Hardy 4'4" bamboo Banty fly rod

[Ghstrydr164]

[Deaf Cat]

Wow!
This is a bit of a treasure
30 grammes, made only in 1967

https://splitcaneinfo.com/?page_id=103

[Ghstrydr164]

Thank you, for the link to your 1967 Hardy Catalog.

[Paul F]

That is a rare rod & in superb condition, you will have to check local by-laws on fishing with it, as there are minimum length of rod you can use on some waters & it is generally 5ft.

Maybe that is why it was only listed for one year?

[Nigel Rainton]

I've been trying to imagine why anyone would want a rod so short, perhaps it was intended for a child.

[StefanDuma]

This is a very rare rod also made in glass and I think it was originally made for Abercrombie & Fitch.

I have fished with one and its not great.

Rare but Rubbish and expensive if I had to sum up the rod.

[Ghstrydr164]

Lee Wulff, well know fly fisherman and proponent of short rods could keep a entire fly line in the air without a rod using his arm only. Short rods have a place and are the best choice for some waters.

When you fish small streams with low hanging trees and brush a short rod is the only way to go. I have a 3'11” bamboo rod that will throw a fly 20' with little effort. Trying to fish a long rod on those streams is next to impossible.

[Liphook]

I'm glad you mentioned Lee Wulff as he sprang to mind as soon as I saw this post. I have a small collection of bamboo fly rods all of which are sub 8ft, the shortest is 5'4" and I personally don't need anything shorter. I have to say that I have similar opinion to Stefan when it comes to Hardy palakona fly rods. Callum Gladstone (and formerly Tom Moran) makes superb cane rods under the Hardy banner these days, far superior to any of the older models in my opinion, but at a price!
Interesting find and in great condition by the looks of it! Two tips would usually mean it's a serious contender and doubtfully a child's rod? Does the weight refer to blank or complete build weight I wonder?

[Ghstrydr164]

I have an Orvis Mighty Mite 5' 2/2 5wt that I love to fish in tight places. I fish it with a 6WF to help loading in close situations without a leader and about three feet of 5X tippet right off the fly line.

[Nigel Rainton]

I've fished small streams for over 50 years, usually on my knees or belly amongst a veritable jungle. I use a 10' rod, it is not a handicap. Bow-and-arrow casts are easier, dabbling a dry fly is easier.