Non-Serial Numbered Rods

List of Non-Numbered Paul H. Young Co. Fly Rods
Copyright 2008-2021 Robert Jon Golder 

566 non-serial numbered rods are listed.
The list is regularly updated. Photos of non-serial numbered rods are frequently added.

Most of the following Paul H. Young rods were built before serial numbering was instituted in 1955. Even after serial numbering was instituted, some fly rods were built without numbers, such as a rod (listed below) built by Bob Summers in 1970 for Greg Young. Some post-1955 unnumbered fly rods may also have lost inked information when refinished. In addition to fly rods, there are baitcasting rods, spinning rods, and combination fly/spin models; see the serial-numbered list for more information.

Late-1940s fly rods marked “Special” and “Ace” do not have serial numbers.

Please contact me at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net if you know of similar rods that may be listed here.

PHY = Paul H. Young      MJK = Martin J. Keane

RODS ONCE OWNED BY PHY OR BY A YOUNG FAMILY MEMBER (see also the serial-numbered list)

The June 1984 (Vol. 4, No. 1) issue of the Hearthside News, published by Thomas & Thomas of Turners Falls, listed for sale a group of seven Paul Young rods, described as “rods built for his own fishing or as developmental prototypes. Each was built between 1945 & 1950 and is accompanied by a letter of authentication signed by Paul’s wife, Martha Marie Young, and by Jack Young, Paul Young’s son.”

PHY 8’6″, Parabolic 17. A PHY Para 17 prototype, built October 1948, listed for $335 by T&T in 1984. 8’6″, 2/1, 4-5/8 oz.Varnished cane, straw color; cheap red-finished aluminum screwlock seat, black spiral decorative wraps. Inked handwriting by PHY on butt, First line: 4-5/8 oz Second line: ‘Parabolic’, 8-1/2′-17 fer., 5-1/2 tip-topThird line: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker Fourth line: Oct. 1948. The tip is lettered “Parabolic 16 – 8-1/2′ – 4-5/8 oz.” The N/S ferrules “mate and match.” Built by PHY in October 1948 as an experimental model, according to letter of provenance from Martha Marie Young which accompanies the rod. Received by Len Codella in 1984 directly from Martha Marie Young, sold to an owner, then offered by Len Codella on his tackle web site April 19, 2008. Was owned by “customline,” now owned by “gooseberryrods,” both of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Rod is reported to have almost the exact same taper, even down to the smallest variations, of the Para 17 built by PHY in November 1951 for Herb Witte (see listing below). A 6 mm wrap on the tip appears to date from the same time as the other wraps; whether it hides a nick or a blemish is unknown. Well-built blank with sharp corners and absence of glue lines. Gold anodizing on ferrules.

PHY 9’0″, Parabolic 18, listed for $525 by T&T in 1984. 2/2, 5-1/2 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. Beige wraps.

PHY 8’6″ “Steelhead Special” mooching rod, listed for $135 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 7-1/2 oz. Varnished cane. Reel seat is metal screwlock. Red wraps. “A salmon mooching rod designed especially for bait fishing for Steelhead.”

PHY 6’0″, Bait Cast “Bonefish Stick,” listed for $145 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 5.48 oz. Marked “Bonefish Stick,” for bonefishing with lures up to 5/8 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cork screwlock. Dark brown wraps. Came with original vinyl case only.

PHY 6’0″, Bait Cast, listed for $115 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 5 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is bakelite screwlock. Red to gold wraps. Came with original vinyl case only.

PHY 5’9″, Bait Cast prototype, listed for $85 by T&T in 1984. 2/1, 7-1/2 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is bakelite screwlock with trigger. For 3/4 to 1 oz. lures. Maroon wraps. “Great Musky rod. Comes with original vinyl case only.”

PHY 9’0″, Parabolic 18, with three tips, listed for $660 by T&T in 1984. Varnished, darkly flamed cane. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. 5.82 oz. Kelly green wraps.

— (end of Hearthside News group. More Young family rods appear below.)—

A list of PHY rods for sale, dated March 8, 1998, that appeared on rec.outdoors.fishing.fly, described as “being offered by heirs of Paul and Martha Young… each of these rods will be accompanied by a letter of authenticity.” Apparently posted by the Paul H. Young Co. at 535 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI. (Posted by Todd Young?) As of 2017 the list could be accessed at: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.outdoors.fishing.fly/AZJz4lPf2nQ

PHY 8’0″ “YELLOWSTONE” Dry Fly Rod built by Paul H. Young for his own use, with #14 ferrule and 4-1/2 size tiptops. In addition to the 1998 sales list, known from a 1999 MJK catalog listing. Said to resemble the “Princess” taper. MJK said this rod was circa 1950. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.96 oz. (MJK more generally listed it as “4 oz.,” varnished flamed cane, very long-tapered swelled butt, Super-Z ferrules, oversized blued guides, bronze wraps, semi-Wells grip w/ dual thumbprint cork grip, blued cap and ring, original B-24 tube and original bag. 1998 sales list said it is inscribed as follows: 8′ – 14  “Yellowstone”  3.96 oz.  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – maker  14/64 Ferrules – 4 1/2 Tip Tops  MJK said only that the rod was marked “Yellowstone” with much additional data written on the rod shaft, according to MJK. MJK catalog no. 77 (1999). See MJK photo below.

PHY PARA 15 8’0″ built by Paul H. Young as a Christmas 1949 gift for his son Jack Young. Inscribed “Jack Young Xmas ’49 – From Dad.” Also inscribed “Parabolic 15 3.63 oz. Bamboo 2.89 oz.  H.D.G. or H.D.H.”  A “K.T. Keller” model with wet and dry tips, flamed cane, black deluxe spiral wraps, blued ferrules, ventilated Wells grip with single thumb indentation, dual sliding band cork seat,original B-24 tube and original bag. MJK catalog no. 77 (1999).

PHY 9’0″ “SPECIAL TOURNAMENT” distance and accuracy rod built May 1948 by PHY. Detroit die-stamp on butt cap, downlocking reel seat, ventilated grip, 18/64 stepdown ferrules, inked as follows: .460 Butt – 18/64 Fer. – 7/64 tip tops  Paul H. Young – Detroit.  May 1948  Special Tournament – 9’0″ – 6.37 oz.

PHY 9’3″ “POWERHOUSE” prototype rod built December 1951 by PHY. Two-inch extension butt, Detroit die-stamp on butt cap, downlocking reel seat, half Wells grip, 19/64 stepdown ferrules, decorative spiral gold wraps, inked as follows: G2AF – Dec. 1951 – 9’3″ Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker  .390 Butt – 19/64 Ferrules – 7/64 tip tops  Powerhouse  #3 .  6.95 oz.

PHY 8’0″ 2/2 “DRY FLY” rod built by PHY. Slightly swelled butt. Detroit die-stamp on butt cap, cap and ring reel seat, cigar grip with thumb indentation, fitted with marked Super-Z ferrules (but rod is inked 15/14 as though to indicate use of stepdown ferrules), gold wraps, inked as follows: “Dry Fly” – 15/14 – 8’0″ – 4.05 oz. – H.D.H.  Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker.

PHY “PARABOLIC 19″, 9’6” 2/2. The rod shown in Ernest Schwiebert’s hands in a photo published in Arnold Gingrich’s book The Joys of Trout. Detroit die-stamp on butt cap, downlocking reel seat with 2″ fixed extension butt, blunt tapered half Wells grip, decorative spiral gold-bronze wraps, inked as follows: “Parabolic 19” Bamboo 4-3/4 oz.  Fin. 6-3/8 oz.  19/64 Station with 20/64 Fer. – 7/64 tip tops  Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker. Gavin Wright, who refinished rods for MJK, handled the rod and talked with Schwiebert about it in 1988. Wright wrote to me that it was a “Parabolic 19” “Powerhouse” Nine and a half footer, Aetna foulproof guides spaced slightly wider than standard to aid in long line shoots. Same number of guides as the nine footer 8-9 weight std Fla special. Built in 2 inch butt extension. Gold wraps. Build era right around mid-50’s. From our conversation back in ’88,  he said they put it together  from some oversized 9 1/2 footers that were too heavy after glue up. They saved them…built a few up, one went to Cuddy if I recall, maybe Williams, a very few others. You couldn’t rework those huge things, the cascamite glue made sure of that. Anyway, they put them aside, eventually making up a few of them as they were made with really choice bamboo. When Ernie talked to Paul about a big rod for Norway and other big rivers w large fish, he ended up with that Powerhouse from the old sticks, made to order! NOT! It was clearly a ten weight and weighed around 7 ounces assembled and finished. A real club, but a club that could throw “140 feet of line …if you were man enough!” as Ernie said that time. To illustrate, I have a 9 foot Leonard Duracane SDF and that one is .365 right at the front of the grip. The Powerhouse was .393-.397-.395 across the flats. I measured it! Call it.390 under the varnish. Thats a 10-11 line dimension! The FLA Special at 9 1/2 feet and a 8-9 is .375!”

PHY “NIGHT GIANT”. 2/2. Reportedly designed specifically for night fishing the Hexagenia mayfly hatch, and for casting deer hair mice and large streamers after dark. Detroit die-stamp on butt cap, downlocking reel seat, half Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, burgundy wraps, takes a DT6F or WF7F line, inked as follows: 7-1/2′ – 4.75 oz.  “Night Giant”  16/64 Ferrules  6/64 tip tops  Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker.

PHY “TED WILLIAMS PARABOLIC 18 FLORIDA SPECIAL”. 9’6″, 2/2. Reportedly this is the rod shown in the PHY catalog photo of Ted Williams holding a nine-pound bonefish (see photo below). Used by Ted Williams, it was returned to PHY after Williams signed with Sears, Roebuck to promote a line of fishing tackle. Detroit die-stamp on butt cap, downlocking reel seat, half Wells grip, yellow wraps, inked as follows: “Parabolic” 9 1/2′ – 5.87 oz. – .375-.281-.093  #1 of this model  May 1950  Ted Williams model  G.B.F.  Paul H. Young – Detroit.

— (end of rec.outdoors.fishing.fly group. More Young family rods appear below.)—

5’11” MIDGE ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by MJK as “one of the first of 6 experimental Midge’s he built; this unique specimen is 5’11”, built prior to adopting the standard 6’3″ length customary with this model… black guide wraps… snake stripping guide; black featherlight ferrules, satin oil finish, darkly flamed shafts, dual aluminum sliding bands on cork seat…original bag and tube.” The rod came with a letter of authenticity “from the Young family.” Offered for $4250. in MJK catalog 80 (2000).

7’3″ “BEAR-CAT” ROD DESCRIBED BY PHY IN A MAY 14, 1954 LETTER: Writing to his friend Chauncy K. Lively in a letter dated May 14, 1954, PHY talked about a fishing trip he had taken with three relative novices to fly fishing, most or all of whom had Midge rods. The weather was very challenging. PHY wrote, “There was a terrific gale most of the time, and the Midge was all but out of order. The midge though, started something, and I had a ‘Bear-Cat’ of 7’3″ of 2.72 oz. that has everything in proportion, to the Midge. It covers the water with an H.D.H. like nobodies biz.” The 7’2″ Driggs rod model had been developed by January 1953 but it sounds like this Bear-Cat rod model, otherwise unknown to me, was fully based on scaling up a Midge rod. One of a kind?

NYMPH JUNIOR ROD, probably 7’6″, DESCRIBED BY PHY IN AN APRIL 22, 1955 LETTER: Writing to his friend Chauncy K. Lively in a letter dated April 22, 1955, PHY talked about a fishing trip he was planning to take in a week, probably traveling north from Detroit to the Au Sable. PHY wrote, “I’m all set, new flies, last years ones are no good, have a Nymph Jr. to take up.” This was the same trip on which PHY gave his wife Martha Marie a new Perfectionist rod, serial number 2024, so it is possible that the Nymph Junior has a serial number too.

PERFECTIONIST ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by MJK as “built by, owned by & was the personal rod of Paul Young – has Young letterhead letter of authenticity dated 1989, explicitly detailing the ownership, signed by Paul’s wife Martha Marie Young & grandson Todd Young. Rod is 7-1/2′, 2/2, dated 1954, shaft data indicates a special taper at 2-1/2 oz. for #4 line, has .275 Dry Fly butt design & slightly finer tips for accuracy & delicacy, black featherweight ferrules…dark flamed shafts… black wraps… satin varnish… snake stripping guide, cigar grip with thumb imprint, cork seat with alum. bands with early cross-check designs… original bag & tube.” Offered for $5500. in MJK catalog 80 (2000). In a private letter of July 23, 1954 to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, PHY said that his Perfectionist rod was “one tipped.” If this is the same rod, a second tip must have been made later.

EXPERIMENTAL PARA 14 ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: Described by PHY in a handwritten letter to Chauncy K. Lively, dated October 28, 1949: “I had finished an experimental “Parabolic 14″, 8′ – 3.38 oz. and was just aching to try it, so my son Jack and I took a dash out 50 mi. where my brother and I have stocked a deep spring-fed lake… a little on the toy side, but a pleasure to use. With an HEH Silk, I was reaching circles 75 – 80′ yesterday, but it is not the rod for the average person.” Thank you to Anne Lively for sharing this letter with me.

NYMPH ROD, 8’6″, DATED JULY 1948, PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG: 8’6″, 2/2, oil finished caramel-colored cane, dual bright rings over cork with cork button at butt end. Long, straight grip, rounded at forward end. No thread wraps at juncture of front of grip and the cane shaft. Butt inked: Paul H. Young, Detroit – July 1948 – 8 1/2′ – 3 5/8 oz. – 13/64 Fer. Original bag, replacement tube. When sold at RW Oliver’s 6th Annual Summer Fishing Tackle Auction, Kennebunk, ME, July 30-31, 1990, this rod came with a letter of authenticity from Martha Marie Young; she wrote that PHY “made this rod for his own of the best bamboo he could grade out.” The rod sold for $2750. This rod reappeared in 2004 at Lang’s Auction, Boxborough, MA, January 3, 2004. It was noted that both tips were made 1/4″ shorter than the butt. No mention was made of the letter of authenticity, so it has probably been lost. Stated to come with original bag and tube, but the tube is known to be a replacement. Sold for $1210.

PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 9’0″, dated August 1947: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 9′, 2/2, inscribed “9′, 5.29 oz., Aug. 47“, screwlock reel seat over original wood (not cork), dark brown cane, gold wraps, marked butt cap, dual thumbprint Wells grip, was sold with letter of authenticity. MJK catalog 59 (1992).

PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 8’6″, dated May 1948: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 8-1/2′, 2/2, inscribed “May 48, 8 1/2, 4 7/8 oz. Parabolic 16 Fer. 5TT” (meaning 5/64″ tips). Flamed cane, gold wraps, longer than average dual thumbprint Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat with Detroit die-stamp on cap, blued ferrules, original bag & tube, was sold with letter of authenticity. MJK catalogs 59 and 60 (1992).

PARA 16 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 8’6″, two different tips, dated July 1953: Built, used, and owned by PHY, Rod is 8-1/2′, 2/2, 4.57 oz., 0.305″ butt measurement, inscribed “July 1953” plus much more unreported writing. Comes with a 5/64 tip and a heavier 5-1/2/64 tip. Extra-dark flamed cane reportedly with additional special dark stain, deluxe open-spiral tan/bronze wraps, lightweight tungsten guides, dual thumbprint Wells grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, original brown nylon bag & B-24 tube, was sold with letter of authenticity from the Paul H. Young Co. MJK catalog 84 (2002).

TWO RODS PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, each dated 1948: Described by Bob Summers and offered for sale in 2008 on his web site, at $8000 for the pair. Each is a two-piece, one tip rod. One is 9’0″, 14/64 ferrule, 3/64 tip top, 3-3/4 oz., dated 1948. The other is 8’0″, 12/64 ferrule, 3/64 tip top, 2-1/2 oz., dated 1948. each rod has its own cloth bag; both were stored together in one large aluminum tube. Both rods cast a DT4 line. Summers wrote: “These two rods are ones that Paul Young made for himself and he used. They could be called experimental rods because they were never cataloged models… I worked for the Paul H. Young Co. starting in 1956 and can remember this rod tube and these rods. They stood in a corner of the shop with others of Paul’s personal rods. In 1969 when we moved the company to Traverse City from Detroit these rods and other were offered for sale to friends and customers. Dick Nissley, a long time customer and nephew of K.T. Keller, purchased these rods. Dick owned these for about twenty years…”

PHY PARA 15 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, the “Best Rod in the World,” built April 1951.Sold for $5000. at Lang’s Fishing Tackle Auction, Boxborough, MA in November 2007 as Lot 113. Mottle-flamed cane, two thumb indentation in cork grip. Canvas bag, aluminum tube. This lightweight 8’0″, 2/2 Para 15 is covered with PHY’s notations. All six flats are labeled as follows:
Measurements 
P.H.Y. April ’51 H.E.H. Parabolic 15 ’51
 
Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz. Fin wt. 3.42 oz.
 
Fer. 15/64 TipTops 4/64
 
Best rod in the world.
 
Grip changed Sept. ’57 – Dog chewed.

In addition, the cork reel seat also is notated: With new grip 3.42 oz. Sept ’57.

PARA 18 PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, 9’6″, 2″ ext. butt, 2/2, 6.39 oz., circa 1951: Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, “…was one of Paul’s personal rods and came directly from the Young family…” MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).

PARA 19 EXPERIMENTAL BONEFISH ROD OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG AND FISHED BY TED WILLIAMS, BUILT 1948. 9’0”, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, chrome guides, red wraps. 8” cork grip with three thumb indentations. An incredible amount of inked information by PHY is written on the cane flats. This Para 19 rod was built in 1948 as an experimental ‘Bone’ rod, used by PHY in Jan. 1949 and Ted Williams in Dec. 1949 and in Jan.-Feb. 1950. The rod remained the property of the Paul H. Young Co. of Detroit, MI, and was refinished in Sept. 1951. Also recorded on the shaft is the fact that this rod accounted for 80 bonefish up to Sept.1951. Original bag and early Sci-Anglers tube.

PHY 9’10” SALMON/STEELHEAD ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG. For many years I have listed, on the basis of a record in MJK’s catalog #85, this rod as follows: 9’6″, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, detachable handle with double thumbprint rests, screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, letter of authenticity from MJK was provided, bag and tube. MJK catalog 85 (2002). In 2014 Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle sent me photos of a rod that the owner claims is the same rod. There are some significant differences from the MJK listing, but at this time I am going to assume it is indeed the same rod. Although MJK said the length was 9’6″, and PHY inked the rod as 10’0″, Gary says the rod measures at a split-the-difference length of 9’10”. Keane said the ferrules were Super-Zs and this is clearly not true; in fact, Super-Z ferrules were not available in 1949 when the rod was built. Keane also said the rod had two thumbprint indentations, and in fact the grip has no indentations. Long, removable extension butt; end displays hexagonal cane cross-section. Bright butt cap with “Detroit” die stamp; bright downlocking screwlock reel seat over cork; elongated Ritz-like tapered grip with rounded cigar front end, receiver for grip ferrule which makes the grip detachable. Butt of rod has gold-colored male ferrule with rubber O-ring to attach handle. Lemon yellow wraps with decorative double spirals at tip tops. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting as follows: First flat: “Parabolic 18” – 10′ – 7.43 oz. Bamboo wt. 4.58 oz.  G.A.F. Line  Second flat:  PAUL H. YOUNG Co. – DETROIT. Makers  Dec. 1949 (word “Makers” is rarely-seen plural). Brown rod bag and unremarkable tube. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle for detailed photos.

PHY 9’6″ BONEFISH / SALMON / STEELHEAD / BASS ROD PERSONALLY OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG, built 1950. 9’6″, probably 2/2, described by PHY in a postcard to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated February 14, 1951: “Have just developed a 9 ½ – 6.25 oz. Bonefish – Steelhead – Salmon – Bass… for G.A.F.” PHY said he took 12 bonefish on this rod, December 1950.

PHY 9’6″ 3/2 SALMON ROD USED BY PAUL H. YOUNG AS A SPARE ON SALMON TRIPS, circa 1950-51. 9’6″, 3-piece, number of tips not known, described by PHY in a letter to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated December 16, 1953. PHY was responding to a request from CKL to provide a friend of CKL’s with a rod (to borrow, or to purchase, is not clear. It sounds like the friend was about to go on a fishing trip and needed a big rod right away): “I’ve been carrying a 9 ½ – 3 pc. to N.B. [New Brunswick, Canada] for a spare for three seasons, and this last trip is the first time it has been uncased. It is the only rod we can offer your friend, and is a h-of-a good rod. It is 6.30 oz., I believe, with screwlock reel seat. It took three or four salmon… I will clean up the cork a bit, and otherwise it is perfect.”

