Abercrombie & Fitch Banty 4 4 and HArdy Flyweight

[Curtis Bias]

Vintage Glass and Hardy Reel For Sale: [s:x45wrueo]$375[/s:x45wrueo][s:x45wrueo]plus actual shipping costs in the U.S.[/s:x45wrueo] Priced Drop: $300 shipped to the lower 48
I have a Vintage Abercrombie and FItch Fiberglass 4’4″ Banty Fly rod and Hardy Flyweight Reel that was purchased as a complete set in the early 1960s at the A&F store in New York. The original owner was an attorney from my hometown and purchased the set when he visited the city.  It is unusual to find the complete sets. Some folks that fish vintage bamboo prefer reels like these old Flyweights because they balance so well with vintage rods. The sets often end up split up and parted out to be sold on E-Bay or elsewhere. I say complete set, but I am missing the plastic winder that the fly line was spooled on. I am not certain that the fly line on the reel is the original linethat came with the set. I find it highly unlikely that anyone would really want a fly line that old anyway. Everything else is in the box.

The reel has a few scuffs in the paint, but it show appropriate wear for a rod of this age. It has been well cared for and is completely functional.

The rod was made by Phillipson and represents cutting edge technology for its day. The rods ferrule fits perfectly into place. The rod casts very well. I am not certain if the line in this set it the original line that came with the set.  It is a short nylon core line. 4 wt.

I have the case, rod tube, rod sock, and the plastic fly boxes that came with this set. I am including some vintage Hank Roberts flies with this package as well. They were tied in Boulder Colorado around the same time that the BAnty rod was produced. There are some old poppers in the fly boxes in the case, and a few other old accesories.

It is clean. If you need any more detailed photos, I can get my wife to snap a few shots with her pro grade camera.
This rod is 4 foot 4 inches long. It is a true Banty rod. I can see it being used in very tight spaces.

Feel free to send me a message if you need more information or photos.
This is ready to fish if you like classic fiberglass and light line weights. I want to add that it is a real conversation piece whenever I have shown it to any angler.  It looks like a toy, but it is a highly specialized fly fishing tool. I could see stowing a rod like this under the seat of your vechicle for a fishing adventure on that little creek you just spotted while traveling. I could also  see keeping this little set in your office for a quick trip to the water during a lunch break or for a quick casting fix.

I’ll toss in a few vintage Hank Robert’s Flies and an Old Cortland 333 nylon core fly line that is still in the box and unused with the set just for kicks.

[Curtis Bias]

I forgot to mention that the reel is a silent check reel. It is the only Hardy reel that I know of that doesn’t click. The reel is a right hand retrieve reel, but can be switched to left hand retrieve if you are handy with tools.

[jim b.]

Was this ever sold?

[Curtis Bias]

Hi Jim- I have not sold the set. I appologize for not browsing through the classifieds more often. I had given up on selling the set. It is, however,

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