What caught my eye was the dark cane, clear lined butt and tip guides, trumpet handle, fine intermediate whippings, it was hand built, and even though the top section was almost certainly missing a couple of inches, it looked something of quality - and it had a very low starting price!
Thankfully nobody else bid and last week the rod was mine and it is much better than I expected.
The butt section is 44" long of which 16.5" is the handle including the button. The tip section is 42" long. The ferrules are a good tight fit and put together it has quite a stiff feel to it for such a slender rod. It does have a slight set in the top section and, even though the butt and tip guides are corroded, they are strong and the inserts are not cracked.
The inscription on the rod reads "Hand built by RC. Kirk East Molesey" which I think from reading his book, A Fishy Tale, dates it to the early 60's
I have since cleaned the handle and the reel bands and will soon give it a try out and then decide whether to replace the guides (I'd prefer not to do so).
I'm really pleased to own this rod.
I would be most grateful if anyone could provide any further information about it as this is the only RC Kirk cane rod I've handled let alone owned - I'd be very interested to establish if anyone else has one like it (and if so what is their experience of using it), if this was the only size spinning cane rod he made, and if it is likely to be built on a Southwell blank.
Many thanks,
Geoff
