Weight
3 5/8 oz
Serial Number
73392
Action
Medium-slow
Cane
Tan, three-up node pattern
Construction
Resorcinol-glued bamboo
Wraps
Burgundy silk
Reel Seat
Aluminium down-locking, walnut spacer
Provenance
Preben Torp Jacobsen
Condition
Light use, minor hand soiling
Includes
Original Orvis aluminium tube and non-original cloth bag.
Questions about this piece, international shipping, or price are always welcome.
An Orvis Midge with an exceptional provenance, having belonged to Preben Torp Jacobsen, the renowned Danish author, veterinarian and one of the great figures of Scandinavian fly fishing.
Jacobsen's name and the year are engraved on the reel seat cap, while his published writings describe an Orvis Midge of precisely this length and line rating (see below).
The rod itself is an Orvis Midge, measuring 7'6", built in two sections with two tips and designed for a #5 line. Serial number 73392, with a listed weight of 3⅝ oz. It has seen light use and retains some light hand soiling.
The cane is a warm tan colour, finished in the characteristic three-up node configuration and constructed with traditional resorcinol glue. The original-style burgundy wraps are complemented by a carbide stripping guide and chrome guides. The step ferrules have developed an attractive oxidized black finish.
The classic Orvis cigar grip has very little front taper and a distinctive broad, square-ended butt. The reel seat is an aluminium down-locking screw-lock design with pocket cap and a handsome walnut spacer.
The rod is housed in an original Orvis aluminium tube and a non-original two-pocket tan cloth bag.
A lovely fishing rod in its own right, but above all a piece with an unusually personal connection to Scandinavian fly-fishing history. The combination of an Orvis Midge, Jacobsen's ownership and his own published appreciation of this very rod makes it a particularly evocative piece for the collector of both American bamboo and Scandinavian angling history.
This particular Orvis Midge was formerly owned by the celebrated Danish fly fisherman, author and fly dresser Preben Torp Jacobsen, one of the most influential figures in Scandinavian fly fishing. His name and year are inscribed on the rod's cap, providing unusually tangible provenance.
The importance of the association is further strengthened by Torp Jacobsen's own writing. In Tørfluefiskeri, in the chapter “Mine fluestænger” (“My Fly Rods”), he discusses the great American bamboo makers and writes of Leonard and Orvis:
“Alongside Leonard, Orvis has in recent years been among the most reliable makers for those who have wanted a true ‘Stradivarius’.”
He then specifically describes adding an Orvis Midge to his personal collection:
“Later I also added to my collection an Orvis ‘Midge’, 7½ feet long … and intended for a #5 line.”
Torp Jacobsen goes on to explain that, although the actions of the many rods in his collection inevitably overlapped, each possessed its own individual character, and that certain rods had qualities that made him prefer them over the others.
This is therefore considerably more than an Orvis Midge with an interesting former owner. The model itself is documented in Torp Jacobsen's own writing as part of his personal collection, while Orvis is placed alongside Leonard among the makers capable of producing what he evocatively called a “true Stradivarius.”
Explore our other classic Orvis bamboo fly rods, including the Orvis Midge Nymph, featuring an unusual longer tip for nymph fishing, and the 1968 Orvis Battenkill, a fine example of the Wes Jordan era.
Maker
Orvis
Model
Midge
Length
7'6"
Configuration
2-piece / 2-tip
Line
#5
Weight
3 5/8 oz
Serial Number
73392
Action
Medium-slow
Cane
Tan, three-up node pattern
Construction
Resorcinol-glued bamboo
Wraps
Burgundy silk
Reel Seat
Aluminium down-locking, walnut spacer
Provenance
Preben Torp Jacobsen
Condition
Light use, minor hand soiling
Includes
Original Orvis aluminium tube and non-original cloth bag.
Questions about this piece, international shipping, or price are always welcome.
