Will the real Powell please stand up
By KBarton10 on Mar 4, 2008 in Fly Fishing, product
I’ve been dabbling in background research into the eBay tackle phenomenon, noting that two or three rod companies were well represented, and others fit the traditional auction mode - someone finding some treasure while cleaning out Grandpa’s closet.
One of the companies that caught my eye was the Powell Rod Co, formerly of Chico, California. I owned a couple Powell graphite rods and had met both Walton and Press many years ago on Fall River.
It’s an old story, ”old world” craftsman meets well-to-do “SugarDaddy” with a gleam in his eye, the demise of fine rod company follows.
Being neither lawyer nor investigator, I don’t know what the truth is - but an interesting story from the 2001 Chico News & Review outlines the chronology of events from the Powell perspective.
The rods on eBay explained, they’re not the Powell’s that share their lineage with E.C Powell, Walton Powell, and his son Press - they’re the new company, run by the folks that purchased the firm from Charles Schwab.
I’ve worked at a half dozen fly shops in my youth, and ownership by rich patrons always ended badly. They might share some of our passion for the sport, but the tax writeoff is equally compelling.
In Japan, skilled artisans of bygone arts are designated as national treasures, and receive a stipend so that they can teach others. Perhaps that practice would be appropriate in the US as well.
Technorati Tags: Chico News & Review, Walton Powell, Press Powell, Charles Schwab, Powell Rod Company
Regan | Mar 5, 2008 | Reply
I’ve followed this for a while due to interest in the TiBoron II. I chose not to patronize the company, not so much because of the powell family thing or because of the direct sales cutting out fly shops, but because its becoming a BASS ROD company. Now I have nothing against bass fishermen or bass fishing or non-fly fishing fishing in general… Its loads of fun. I do have a problem with a company that slashes all their fly rod models so they have only one left and still try to profit off the name of one of the greatest fly rod makers in american fly fishing history. i think they should be forced to change their name to somethign that more accurately reflects the companies history. Like “Used to be powell, but now the flippin stick company called Bryan.” Its just a shame that they killed their fly rod department. They should hire back whatever powwell’s remain and really dive into the market. With that brand name in fly fishing they would do really well. I think the market is such now that people are a lot less likely to poo poo a company for overseas production if that’s what they’re worried about.
KBarton10 | Mar 5, 2008 | Reply
They had an awful lot of new rods on eBay, they must’ve decided to dump existing stock via online auction or jobber.
More 4 piece rods than a comprehensive collection, but plenty none the less.
Thanks for the update.
Sully | Mar 5, 2008 | Reply
Whether fashioned in cane, glass or graphite the Chico era Powells were great fly rods.
A few show up on E-Bay occasionally. A fellow in Canada is currently selling one of the green IM6’s. (My least favorite series, but Press Powell loved them)
To quote the ad- “I am selling it because I simply own too many rods (mostly Powells) and wasn’t using this one enough. A rod this nice should be fished!” He concludes, “I am looking for a good home for it-anyone who knows the original Powell rods knows why.” Well said, brother.
KBarton10 | Mar 5, 2008 | Reply
I had one in my hand and asked what line weight it was, “Oh, that’s a 5-6-7″ … none of this 9 foot 5 weight stuff, you could build your favorite bend by raising or lowering the line weight you threw.
It’s counter to what vendors are hawking now - especially on fly lines, specialization rules the day.
Great rods.
Don | Mar 7, 2008 | Reply
Eugene Powell, Walton’s grandson and E.C.’s great-grandson, is continuing the family bamboo rod building tradition.
I have a few “real” Powell rods and think they’re great.
Byron | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Ok Guy I recently came into what looks like a Walton Powell spinning rod. In a nice case. It is a 2 pc rood and its design, especially at teh connecting joint and the metal real seat look like something Walton Powell would have made. there is However a printed model number: FS-70. Can any of you guys help me identify weather this is a real Walton or just a Powell knockoff
Kbarton10 | May 20, 2008 | Reply
I’m not an expert, FS-70 would be a ‘fly-spin 7ft’ under the old fenwick nomenclature, you might want to post a picture on a free site and link to it here for others to eyeball.