PHY “BOB DOERR” SALMON ROD USED BY PAUL H. YOUNG FOR ATLANTIC SALMON. Known to me solely from a brief mention in a letter from PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated October 7, 1955, describing PHY’s September 1955 trip to New Brunswick, Canada for Atlantic salmon fishing. PHY wrote, “I found the Doerr a big handful, and went to the General, for most of the fishing.” I believe “the General” MAY be rod #1961 listed in the serial-numbered list of this Database.

PHY 9’0″ SALTWATER SURF ROD OWNED BY PAUL H. YOUNG. 9’0″, 2/1, flamed cane, described by MJK as having “integral fancy spring butt, has large foulproof guides, red wraps w/ fancy accent wraps on the 8-1/4″ open cane shaft between the lower cork handle & upper handle w/ reel seat… came directly from the Young family & was owned by Paul H. Young.” MJK catalog 52 (1989). This may be the rod mentioned in two letters from PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated May 19, 1955 and May 21, 1955, describing his son Jack’s trip to fish for muskellunge. May 19, 1955: “Jack is trying to tie into a Musky today, with the big Salt-water Spinning rod. There is a photographer along to record it for local TV, if it happens.” May 21, 1955: “Jack got two small muskies, not fit to publicize. They had a gale, had to stay in a bay, and couldn’t get to the good grounds.”

PHY FLY ROD BUILT FOR PHY’s SON PAUL A. YOUNG: 8’0″, 3/2, 4.24 oz., marked “Lt. Paul A. Young, 8′ – 4 Oz., From Dad June 1943” Lightly flamed cane, oil finish, cap and ring over cork reel seat, translucent tan wraps, thumb depression in grip, dry fly and wet fly tapered tips, original bag and tube. Sold at Lang’s Spring Fishing Tackle Auction April 13, 2002 for $1300 plus buyer’s premium, and sold at Lang’s January 3, 2004 auction for $1320. plus buyer’s premium.

PHY “TEXAS KID” BAIT CASTING ROD BUILT FOR PHY’s SON PAUL A. YOUNG, dated 1949: 6’0″, 2/1, 3.85 oz., flamed cane, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork, Aetna foulproof guides. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats; First flat: Paul A. Young – Xmas ’49 Second flat: 6′ – Texas Kid 3.85 oz. Accompanied by a handwritten note of provenance from Paul A. Young: “I, the undersigned, have sold to Malcolm B. Seaholm the 6′ 3.85 oz. “Texas Kid” tonkin cane casting rod made for me by my father, Paul H. Young, & given to me on Christmas Day 1949 Paul A. Young.” Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm told me that he bought the rod when Paul A. Young lived in Troy, MI.  Paul A. Young authenticated the rod and gave Mac the letter of provenance shown in the photo. Mac paid $50 for the rod, and later sold it for $250. The rod came in a dark amber fiberglass tube. Chauncy K. Lively picked the rod up for Mac on February 4, 1981.

PHY 9’0″ NYMPH SPECIAL ROD, built Aug 1950 for Paul A. Young. 9’0″ 2/2, varnished, flamed cane; lettering in three lines Paul A. Young – Detroit  Aug-1950 / “Nymph Special” 9′ – 4.49 oz.  Bamboo wt. 3.46oz / H.D.H or H.D.G. . Dual silver rings over cork reel seat with cork button on the end, grip has thumb indentation, yellow spiral wraps, no foul guide son the butt. Gold colored ferrules. Original bag and Champion tube bearing the PHY label.

FIRST PHY DRIGGS EVER BUILT, dated January 1953, gift of PHY to his wife Martha Marie Young. Rod inscribed: Driggs River Special, 7’2″, 2.86 oz., H.E.H. Rod also dated “Jan. 1953, Fer. .203, tip top .063.” Two lighter-action tips, plus an additional, original third tip built in the slightly heavier tip taper that Young later came to favor (although some anglers prefer the lighter tips). Rust-brown spiral wraps at each guide w/tipping, blued ferrules and guides, thumbprint cigar grip, cap and ring cork seat with Detroit die-stamp on cap, came with signed letter of authentication by Mrs. Young when sold by MJK, offered in MJK catalogs 59 (1992), 60 (1992), and 61 (1992).

PHY MIDGE, owned by PHY’s wife Martha Marie Young. Described in a letter dated September 11, 1991, written by Martha Marie Young to Robert Summers, who was acting as her agent to sell the rod. Mrs. Young described the rod as follows: Writing on butt section starting above handle: Midge 6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  H.E.H. / Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker / Bamboo wt. 1.22 oz.  Fer. 10/64  Tip Top 4/64. Mrs. Young also wrote: “There is no serial number on this rod. All wraps are of black silk. Fer. are black anodized aluminum.” Robert Summers showed me what I believe was this rod at the old Northeast Antique Anglers Show in Marlborough, MA (precursor to the Lang’s shows). It was a long time ago and about all I remember was that the Midge had a ventilated cork grip, was in its bag and tube, and Bob was selling it as Mrs. Young’s agent: he wanted $3000.

PHY 7’6″ rod, owned by PHY’s wife Martha Marie Young. Martin J. Keane described this 7’6″, 3/1, light dry fly rod as having “med. dark colored cane, pine green wraps, Ritz-style cork handle, locking seat, 4 oz., a fast df for #5 line. Believe a DF Spec.; tip wraps and one guide rewrapped w/a slightly brighter color green, shaft marked, “Maker P.H. Young Detroit, Mich.” This rod was Mrs. Martha Marie Young’s personal rod. Original velvet bag w/three partitions, v.g.+-exc. cond. $325.” No info given on how it was known that this rod belonged to Mrs. Young. MJK catalog 44 (1986).
This is probably the same rod that Paul H. Young described on page 4 of the 1941 PHY Co. catalog: Mrs. Young has used a 7 1/2 footer in the D.F.S. for all trout, bass and blue gill fishing for ten years, and takes more big browns in a season than most people. This rod has had one new tip joint in its ten years of hard work. It seems inconceivable that the delicate appearing tips in these little rods could take the punishment they do.

PHY 5’9″ BAITCASTING ROD, owned by PHY’s wife Martha Marie Young. Mrs. Young’s initials are on the rod shaft, also dated 1933. 5’9″, 2/1, for 5/8 oz. lures, straight grip w/ black screwlock reel seat, 2″ cork foregrip and finger spur, burgundy wraps, orig. bag, no tube. MJK catalog no. 82 (2001).

PHY 6’0″ BAITCASTING ROD, built 1943, owned by PHY’s wife Martha Marie Young.  “Made in 1943 for Martha Young with her name on the shaft. Lock seat, the rod comes with a letter. All orig.” Offered by Hoagy B. Carmichael in a catalog mailing dated April 5, 1989.

PHY SPECIAL-PRESENTATION BAITCASTING ROD given by PHY to his brother Ben.
 6’3″, 2/1, lightly flamed cane, initials BEY on shaft, coke-bottle handle, sumac wood locking seat with 1-1/4″ foregrip, honey wraps, blued ferrules, orig. bag & tube, letter of authenticity was included with sale. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995) and no. 68 (1995).

PHY PARA 17, September 1952, reportedly built by PHY for his brother. 8’6″, 2/2, wet and dry tips, rod weighs 5.33 oz. with dry tip and 5.43 oz. with wet tip; this tip 1/2″ short. Rod is marked “C.C. Young Kansas City, Mo.” and is believed to have been built by PHY for his brother. MJK catalogs no. 51, 52, and 53 (1989). Thanks to the rod’s current owner for more information about this special rod: On the butt, the first line reading from the grip up towards ferrule is: C.C. Young – Kansas City Mo.  Sept. ’52  On the next flat, the second line is: “Parabolic 17”   8 1/2′    5.43 oz.  Bug tip – G.B.F. : 5.33 oz.  Dry tip  On the next flat, the third line of text, offset to the right by about 5 mm, reads:  Bamboo wt.  3.83 oz.  Dry tip – 3.73 oz.  There are no inked inscriptions on the tips. The dry tip is 14 mm (or 9/16 “) shorter than the wet tip. The bag is an old green cloth bag, a bit soiled with a small fabric loop (for hanging?) at the top. It has no ties and may not be original. The tube is definitely not original. The rod was refinished while held by MJK, and is in excellent condition.

TWO RODS, A MATCHED PAIR OF PHY BAITCASTERS from the YOUNG family: Described by MJK as follows: “Matched pair of orig. PAUL YOUNG bait casting rods, both 6′, one med. action, one heavy, med. dark cane, both have foregrips above their screwlocking seats, each wrapped w/ dark red fancy deluxe wraps, heavy rod is unmarked, med. action rod is marked, “Maker Paul H. Young, Detroit, Mich.” on shaft, both appear unused, both came from the Young family.” MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).

Post-1955 Non-serial Numbered PHY DRIGGS dated 1970, once owned by GREG YOUNG, son of JACK YOUNG: The rod has no serial numbers but is inscribed in Bob Summers handwriting, on First Flat: “Greg Young 1970 Paul H Young Co” , Second Flat: “7’2″ 3 1/2 oz #5 line” Detroit die-stamp on cap. Original bag, tube. Current owner Dave Lyons reports, “The blank is a very early leftover blank. It is heat treated instead of flamed and has the Rust/maroon colored wraps.” A letter from Bob Summers accompanies the rod; in part, Bob wrote,“Just a little about the Greg Young Rod. I moved to Traverse City with the Paul Young Co in 1969. Greg was about 10 then. One of the big things about moving north from Detroit was, we were all going to do fly fishing for trout. At that time I don’t think that Greg had ever seen a trout. I put this rod together for him using older style Young blanks. had planned to taking him fishing, but it never happened. His grandmother, Martha Young, purchased a cabin on the Ausable river near Grayling, & Greg did get to fish with her a few times using this rod…”

PHY FLY ROD REPORTEDLY BUILT FOR PHY’s SON PAUL A. YOUNG (PAUL YOUNG, JR.): 8’6″, 2/2, marked on two flats “8 1/2 – 15 Fer. D.F. 4.54 – HCH / Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker”. Both tips marked “8 1/2′ – 15 Fer. 5T.T. Tip wt. 1 1/16 oz.”. Lightly flamed cane, varnished, dual scroll-edge aluminum rings over morticed cork reel seat, straight contoured grip, black wraps, decorative spiral on the butt above the grip. Gold ferrules, original light tan and brown piped bag inked in Paul Young’s hand “8 1/2 – 15 ’49“, later Champion style tube.  A letter of authenticity from Bob Summers accompanied the rod. Information courtesy of Vintage Fly Tackle. Listing states: A small portion of the script on the butt portion has received a light varnish overcoat as well as some wraps. Listed August 2018 for $3,785.00.

—————- (end of Young family rods) ————–


SIGNIFICANT RODS BUILT FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE

PHY RODS OWNED BY THE CARDELL FAMILY of Birmingham, MI.
Paul Cardell, Dorothy Cardell, their sons Jim and Kent, and Lois (Jim’s wife)

PHY MIDGE built for Dorothy Cardell, described in her letter published in the PHY catalog. The Cardell family was very close friends with the Young family and fished together on many occasions. Dorothy Cardell’s son Jim believes this to be the third Midge built. Flamed cane, dual black rings over cork, small and short cigar cork grip, black wraps, decorative spiral black wrap in front of grip, black aluminum ferrules (10/64″ ferrule). Lettered on four flats in PHY’s handwriting (exceptions noted). First flat: “Midge”  6′ – 3″  – 1.75 oz.  H.E.H.  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Detroit – Maker. 1955  (“1955” added by Cardell family member). Third flat: Bamboo wt. 1.22 oz.  Fer. 10/64  TipTop 4/64  Fourth flat: Kent R. Cardell (name of one of Dorothy Cardell’s sons, added later). Mrs. Cardell suffered from bursitis and this rod allowed her to continue fishing, as larger trout rods (even the Martha Marie model) hurt too much for her to cast. Her letter to Paul H. Young describing this rod first appeared in the circa 1955 PHY Co. catalog (red cover). Excerpts from the letter: “Dear Mr. Young: I wonder if you fully realize the contribution you have made to people like myself with the advent of your Midge. Several years ago I suffered an attack of Bursitus in my shoulder and the pleasure I associated with trout fishing was just about gone… Now I can fish 4 hours in the morning and 4 or 5 hours in the afternoon… At first I was a little apprehensive of what would happen if I hooked a large trout but my fears were dispelled on our very first trip North and I am still amazed at how easily it handles good sized fish…” Thank you to Jim Cardell for showing me this rod.

PHY PERFECTIONIST kit made for (and with) KENT Cardell, dated Xmas 1954. The Cardell family was very close friends with the Young family and fished together on many occasions. 7’6″, 2/2, wet and dry tips, unusual in that the cane is BLONDE CANE, not flamed, also unusual gold anodized aluminum ferrules, nearly clear wraps, very bright silvery dual rings over cork, ventilated cork grip with eight separate corks, ninth cork blends into the cork reel seat, hookkeeper. There is a node crack on the wet tip between the 4th and 5th guides. Ferrule fit for both tips is loose. Marked __d by Paul H. Young / especially for / Kent R. Cardell, Xmas 1954 / Windings by KRC. (The first two letters of Rod are missing). (Jim Cardell told me many years later about winding the thread wraps: “Paul let Ken and I sort of hold the machine a little bit. It must have been the idea of just making us feel part of it.”) Tips are labeled WET and DRY. Original cloth bag, brown with dark piping has inked on the flap, not in PHY’s handwriting: Kent Cardell / Rod “Perfectionist” / Paul Young Rods. Champion-style tube is inked Kent R Cardell / 272 Southfield Rd / Birmingham, Mich. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle, who weighed the rod and found that it weighs 2.8 oz. with the dry tip and 2.9 oz. with the wet tip.

PHY PERFECTIONIST kit made for (and with) JIM Cardell, dated Xmas 1954. The Cardell family was very close friends with the Young family and fished together on many occasions. 7’6″, 2/2, wet and dry tips, unlike his brother Kent’s rod, this Perfectionist has FLAMED CANE, also Super-Z ferrules, black wraps, very bright silvery dual rings over cork, ventilated cork grip has two thumb indentations and is made with nine separate corks, tenth cork becomes the beginning of the cork reel seat with enlarged cork button at end to keep rings from sliding off, hookkeeper is unusual in that it is mounted to the left (Jim is left-handed but doesn’t know whether that fact played a role in placement of the hookkeeper). Marked Rod by Paul H. Young especially for / Jim R. Cardell, Xmas 1954 / Windings by JRC. (Jim Cardell told me many years later about winding the thread wraps: “Paul let Ken and I sort of hold the machine a little bit. It must have been the idea of just making us feel part of it.” Jim also said, “I used this one for a lot of years and then finally, at some point in time, I realized when I was going back to some of these rivers in New Hampshire, that I didn’t want to be carrying one of the Young rods with me.”

PHY “MARTHA MARIE” dated 1953, built for Paul Cardell, gifted June 1962 to Lois Cardell. The Cardell family was very close friends with the Young family and fished together on many occasions. This Martha Marie, unusual in that it is made from blonde cane, was built for Paul Cardell in 1953 and gifted to his daughter-in-law Lois (wife of Paul’s son Jim) in 1962. 7’6″, 2/2, one tip 3/32″ longer than the other, unusual in that the cane is not flamed, yellow wraps, bright silvery butt cap with “Detroit” stamp and bright ring knurled on front and rear edge, over cork, sold half Wells cork grip with single thumb indentation, hookkeeper. In bold dark ink, marked Lois Cardell – June 1962. In faded ink on the next flat, marked PHY – PEC – ’53. Inked markings on the butt to measure fish of 7″ and 10″. Original cloth bag, attractive brown and green satin with dark brown piping has inked on the flap, not in PHY’s handwriting: Rod – Martha Marie / Paul Young for P.E. Cardell / to Lois Cardell. Champion-style tube has names and address information for both Paul Cardell and Lois Cardell. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle.

PHY 9’0″ NYMPH ROD, built 1949. 9’0″, varnished, flamed cane; lettering in three lines 9′ – 4.39 oz.  15 Fer. 5 1/2 TT  /  Parabolic 16 Butt  9′ – 15 Reg. Tips  /  Paul H. Young Detroit Maker. June 1949. Dual silver rings over cork reel seat with cork button on the end, exceedingly long grip has three thumb indentations, green decorative wraps. A Cardell family rod.

.

PHY RODS OWNED BY THE LIVELY FAMILY of Pittsburgh, PA.
Chauncy K. Lively, Marion Lively, and their daughters Anne and Claudia,

and RODS OWNED BY GEORGE M. AIKEN, Chauncy Lively’s brother-in-law

UNIQUE 6’9″ PUMPKIN SEED SPECIAL, 2/1, 2-3/4 oz., built circa 1953 for nine-year-old Anne Lively, daughter of Marion and Chauncy Lively. Anne wrote to me, “I think I was about 9 years old when Mr. Young came to visit my parents in Pittsburgh. He took me out to the front yard to cast the little rod he’d brought. I remember we talked about his grandkids, who were the ages of my sister and me, dogs, and fishing. I told him I liked catching brook trout and bluegills. I guess I passed the casting audition because he then presented me with the rod. That was 1953, I think. I’ve used it ever since… The ‘Anne Lively’ looks like my father’s lettering.”
All other lettering is in PHY’s hand, as follows:
First flat: Pumpkin Seed Special
Second flat: 6’9″ – 2 3/4 oz.
Third flat: HEH Line ANNE LIVELY
Fourth flat: For Barbless hooks
Fifth flat: only
There is also has an inked ruler, as shown in the photo.

UNIQUE 7’0″ FLY ROD, 2/1, 3 oz., built June 1954 for Claudia Lively, daughter of Marion and Chauncy Lively. Dual rings over cork, cigar grip, red wraps at hookkeeper slightly overwrap front of cigar grip. Red cardboard tube with metal cap.
All lettering is in PHY’s hand, as follows:
First flat: Miss Claudia Liveley. Pittsburg Pa. June 1954
Second flat: 7′ – 3 oz. E Level or H.D.H. Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz.
Third flat: From Paul H. Young Co. Detroit.

PHY DRIGGS, 2/2, 3 oz., built August 1954 for Marion Lively, married to Chauncy Lively, mother of Anne and Claudia. Dual rings over cork, cigar grip with thumb indentation, red/orange wraps with decorative spiral wrap in front of cigar grip. B-24 aircraft aluminum tube.
First flat: Paul H. Young’s “Driggs River Special”
Second flat: 7’2″ 13 Fer. 2.86 oz. HEH Silk
Third flat: Marion Lively Pittsburgh, Pa. Aug. 1954

PHY TROUT ROD, 4.75 oz., sent late November 1955 to Marion Lively. Much is known about this rod from letters written by PHY to Marion Lively’s husband, Chauncy K. Lively – except the length of the rod was never mentioned! Based on its characteristics, a length of 8’6″ seems likely. Rod was an existing rod at the PHY shop that PHY thought would fit Marion’s needs. On November 27, 1955, PHY wrote to CKL: “Paulie just brought me your letter of Thanksgiving night, and I have gone through a number of rods. I have one here, that I made for all-purpose… It has never been used is finished very plainly, wrapped in black, has chromium guides, skeleton reel seat, long but thin grip, and Z nickle ferrules, weights 4.75 oz., and is marked for hch or hcf. Has 15 ferrules, and 5 tip tops. I think I’d better send it along on approval, and let Marion feel it out. I can hardly imagine a better rod for the purpose you describe…. The rod above is finished in a dull matte, and I’m debating whether to varnish it or not. I’m of a mind to send it as it is, and see if Marion doesn’t like it better than the high shine varnish gives. If then she wants it varnished, we will have plenty of time to do that.” The letter wasn’t sent immediately, and Martha Marie Young appended this note: “Rod was mailed to you hope you get it O.K. and let us know if it should be changed or not.” On December 8, 1955, PHY wrote: “I want Marion to know that I will be glad to re-doll up that rod, put her name on etc. if she likes. You perhaps could do a more artistic job of lettering though.”

