An excellent Payne model 198 fly rod, 7'6", 3-piece, 2-tip for what feels to me like a #5 or #6 line. 4.4 ounces with a crisp DF action. This is another of the personal rods of reelmaker extraordinaire Stan Bogdan. The rod is in very good refinished condition. The ferrule fits are good and the rod is straight. We have a lot of rods pass through our hands and are fortunate to be able to put them together and feel the action, and this is one that makes me think "Hmmmmmm, I would love to fish this!". The wraps are brown but about 1 shade lighter than I am used to seeing. There is a band of orange and dark purple at the keeper and male ferrules only. The keeper is one flat right. The guides are an agate stripper and heat-treated American twist high carbon steel snakes. The varnish is good with no chips or hook digs. The western-style grip is 6" long and composed of 3/8" corks and has been cleaned with minor ridging as the result. The reel seat is an up lock screw-lock with a varnished Spanish cedar spacer. "Payne" is stamped in the cartouche on the nut along with Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. The rod is packed in the original olive colored poplin bag and is missing the hangtag. The tube also is original with grey felt cemented in the brass top.
All in all a very nicely refinished Payne in a highly desirable size with a direct personal connection to one of the giants in the history of the craft. Place this rod in your home museum or take it fishing, either way it is a real piece of history. The rod comes with a letter of authenticity from Steve and Sandy Bogdan.