Byron | May 20, 2008 | Reply
http://i20.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/f2/25/b276_1.JPG
http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/f2/25/a484_1.JPG
These are 2 pictures of the actual rod and its carrying case.
I hope this helps
KBarton10 | May 20, 2008 | Reply
The “Walton Powell” label looks like the real deal - on the surface it appears legitimate.
If the FS is “fly spin” then the rod would detach from the front of the grip and mount in the rear, making the reel seat closer to the end of the rod for mounting a fly reel.
Don’t grab and yank anything - there should be some sort of fitting that looks like it will loosen (so you can swap the blank to the other end of the grip) if it’s this style of combo rod.
Old rods can be fragile - visually inspect where the blank meets the handle to see if a dual purpose rod. You can inspect the butt cap to see if it is removable as well.
The case and rod are a bit too far away in the picture for me to offer much insight. Maybe one of the readers can assist more.
Byron | May 21, 2008 | Reply
http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/f2/25/cad8_1.JPG
this is the only other picture i could come across.
Steve | Jun 6, 2008 | Reply
I purchased several fly rods from a company who sold Powell (CHICO ERA) Fly Rods.. I have several that I HAVE TO sell due to finances.. I have some SS Series Brown Blank.. I have a couple of Deep Blue LG Series also.. These are (NEW) and never fished.. A couple of them were casted and liked by a fly shop owner.. I was not ready to sell him the rods then, but now I need to…
Sully | Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
Steve,
Couldn’t find any Powell rods on Craig’s List.
What up?
Steve | Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
Good Morning Sully,,
I’m sorry you didn’t see the add I had put in about Powell Fly Rods.. One of my posting was a few days ago, and listed about 8 different rods including at least a couple of the powell rods.. I have a 9′ 3-4 Weight 2 piece LG Deep Blue Blank rod. I have a 8′6 5 Weight SS Rod Rich dk Brown blank. I also have a 9′ 5 weight SS series brown blank. I also have a 8′ 4 weight SS series brown Rod. I also have a Lg Dk Blue 9′5 weight. These Rods Retailed for between $340.00 and $475.00 + I am needing around $195.00 each obo.. Scully Where are you located if you mind I ask.?? All of these Rods are (NEW) Never fished.. Casted a couple of time a couple of them on the grass is all…
Sully | Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
Steve,
By “SS” do you mean Signature Series?
If you have pictures of the reel seats on these it will tell the story.
I’ll buy the 8′ 4-wgt at $195 if it is a Signature Series.
Is the 9′ 5-wgt marked as a DF90-1 by any chance?
I’m in Missoula.
Steve | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
Hi Sully, I looked at the powell rods today, and the one I thought was a 8′ 4 weight SS, is a 8′6 4 weight Signiture Series. The other 9′ 5 weight is a LG 905 2 piece dk Blue Beautiful Rod.. I have a LG 9′ 3-4 Weight Powell.. I also have a Signiture Series 8′6 5 weight Powell Rod. I also have a Signiture Series 9′ 5 Weight brown blank.. These are all (Chico Era) Rods and I personaly don’t want to sell them, but I need the money now.. I grew up near Chico, and I appreciate the Powell Legacy… Not the New Going Down Hill Swabbbb….
Chris | Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I have a number of Powell fly rods. I had them sent to Australia several years ago. I am slightly confused about the demise of the Powell Co. Is there anyone from Powell (Chico, CA, where I purchased my rods) still making fly rods?
KBarton10 | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
The Chico Fly Shop is still in business, and they’re advertising rods by Eugene Powell, see the below link:
http://www.chicoflyshopinc.com/products_bamboo.html
Tom McDonough | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply
I’d be interested in knowing if your Chico-era Powell rods are still available. I own a couple, and they’re honeys.
I looke forward to hearing from you.
Tom McDonough