PHY PARA 15 with CUSTOM 8’3″ DRY FLY TIP, dated December 1949, belonging to noted fly tyer and author Chauncy Lively. 2/2, 8’0″ wet tip and 8’3″ dry tip (custom built). Dual rings over cork, non-tapered cork grip, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip and at tips. Inked on three flats; First flat: C.K. Lively – Pittsburgh, Pa. Second flat: Parabolic 15-5 8′ – 3.85 oz. H.D.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit Dec. 1949. One tip labeled Fer. 15/64 T.T. 4/64 on one flat, the other tip is labeled Fer. 15/64 T.T. 5/64 on two flats. Tube is B-24 aircraft aluminum-origin, with PHY Co. label. Chauncy Lively’s personal notes on this rod were as follows:
Paul H. Young Parabolic: (2 pc.) 
Christmas 1949
 
Length – 8′ (8’3″ with Dry Fly Tip)
 
Weight – 3.85 oz.
 
Ferrule – 15/64
 
Tip-top – 5/64 Para, 4/64 Dry Fly Tip
 
Line-size – HDH silk (HEH silk D.F.)
 
Cork Bore – 21/64

Photo and information courtesy of Anne Lively.

PHY PARA 17, dated 1949, belonging to Chauncy Lively. Thanks to Carl Otto of Wanigas Rod Co. for information about this rod.

PHY PROTOTYPE MIDGE 6’0″, 1-5/8 oz.
PHY MIDGE
 6’3″
PHY PARA 14
 7’6″
PHY PERFECTIONIST
 7’6″
PHY PARA 18
 9’6″, 6.09 oz., built 1951 (In addition to a brief description by Chauncy K. Lively in a 1975 letter cited below, this Para 18 rod is also known from a postcard written by PHY to CKL: “Have just put your name on… 9 1/2 6.09 oz. you can use this rod on saltwater, salmon, stripers, etc. It is an enlarged version of the “Para 15,” knows no limit with correct line – in right hands. I use it in 9′ – 5.26 oz. with skeleton reel seat, on Bones, Reds – snook, etc. … shipping rod Saturday” (postcard to CKL, November 8, 1951)

These rods (and others listed elsewhere in the PHY Database) were described by Chauncy K. Lively in a 1975 letter he wrote to Eugene A. De Fouw): “My wife and I have a battery of twenty Young rods, ranging from a prototype Midge of 6′ and 1 5/8 oz. to a 9 1/2′ Parabolic 18, weighing 6.09 oz. Several are models no longer made but during the course of a season each gets its share of use and I would be hard put to select a single favorite. The original Midge and its newer brother have assisted in the capture of trout upwards of four pounds, while the 7 1/2′ Parabolic 14 has subdued a twenty-six inch Pennsylvania brown. Then there has been the fascinating Tricorythodes fishing with the Perfectionist, the great Sulphur hatches with the Driggs and the conquest of rough and ready Allegheny River smallmouth with the big rods. – Not to mention the Martha Marie and the Green drake hatches, a 21 1/2″ Au Sable brownie on the Parabolic 15, etc., etc., etc. Each conjures memories of favorite streams and individual encounters but most of all, they reflect the personality of their mentor; to me, flexing a Young rod is almost like shaking hands with a revered friend and fishing companion: P.H.Y.” (The Driggs and the Para 15 are listed above. The Martha Marie is probably rod #4200 in the serial-numbered list of Paul H. Young Co. rods. Some of the other rods could be serial-numbered too. Thank you to Anne Lively for this information.).

PHY SPECIAL, one of PHY’s earliest “Special” rods, length unknown but “small,” in three-piece format. Given to Chauncy and Marion Lively after PHY’s death by Martha Marie Young. Excerpt from letter dated June 23, 1960, written by Martha Marie Young to Chauncy and Marion Lively: “I found the little rod Paul wanted you to have, why, I don’t know, I mean that particular one but you may know when you get it, it’s one of his special first styles he made and he liked it for a three pc…” Thank you to Anne Lively for a copy of this letter.

PHY MIDGE 6’3″
PHY DRIGGS
 7’2″
PHY PARA 15
 8’0″

ALL OWNED BY GEORGE M. AIKEN, Chauncy Lively’s brother-in-law. Aiken’s Midge rod and Driggs rod are in the Pennsylvania Museum of Fly Fishing. Aiken’s Para 15 is in a private collection. In a letter from PHY to Chauncy Lively, dated November 17, 1956, Paul H. Young wrote: “…for Aikes, have just finished some super duper Driggs stock.” I believe Aikes finished this material out as a Driggs kit rod. Aiken liked the result; in a letter from PHY to Chauncy Lively, dated May 5, 1957, PHY wrote “It is good to hear Aikes likes the Driggs.” George Aiken fished his Driggs rod and his Para 15 rod so often that the cane on both rods is grooved at a point behind the stripping guide, from line slap. George Aiken wrote a letter about his Para 15 and his Driggs rod, dated March 6, 1958. The letter is reproduced in the 1958 PHY catalog, as follows: “March 6, 1958: Dear Paul: I was checking over my tackle recently and decided it was time to refinish my ‘Keller.’ (Para 15). / This rod has given me what is almost unbelievable service. It is six years old now, and for five of those years it was the only rod I used. Most of the service it has seen has been with dry flies and nymphs, but it has been used with streamers and small bass bugs. The only excuse I can find for tinkering with it is to replace worn guides. / I refinished the Driggs. I could not be more pleased. In one season that Driggs has more than paid for itself in pleasure received. / Good fishing!” / George M. Aiken, Pittsburgh, Penna. – The photo below shows Aiken’s Para 15 in 2014, after a complete refinish by Bob Summers. A third tip (dark green wrap at tip top) was built by Bob Summers. The mottle-flamed rod has a new cork reel seat and a new half Wells ventilated grip. A ghost image in Aiken’s handwriting of his name, G.M. Aiken, can barely be seen on one flat of the butt section. In Bob Summers’ handwriting the rod is lettered on four flats as follows: Paul H. Young Detroit 1952 / Parabolic 15 Kit Rod / 8′ #5 to 6 Line / Refinished by RW Summers 9/1/2013.



—————- (end of Lively / Aiken family rods) ————–

FIRST “BOBBY DOERR” PROTOTYPE ROD: “In 1950 or 1951, [Ted] Williams requested that Young develop a custom taper for his friend, Bobby Doerr, to use for steelhead and salmon on the big water in Oregon. Doerr picked up his rod at the Young’s shop in the fall of 1951, the year he retired. He paid $75 for the rod… Unfortunately, Doerr lost his only prototype Doerr model in the 1950’s on the Rogue River. When he returned to where he left it on the riverbank one afternoon, the rod was gone!” – John A. Feldenzer, “Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company,” The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31, No. 4 (Fall 2005).

PHY 8’0″ fly rod built 1947, belonging to Ted Williams. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.83 oz., built 1947, belonged to Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox. varnished cane, cap and ring, “Detroit” stamp on cap, steeply-tapering handle thicker toward front, with prominent thumb depression scooped from the cork, golden-brown wraps with decorative spiral in front of cork grip, inked on one line that can be seen in photo, in PHY’s handwriting: 8′ – 3.83 oz.  14/64 Fer.  4/64 T.T.  1947  Paul H. Young – Detroit  Sold as lot #536 by Hunt Auctions at special auction of Ted Williams memorabilia at Fenway Park, May 2012.

PHY EXPERIMENTAL DISTANCE ROD built for Ted Williams. 9’0″, 9.33 oz., built in July 1951 for Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox to attempt a new record in tournament distance casting. Two thumb depressions are carved into the cork grip. This rod was built solely for competitive casting, not for fishing, so there is no reel seat. The line was placed on the ground next to the caster. PHY’s handwriting on two flats, First flat: Experimental Distance – By Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. July 1951 Second flat: 9′ – 9.33 oz. For Ted Williams Tryout Much of what is known about this rod and five other similar ones that Young built comes from four letters written by PHY to Louis Simon of Quebec, Canada in the early 1950’s. Simon made a winning cast in competition of 155 feet with an Experimental Distance rod, for which PHY congratulated him in a 1952 letter. Young said that a similar rod was in Dallas, Texas, and “…when they get 120′ – 130′, they crow about it.” Young’s letters to Simon show that Ted Williams hoped to set a world record with his rod, but Williams’ service in the Marine Corps made it impossible for him to try it, at least during the period of time covered by the letters. Thanks to Bob Summers, who showed me this rod in mid-October 2008.

PHY PARA 18 built for Ted Williams, dated May 1950, 9’3″, 6-1/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with black pocketed cap (Detroit stamp), and bright downlocking hardware. Half Wells grip. Decorative spiral wraps at front of cork grip. Butt lettered on three flats; First flat: Ted Williams May 1950  Second flat: 9’3″ – 6 1/8 oz.  “Parabolic 18”  Third flat: Bamboo wt. 4.50 oz.  Also marked: Fer – .281  Tip Top .093 (6/64)  The Ted Williams signature looks like Williams’ own handwriting, but may also have been “drawn” that way by Young, as Williams’ signature was well known. The other lettering is definitely written by PHY. Private collection.

PHY “TED WILLIAMS” MODEL FLY ROD, built March 1951, 9’0″, 6.18 oz. Varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp on reel seat just forward of permanent 2-inch extension butt. Lettered on four flats; First flat: .375 – .281 – .103 Second flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit Mar. 1951 Third flat: Ted Williams Model – 9′ – 6.18 oz. Bamboo wt. 4.46 oz. Fourth flat: GAF line Paul Young intended to develop a cataloged “Ted Williams” rod model. However, as John Feldenzer noted in his article “Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company,” The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31, No. 5 (Fall 2005), Ted Williams had his own plans for using his name to sell fishing tackle, and so Williams personally asked Young not to name a rod model after him. Bob Summers estimates that about six “Ted Williams” rods were built before the project was halted. Bob Summers showed me this rod on October 17, 2008.

PHY PARA 18 built May 1949 with three tips, with possible Ted Williams/Bob Doerr association. Photo seen at teammates forever.com of Para 18 with attached tag that reads “Ted Williams Parabolic 18  9′ – 6.41 oz. Paul H. Young Co. Detroit  May 1949  Bob Doerr  3 Tips.” Varnished flamed cane, small fixed cork extension butt, black screwlock cork reel seat, half Wells grip shows signs of fishing use, three tips. in photo rod is resting on rod bag made of thick maroon fabric, not the thin maroon satin fabric often seen with Young rods. No tube seen.

PHY OREGON EGG CASTING ROD used by Ted Williams to catch his first bonefish. Length unknown; these rods were built in varying weights with cataloged length up to 9’0″. Handle and grip are Young’s #9 configuration for “Bonefish and Heavy Duty.” Rod shown in photo on page 10 of circa 1951 PHY catalog; Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox holds the rod and his first bonefish.

PHY EXPERIMENTAL TARPON FLY ROD, built 1951 with two different tips. 9’6″, 6.82 oz. with one tip, 6.95 oz. with the other tip. Inked handwriting by PHY on two flats, First flat: 9 1/2′ – 6.95 oz. Tip No. 1 (7) 6.82 Tip No. 2 (6) Second flat: .390 Butt – .281 fer. Exp. Tarpon – Mar. ’51. Exaggerated, single thumbprint depression in cork grip with forward ridge built up using additional cork, glued and shaped; spiral gold wrap just forward of cork grip, “Detroit” stamp on reel seat, screwlock seat with ext. butt, more writing under tape covering cork spacer between screwlock mechanism and extension butt. Labeling on spacer: First Exp. .390 Butt / Tarpon and Heavy Bone / Paul H. Young / Detroit / March 1951 / .390 for 8…? Bob Summers showed me this rod on October 17, 2008, and again in June 2012.

PHY PARA 15 by Robert W. Summers, dated July 30, 1956; the first rod he built for himself. Varnished cane, ventilated cork grip, thumb depression. Orange wraps tipped black at cork and tiptop. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Built July 30, 1956 Refinished Dec. 20, 1965 Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Third flat: “Para. 15” 8′ 4 oz. H.D.H. This personal rod was not given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. The signature, particularly the “S” of “Summers,” does not look like Bob Summers’ later, standardized script, but it is authentic. Bob Summers personally showed me this rod. Bob Summers told me, “This is my own first Para 15. I’ve refinished it a few times. I built it in 1956, and refinished it in ’65. At first I wrapped it orange. I didn’t like it, but I left that there.” (He pointed to the wrap just forward of the grip). Employee rods were made from blemished blanks. Summers said, “That was what we did to make rods of our own. It might have been something like that.” (He pointed to a node). “See that? Side by side. So you’d use a stick like that. It isn’t going to hurt anything. I’ve seen South Bends with four [nodes] together, many of them. I’ve never seen one break in a node. They talk about that being weak, but I have never seen one broken in a node.”

PHY 7’0″ fly rod by Robert W. Summers, dated 1957. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, light rusty-red wraps with decorative spiral wrap after lettering. Lettered on three flats, First flat: Bob Summers Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det 57 Third flat: 7′ 2.78 oz. HEH. This personal rod was not given a serial number even though it was built after serial numbering was instituted. Bob Summers personally showed me this rod. Photo below, this rod is held by Bob’s friend Pat Hughes. Park Smith is the man in the middle. Bob Summers is on the right. Photo taken October 2008.

PHY 9’0″ parabolic fly rod with 18/64 ferrule and 7/64 tip top, owned by J.Clark Salyer II. Custom built by PHY and described by Salyer in a letter to PHY published in the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog with the cover photo of Ned Jewett. No mention of whether the rod had a model name such as Bonefish Special, Florida Special, or Para 18. Excerpts from Salyer’s letter: “The 9′ 18-7 rod arrived Monday – the most beautiful rod I ever laid eyes on – the most attractive of the several you have made for me. I immediately gave it a tryout and it is everything one could wish for in this particular weight and action and for the purpose for which it was designed.”  J.C. Salyer was Director of the Fish & Wildlife Service, US Dept. of the Interior.

PHY “ENCAMPMENT SPECIAL” owned by J.Clark Salyer II. This Encampment Special was custom built by PHY as an 8’0″, 2/2 rod, 4.28 oz. with wet and dry tips, marked on shaft, “J.C. Salyer II, Jul. ’53.” Flamed, varnished cane, dark red wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, black screwlock cork seat, straight grip with thumb depression. J.C. Salyer directed the Fish & Wildlife Service, US Dept. of the Interior. Paul H. Young named his lightest 6’4″ spinning rod the “J.C. Salyer” model. Salyers’s enthusiastic letters of commendation for Young’s rods appeared in the 1950’s Young catalogs. MJK catalog no. 71 (1996), no. 72 (1997), and also in MJK catalog no. 74 (1998).

PHY “ENCAMPMENT SPECIAL” or “BOAT ROD,” owned by Ned Jewett, who is pictured on the front cover of the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog. 8’0″, 2/2 rod built May 1954 for Ned Jewett, reportedly refinished by Bob Summers. One tip is nearly three inches short. Full length tip has 1-1/2″ repair wrap by Summers. Rod is inked, first line: Ned Jewett Grosse Point May 1954 second line: 8′ 4.29 oz HCH third line: Fer 15/64 Tip Top 5/64 Paul H. Young Co. Det. Tips are both inked: 5/64 TT Detroit stamp on butt cap, screwlock cork seat, ventilated grip with two thumb depressions, Super-Z ferrules, Cal-Air tube and replacement sock. Sold for $1282. on eBay, April 2008.

PHY “BONE-SNOOK” ROD,
PHY 7’6″ “MARTHA MARIE” ROD,
PHY “SALMON” ROD, all three owned by Ned Jewett
, who is pictured on the front cover of the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog. The three rods are described in a letter dated October 1, 1954 and published in the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog with the cover photo of Ned Jewett holding the Salmon rod. Excerpts from Ned Jewett’s letter to PHY, posted from Lapeer, MI: “First, the Bone-Snook rod enabled me to reach out in the Trade winds, and put big flies where I wanted them to go for the first time and to handle many large Snook… Next, came the Martha Marie. This rod really is all I ever need for trout fishing, wherever I go. It handles nymphs, drys and streamers to my complete satisfaction, and big fish as well. No. 3 is the Salmon rod, the picture will show you what happened to some really fine bright fish… Thanks for the finest rods I have ever used.” – Ned Jewett

PHY FLORIDA SPECIAL
PHY TEXAS GENERAL
PARA 15 (K.T. KELLER MODEL), all three owned by Robert P. Terrill, counselor of embassy for economic affairs, American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the mid-1950’s.
 The three rods are described in a letter dated November 3, 1954 and published in the circa 1955 (red cover, photo of Ned Jewett) PHY tackle catalog. Robert P. Terrill’s middle initial is incorrectly given as “B.” in the catalog. Excerpts from Robert P. Terrill’s letter to PHY, posted from the American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro: “Dear Mr. Young: I am glad to report that the three rods arrived safely… Your product not only meets, but actually surpasses all you have printed about it. The material, actions, and your workmanship are superb. I also appreciated your assortment of flies which were dressed exactly in accordance with my preference.”

In May 2012 I acquired Robert Terrill’s Para 15 “Keller Deluxe.” It is as follows: PHY Para 15, 8’0″, 2/3, built October 1954 by PHY. Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp and ring with diagonal knurling on front and rear edges, over cork. Straight cigar grip, 6″, built from twelve half-inch corks. Marked Super-Z ferrules. Golden-brown wraps. Hookkeeper. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats, first flat: “Bob” Terrill – Oct. ’54 Second flat: “Keller Deluxe” 8′ – 3.87 oz.  H.D.H.  Third flat: with “DRY” Tip – 3.81 oz.  H.E.H.  One wet parabolic tip is inked: Fer- 15/64  TipTop 5/64 and the other is marked Fer. 15/64  TipTop 5/64. The dry tip is marked: Fer. 15/64  TipTop 4/64 and has narrow, solid red thread wraps at the base of the male ferrule and at the tiptop to visually identify it as the dry fly tip. The wet tip marked Fer- 15/64  TipTop 5/64 is about 1″ short at the tip and placement of its snake guides is not exactly a match for placements on the other two tips. The rod came with a bag slotted for only two tips; Evie Summers is making a bag for me that will hold three tips and the butt section, custom fitted to the rod’s exact length. The Champion-style tube, probably original, has ID markings of previous owner David J. Dapprich, President of the Lee Wulff Trout Unlimited Chapter, Elgin, Illinois. Rod obtained through Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle, May 2012. Meaning of the phrase “Keller Deluxe”: “Keller” is a reference to K.T. Keller, president of the Chrysler Corporation from 1935 to 1950, and chairman of the board of Chrysler until 1956. Keller was a very good customer for PHY. Keller had many Young rods built for himself, and also gave PHY rods to others each year as Christmas gifts.

PHY 9’0″ ROD built for Luis Marden. 9’0″, 2/2, 6-1/8 oz. Marked on three flats. First flat: Luis Marden 1949Second flat: 9′ 6 1/8 oz. 18 Fer. 6 TipTop Third flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker. Built by Paul H. Young for Luis Marden, perhaps the greatest writer, photographer, and editor ever to work at National Geographic, the magazine with which he was associated for 64 years. Built for Marden by Paul H. Young. Bob Summers said to me, “Here’s the story now, he [Luis Marden] told me this. He went to Spain, and Paul Young was in Spain, because Paul Young went there to buy leaders… And so while they were there, they were going to fish with Franco in his private waters – and they did! Paul Young gave him [Luis Marden] this rod, or sold it to him, after they got back… This was Luis’s rod… it’s some powerhouse.” Thanks to Bob Summers for showing me this rod.

PHY “MIDGE” owned by Vivian Kerlee, the rod that “launched the short rod revolution.” 6’3″, 2/2, oil finish, aluminum ferrules. Offered and described in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY, this is the Midge that Arnold Gingrich tried and instantly fell in love with. As a result, Gingrich heavily promoted Paul H. Young and the Midge rod in books and magazine articles. In The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich described his first experience with a Midge rod when fishing with his friends Charles and Vivian Kerlee: “Charlie had got one from Paul Young in Detroit… and had bought it with no intention of using it himself, as he is over six foot, with the build of a tackle. But Vivian is small, and he wanted a light little rod that she could use without arm fatigue… Vivian let me try it, and the very first cast was a revelation… giving it back was like giving back a piece of my arm. I wrote a check for one that same day. They only cost $65 at that time, but I’d have paid five times as much, if that had been the price. I never wanted anything more avidly in my life. Once I got it, I used no other rod…”

PHY “MIDGE” owned by Charles Kerlee, Vivian Kerlee’s husband. 6’3″. Known from an undated letter from Charles Kerlee to Paul H. Young, reproduced in the circa 1958 PHY catalog: Dear Mr. Young: I was finally able to try out the “Midge” this weekend. It is beautiful. However, I originally bought the rod for my wife, so that she will be using it and I’ll have to wait until she rests, so will you please make me another one.” In The Well-Tempered Angler(1965), Arnold Gingrich notes the Kerlees as having two Midge rods.

