Everett Garrison Model 212 Presentation Bamboo Rod 8' 2/2

For sale here is a 8' Garrison 212 Presentation Rod

It is my pleasure to offer for sale a remarkable piece of angling history and one of the finest 8' fly rods ever made. For your consideration is a completely original Everett Garrison presentation rod with a rather incredible history and a well-documented provenance. It is an 8' 2/2 model 212 built and presented in 1941 to a member of the venerable Wyandanch Club in Long Island. In the words of the current owner, Joel Hughes, "I can only imagine the stories locked within the fibers of this great rod, having spent time at the Club and on such waters as the Nissequogue, where Daniel Webster also wet a line."

One such story is told in the book "Nymphs" (pp. 353-355), where Ernest Schwiebert writes of his visit to the Wyandanch Club, stating that "there were so many handsome sporting artifacts that Wyandanch had become a virtual museum." He then goes on to relate the names of key historical figures associated with the Club and provides a written tour of some of the artifacts seen at the Club. Among the rods were a Leonard ACM38 and a 50DF, a three-piece Thomas Special with a Meek reel, a few by Orvis, an Edwards, and an "unusually delicate" Payne. Schwiebert concludes his listing of classic tackle by telling us that he "hung a pretty four weight Young Princess among the Wyandanch artifacts during the weekend," and noted two final rods – those of E.E. Garrison. "[T]here were two examples of the sweet alchemy of Edmund Everett Garrison. Both had ascetic metal fittings and plain cork grips, transparent wrappings of clear silk, and ebony trout reels with ventilated frames and spools of the incomparable Stanley Bogdan." Perhaps this presentation rod is one of the Garrison rods described by Schwiebert in his book?!

This rod came from the family of the original owner, a New York lawyer and founding partner of McCanliss & Early, where it sat unused since his passing in 1962. The rod is structurally sound. A 5 wt. line is often used on this taper, and that is what provides a very smooth action with this rod. All sections are full length and straight (one tip has a very slight fishing set), and all guides and ferrules are tight. Being built in 1941, the rod sports oxidized Halstead ferrules (the same ferrules used on Payne rods and one of the best ferrule designs ever created). The rod has been looked over dozens of times, and there are only two exceptions to note. First, there is a very slight fray on one wrap at the base of the tip section ferrule (virtually unnoticeable and a small dab of varnish will lay it flat). Second, the varnish has seen better days, as it softened while sitting in its tube since the 1960s. Polishing the varnish or not will be a choice for the next owner, as this rod has not been to a work bench since it left the hands of Mr. Garrison. If desired, the varnish appears stable and will likely polish to a smooth gloss. The cork is in excellent condition, with no ridging. The rod is kept in its original bag in great condition and original Garrison tube. The photos will tell the rest of the story and provide Garrison's signature, model number, and serial number.

It is a rare privilege to offer such a historic rod with known, traceable documentation. It is also the only Garrison rod known that has the butt and tube cap engraved to the original owner. A letter of provenance with associated documentation will be included in the sale, including a brief history of the Wyandanch Club and the spectacular plantation home where this rod resided until recently. This rod has it all – character, charm, and history wrapped in a proven taper with a vivacious, yet smooth feel from one of the top five rod makers of all time. This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to own a museum grade Garrison, especially one that is completely original with provenance.