PHY “MIDGE,” a third Midge ordered by Charles Kerlee. 6’3″. Known from a 1955 letter from PHY to C.K. Lively, in which Young said that Kerlee had ordered a third one. A June 1955 letter also states that Kerlee ordered “several” Midges for friends.

PHY MIDGE built for Joe Brooks, author of Trout Fishing and other angling classics. 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz., cap and ring over cork seat, flamed cane, one flat is inked “Made for Joe Brooks” and Keane states, “this flat only requires varnish coating” which may mean that the rod was oil finished with just a protective coat of varnish over the ink. Gold-tan wraps, silver Super-Z-type ferrules, letter of authentication from Mrs. Brooks accompanied rod. MJK catalog 51 (1989).

PHY “MIDGE” owned by Martin J. Keane and studied by Gary H. Howells. 6’3″. Known from letters written by bamboo rod maker Gary H. Howells in June 1972 to Martin J. Keane, aiuthor of Classic Rods and Rodmakers (1976). Gary Howells, June 19, 1972: “Dear Marty: How generous of you it was to send your little Paul Young Midge out for me to look at…. it is an absolute delight, I can now see why Midge owners speak so highly of it… Fine cane, a good taper, and masterful workmanship make your little Midge the treasure it is.” Thank you to booman2 of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for this information.

PHY PERFECTIONIST owned by Al McClane, fishing editor of Field & Stream and author of some of the most essential fly fishing books. 7’6″, 2/2, 2.74 oz., dates to early 1950’s. It is referenced in McClane’s writings. Quote from new material in the 1975 edition of The Practical Fly Fisherman, first published in 1953: “I own a Paul Young Perfectionist… which is entering its twenty-fifth season, and except for having it refinished once before Paul died, the rod is as good as new. The little stick has stood the test of time and several large Atlantic salmon.” Quote from “The Case for the Flea Rod,” first published in 1965, collected in the book The Compleat McClane (1988): “The rod I use is made of heat-tempered bamboo; it is 7 1/2 feet long and weighs exactly 2.74 oz. It is slower than the sticks usually classified as having dry-fly action. The butt section works. It doesn’t shrug off the load, but flexes down into the corks… It has stopped big trout and Atlantic salmon without stress. In twelve years I have broken two tips in the usual way rods are demolished – with a car door.” Eric Peper told a great story about this Perfectionist and its owner on the “Sparse Grey Matter” angling forum. The story took place, wrote Eric, “…the weekend we fished together on the Willowemoc in 1975. He’d brought some early graphite rods with him (Shakespeare and Garcia) and we’d cast them on the Debruce pond. Later we were heading out fishing, and he strung up his old Paul Young Perfectionist with a Hardy LRH. I asked where the graphite rods were, and he said, “Those were for casting. Now we’re going fishing.”

PHY FLORIDA SPECIAL

PHY PARA 15

PHY MIDGE, all owned by Al McClane, fishing editor of Field & Stream and author of some of the most essential fly fishing books. These rods are known to me only by a letter dated April 7, 1960, written by PHY to Richard Rounds: “Dear Mr. Rounds: Rods that I recall making for Al McClane are the Florida Spec., the Parabolic 15, the Perfectionist, and the Midge.”

PHY Para 15, 8’0”, 2/2, built September 1951 for Dan Bailey, Montana fly shop owner, yellow silks, varnish over darkly flamed cane. Blued, “Detroit” stamped non-pocketed cap over cork with slide band. Flat contoured grip with thumb indentation. Decorative spiral wrap at the grip. Very unusual (for Young) agate stripping guide on butt section, appears original. Inked on two flats by PHY, First flat: Dan Bailey  Sept. ’51  ‘Para 15’ – 8′ – 3.70 oz. Dry  3.79 oz. Wet  Second flat: H.D.H. or H.D.G.  One tip marked 5/64… (the rest of the text cannot be seen in photo). The dry fly tip has a red spiral wrap at the tip top. Deeply blued ferrules. Green rod bag, B-24 aluminum tube. Offered on RW Summers web site, July 2023. In the 1950s, Paul H. Young and Dan Bailey attempted to set up a retail arrangement where Young rods were sold through Bailey’s fly shop in Livingston, Montana. The arrangement fell apart due to a disagreement over a Bailey client’s damaged Parabolic 15 fly rod.

PHY “MARTHA MARIE” owned by Dan Bailey. 7’6″, 2/2, Deluxe version with tan-gold open spiral ferrule wraps; varnished, flamed cane; black screwlock cork seat, Wells grip, super-Z ferrules. Inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting, “Made to Order for Dan Bailey, Livingston, Montana” plus additional writing; orig. bag and B-24 tube case. MJK catalog no 79 (1999).

Two rods for H. J. “Harry” Noll:

PHY 7’6″ FLY ROD built in March 1949 for H. J. “Harry” Noll, who sold fly tying kits in the 1950’s. Oil finished cane, caramel-color but very little mottle-flaming, non-pocketed with “Detroit” stamp and knurled front edge, and ring with diagonal knurling front and back, cap and ring both black, over cork reel seat. Cork grip is nearly straight with no curved shaping. Brown/gold decorative spiral wraps. Blued, nickel silver step-down ferrules.  Handwriting in black ink on five flats by PHY. First flat: H. J. Noll – Mar. ’49  Second flat: 7 1/2′ – 3 1/4 oz. (Bamboo 2 3/8 oz.) Third flat: 13/64 Fer. 4 1/2/64 Tip Top  Fourth flat: Paul H. Young Detroit-Maker  Fifth flat: H.D.H. Short Taper  Original bag and B-24 tube. Sold on eBay for $2730. by Hoagy Carmichael, November 2011. Sold again on eBay April 2019 for $2025.00.

PHY 8’3″ FLY ROD built with three tips for H. J. “Harry” Noll, who sold fly tying kits in the 1950’s. marked on the rod as built for Noll. 8’3″, 2/3, 4.24 oz., ferrule 15/64, one tip is marked “Dry Fly Tip”, another is marked “Parabolic Tip,” screwlock cork seat, brown wraps, bag and tube. Sold as lot #598, R.W. Oliver Fourth Annual Summer Auction, Kennebunk, ME, July 1, 1988, for $900. Also believe this rod is the same one listed in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY.

SIX FLY RODS built for R.M. Laird and his family. Laird was Vice-President and Secretary of The Hanover Shoe Company. The Laird rods are known from a letter written to PHY by Laird, dated August 14, 1957, and published as a testimonial letter in the circa 1958 PHY catalog. Excerpt: “I have purchased for myself and members of my family at least half a dozen of your fine fly rods as well as other equipment. Incidentally, on the cases of all Young rods in our family rack is clearly marked the name of the owner and the designation “No. 1,” signifying that each of us considers the rod our top one.” The family name and #1 marked on the case may be helpful for identification purposes should any of these rods be located.

PHY 8’6″ ICELAND SPECIAL, built for Arnold and Jane Gingrich, described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK catalog Spring 1985, offered for $1500 from MJK’s private collection: “Custom built specifically for Arnold & Jane Gingrich and so noted on the rod is this exotically flame finished 8 1/2′ PAUL YOUNG Iceland Special. The exact rod mentioned by Arnold in his book, The Well-Tempered Angler, 2/2 (tips wet and df tapers), a stunning highly finished rod, one of Paul Young’s rarest creations for one of his most devoted customers and famed angler/author. Exc.+ – new cond. $1500.

PHY 8’0″ DRY FLY ROD, built for John McDonald, size 13 ferrule, known from McDonald’s note to PHY published in the circa 1951 PHY Co. catalog under the title “Good Feel – Good Action”: Dear Mr. Young: I had my first experience with the new rod last Saturday on the Battenkill in Vermont – a really very, very nice rod – light, good feel, good action, balance sensitive. John McDonald, Fortune Magazine (8′ – 13 DF). John McDonald wrote an article on trout flies and fly tying for the May 1948 issue of Fortune that featured PHY as one of the premier fly tiers in the USA. McDonald also edited The Complete Fly Fisherman: The Notes and Letters of Theodore Gordon (1947).

PHY 6’0″ BONEFISH BAIT ROD, built for Col. G.M. O’Connell, known from PHY’s written description in the 1949 PHY catalog. The unferruled cane shaft was fitted to a removable straight handle. Probably the rear cork grip was 7″ long, with an anodized aluminum screwlock reel seat and a 4″ forward cork grip. The rod was six feet overall length and the weight of the tip finished out at 2-3/4 oz. PHY wrote that tips of various weights and lengths could be adapted for use on the same handle. PHY wrote, “While I fished with the Col., he took his 17th bone on this rod, and he, also other men of long experience, pronounce the rod perfect, for use on bones, with live shrimp, and 1/2 oz. egg sinker.”

PHY FLY ROD, owned by John Voelker who, under the pen name “Robert Traver,” wrote Trout Madness and other fly fishing classics. This rod can be seen in a photo from the book Anatomy of a Fisherman (the photo was also used on the cover of a late-1970’s issue of Fly Fisherman magazine) ; Voelker is seated in the woods, smoking a cigar, with the rod propped up in front of him on a broken pine. It is a long rod with a single thumb depression carved into the cork grip. Michigan writer James McCollough told me that Voelker’s grandson let him cast the rod. McCullough described it as having a stiffer butt and midsection so that it fished well from a canoe.

TWO PHY FLY RODS, purchased by Blair Coursen, President, General Biological Supply House, Chicago Illinois. A trout rod owned by Mr. Coursen and a second rod built for his son. Length and other characteristics unknown; probably primarily fished for trout. Known to me only from a satisfied-customer testimonial letter printed in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: The second rod arrived and my son was very much pleased with it. The rod you made for me had a real workout in August and I like it so well I used it every day, although I had 5 other rods with me. I think it no exaggeration to say that my Young rod played at least six hundred pounds of trout during August…”

PHY 8’0″ DRY FLY ROD for HDG line, owned by Dr. Paul Hudson of Atlanta, GA. The rod is mentioned in a letter published in the circa 1955 (red cover, photo of Ned Jewett) PHY tackle catalog. Excerpts from Dr. Paul Hudson’s letter to PHY: “Dear Paul: The little 8′ Dry fly rod you sent me is a honey and I have never enjoyed fishing before as much in all my life… All of your rods down here are still going strong and I do not know of anyone who is not highly pleased with your products. This, with my rods included, makes about 14 down this way that are giving great satisfaction…”

PHY MIDGE sold through Union Supply Co. for a Dr. Hudson, may be the same Dr. Paul Hudson of Atlanta, GA mentioned above. Known from a letter written by PHY to Chauncy K. Lively, dated August 16, 1956. PHY wrote, “Tomorrow we ship a rod to the Supply Co. for a Dr. Hudson (Midge).” It is not known whether this rod would have had a serial number.

PHY 8’6″ PARA 16
PHY 8’0″ PARA 15
8’6″ SPECIAL DRY FLY w/ 15/64 ferrule
8’0″ DRY FLY w/ 15/64 ferrule
8’0″ DRY FLY w/ 14/64 ferrule, all five owned by A.L. Lombard of Binghamton, NY.
 The five rods are listed in a letter published in the circa 1955 (red cover, photo of Ned Jewett) PHY tackle catalog. Excerpts from Lombard’s letter to PHY: “Dear Mr. Young… Your rods, your sticks, all your materials are the best I have ever used… the workmanship is tops, and your tapers are tops…”

PHY PERFECTIONIST and
PHY Para 15, both built for Ernest Schwiebert, Jr.
  The two rods are listed in a letter published in the 1958 (brown cover, illustration of the PHY shop at 17701 West 8 Mile Road in Detroit) PHY tackle catalog. Build dates are not known, although the Perfectionist is mentioned by PHY in a letter to Chauncy K. Lively, dated August 16, 1956: “I will also ship a Perfectionist to Ernest Schwiebert, who mentioned meeting you and Aikes [George Aiken, Chauncy Lively’s brother-in-law] on the Letort. He has waited quite some time, but we ran out of sticks, had to make them from scratch.” These two rods may be serially numbered. Excerpts from Ernest Schwiebert’s letter to PHY published in the 1958 PHY catalog: “Dear Paul: Have used the ‘Perfectionist’ to excellent advantage. Rainbows to two pounds, using flies and nymphs size 16 with Platyl .0047. Have been the only one consistently getting fish from the lake, and the little rod is a sheer pleasure to use. Have also used the Para 15 widely, since it is an excellent all around Western model… I recently took ten rainbows with mine between 14 and 16 inches, all long range casting, but the flies were my tiny Letort Beetles for limestone streams in Pennsylvania. Cordially, Ernest Schwiebert.”

—————- (end, “Significant Rods Built for Special People”) ————–

PHY “MIDGE” FLY RODS

FIRST PHY MIDGE rod ever built, 
plus

A second PHY MIDGE rod, built 1958, fully finished with owner’s name, plus

A PHY “J.C. Salyer” lightweight bamboo spinning rod, all built for Herbert F. D’Sinter

On page 30 of the Spring 1981 issue of The American Fly Fisher (Vol. 8, No. 2), a letter from Herbert D’Sinter was printed, in which D’Sinter told how he encouraged PHY to build the first Midge rod. D’Sinter, who had been fishing Michigan’s Au Sable River for small trout using eight- to nine-foot rods, wrote: “On one of my visits to Paul’s DSporting Goods Store (he had previously made up an excellent Bamboo Spinning Rod for me) I decided I would discuss with him the make-up of a 2 piece Bamboo rod… preferably not longer than 6 1/2 feet… at the outset Paul wasn’t too impressed with the idea of a shorter rod… What Paul handed over to me in response to my request for a short rod with sufficient power to handle my HEH silk lines was a 2 piece 6 foot three inch set of bamboo sections, the very first Young made rod that was later to be named by Paul the – “MIDGE.” I worked with this shorter rod for a few years – found it to be somewhat parabolic – casting exceptionally well in the 30-40 foot range – and was very versatile in handling terminal tackle…” In 1958 D’Sinter returned to PHY’s shop in Detroit and showed him the first Midge. PHY told D’Sinter that after D’Sinter left the shop with his original Midge, PHY “…decided to make up a few of them for his wealthy friends and patrons around Detroit. When they came back with glowing praise… this prompted Paul to get into full gear to make and promote the model more extensively.” When D’Sinter again returned to the store a few months later in 1958, PHY told him, “I’ve been waiting for you to come back as I’ve been saving something for you since our last visit. Whereupon he went back to his rod making area and came back with a completed rod..” a finished Midge which he gave D’Sinster in thanks for getting him started on building the very successful line of Midge rods. “What I received was a 2 tip – 2 piece Bamboo Fly Rod – 6 feet – 3 inch with these inscriptions: Herbert D’Sinter – May ’58 / “Midge” 6’3″ – 1.75 oz. / Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker.” It is possible that this rod built in 1958 has a serial number, but it is listed here to keep the story of D’Sinter’s three PHY rods complete and intact in one place in the PHY Database. The Spring 1981 issue with the full letter by D’Sinter may be found online at http://www.amff.com/assets/images/archived-journals/1981-Vol08-No2web.pdf

PHY MIDGE built and marked as 6’0″, not the usual 6’3″, dark flamed cane, could be an oil finish based on looking at posted photos, dual bright sliding bands over cork reel seat with larger-diameter cork button at butt end to keep rings from sliding off, bright rings have crisscross knurling on front and rear edges, cigar grip, solid black wraps on snake guides, decorative spiral black wrap at front of cork grip, dark blued aluminum ferrules, rod weight 1.72 oz. Paul H. Young’s handwriting seen on two flats on the butt section, first flat: Samuel Schaflander (and then possibly) Inkster M (the edge of the photo cuts off the rest of the writing. Could the rest be M.D. …?). Second flat: “Midge”  6′ – 1.72 oz.  H.E.H.  Appeared to have green bag in photo, no tube seen. Photos posted to Collectors Weekly site in 2013.

PHY “The Honey,” 6’2″ MIDGE-like rod, likely assembled by Don E. West, dated March 26, 1954. 6’2″, 2/2, dark flamed cane, oil finish, cork sliding band seat, chunk of cork missing from cork at end of seat that holds the rings on, black rings without knurling are unusual, cigar grip, black wraps very short, no wraps at tip tops consistent with other PHY rods assembled by Don E. West, aluminum ferrules, rod weight 1.7 oz. (not the more commonly listed 1-3/4 oz. weight. for a 6’3″ Midge). Not Paul H. Young’s handwriting on cane. Inked in handwriting that I attribute to Don E. West of Dallas, TX, on three flats. First flat:  To Bill Teigle (? – last name is hard to read) 3-26-54Second flat: From Paul Young Third flat: 6′-2″ “The Honey” / 1.7 oz.  One tip was missing tip top, and the other tip was cracked just below the tip top, when seen on eBay. Sold for $2144.17 on eBay, late December 2011.

PHY MIDGE, early, built with snake guide in place of stripper guide, 6’3″, MJK calls it 2/1 configuration but adds, “second tip has invisible wrap 12″ up” (?), dark flamed cane, cork sliding band seat, cigar grip with thumb depression, black wraps, oxidized featherweight ferrules, 1-1/2 oz., not the more common 1-3/4 oz. weight. Snake guide in place of a stripper is a mark of a very early Midge, according to MJK. MJK catalog 69 (1996).

PHY MIDGE built and marked as 6’4″, not the usual 6’3″, the rod was described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK catalog no. 45 (1986): “Remarkable Original by: PAUL YOUNG 6’4″ Midge (and so marked) not usual 6’3″, 2/2, 1 3/4 oz., for 4/5, used twice. excepting bug spray reaction to varenish on tiny area, rod is 99% new, richly dark, gorgeous and rare. $1125.” The description does not indicate whether or not this rod was dated or had a serial number.

PHY MIDGE built April 1953 for John Sweeney, Jr.  6’3″, 2/2. Varnished flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. End cork button is a replacement by Bob Summers. Cigar grip. Solid black wraps except small decorative spiral wrap in front of cork grip. Black aluminum ferrules. Inked on three flats, the name of the owner – John Sweeney, Jr. – and the date – April 1953 – are on one flat. Other flats: “Midge” 6′-3″ 1.75 oz  H.E.H. and: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker. Maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. The Sweeney family was among Paul Young’s best clients in Detroit. The Sweeneys had a fishing cabin in northern Michigan. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, April 2014, for $4000.

PHY MIDGE, Featherweight Model, 1.73 oz., built June 1954 for Harry Brown, 6’3″, 2/2, inked in PHY’s handwriting, first flat: Harry Brown – June ’54 second flat: “Midge” 6’3″ – 1.73 oz. H.E.H. third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker Dual band cork seat, slightly tapered cigar grip, satin oil finish, black wraps with decorative spiral wrap at front end of cork grip, featherweight ferrules, gray bag & tube. Seen October 2008 at this Japanese web site: http://www.bamboorod.jp/shopdetail/005001000022/order/
Probably the same rod is the Midge listed in Fall 2005
 in Carmine Lisella’s “Jordan-Mills Rod Co.” catalog no. 25. Year date given as 1954, no month given; ferrules are described as “jappanned aluminum,” all else the same except no owner name given, no spiral wrap mentioned.
And probably the same rod is the Midge listed in 1998
 by Martin J. Keane as a Featherweight Model, 1.73 oz., built June 1954, 6’3, 2/2, dual band cork seat, slightly tapered cigar grip, satin oil finish, black wraps, featherweight ferrules, orig. bag & tube. No owner name given. MJK catalog 76 (1998).
PHY MIDGE built June 1954 for Ad Holton, 6’3″, 2/2. Dual bright rings over cork reel seat. Diagonal engraved markings on rings look like they may be handmade rather than machined (see similar rings on Lloyd Lawson Midge built in the following month, July 1954). Cigar grip looks a bit shorter than similar grips. There is no thread wrap at the front of the cork grip. There are two snake guides on the butt of this rod; there is no stripping guide. Black-finished lightweight aluminum ferrules look pristine, although cork grip is dirty, as seen in photos provided in June 2014. Butt is inked on three flats in PHY’s handwriting. First flat: To Ad Holton – best regards, Les Ruwa  June 1954  Second flat: “Midge” 6′-3″ 1.75 oz  H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. (I am not certain that the gift giver’s last name was “Ruwa,” as the photo isn’t completely clear). Brown satin bag with greenish tinge, and Champion-style tube. Thanks to Michael Crutcher for information and photos.

PHY MIDGE built July 1954 for Lloyd Lawson, Dearborn, MI, 6’3″, 2/2. Inked on three flats; First flat: Lloyd Lawson Dearborn July 1954 Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1.75 oz H.E.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit MakerReported by “mikestan” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. (See PHY #2226, a Para 17 also built for Lloyd Lawson, in the list of serial-numbered PHY rods).

PHY MIDGE built 1954 by PHY, refinished 2012 by R.W. Summers, 6’3″, 2/2. Bob Summers wrote, “The wraps were cracking and bug dope had messed up the writing in front of handle. I have refinished the rod and replaced the writing and added that I refinished it. The rod was originally built by Paul H. Young in 1954.” Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork. Cigar grip. Black aluminum ferrules. Solid, brown wraps. Hookkeeper. New writing by Bob Summers on three flats, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Midge 6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  Second flat: Built 1954 refinished Jan. 2012  Third flat: by R.W. Summers. Bag and tube. Offered for $3200. on Summers’ web site, February 2010.

PHY MIDGE built for Reuben Craig, MD, of Kokomo, Indiana, no details available, known solely from Craig’s undated testimonial letter published in PHY catalog, 1958. The rod may have a serial number. Excerpt from the letter: “Dear Paul: I just put away my ‘Midge’ rod after its first season and truthfully, I never had so much fun with a trout rod…”

PHY MIDGE built for Howard M. Swartz of Pittsburgh, PA, who also owned a Para 15, no details available, known solely from Swartz’s undated testimonial letter published in PHY catalog, 1958. Since Swartz sent a check and the letter appeared in the catalog, I feel sure that the rod was built and delivered. The rod may have a serial number. Excerpt from the letter: “Dear Mr. Young: Will you please send me the ‘Midge’ fly rod, the Hardy ‘Uniqua’ reel and the King Eider H.E.H. fly line. Check is enclosed. I hope the Midge rod will come through as beautifully made, with as straight sections and as effortless an action as the ‘Parabolic 15’ which I purchased last summer, and with which I am more than pleased. The Parabolic 15 is a delight to use.”

PHY MIDGE built for Ken Ballas of Egypt, PA. Known solely from KB’s letter published in the 1958 (brown cover, illustration of the PHY shop at 17701 West 8 Mile Road in Detroit) PHY tackle catalog. Build date is not known; the rod may be serially numbered.

PHY MIDGE marked 1955, 6’3″, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over mortised cork reel seat, aluminum ferrules (rings and ferrules look almost new in photos), gold wraps with no decorative spirals, hookkeeper, inked lettering in unknown handwriting on two flats. First flat: Paul Young “Midge”  Second flat: 1955  The lettering may indicate a refinish, particularly as Paul Young’s middle letter “H.”, so often seen, is not on this rod. Inking of “1955” is heavier and darker. I do not think it is meant as a serial number; it seems more likely to indicate an approximate date. Thanks to Steven Sanders.

PHY MIDGE, 6’3″, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over mortised cork reel seat, black aluminum ferrules, black wraps with no decorative spirals, cigar grip, early PHY Midge rod, refinished by Bob Summers circa year 2000, inked lettering in Summers’ handwriting from refinish, one flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Detroit  Mi–  Offered for sale on Bob Summers’ web site, August 2015.

PHY MIDGE built for D. Gordon Rupe of Dallas, Texas, 6’3″, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, cigar grip, dual black rings over mortised cork reel seat, cloth tape added where reel seat fits against mortised cork, probably done years ago by owner, final cork is large to keep rings from sliding off, has many hook digs in end and some cork is worn away. A snake guide in place of a stripping guide. Aluminum ferrules: the two male ferrules on each tip are not identical. Black solid wraps for guides, ferrules, tip tops. Decorative black spiral wrap at front of cork grip; no hookkeeper. Inked lettering in PHY’s handwriting on three flats, plus ink-stamp lettering appears to be used for owner’s name, plus some lettering is worn away and only traces remain. First flat: D. Gordon Rupe plus ink remnants of lost lettering.  Second flat: “MIDGE” 6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit, Maker. Green woven bag, tube marked D. Gordon Rupe, Dallas. From “solitaryangle,” Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY MIDGE built for Walt Johnson, pioneer of Pacific Northwest steelhead fly fishing. Known to me solely from a passage in the book Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies by Trey Combs; this is a quotation of Walt Johnson’s own words about what happened after he tried small Orvis rods for steelhead fishing: “It was only when I finally purchased one of the marvelous little midge rods made by Paul Young, that master rod builder of Detroit, Michigan, that I felt I was approaching the goal I had set for myself. This rod has a fine delicate tip yet an amazing amount of power for its weight and length. With it I have been able to take many steelhead to 11 1/2 pounds on a dry fly.”Build date is not known; the rod may be serially numbered.

—————- (end of PHY Midge rods) ————–

PHY “LITTLE GIANT” FLY RODS

PHY LITTLE GIANT, the first one ever built, 6’6″, 2/2, about 2-3/4 oz.  Known to me solely from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated October 13, 1956. PHY wrote, “Don’t remember if I told you, we have another new baby, the ‘Little Giant.’ It’s 6’6″, around 2 3/4 oz., and handles an H.D.H. at from 15 feet to the length of the store. I first made one for a fellow who has a brush stream with some fine specks in it, and he wanted a short powerful rod to flick flies under the brush. He liked the rial rod so well, he has interested some friends in it, so we will catalog it another year. It’s on a 14 ferrule, and has more punch than the Driggs, which is on a 13 ferrule.” To my knowledge, the Little Giant did not become a cataloged rod model. One would expect most if not all Little Giant rods to have originally been serial numbered, although this could have been lost in refinishing. The earliest serial numbered Little Giant is #2125. It could conceivably be this same rod, or one made for the original purchaser’s friends.

PHY LITTLE GIANT, 6’6″, 2/2, flamed varnished cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumb indentation, featherweight aluminum ferrules with cork ferrule plug, black wraps with decorative spiral wrap just forward of grip, inked first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker second flat: “Little Giant – 6’6” – 2.45 oz. H.D.H. third flat: Fer. 14/64 Tip Top 5/64 Rod was owned by a Pennsylvania dentist, purchased on eBay by “firehole” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for $2100, and sold through Bob Summers for $3200 in 2005. firehole: “I should have kept it since the rod was a cannon with either a 5/6 line. Never met a Young I didn’t like.” Shown to me in Sept. 2014 at the Catskill Rod Gathering.

PHY LITTLE GIANT, 7’0″, 2/2, 2.72 oz., marked “Little Giant” 7′ – 2.72 oz. HDH 14/13/5 Paul H. Young Co. Detroit, Maker All cork straight grip, reel seat is dual bright bands over cork, decorative spiral wrap at front of grip, black anondized aluminum ferrules. Restored condition, original tube. Lot 86 at Lang’s January 3, 2004 auction, sold for $3300 (includes buyers premium) at Boxborough, MA.
Probably the same rod is the 7’0″ Little Giant listed in 1984 by Martin J. Keane, also 7’0″ and exactly 2.72 oz., flamed cane, recently professionally refinished and retaining original markings. “Only two known to exist,” claimed MJK. Offered for $850 in Special Quickie Holiday Catalog 1984, consisting of four legal-size stapled sheets, very different from MJK’s usual bound catalogs.

PHY LITTLE GIANT, 6’6″, 2/2, flamed varnished cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumb indentation, gold wraps with decorative spiral wrap just forward of grip, inked first flat: “Little Giant” 6’6″ – 2.70oz. H.D.H. second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Known from a forum member of the CFRF 2018.

—————- (end of PHY Little Giant rods) ————–

PHY “DRIGGS” FLY RODS

PHY DRIGGS, 7’2″, circa 1953-1955. First flat inked: Paul H. Young Det. Maker Second flat inked: Driggs 7’2″ 2 7/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane, dual rings over cork, light bronze wraps nearly blend into cane color, Garrison/Ritz style grip. Rod was reportedly built for a man named Bonbright. This may (or may not) be William P. Bonbright of Grosse Point, Michigan. Sold by Bob Summers to quashnet of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY DRIGGS, 7’2″, 2/2. Varnished and flamed cane, dual black knurled rings over cork, transparent brown wraps nearly blend into cane color, Garrison/Ritz style grip, blued ferrules. Period Bomber aluminum tube and green bag with light green stitching. Inked on three flats: Barney Fisher – Dallas – Apr. 1954. /  “DRIGGS RIVER” Special 7’2″ – 2.57oz. Fer . 13/64 TipTop 4 1/2 /64  /  Paul H. Young maker Det.  Per the listing on Bob Summers’ web site March 2020: I have made 2 new tips , cork handle & refinished butt The writing is 90% original by Paul Young I had to touch it up in a few spots. Listed for $3,750.00.

PHY DRIGGS, 7’2″, 2 7/8 oz. Varnished flamed cane. Sales listing doesn’t say whether or not this Driggs rod has a serial number. It is listed here to document use of black screwlock cork seat and truncated (shorter male sections) Super-Z ferrules. Bag, tube, and custom-made canvas outer bag. MJK catalog no 71 (1996).

PHY DRIGGS, known only from one mention in a letter from PHY to Chauncy Lively, dated January 19, 1955. It appears that PHY customer Russ Malone offered some fishing on private water (probably Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania). The letter discusses how the Lively and Young families might arrange to go fishing together on Malone’s water. At the end of the letter PHY wrote: “He won’t lose out as I’ll surprise him with a Driggs.” Assuming the rod was built and given to Malone, it may be identifiable if his name was inked on the rod. See the Para 15 section for a rod that Malone definitely owned.

PHY DRIGGS or similar 7’2″ fly rod built for David Roush of Palo Alto, CA, known to me solely from Roush’s letter to PHY published in the 1958 or possibly 1959 PHY catalog; excerpts: “Having used one of your 7’2″ fly rods from the Neversink to the Rising River in california, I can say I have never seen any better. Now I’m interested in a small trout rod for my wife and a Steelhead rod for myself.” The letter is undated, and the rod is possibly serial-numbered.

—————- (end of PHY Driggs rods) ————–

PHY 6’0″ rod, purchased late 1954, 6’0″, 2/2 (second tip 1/2″ short), 2-3/4 oz., Wells grip, red wraps, screwlock seat with unmarked Young cap, MJK catalog no. 55 (1990) and 56 and 57 (1991). The same rod was listed seven years later by Keane, with these additional notes: “…vg+ cond. varnish, though not smooth, should polish out to be very acceptable; has replacement bag & scarce & exc. Payne tube & cap,” – quote from MJK catalog no. 74 (1998).

PHY 6’0″ rod, “reconstructed” from mid and tip of old 9’0″ 3/2 PHY Prosperity rod, built on South Bend blank. Described to me by owner Ken Elmer, who in the late 1980s bought the rod as a “handyman special” from Len Codella. Hoagy Carmichael suggested the South Bend origin of the blank. The 9’0″ rod cast badly and the handle was clearly a replacement anyway, so Elmer made a very nice six-foot rod from the mid and tip sections.

PHY 7’0″ rod built July 1949 for Warren Cooksey, PHY’s physician. 7’0″, 2/2, 2-7/8 oz., 13/64″ ferrule, 5/64″ tip top. Varnished flamed cane. Dual rings over cork with cork button at end of reel seat. Long, straight, slender grip. decorative spiral thread wraps characteristic of a Special DeLuxe-grade rod. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: Warren Cooksie from Walter Anderson July 1949. Second flat: 7′ – 2 7/8 oz.  13/64 Fer.  5/64 TipTop  H.E.H. Line  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker  Bag and fiber tube with cap that looks like the caps made for the B-24 aircraft aluminum tubes, plus a new aluminum bottom cap milled by Bob Summers. Reported by “dcfly” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum who is the grandson of Warren Cooksey, who was Paul Young and Martha Marie Young’s doctor. Cooksey’s name was misspelled by PHY as “Cooksie” on the rod. dcfly speculates that Anderson may have been a patient of Dr. Cooksey who commissioned PHY to build the rod. dcfly reported this story about his grandfather: “I went on a house call with him once to Martha’s house on the Au sable River when I was in my early or pre-teens. She handed me a bamboo rod and some flies to try my luck on the river while my grandfather treated her. I caight some pretty nice ones, as I recall. When I returned, Martha handed me a bag of nickels to play a slot machine she had in her living room. That was probably my first taste of fishing a bamboo rod, as well as gambling!”

PHY 7’0″ rod, 2/1 (probably missing a tip), built 1947-8, 2-1/2 oz., no mottled flaming, dual rings over mortised cork reel seat, both rings diagonally knurled front and back, cigar grip, rod has been refinished and lettering is probably by Bob Summers, butt inscribed 7  2 1/2 oz.  11/64 ferrule  3/64 Tip Top  I.G.I. Line  /  Paul H. Young  Detroit  M—? 1947  Bag is inked 7′ – 2 1/2 oz.  /  Mar. ’48   Photos shown by reelsmith Sept. 2012 on Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY 7’0″ rod built 1949 with one dry fly tip and one “bug” tip, 7’0″, 2/2, inscribed Sept 49 – signed Paul H. Young Detroit 2.9302 Bamboo weight 2.0002 – all cork reel seat, slide band – information drawn from the late Joe Garman’s web site of antique tackle for sale. Garman died in 2006.

PHY 7’0″ rod built 1956, 7’0″, 2/2, hand-inked Paul H. Young Co. Det. 56 / 7′ 3.49 oz. 14/64 Fer. 6/64 T.T. Bright, downlocking screwlock reel seat over cork, Garrison/Ritz grip with dual thumb depressions, decorative spiral green wraps. One tip short, and its green wraps are a slightly lighter tint than the other two sections. Ferrule fit on the short tip was a bit worn and needed adjustment when inspected by Jim Bresko in Sept. 2008. Jim speculated that the rod was originally built as a 2/1 prototype, with the second (now short) tip built later without regard to matching exact thread color. Rod was not cast by Jim, who believes it might take a WF6 or DT6 line. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.

PHY 7’0″ rod built circa 1950 for J.A. Irwin of Columbus, Ohio. 7’0″, 2/2, 2-3/4 oz. Varnished flamed cane (refinished by Bob Summers). Dual black rings over cork with cork button at end of reel seat. Long, straight, slender grip. decorative spiral thread wrap at front of grip. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: J.A. Irwin – Columbus, Ohio. Second flat: 7′ – 2 3/4 oz.  H.E.H. (it appears that there was more writing on this line of text, which has been erased)  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker.  Refinished rod originally had gold-colored ferrules (see last photo), which as of 2023 are now blued. Reported by “ReelPatina” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY 7’6″, 2/2, 3-1/2 oz. fly rod built 1945 for J.B. Schlotman. Varnished cane, rare wartime rod assembled by PHY using a blank from another, larger fishing tackle maker, most likely South Bend. Unusual bright metal winding check. Decorative spiral thread wrap i front of winding check. Inked handwriting by PHY plus rare ink stamp. Inked writing, first flat: J.B.S. ’45  Second flat: 7 1/2′ – 3 1/2 oz. H.E.H.  Then, on next flat, ink stamp in capital letters, two lines: MAKER, PAUL H. YOUNG / DETROIT, MICH. Thanks to Jeff Carmel for this report on this rod belonging to his grandfather, J.B. Schlotman (1882 – 1951), who was the first golf professional at the Detroit Golf Club at the age of 18, and one of the top national amateurs for many years. Schlotman was a dedicated outdoorsman and freshwater fisherman who fished the Au Sable River in Michigan, which might have kept him in contact with the Youngs. But Schlotman’s big love may have have been Atlantic salmon fishing on the Grand Cascapedia, where he had a lodge. The Schlotman family had other Young rods. Two are currently known: a Heddon-based Young owned by Mrs. Schlotman, and a spinning rod owned by Schlotman’s son (Jeff Carmel’s father).

PHY 7’6″, 3/2 fly rod. 7’6″, 2/1, varnished cane, South Bend=style reel seat, half Wells grip, green solid wraps (refinish?), inked on two flats, does not look like PHY’s handwriting, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det. Maker  Second flat: 7 1/2 FT.  4 oz.  H.D.H.  One stripping guide on butt, three snake guides on mid, four snake guides plus tip top on each tip. Green bag. Tube is brown material with press fit black cap and metal base.

PHY 7’6″ rod built for Carolyn Miller dated June 1953. 7’6″, 2/1, mottled flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, cap and ring over cork, straight cork grip with single thumb indentation, marked Paul H. Young Co., Detroit mich. – Carolyn Miller June ’53 7 1/2′ – 3.49 Oz. – Bamboo Wt. 2.37 Oz., also marked Fer – 14/64 tip top 4 1/2/64 Z.N. Bag and tube. Lot #474, Lang’s Fall Auction of Fishing Tackle & Accessories, November 14, 1998, Boxborough, MA.

PHY 7’6″ rod built for Charles McClaren, 1949. 7’6″, 2/2 (replacement tips), 3-3/4 oz. Known solely from McClaren’s letter to PHY published in the 1958 PHY Co. catalog: Dear Sir: I am in need of replacement tips for my 7 1/2′ 3-3/4 oz. rod of 1949 vintage. I might add this rod, my favorite for seven years, has seen exceptional service in all the northwestern states, British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Alaska. The rod built with Missouri fishing in mind has served well in the fast streams and on heavy fish of the west, but the tips were no match for my Weimaraner pup. – CHARLES McCLAREN, St. Louis, Mo.

PHY “Nymph Special Junior,” 7’6”, 2/2. Original brown satin bag and Champion-style tube. Varnished, dark flamed cane. Black cap and ring over cork; cap is round, non-pocketed style, with Detroit stamp. Ritz grip. Brown wraps, solid at snake guides, decorative spiral thread wrap in front of cork grip. Stripping guide and two snake guides on butt. Six snake guides and tip top guide on each tip. Lettering on two flats is visible in photos,. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. – Maker  Second flat: 7 ½ ‘  Bamboo wt. 2.06 oz. Special Nymph HEH HEG  A smaller version of the 9’0” Nymph Special advertised by PHY in early 1950s catalogs, the Nymph Junior is described in the circa 1955 catalog (red cover with picture of Ned Jewett holding a salmon). This example was sold for $3279.87 on eBay, May 2011.

PHY 7’6” fly rod, 2/2. Varnished, dark flamed cane. Black cap and ring over mortised cork; cap is round, non-pocketed style, with Detroit stamp. Small, half Wells grip. Dark wraps, solid at snake guides, decorative spiral thread wrap in front of cork grip. Stripping guide and two snake guides on butt. Six snake guides and tip top guide on each tip. Lettering on two flats is visible in photos and appears to be by Bob Summers, indicating that rod was refinished. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. – Maker  Second flat: 7 ½ ‘  2.48 oz. H.D.H.  Bag and B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Sold by Hoagy Carmichael for $1550. on eBay, January 2012.

PHY 7’6” fly rod, 2/2, built for Robert Parnall, October 1951. Varnished, flamed cane. Black cap and ring over mortised cork; cap is round, non-pocketed style, with Detroit stamp. Half Wells grip. Brown wraps, solid at snake guides, decorative spiral thread wrap in front of cork grip. Lettering on three flats in PHY’s handwriting. First flat: Robert Parnall  Oct. ’51  Second flat: 7 ½ – 3.32 oz. H.E.H.  Bamboo wt. 2.17 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 13/64  Tip Tops 4/64  Green bag and B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Thanks to 123honus of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Seen again Vintage Fly Tackle July 2018. Noted one male ferrule repaired.


PHY “PERFECTIONIST” FLY RODS

PHY PERFECTIONIST, very early rod built for artist Ken Soderquist pre-dates July 1954, possibly built before the taper was given its name. 7’6″. Known to me solely from a letter of July 23, 1954 written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively. Having mentioned “…my artist friend, Ken Soderquist, who is big enough to go bear hunting with his fist,” PHY wrote, “Ken has the mate to my one-tipped rod, the 7 1/2 oz. 2.49 oz. that I am ready to call the ne plus ultra in light rods.” More mentions of this taper were made in letters through the second half of 1954, and the name “Perfectionist” was used for it near the end of the year.

PHY PERFECTIONIST dated Christmas 1954. 7’6″, 2/2, flamed cane, black anodized aluminum ferrules, black wraps, bright dual rings over cork, double thumb indentations, marked Perfectionist 7-1/2 Ft. – 2.55 Oz. H.E.H. Sidney Small – Xmas 1954. Original cloth bag and Cal-Air tube. Sold July 1, 1988, R.W. Oliver’s Fourth Annual Summer Auction of Fishing Tackle & Related Items, lot #597, $3700. Also sold January 3, 2004, Lang’s auction, lot #145, $3850. plus buyers premium.

PHY PERFECTIONIST built for George B. Garrett of Philadelphia, PA. Known solely from GBG’s letter published in the 1958 (brown cover, illustration of the PHY shop at 17701 West 8 Mile Road in Detroit) PHY tackle catalog. Build date is not known; the rod may be serially numbered.

—————- (end of PHY Perfectionist rods) ————–

PHY “MARTHA MARIE” FLY RODS

PHY 7’6″ Modified Parabolic rod with Martha Marie taper similarities, three tips, with rod tube plus labeled PHY shipping tube. 7’6″, 2/3 (one tip short). Varnished, flamed cane, tan/gold wraps, “Detroit”-marked cap and ring over cork, half wells grip, butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats, First flat: Mod. Parabolic – 7 ½’ – 3.54 oz. H.D.H. Second flat: Bamboo wt. 2.50 oz. Photos show that one of the tips is inked: Fer. 14/64 Tip Top 4 1/2/64 Typed shipping label to: Mr. Robert Hesick, 151 So. Prospect St., Kalamazoo, Mich. Tube has Paul H. Young Co. pre-printed labels in green ink, business address is the W. Eight Mile Road address in Detroit, post office cancellation indicates package was sent from Detroit but unfortunately a date cannot be seen. This rod caused a bit of a stir in 2007 when it came to public attention as a raffle prize for a Michigan trout conservation group. Because of its length and other measurements, some said that it was a prototype for the Martha Marie model, or even that it was a rod that Mrs. Young once owned. It was not Mrs. Young’s rod, as far as I know. It may or may not be a prototype, but it shares very close measurements with the taper of the Martha Marie rod that I own. If it was sent new in the mailing tube, it would have been built years after the Martha Marie model had already gone into production. However, the shipment of an early rod could have been done after it had been damaged and sent back to the PHY shop for a new third tip to be built. The lack of a serial number also points to a date of 1955 or earlier. As with many PHY rods, there are some unanswered questions. The rod shows indications of wear due to frequent fishing.

PHY 7’6″ Parabolic dry and nymph rod.
 7’6″, 2/2. Taper unknown but might be similar to a Martha Marie. Varnished, flamed cane, black screwlock reel seat over cork, “Detroit”-marked cap, ventilated half Wells grip built from ten corks, brown wraps, refinished by Bob Summers, butt inked in Bob Summers’s handwriting on four flats, First flat: Model Parabolic Dry and Nymph…  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich….  Third flat: H.B. Smith III July ’54….  Fourth flat: 7 1/2′  3.36 oz.  H.E.H. Bamboo wt. 2.47 (?) oz.  One tip 1/2″ short, repaired hook dig on one tip, replacement bag and B-24 tube.

PHY 7’6″ unmarked rod, tube labeled “Martha Marie,” may be a kit rod. 7’6″, 2/2. 13/64″ ferrule. Measured weight 3.1 oz.  Dual bright rings, with diagonal markings on edges of each ring, over mortised cork reel seat with cork end button, all appears to be PHY’s cork work and hardware. Old varnish over flamed cane, no ink markings on rod. 13/64″ Rewrapped using black thread. PHY ferrule predates Super-Z.  Brown bag with darker brown piping looks like PHY origin. Nondescript aluminum tube has red “MARTHA MARIE” tape label attached. Early 1950s is likely build date if use of the “Martha Marie” model name applies to this rod. This may have been a kit rod sold by PHY with grip assembly and ferrules already provided and installed, and the rest of the rod finished by the owner. Rod may never have been inked with an inscription, or a bad refinish may have removed inked lettering. Thanks to webfly of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for report. As of July 2014, his plan is to send the rod to Bob Summers for restoration.

PHY “MARTHA MARIE” dated August 1953. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.56 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, bronze wraps, black cap and ring cork mortised seat, Detroit stamp on cap, cigar grip with thumbprint flat, inked in PHY’s handwriting Aug. ’53, also “MarthaM. model, 7 1/2′ – 3.56 oz. H.D.H., also Bamboo wt. – 2.46 oz. Was owned by rdsphoto, now owned by poudre1 of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY “MARTHA MARIE” dated April 1955. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.28 oz., very dark varnished, flamed cane with deluxe bright bronze wraps; sliding band cork mortised seat, ventilated cigar grip with thumbprint flat, blued super-Z ferrules. MJK catalog no 64 (1994).

—————- (end of PHY Martha Marie rods) ————–

PHY 8’0″ TROUT FLY ROD, 14/64″ ferrule, 4/64″ tip top built for noted artist Walter Weber, known to me as described in a letter dated January 27, 1955, from PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively. At this time, Walter Weber was a staff artist and naturalist for the National Geographic Society. Weber was the first person to design TWO federal duck stamps. PHY and CKL were planning a fishing trip, and Weber had been invited by PHY to join the group. PHY wrote, “…Walter Weber, to join us for two or three days, in the jaunt to the Brodhead… Walter has one of the first 8-14-4 rods I built, and in a recent letter tells of lots of 3-4 lb. browns in Montana last summer. He and Dr. Garnett Auldt have been our guests in Mich. and they are the kind it takes to round out a party of conservation-minded fishermen.”

PHY 8’0″ TROUT FLY ROD, 14/64″ ferrule, 4-1/2 / 64″ tip top, rated for HEH line. Appears to be a late 1940s rod. Taper unknown, could be parabolic or progressive action, so unsure whether this might be an example of a Para 14. Bright round (non-pocketed) butt cap with “Detroit” stamp and bright ring over cork reel seat. Very gently shaped Half Wells grip. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting: 8′ – 14 – 4 1/2 TT  HEH. Green wraps are ragged at base of male ferrule and do not seem original. Solid green wraps at snake guides may or may not be original. Thanks to Dennis Buranek for photos and information.

PHY “WOOFTAIL” ROD, 8’0″, 3/2. With typed label on rod tube stating “Special Dry Fly Rod,” this 8’0″, 3/2 rod built with light-colored cane, cap and ring over cork seat, and thumb depression in cork grip, is marked Madalen – 3-3/4 oz. – ‘Wooftail.’ Seen at R.W. Oliver Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, lot #13; sold for $2500 plus 10% buyer’s premium. At the Oliver auction the rod was accompanied by a letter of authenticity described in the Oliver catalog as signed by Paul Young’s grandson. The letter stated the rod dates from the mid- to late-1930’s and was built for Detroit musician Tommy Avigne, whose wife was named Madalen; Tommy’s pet name for Madalen was “Wooftail.” When seen again at Lang’s January 3, 2004 auction, the letter of authenticity had been lost, and the rod (Lot #146) sold for $700 plus 10% buyer’s premium.

PHY 8’0″, 4 oz. TROUT ROD purchased in 1945 by George M. Halverson of Indianapolis, Indiana. Known solely from Halverson’s testimonial letter published in the 1958 PHY catalog (brown cover illustrated with drawing of the PHY shop at 17701 West 8 Mile Road in Detroit). Excerpt from Halverson’s letter: “…in 1945 I purchased one of your 8 foot 4 oz. rods and outfit. It is my prime fishing possession… a beautiful rod to handle on trout streams.”

PHY 8’0″ ROD dated April 1950, 8’0″, 2/2, probably dry fly taper, not parabolic, rod’s specifications as shown on the inked markings do NOT match any cataloged rod for 1950. Varnished, flamed cane, tan/gold decorative spiral thread wraps, “Detroit”-marked cap, screwlock reel seat (black threading, bright screw ring) over cork, cigar/Ritz grip, butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats, First flat: Detroit Apr. 1950 Second flat: 8′ – 4.30 oz. Bamboo wt – 2.95 oz. Third flat: H.C.H. or H.C.F. The tips are inked: Fer. – .234 (appropriate for a 15/64″ ferrule). Tube was made from war surplus material, specifically aluminum conduit tubing from a B-24 bomber. Thanks to Steve Miner.

PHY 8’0″ TROUT FLY ROD, known solely from listing in MJK Fall/Winter 1982 catalog, 2/2 rod, with one tip 1/2″ short and the other tip with an invisible wrap. Described as “non flame finished.”

PHY “UTILITY” FLY RODS

PHY UTILITY,
 7’6″, 2/2. Varnished cane. Cheap red-metal barrel real seat with bright cap and screwlock rings. Red/black variegated wraps. Utility is ink-stamped on the blank. Green bag and original tube with elongated black cap. Wrapped repair to butt bear female ferrule. Thanks to Jim Bresko of Coldwater Collectibles.

PHY UTILITY, early, two differently tapered tips. 7’6″, 2/2, black wraps. The rod name was stamped on the blank, similar to the way that many “Specials” are stamped. Believed to date from late 1920’s to 1930’s. Reported to have two differently tapered tips, but unlikely to have been built that way by PHY himself as he claimed not to have done so until the 1940s. Described by Jim Bresko, who saw the rod in 2010 at the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo, and felt that the blank might have been produced by South Bend.

PHY UTILITY. 7’6″, 2/1 (probably missing one tip, and the second tip is down by about 12″). Ink-stamped Utilityon butt section. Bright cap and ring over cork. Cap has “Detroit” stamp. There may be some inked markings on the tip; owner reports a P, a Y, and a couple of circles. Nearly level-straight cork grip. Black wraps. Rod looks fairly similar to a PHY-assembled “Prosperity” rod. Given to owner by a 90-year-old man from Michigan.

PHY UTILITY. 8’0”, 2/2. Circa 1950. Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed butt cap is without markings; there is no “Detroit” stamp on the cap. Six-inch-long half Wells grip is made from twelve half-inch corks. Refinished by Bob Summers with solid black wraps throughout. No hookkeeper. Butt section originally was marked only with the Utility ink stamp. Bob Summers added the original owner’s name and the likely build date as follows, Bob Hecklinger 1950, inked on the flat above the flat marked Utility. On the flat below the flat marked Utility, Bob inked that this is a Paul H. Young rod. Green bag and B-24 tube.

PHY UTILITY. 8’6″, 4-7/8 oz., 2/1 (not known whether originally supplied with two tips. Bag and tube are missing). Ink-stamped Utility on butt section. Has interesting paper wrap on cork reel seat; wrap is ink-stamped Utility and handmarked 8 1/2  4 7/8, indicating overall rod length in feet and weight in ounces. Bright pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp and black screwlock cork reel seat. Half Wells cork grip. Cane looks honey blonde, wraps appear dark green in owner’s photos. Rod looks similar to a PHY-assembled “Prosperity” rod.

—————- (end of PHY Utility rods) ————–

PHY “DRY FLY SPECIAL” FLY RODS

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, Heddon-built, dated 1931 and refinished 1953 by PHY.
 Length unknown, 3/2. One tip is quite short. Varnished, brown wraps, ring hookkeeper. “Coke bottle” grip, winding check, and reel seat with its hardware all look typical of Heddon in the 1930s. Inked handwriting inked on rod is from the PHY shop. First flat: Paul H. Young’s Dry Fly Special  Second flat: P.E. Walton – 1931 –  Third flat (in much smaller lettering): ReFin. July 1953. Seen on Joe’s Old Lures Message Board, August 2014.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, very early, once owned by Jim Schaaf, 7-1/2′, 3/2, cap and ring, Detroit stamp on cap, very finely mortised wood seat (cherry? cedar?), cigar grip, metal winding check, ring hookkeeper, swelled butt, orange and black wraps below hookkeeper, black wraps at guides with dark staining of cane at these wraps, plus other black stains (not flame marks) elsewhere, red agate stripping guide, inked handwriting “Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special” on two flats, two tips are each a bit short. Node spacing is random. Aluminum tube with tight-fitting slip-top cap; green bag. Possibly a much-refinished, 1930’s Heddon-built or Heddon kit rod, or a 1930’s rod that Paul Young rebuilt. This kind of guessing is necessary because rod descriptions are vague or non-existent in the 1930’s Young catalog materials. It was the Depression, and Young had to build rods, or subcontract their assembly, using whatever materials might be scrounged at any given time to try to make a buck. So probably rods varied a lot within a given model like the “Dry Fly Special.” The 1933 catalog does say that Dry Fly Specials are 8’0″ or 8’6″. A 7’6″ model is mentioned in the 1937 catalog, as well as a 9’0″ model.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, early, Heddon-based, same inked handwriting “Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special” on two flats as the rod above, 7’6″, 3/2, cap and ring over cork reel seat, dark winding check, ring hookkeeper, swelled butt, similar but not identical wrap pattern below hookkeeper as rod above, attached card on bag reads “Paul H. Young / 7 1/2′ 3.86 oz. – 1 1/2 Fer” – thus combining Paul Young’s typical practice of recording exact rod weight with Heddon’s ferrule size designation. 1930’s? This rod was seen at Bob Selb’s booth at a Lang’s show, around 2006.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, Heddon-based, dated 1939, built for Patricia Schlotman Joy (“P.S.J.”). Length unknown, believed to be 3/2. Cork grip made by PHY, with thumb indentation. Ring hookkeeper. Purple and yellow decorative thread wraps forward of cork grip with black winding check. Rod is inked Paul H. Young / Dry Fly Special / P.S.J. ’39. Her father was J.B. Schlotman (1882 – 1951), who was the first golf professional at the Detroit Golf Club at the age of 18, and one of the top national amateurs for many years. Schlotman was a dedicated outdoorsman and freshwater fisherman who fished the Au Sable River in Michigan, which might have kept him in contact with the Youngs. But Schlotman’s big love may have have been Atlantic salmon fishing on the Grand Cascapedia, where he had a lodge called “Middle Camp.” The Schlotman family had other Young rods. Two others are currently known: a 7’6″ fly rod built by PHY in 1945, probably using a blank by South Bend or a similar tackle maker, and a 1950s 7’6″ 2/1 Spin-Master with 17/64″ ferrule and 9/64″ tip top.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, Heddon-based, 8’0″, 3/2 (one tip is 1-1/2″ short). Described by Bob Summers, when the rod was offered years ago on his web site, as a 1940s rod made by Heddon for the PHY Co.  In the 1970s Bob Summers refinished the rod and installed early style nickle silver ferrules.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, Heddon-based, 8’0″, 3/2, both tips full-length with visible sets. The rod is a Heddon blank with swelled butt that was assembled by Paul H. Young. The half Wells cork grip and the decorative spiral thread wraps are Young’s characteristic work, but the wooden reel seat and hardware are Heddon. The butt is inked in Paul Young’s cursive script hand: Paul H. Young’s Dry Fly Special. On a non-adjacent flat, the butt is also inked: 8′ – 4 1/4. In bag and tube with cap marked Heddon and Dowigiac, MI. There is also a tip tube with bag. Sold on eBay, January 2013, for $890.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, “early,” 8’0″, 3/2, briefly noted in a circa 1984 flier from Allan Liu of the American Sporting Collector.

PHY SPECIAL (originally a Dry Fly Special?), dated 1927 with a 1953 refinish by PHY, 7’0″, 2/2. One tip is 1″ short. Varnished, caramel-color cane, brown wraps. Unmarked cap and ring over cork seat that blends smoothly into a superfine-style grip. Handwriting inked on rod is by PHY and shows good examples of his cursive writing, upper case printing, and lower case printing. Butt is lettered on three flats, First flat: Elms T. Knowlson – Detroit.Second flat: Paul Young’s “SPECIAL” 7′ – 2.78 oz. Third flat: 1927 Model – Re-Fin Mar. ’53. Given the context, this may be a rod built 1927 and heavily rebuilt / refinished in 1953. Looks much like a rod of the 1950’s but has much earlier elements, such as an agate guide and ring hookkeeper. Custom rod tube beautifully engraved in two lines: ELMS T. KNOWLSON / DETROIT. MICH. Inside the tube was a map that may show a fishing camp owned by Knowlson or a friend. Offered on eBay, May 2009.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, early, two differently tapered tips. 7’6″, 3/2, cap and ring over cork reel seat, both cap and shaft are marked but no other information was given, Wells grip, rust wraps w/black tipping, orig. bag, no tube. MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL “Featherweight,” 8’0″, 2/2, 3-5/8 oz. Smoothly flamed cane. Deluxe, delicate brown open spiral wraps at line guides, ferrules, and at front of cork grip (typical of “Special” grade rods). Mortised cork, Garrison /Ritz style reel seat with nickel silver butt cap and ring. Inked on three flats, First flat: 8′  3 5/8 oz  Bamboo wt 2 5/8 oz  Second flat: 14/64 Fer  4/64 Tip Top  HEH  Third flat: Paul H Young – Detroit Maker  Original hang tag on the original rod sack, very rare. Owned by “mosquito” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, Edwards-built. 8’6″, 3/2, varnished, evenly-flamed cane, random nodes, red wraps tipped gold, Edwards ferrules over-wrapped with red thread. Half Wells grip with flat thumb rest “sanded on the left side of the rod, indicating it was for a right-handed caster” (made by PHY? His thumb depressions seen to date appear centered). Walnut reel seat with sliding band and black plastic butt cap and grip check. Butt inscribed with white ink (in script): “Paul H. Young’s Dry Fly Special”. Unmarked bag, Peerless tube. Listed as Lot 302 in Lang’s auction, October 12, 2012.

PHY DRY FLY SPECIAL, Edwards-built. 9’0″, 3/2, varnished, red wraps tipped gold, Edward’s ferrules, brown colored cane. Half Wells grip that appears sanded or cleaned to a new appearance. Black plastic reel seat with metal uplock, black plastic butt cap. Butt inscribed with black ink on two flats (in script): “Paul H. Young  /  Dry Fly Special”. Unmarked light tan bag, Peerless tube with cap, exterior light tan bag for the tube as well. Listed on Bob Summer’s web site Octber 2018 with the following notes: ‘Rod was made by Edwards for the Young Company about 1935. It was getting bag wear. I steel wooled and gave it a light varnish over coat.’

—————- (end of PHY Dry Fly Special rods) ————–

PHY “SPECIAL” FLY RODS

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 7’6″, 2/2. The “Deluxe” version of the late 1940s Special model had the owner’s name hand-inked by PHY on the butt. The butt of this rod is not marked with the typical Special ink stamp, but overall it is clearly a Special Deluxe. The original owner’s name, Clarence H. Kaether, is hand-inked on one flat, plus 7 1/2′  3 1/4 oz.  HEH is hand-inked on an adjacent flat.Varnished, flamed cane. Non-pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp and knurling on front edge, and ring with knurling on front and rear edges, over cork. Half Wells grip. Decorative brown spiral wraps. No hookkeeper. Brown bag. Rod is described as coming in a tube that is missing the cap. Sold on eBay, January 2014.

PHY SPECIAL, 7’6″, 2/2. Butt of this rod is marked with the typical Special ink stamp. Varnished, flamed cane. Non-pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp and knurling on front edge, and ring with knurling on front and rear edges, over cork. Half Wells grip. Decorative brown spiral wraps. No hookkeeper. Rod was refinished by Bob Summers and a new replacement tip was made. Report by “kilgore” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. This Special was his grandfather’s rod (Frank H. Hirst, an insurance salesman who lived in Laconia and Plymouth, New Hampshire).

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 8’0″, 2/2. The “Deluxe” version of the late 1940s Special model had the owner’s name hand-inked by PHY on the butt. Varnished, flamed cane. Non-pocketed cap with knurling on front edge and ring with knurling on front and rear edges, over cork. Half Wells grip, decorative maroon spiral wraps. No hookkeeper. Butt marked with typical Special ink stamp, plus  8′  4  oz. hand-inked on adjacent flat by PHY, plus Gene Woodhousehand-inked on non-adjacent flat by PHY. One tip down 10″. Thanks to Dan Millis.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE. 8’0”, 2/2. Dated May 1947. Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp. Half Wells grip, decorative maroon spiral wraps. No hookkeeper. Butt marked with typical Special ink stamp, plus A.H. Hoppel inked on adjacent flat, and May 1947 inked on the next flat. A.H. Hoppel may have been a dentist in Michigan.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 8’0″, 2/2. The “Deluxe” version of the late 1940s Special model had the owner’s name hand-inked by PHY on the butt. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Half wells grip, bright down-lock hardware over cork seat, blued and stamped pocketed cap. The cork appears new or cleaned. Burgundy spiral wraps, stamped ‘Special’ between two spiral wraps above the grip. Inked in cursive, likely by Paul H. Young on two flats: Howard Shilling, 1947  /  Huntingdon, Pa. 8′ – 4 oz 14/64 Fer . One tip is short at the ferrule by approximately a ferrule length. The ferrule is blued. The second tip is short by several inches at the tip; the ferrule appears original as the varnish over bluing has taken on the common green/grey hue common to early PHY rods. Proper sleeved tube with a rust/orange bakelite cap (missing the insert on top, exposed wood filler). Period tan bag.

A PHY UNMARKED 7’0″ ROD accompanies the Gene Woodhouse Special Deluxe rod. 7’0″, 2/2 (both tips full length). Cap and ring, cap is unmarked but otherwise same hardware as Special Deluxe rod. Blunt-nosed cigar grip. No writing whatsoever on butt. Ferrule is slightly different than on the other rod. Decorative spiral wraps are slightly more open than on other rod. I speculate that the 7’0″ rod is either a little extra that PHY made up and gave to Woodhouse, or a kit rod for which Woodhouse bought the components and assembled it in the style of his Special Deluxe rod built and finished by PHY. Thanks to Dan Millis.

PHY SPECIAL, 7’6″, 2/2. Reportedly marked Special 7 1/2 ft., 3 1/2 oz. (handwritten?) Cap and ring over mortised cork, half Wells cork grip, decorative maroon spiral wraps, original bag and tube. Had broken snake guide and butt section ferrule needed resetting. Was the only Young rod auctioned at the very first R.W. Oliver’s Antique and Classic Fishing Tackle Auction, July 3, 1985 (lot 42, $165 plus 10% buyer’s premium. By comparison, a new used Payne 96 with paper wrapping still on the grip sold for $1600.)

PHY SPECIAL, 7’6″, 2/2. Attractive trout rod with cap and ring over cork, Detroit stamp on cap, almost Ritz-like cork grip, decorative spiral wraps, non-original bag and tube. can be seen in catalog photos from two auctions: R.W. Oliver’s fifth annual summer auction, July 8, 1989 (lot 10, $1550 plus 10% buyer’s premium) and Lang’s January 3, 2004 auction (lot 147, $900 plus 10% buyer’s premium.).

PHY SPECIAL, 7’6″, 2/2. 3-7/8 oz., “light color cane,” maroon wraps, screwlock cork seat, offered for $210, circa 1975 Thomas & Thomas flyer.

PHY SPECIAL, 7’6″, 2/2. Varnished. Built with “clear cane & resourcinol glue,” honey wraps, blued oversize guides, size 14 shouldered ferrules, Wells grip, sliding band over cork seat with unmarked cap, one of the tips appeared unused. Action described as smooth, semi-parabolic, similar to a Martha Marie model. Original bag and possibly original lightweight tube. MJK catalog no. 83 (2001).

PHY SPECIAL,7’6″, 2/2. Varnished, flamed cane, copper spiral wraps. Original except for the later inking by Bob Summer’s on two flats:  Paul H. Young Det 52 / 7’6″ HeH. All aluminum seat hardware with pocketed cap bearing “Detroit” stamp, download over cork. Half Wells grip. Period brown bag and tube with threaded cap. Thanks to Vintage Fly Tackle June 2018. Listed with a 13/64 ferrule, weighing 3.65 oz for $1,650.00.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2, 13/64 ferrule, cigar grip. Varnished cane, black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock reel seat over cork, cigar grip is somewhat bulbous toward the front and appears to be made using 13 half-inch corks, thus 6-1/2″ long. Deluxe open-spiral golden-yellow wraps (some fraying), except dark solid wraps at base of female ferrule and each male ferrule (indicating repairs?). One tip is 3″ short and has incorrect wraps at tip top. Ink-stamped Special on butt section. Reported to weigh 3-7/8 oz. and have 13/64″ ferrules. Green bag and Champion-style tube. Offered on Gary Siemer’s Vintage Fly Tackle site in 2016; thanks to Gary S. for photos.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2, 16/64 ferrules. Varnished cane, cap and ring (non-pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp and diagonally-knurled front edge; ring knurled on front and rear edges), deluxe open-spiral maroon wraps, mortised cork reel seat, half Wells grip, ink-stamped Special on butt section, one tip broken off about 10 inches, the other showing a long repair nearly the entire length between the first and second guide down from the tip top. Areas of varnish scraped from butt to check actual dimensions. Offered for $275 by Dana Gray of Carlson Rod Co. October 2011, Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2. Lightly flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold-tan wraps, mortised cork reel seat, Wells grip, Detroit die-stamp on cap. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Bright, non-pocketed round cap and ring (knurled front and rear edges) over mortised cork reel seat; “Detroit” die-stamp on cap. Ink-stamp Special on butt section. Deluxe open-spiral dark maroon wraps, mortised cork reel seat, half Wells grip. Beige bag and Champion-style tube.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2. Late 1940s. Varnished, lightly mottle-flamed cane. Bright, pocketed cap with Detroit die-stamp. Bright screwlock reel seat over cork. Half Wells grip built from eleven half-inch corks plus one-half of a twelfth cork (5-3/4″ grip). No hookkeeper. Maroon decorative spiral thread wraps throughout. Ink-stamped Specialon one flat. Step-down ferrules. Judging from photo, tips are similarly tapered. Brown bag and B-24 tube. Reported to weigh 4.33 oz. Offered by lordfly (Hoagy B. Carmichael) on eBay, June 2014, sold for $1280.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2. One tip 4″ short. Young’s work, estimate late 1940s. Ink-stamped “Special” on one flat. Varnished, lightly flamed cane, one tip is overall darker flamed than the other. The decorative spiral threads are turned in opposite directions, one tip relative to the other, and are in tighter turns and darker colors on one tip. One tip may not be original to the rod. Cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, no hookkeeper. B-24 tube with remnant of paper label below collar, tan/beige stitched bag with darker piping. eBay auction, July 2010.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/1. Seen June 2012, only one tip survives, and it is short. No bag or tube. Typical appearance: ink-stamped “Special” on one flat, varnished cane, maroon decorative spiral wraps, half Wells grip, no hookkeeper, screwlock cork seat with pocketed butt cap. The feature that makes the rod notable is that the “Detroit” die stamp is not even close to centered position on the butt cap. The stamp is on the left side of the cap with reference to holding the rod in front of you, parallel to the ground.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2. Tips are short; one is about 1-1/2″ short, the other tip is about 3″ short. Decorative spiral wraps look original and intact at the tip tops of both short tips, indicating that the tips may have been damaged at the ferrule ends. Snake guide positions are offset relative to the ferrule ends. Varnished cane. Rod is ink-stamped “Special” on one flat, a strong, bold, clear marking. Maroon decorative spiral wraps, half Wells grip with single thumb indentation, no hookkeeper, non-pocketed cap with “Detroit” die stamp, and ring cork seat. reel seat about 3-1/2″ long, grip about 6″ long. No report about a rod bag. Reportedly there is an aluminum tube with missing end cap. Seen on eBay, November 2016.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/3. One tip is full length, another tip is about 3″ short, and the third tip is about 6″ short. There is no decorative spiral wrap at the tip top of either short tip, indicating that they were damaged at the tip end and the tip top reset. Varnished cane. Rod is ink-stamped “Special” on one flat. Amber-brown decorative spiral wraps, half Wells grip, no hookkeeper, cap and ring cork seat. Not certain, but it looks from photo like the butt cap may not have the “Detroit” die stamp. Light-colored bag. Aluminum tube has elongated black plastic cap. Seen August 2014 on Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished cane. Rod is ink-stamped “Special” on one flat. Refinished by Bob Summers who made solid, brown thread wraps (like Ace-grade, with no decorative spiral wraps at the snake guides, just one little spiral wrap after the “Special” ink-stamp). Half Wells grip, no hookkeeper. Pocketed cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and screwlock reel seat over mortised cork. Medium beige bag with lighter piping. Champion-style tube. Seen February 2017 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 8’6”, 2/2. Marked by PHY as an eight-foot rod, it actually measures 8’6”. 4-1/4 oz. Cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring over mortised cork reel seat. Cap is round cap without shaped pocket, and has diagonal knurling on forward edge. Ring has knurling on front and rear edges. Half Wells grip. Light brown decorative spiral thread wraps at front of grip, ferrules, snake guides, and tip tops. Looks much like a “Special” rod and may be considered a “Special Deluxe” as information in PHY’s handwriting is found where a “Special” ink stamp would normally be placed. Inked in three lines on two flats. On first flat, L.B. Boensch, underneath which is Detroit. On second flat, 8’ – 4 ¼ oz. H.D.H. Seen January 2011 on eBay.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE (or similar), build date June 1950, 8’6”, 2/2 (dry and wet tips). Inked as follows: Dr. Jerry Wright – June 1950 / Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker / 8 1/2’ – 15 Fer.  1 DF tip  1 wet tip  H.C.H. or H.C.F.  4 3/4 oz. Rod tube is labeled Paul Young / 8 1/2’ (7) 2/2 (likely a later marking). Nothing else is known about the rod’s appearance. It was briefly described in a post to the Classic Fly Rod Forum in December 2019

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 8’6”, 2/2. 4.86 oz. Varnished, mottle-flamed cane, much as would be expected on PHY’s later rods. Pocketed cap (with “Detroit” stamp), screw-lock cork reel seat. No knurling on pocketed cap. Half Wells grip, looks in photo like it is made from thirteen half-inch corks (6-1/2″ grip). Light brown decorative spiral thread wraps at front of grip, ferrules, snake guides, and tip tops. May be considered a “Special Deluxe” as it has a “Special” ink stamp plus information inked in PHY’s handwriting is reported to be on the butt: the original owner’s name, hometown, and a rod weight of 4.86 oz. Thanks to Jim Bresko of Coldwater Collectibles for photos and information.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 3/2, unusual wooden spacer in sliding band reel seat. A damaged rod described as follows,PAUL YOUNG Special 8 1/2′, 3/2, SB wood seat, rod is missing its mid section, rust color wraps, blued ferrules for #7/8 line. $85 B&T. MJK catalog no. 66 (1994).

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, in rare three-piece, two-tip format with two differently-tapered tips. Mottle-flamed, varnished cane; decorative burgundy spiral wraps at guides and ferrules, cap and ring reel seat over cork with Detroit stamp on cap, half-Wells grip, blued ferrules, ink-stamped Special above grip, between decorative wraps. 2X2 node arrangement butt section, random node arrangement mid section, 2X2 node arrangement lighter tip section, somewhat random node arrangement heavier tip section. Late 1940’s? From Bill McRoy to czkid of the Forum to quashnet of the Forum.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, in rare three-piece, two-tip format, ink stamped Special, but also hand-inked 9′ and 5 1/2on either side of the ink stamp “Special.” This indicates that the rod tapers to fit a 5-1/2/64 tiptop. Half Wells grip, decorative spiral light-brown wraps. Late 1940’s. In the photo below, quashnet’s 8’6″ 3/2 Special is on top, and below that is this rod, the 9’0″ Special.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 2/2, ink stamped Special, but also hand-inked on separate tips with “WET FLY TIP” and “DRY FLY TIP.” Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip with single thumb depression, decorative spiral brown wraps. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles, who reports that “the rod was light in the hand and had a medium-slow action” with WF6 or DT6 lines.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 2/1, ink stamped Special. Dark blued cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring over mortised cork reel seat. Cap is round cap without shaped pocket, and has diagonal knurling on forward edge. Ring has diagonal knurling on front and rear edges. Half Wells grip. Solid brown wraps with no decorative spiral thread work, indicating that the rod was refinished incorrectly. In spite of the missing tip and the thread work, this rod sold for $660 on eBay, January 2011.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 2/1, ink stamped Special plus two lines of handwritten text, not in PHY’s handwriting nor any other handwriting style I associate with the PHY shop. First flat: 7 – 18 – 47  Second flat: 8 1/2′ – 4 1/2 oz. Odd varnish pattern may indicate hand lettering was added later. Blued, pocketed butt cap (cannot see from photo whether it has “Detroit” stamp). Bright ring over black screwlock cork reel seat. Half Wells grip. Maroon wraps with decorative spiral thread work, except at tip top of single remaining tip, which is solid. Owner says he believes tip was scarfed about two inches down; slight bend at tip and incorrect thread wrap may indicate that this is true. Beige bag and aluminum tube with red caps at both ends are probable replacements. Shown by “123honus” on Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 2/1, ink stamped Special. Pocketed cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and black screwlock mechanism over mortised cork reel seat. Half Wells grip. Brown decorative spiral thread wraps, plus two clear wraps to hold a simple loop hookkeeper (original?). Only one tip. Beige bag with ties, appears to have slots for two tips. Replacement tube, not seen. Offered on eBay, December 2015.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 2/2, one tip is 7″ short. Screwlock cork seat with dark pocketed cap and dark screwlock mechanism over cork. Half Wells grip appears a cork or two shorter than usually seen. Appears in poor photo to have typical Special ink stamp on cane. Maroon wraps with decorative spiral thread work. Maroon-pink bag with ties, probably non-original, and B-24 tube. Seen May 2013 offered for $1000 on North West Classic Tackle site.

PHY SPECIAL, 8’6″, 2/2. Cane exhibits 2X2 node arrangement. Oxidized non-pocketed, knurled cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and knurled ring over mortised cork reel seat. Half Wells grip. Original brown decorative spiral thread wraps. Rod weighs 4-1/4 oz. Circa 1947-49. Brown bag and original tube with black slide cap and wooden plug at other end. Sold at Langs Auction, 2014. Thanks to Stuart Hayden for this report.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 2/2. Flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral copper-brown wraps, dark blued hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Circa 1946-1950. Owned by Reeldane of Copenhagen, Denmark and member of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 2/2, with 2″ detachable fighting butt. Deluxe open-spiral olive/tan wraps, half Wells grip, bright core, black ring and cap on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Stubby 2″ ext. butt. Beige bag w/brown piping, tube. Late 1940’s. Offered by Bob Summers on his web site, December 2008.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 2/2, with fighting butt. Screwlock cork reel seat. Briefly described in a circa 1984 flier from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 2/2, with sliding band seat, extra-deluxe spiral wrap. Varnished cane, little or no flaming. Deluxe maroon/brown wraps with a double spiral wrap at front of cork grip, blued ferrules reportedly reset by Bob Summers, long half-Wells grip, cap and sliding band reel seat over cork, “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Offered on “Redwing Fly Rods” web site, March 2009.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 2/2, inked “1947” with screwlock reel seat. Varnished cane, caramel color with lightly mottled flaming. Butt and one tip are 2X2 node spacing; the other tip is 3X3 node spacing. Deluxe decorative spiral maroon/brown wraps throughout, blued ferrules, 6-1/2″ long half-Wells grip built from 13 half-inch corks, dark pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, bright metal barrel and screw of screwlock seat over cork. “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip, on flat that would face up when rod is held out in front of angler; on flat facing down is handwritten 1947. Original brown bag, original tube with elongated black cap and a wooden disk forming the bottom of the tube. Owned by RyanAK of Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 9’0″, 2/2. Varnished flamed cane. One tip is 3/4″ short; the other tip is 4″ short. Bright pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, dark metal barrel and screwlock seat over cork. 6-1/2″ long half-Wells grip built from 13 half-inch corks. “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip and, on the next flat, handwritten (in PHY’s handwriting?): H.B. Smith III. Deluxe decorative spiral brown wraps. Original brown bag and B-24 tube. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, October 2013.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 9’0″, 3/2, built for Frank Russell, Jr. Three-piece, two-tip format is rare. Varnished, nearly blonde cane. Bright pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, very bright metal barrel and screwlock reel seat over cork. Calligraphic inked lettering is unlike any seen on other Young rods: F. J. R. Jr. reg  Initials seem t indicate Frank J. Russell, Jr., but meaning of reg or req can only be guessed at (registered? requested?). Deluxe decorative spiral maroon wraps. Brown bag with darker brown piping, aluminum tube. Reported by Robert J. Campbell of Ishpeming, MI, who knew angling author Robert Traver, and who tells the story of Frank Russell giving him the rod many years ago, as follows: “He gave the rod to me because I was a fly fisherman and quite simply he took a liking to me. I was invited to his cabin to go fishing and little did I know till later that this man was somewhat wealthy. He let me fish in his trout pond where he had stocked it for years with brook trout. He was elderly to the point where he no longer got around very well and no longer fished his pond. He watched me catch and release several brookies around twenty inches as I made my way around his pond in a belly boat. When I returned, he asked me why I didn’t keep any fish. I told him that I didn’t think it was right to keep and eat such large brook trout. I could go fish any river in our area and catch as many brookies as I wanted. That’s when he gave me the bamboo that was “made especially for him.”

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 3/2, 5-1/4 oz., with sliding band seat. “Natural” varnished cane, deluxe brown wraps, blued ferrules, Wells grip, cork sliding band reel seat, incorrect bag and tube. MJK catalogs no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).

PHY SPECIAL, 9’0″, 3/2, with long, detachable fighting butt. Blonde cane, deluxe open-spiral maroon wraps, half Wells grip, bright hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Circa 1946-1950. Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing this photo and info.

PHY SPECIAL SALMON, 9’0″, 2/2, with wooden reel seat spacer and longer, detachable 5″ fighting butt. Circa 1946-1950. Removable extension butt built using ten half-inch corks. Bright hardware on screwlock cork reel seat, has “Detroit” die-stamp on cap, wooden (butternut?) spacer instead of the usual cork. Half Wells grip (built from 12-1/2 half-inch corks). Caramel-colored cane. 17/64 ferrule. Deluxe maroon wraps with decorative open-spiral work throughout. “Special” ink-stamp on cane forward of grip. Brown bag and handmade tube, metal, with extended-length black cap. Tube cap has interior wooden disk and bottom of tube has metal disk. this is the opposite of other similar tubes seen on Young rods, where the tube cap has an interior metal disk and bottom of tube is finished with a wooden disk. All-original except for a varnish overcoat by Bob Summers. According to Summers, the original owner used it only a couple of times for Atlantic salmon fishing. Thanks to William Dunn for photo and report.

PHY SPECIAL DELUXE, 9’3″, 2/2 dated May 1950, built for Charles A. Batz. Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock seat over mortised cork. Cigar grip. Deluxe decorative spiral brown wraps throughout, blued ferrules. Hand-inked by PHY on butt section between two decorative spiral brown wraps (the “Special DeLuxe” rod was hand-inked whereas the “Special” had only an ink stamp).  First flat: Charles A. Batz . May 1950  Second flat: 9’3″  6.33 oz.  Bamboo wt. 4.47 oz. Third flat: Ferrules .296  Tip Tops .093  Line G.A.F.  Dark brown bag, original B-24 tube. Offered on eBay May 2015.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’6″, 3/2. Described as “original PHY,” otherwise no useful information beyond “Western style grip, sliding band on cork. Excellent condition.” Included on the NNN List to document this length and format for a “Special.” From a “Vintage Tackle” catalog dated Spring 1987, by Frederick E. Grafeld of Secaucus, NJ.

PHY SPECIAL, 9’6″, built with three tips for Keith Van Kirk, 9’6″, 3/3, inscribed Keith Van Kirk 9-1/2′ 6.85 oz. GBG line SpecialUnusual wooden spacer, rather than cork, on otherwise typical downlocking screwlock reel seat with Detroit stamp on butt cap. A rod suitable for salmon fishing, one tip is labeled “bass bug.” Oxidized ferrules, carboloy stripping guide. Offered July 2008 by Bud Frasca on his web site, www.northwestclassictackle.com. Bud said that Bob Summers told him that this rod design was originally done for Ted Williams – although Bud guessed that examples made for Williams were probably built with a reel seat suitable for saltwater use. Original bag (5 sections) and tube.

—————- (end of PHY Special rods) ————–

PHY “ACE” FLY RODS

PHY 8’0″ ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, very early, circa 1925-1927 according to Patrick Garner (author of Playing With Fire: The Life & Fly Rods of E.W. Edwards, “clearly EW’s work using Edwards components.” Many features mirror the Edwards Special. One tip down 1/8″. Never refinished & in excellent condition. Paul Young-style “thumb rest” in cork grip. No “Detroit” die stamp on butt cap. (See also the list of PHY bait casting rods, below).

PHY 7’6″ ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, aside from its length it appears to be exactly like the 8’0″ Ace shown above. Described in MJK catalog #50, from 1988, this is the listing of item #31 as it appeared in the catalog: 31. PAUL H. YOUNG Ace, 7 1/2′, 3/2, a very handsome instrument w/ lovely med. even colored cane w/ deep coppery bronze silks w/ plum tipping at each guide. Wells grip w/ thumb flat, locking walnut seat w/ black ring, med. DF fine progressive tapers for #5 line. Few slight varnish defects but almost imperceptible. Rod at least exc., orig. throughout. Orig. bag & tube also. A scarce earlier Young. $670. As Patrick Garner said to me, now “we know there’s at least one more of these early Youngs out there.”

PHY 7’6″ ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, 3-7/8 oz., very slightly differing from the 7’6″ Ace described above.Described in MJK catalog #61, from 1992, this is the catalog listing of item #48: 48. Nicest, most attractive PAUL YOUNG 7 1/2′ Ace 3/2 in my 23 years – appears unused new. dark brown wraps w/blk. tipping each guide over medium dk. lovely shafts, slightly swelled butt w/fine orig, finish, fine GS ferrules, pretty wood seat w/blk. and alum. locking parts & GS butt cap. Rod is a fast DF 3 7/8 oz. for #5 line, circa 1940 w/Wells grip & thumb flat, beautifully proportioned; this is a Museum grade Young, doubt there’s a better one in existence. $850. Thanks to his research, I am sure that Patrick Garner would disagree about the date, placing this rod much earlier at circa 1925-27.

PHY 8’0″ ACE, Edwards-based, 3/3. Silver-color butt cap. Chestnut-brown wood spacer. Silver barrel with black screw ring mechanism. Ring hookkeeper. Half Wells grip has thumb flat modification. Purple wraps, part of refinish by Bob Summers. Five narrow, individual decorative wraps in front of cork grip. All tip sections are replacements, two definitely made by Bob Summers, one possibly by Todd Young. Midsection is 3/4″ short, repair by Bob Summers. Butt is inked on one flat, probably by Bob Summers: Paul H. Young’s Ace. Yellowish-beige bag, nondescript aluminum tube. Reported by “SxS” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. The rod was left to SxS by his late father, a veterinarian, who had received it from a man who worked for the J.L. Hudson department store in Detroit.

PHY 8’0″ ACE, Edwards-based. Described in Bill McRoy’s Spring 2007 tackle mailing: “… 5 wt. Early Young rod built on Edwards blank. Very good plus original condition. Original bag and tube. $750.”

PHY 8’6″ ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, inscribed “Harold A Ott.” 8’6″, 3/2. 17/64″ and 11/64″ ferrules. Bronze-color butt cap. Wood spacer. Silver barrel with black screw ring mechanism. Ring hookkeeper. Half Wells grip has thumb flat modification. Purplish-brown wraps with deeper purple-brown tipping. A series of narrow, individual decorative wraps in front of cork grip. One tip top looks like it was glued back on. Inked on two flats. First flat, in white ink: Paul Young’s Ace. Second flat, inked in black ink, likely by owner: Harold A Ott. Yellowish-beige bag, nondescript aluminum tube. Reported by “dcfly” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, this rod was owned by his grandfather, Warren Cooksey. dcfly wrote, “I remember casting this rod as a teen a couple of times – nearly all the way across the main stream of the Au Sable River.”

PHY ACE, Edwards-based, 3/2, appears to be an 8’6″ rod. Not well described in an eBay listing seen July 2014. No length given but from photo seems most likely to be an 8’6″ rod. One tip quite short, gold female ferrule on midsection may indicate replacement (others are silver). Gold-color butt cap. Wood spacer. Silver barrel with black screw ring mechanism. Grip has thumb flat modification. Brown wraps with black tipping. Yellowish-beige bag, nondescript aluminum tube.

PHY ACE, 7’0″, 2/2, Paul H. Young’s work,
 estimate circa 1946. Ink-stamped Ace on one flat. Varnished, blonde cane. Round, non-pocketed cap and ring reel seat, over cork. Detroit die-stamp on cap. Half Wells grip, no hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. Handmade tube with elongated chestnut brown cap, light brown bag. Offered October 2014 on R.W. Summers’ web site.

PHY ACE, 7’6″, 2/2, Paul H. Young’s work, estimate late 1940’s. Ink-stamped Ace on one flat; on next flat, handwritten by PHY: 7 ½’  3 7/8 oz. Varnished, blonde cane. Screwlock cork seat, no Detroit die-stamp on cap, long half Wells grip, no hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. 3X3 node arrangement. Tube, tan/beige stitched bag. Owned briefly by Quashnet in 2010.

PHY ACE, 7’6″, 2/2, Young’s work, estimate late 1940’s. Old varnish and/or very light flaming of the cane, a few darker marks. Cap and ring seat over cork, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, hookkeeper appears to be replacement snake guide bent into place, burgundy wraps. Long repair wrap on butt below female ferrule, one tip short. B-24 tube with paper label applied stating rod is an “Ace” model. Off-white/beige stitched bag. Sold for $365 on eBay, March 2009.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2, hand-signed by Paul H. Young on one flat: Paul H. Young “Ace” Believed by Bob Summers to be entirely Young’s work. Estimate late 1940’s. Smooth, light flaming of the cane. Screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, 6-1/2″ long grip flares slightly at front end, built without hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. Found at a southern Michigan yard sale and sold via eBay to quashnet of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2, built by PHY, hand-inked on one flat: “Ace” Not sure whether this is PHY’s writing, or written by someone else, perhaps after a refinish. Believed by Bob Summers to date to circa 1947. Smooth, light flaming of the cane. Non-pocketed cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, built without hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. Brown bag and B-24 tube. Offered May 2015 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, an eight-foot 2/2 Ace dated 1951, listed in Martin Keane’s catalog no. 67 (1995). Almost certainly by PHY himself, the date and the precise weight (3.74 oz.) strongly imply that this data was handlettered on the cane, as no one would make an ink stamp to communicate such details. This would be the latest date for an Ace that I know of. Described as “…#14 ferrules and # 4 1/2 top guides; a very wonderful transitional dry fly-to modified-parabolic action… lovely orig. dk. honey varnish w/dk. red wraps over medium-flamed shafts, semi-wells grip; blued cap, band & ferrules, cork SB seat…” Very much like my Ace shown in the photo above, except for the additional lettering and the sliding band instead of screwlock reel seat.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2, 13/64″ ferrule, one tip 4-1/2/64″ (0.070″) tip top and the other tip 5/64″ (0.083″). Rod weighs 4.1 oz. with lighter tip, 4.2 oz. with heavier tip. Lighter tip has one less snake guide, is slightly darker than other tip and butt. Varnished cane, looks lightly flamed overall, “Detroit” stamp on silver cap, black screwlock reel seat over cork, typical Ace ink stamp, solid maroon wraps. Circa 1949. Reported by “caveman” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2 (one tip full length, other tip 5-1/4″ short). Flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, blued ferrules, burgundy wraps. MJK says, “marked ‘Ace’ under the varnish,” which to me seems most likely to be a stamp rather than hand-written. MJK catalog 55 (1990), offered at $675 and 56 (1991), offered at $540, and then also catalog 69 (1996), offered at $460.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2, 13/64″ ferrule, varnished and flamed cane,  “Detroit” stamp on silver cap, silver slide band over cork, typical Ace ink stamp, solid maroon wraps. Original bag and tube with black sleeved cap.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2, ink-stamped on one flat: Ace  Varnished with smooth, very light flaming of the cane. Half Wells grip has (homemade?) molded Marvin Hedge-type thumb rest applied to cork. Non-pocketed cap and ring (knurled front and rear edges) over cork seat, “Detroit” die-stamp on cap, built without hookkeeper, burgundy wraps. Simple metal tube with wooden stopper in bottom end and elongated black cap. Estimate late 1940’s. Reported 2012 by hopkintoncane, Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/3, ink-stamped on one flat:  Ace. Refinished by Bob Summers. Blond cane is varnished with light flaming. Half Wells grip. Black pocketed cap (stamped) and screw-lock over cork seat. Burgundy wraps. The extra tip is stated to be heavier and sports unique guide spacing versus other two. Replacement bag and aluminum tube (tube with single band aluminum collar, internally threaded cap). Listed on Bob Summer’s web site 2018.

PHY ACE, now 7’7-1/4″ rod, thought to be a shortened 8’0″ rod, 2/2, butt is now 44.5″, tips are now 46-3/4″. Varnished blonde cane, no flaming. Screwlock cork seat. Nearly straight cork grip, nearly 6″ long is made from twelve half-inch corks and exhibits ridging. Ink-stamped very lightly, or nearly lost in refinish, on one flat: Ace  Solid red wraps, new. Original, simple metal tube with elongated black cap; brown bag may or may not be original. Estimate an early PHY-built rod, not long after the end of World War II. Seen on eBay, August 2016.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2 (one tip full length but scarfed, other tip a few inches short, butt section overwrap, some guides rewrapped). Flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, half Wells grip, blued ferrules, burgundy wraps, ‘Ace’ stamp, has a snake guide for a hookkeeper. In B-24 tube with paper ID label on tube, stating G.L. DOLBEE, 1604 EVANSTON AVE. / KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN / ACE ROD by PAUL H. YOUNG. Sold late October 2009 on eBay for $909. plus shipping.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2 (one tip 6 inches short). Refinished by Bob Summers. From photos, it looks like cane is smoothly flamed to a caramel color with only a few darker spots here and there. Non-pocketed cap and ring over cork, Detroit die-stamp on cap with knurled edge, ring knurled front and back edges, half Wells grip probably shaped by Summers, new reddish-brown wraps. Bag and early Young tube with extended black plastic cap. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site in mid-August 2012 for $600.

PHY ACE, 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished cane. Pocketed cap, “Detroit” die-stamp on cap, cork screwlock reel seat, half Wells grip, maroon wraps. One tip is broken off. B-24 tube. Thanks to Jim Bresko of Coldwater Collectibles for photos and information.

PHY ACE, 8’6″, 2/2, light-line fly rod. The 1949 PHY catalog offered an 8’6″ light trout rod built with a 14/64 ferrule and a 4/64 tiptop for HEH line. Probably an example of this model, marked as an “Ace.” The hardware is exactly the same as used in the higher-grade “Special.” The varnished, lightly-flamed cane exhibits 2×2 node arrangement and is very well crafted. Only the lack of decorative spiral wraps keeps this rod from being a “Special.” Tips measure only 0.060″ over varnish at the tiptop. Butt measures 0.350″ in front of grip. Round cap with diagonal knurling and “Detroit” stamp. Ring has diagonal knurling on front and rear edges. Cork reel seat blends into half Wells grip. No hookkeeper. Butt is ink stamped “Ace.” Owned by quashnet.

PHY ACE, 8’6″, Young-built three-piece rod, shown in eBay auction as a one-tip rod, but probably originally had two tips. Non-pocketed, “Detroit”-marked cap with diagonal knurling on front edge and straight-knurled front-and-back ring over cork reel seat. Half Wells grip. Varnished warm-blonde cane, little or no flaming. “Ace” ink stamp on butt. Solid maroon wraps. No hookkeeper. eBay seller called it an 8’8″ rod but probably measured the separate sections and included the lengths of the ferrule slides. The winning bid was $560.66 for a one-tip rod (and the tip damaged, too) with dirty cork, worn cap and other signs of wear, and with no mention of a bag or tube; November 2011.

PHY ACE, 8’6″, 3/2, hand-inked on butt Paul H. Young’s Ace / 8 ½ HCH. Hand-inked on separate tips, WET TIP 5and DRY TIP 4 1/2. Bright cap and black screwlock mechanism over cork, believed to be a replacement by Bob Summers, who restored the rod, according to a prior owner. Half Wells grip, winding check (addition? Not seen elsewhere), brown wraps. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.

PHY 8’6″ rod, ACE grade although not so marked; hand lettered markings. 8’6″, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, non-pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, half Wells grip, solid maroon wraps, later addition of hookkeeper with thread wraps over inked marking on one flat: 8 1/2′  4.19 oz.  HDH Line. One tip 4″ short. 2X2 node arrangement. Brown bag with darker brown piping, tube with partial “Turner Bros.” label. Offered at Lang’s Auctions, May 17, 2014. Photos from owner (as of 2016) “fishbates” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY ACE, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.8oz. Varnished blond cane with light flaming. Claret colored wraps, half wells grip with black anodized down-lock over mortised cork, black pocketed cap stamped by the Young shop. Inked in Paul Young’s hand on two three flats: “Ace”  /  8 1/2 – 6  PARA  /  J. KOPERA  Period labelled Turner tube and tan bag/brown piping. The butt cane measures nearly identical to a 1949 Para 16 Deluxe (3 flats, 3″ increments. The tips match in the first 27 inches, then gradually drop to a finer taper at the tip tops. Size 15 Ferrule. Thanks to Jim Bresko of Coldwater Collectibles April 2019.

PHY 7’10” 4-pc. PACK ROD, most closely resembling a late 1940’s – very early 1950’s ACE. Supplied with one butt section, one second section, two third sections, and two tips. Each of the six matched sections measures 1′ 11-3/4″. It is not known for certain whether this is the original configuration. Whether or not the rod was rebuilt and modified to a pack format, it appears that the rod has been refinished since Paul Young’s time (the two-tone amber and reddish-brown thread wrap colors are unlike any previously seen on a Young rod. The closest such wraps I have seen were on PHY rod serial #4969, built by Todd Young). This pack rod has blonde cane, standard butt cap with “Detroit” die-stamp, downlocking screwlock reel seat with cork spacer, half Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, Champion tube, bag. First known from 1999 when it was sold by Len Codella as a Parabolic 15. Purchased by David Bershtein in 2006, who had it authenticated by Bob Summers. Summers’ letter of authentication is dated July 27, 2007. Summers disagreed with the Codella attribution. Summers believed the rod was standard-built as an 8’0″ PHY rod in the 1940’s and later cut down to present size and configuration, possibly done at the PHY Co. subsequent to Summers’ 1974 departure from the company. This does not explain the presence of the additional third section (custom built from new cane?). The discrepancies between the Codella and Summers attributions cannot be reconciled. Rod seen July 2009; thanks to David Bershtein.

PHY ACE, 9’0″, 2/2, marked on one flat: Ace  Known only from a brief inquiry about the rod by its owner on the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Reported to weigh 6.4 oz., and the owner has fished it in saltwater for bonefish and permit. Probably built late 1940s. From the PHY 1949 catalog, the most likely rod configuration would be a cataloged 9’0″ rod weighing 6.5 oz., with 19/64″ ferrule and 9/64″ tip top for GAAF line.

—————- (end of PHY Ace rods) ————–

PHY “PROSPERITY” FLY RODS

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 2/2, hand-inked Prosperity by PHY. Non-pocketed cap and ring with knurling front and back, over cork, half Wells grip, red jasper wraps, blonde cane. Both tips are short; one tip has a bit if a set and is 1″ short, the other is 1/2″ short. Photos posted by owner, June 2012 on Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 2/2, ink stamped Prosperity, but also hand-inked Paul H. Young Detroit Maker / 7’6″ 3 ¾ oz. HEH. Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip, orange/black jasper wraps. Casts a modern DT4 line. Info from Jim Bresko, Coldwater Collectibles.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 2/2, ink stamped Prosperity, varnished blonde cane, orange/black jasper wraps, nickel silver ferrules. Detroit stamped cap and ring over cork (a few hook digs and soiling), half Wells grip. Proper cream canvas bag with brown piping, likely a later tube. Seen on eBay Aug 2020 and sold for $1,000.00.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 3/2, jasper variegated wraps, screwlock wood seat, agate stripping guide, dry fly action for #5 line, had varnish meltdown when sold in replacement Wonderod tube. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).

PHY Prosperity,
 7’6″ 3/2, 3-3/4 oz., Edwards-built, paper hang tag. Dry fly rod, bright metal downlocking screwlock reel seat with wood spacer as illustrated in the 1940 PHY catalog, variegated green/black wraps with no tipping, ring hookkeeper, metal stripping guide (no agate), butt is inked in white lettering: Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod. Olive cloth bag has paper hang tag with typed lettering: Paul H. Young Prosperity 7’6″ Dry Fly Rodand then handwritten: 3 3/4 oz (the “3” of “3/4” is blurred). Leather case marked for L.L. Bean. Thanks to Harry Boyd for photos.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 3/2, Edwards-built. Bright pocketed butt cap, bright metal downlocking screwlock reel seat with wood spacer as illustrated in the 1940 PHY catalog, cigar grip tapers more steeply toward front, rod appears rewrapped with maroon thread, butt is inked in white lettering, Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod which is set off at either end by black wraps tipped with gold; again, appears rewrapped. New-looking beige cloth bag with new Champion-style tube and gray bag that holds and protects the tube. Seen late May 2014 on Bob Selb’s Classic Fly Fisherman web site.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 3/2, Edwards-built. Bright pocketed butt cap, bright metal downlock reel seat with wood spacer as illustrated in the 1940 PHY catalog, cigar grip tapers more steeply toward front, rod refinished with green and black variegated wraps. Original script/varnish on the butt is inked in white lettering, Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod. New-looking brown bag, Fenwick style Aluminum tube with late 60’s/70’s Young label.  Bob Selb’s Classic Fly Fisherman web site April 2019.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 3/2, Edwards-built. Appears to be heavily and poorly reworked. Full metal reel seat is probably not original, and cork reel seat may not be original either. Snake guides are in wrong positions on butt and mid sections. Butt is inked in white lettering, Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod, and the angle of white lettering may indicate that it was inked by a left-handed person. White lettering is dulled by age and old varnish. Unremarkable aluminum tube has Paul H. Young’s / Prosperity Rod handwritten in black, in two lines of text. Rod was offered on eBay, April 2016.

TWO PHY Prosperity rods, each 7’6″, 3/2, 3-3/4 oz., Edwards-built, one rod with a tip about 1/8″ short, the other rod with a short mid-section, each has a downlocking reel seat w/black bakelite spacer, mottled green/black wraps tipped black, ring hookkeeper, agate stripping guide, non-original aluminum tube and green cloth bag. Both rods originally owned by a man named John Madden (not the football coach). Offered for $2550. each by West Slope Classic Fly Tackle, February 2010.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 2/2, extensive refinish by Bob Summers with new cork, new guides, and varnish. Varnished warm blonde cane, black screwlock cork seat (cork is new), black pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp, new half Wells grip, jasper variegated wraps with an additional decorative spiral wrap forward of the Prosperity ink stamp on the butt. New reddish-brown bag and B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Offered March 2013 on Bob Summers’ web site, at same time as a similar 8’0″ Prosperity rod.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 2/1. Refinished.  Varnished warm blonde cane, black pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp and screw lock seat with half Wells grip, jasper variegated wraps with two additional decorative wraps forward of the Prosperity ink stamp and three more wraps beyond. Grey replacement bag with loop and proper/period sleeved black cap over aluminum tube. Seen on eBay Feb 2017.  Rod offered August 2018 on Bob Summers’ web site as a 2/2 rod. Male ferrules are not an exact match. Cane appears a shade lighter on one tip. Previous period/original tube missing. Non-PHY all aluminum tube with single band collar and internally threaded cap. Same replacement bag with loop. Per Bob Summers, ‘the rod was likely refinished at the Young shop as the screw lock seat is a later replacement’.

PHY Prosperity, 7’6″ 2/2, appears Young-built, but rodmaker Tim Zietak reported that it has Edwards ferrules and perhaps even the blank could be Edwards-origin. Completely refinished by Zietak with new cork grip and reel seat, new wraps and varnish. Light yellow cane. Ink stamp Prosperity mark was applied at a bit of an angle against the flat. Cap and ring over cork reel seat (bright, round, non-pocketed cap with PHY die stamp; ring knurled front and back). Half Wells grip appears from photo to be made from 13 half-inch corks, therefore 6-1/2″. Black/orange jasper wraps. Green rod bag, unremarkable aluminum tube. Offered for sale by Tim Zietak on Classic Fly Rod Forum, summer 2015.

PHY Prosperity, Edwards-built, 8’0″ 3/2, extensive modifications by Bob Summers. One tip is entirely new. Completely new cork grip and reel seat with dark wooden spacer built as Bob Summers would make his contemporary rods, except that the butt cap is from the original rod. Varnished cane, red agate stripping guide, olive jasper wraps, Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod inked in white on butt. Original green bag and aluminum tube. Offered on Summers’ web site, November 2014.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″ 2/2, extensive refinish by Bob Summers with new cork, new guides, and varnish. Varnished lightly flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat (cork is new), worn-to-silver pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp, new half Wells grip, jasper variegated wraps. New green bag and B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Offered March 2013 on Bob Summers’ web site, at same time as a similar 7’6″ Prosperity rod.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″ 2/2, Young-built, accompanied by gift certificate dated December 19, 1946. Featherweight reel seat with black barrel. Half-Wells grip is badly worn. Prosperity ink-stamp partially missing. Cane is flamed. Both tips are short, one by about 2″ and the other about 10 inches. Jasper wraps. Looks like Pernack ferrules. Accompanied by never-before-seen Paul H. Young Co. “Fly Rod Gift Certificate” No. 107. It is marked in PHY’s handwriting: Dec. 19th, 1946 – To M.M. Froelich from Ralph Kernkemp – One P.H.Y. Fly Rod, and is signed by Paul H. Young as President of the Paul H. Young Co.  Thanks to Rick’s Rods for photos and information.

PHY Prosperity, Edwards-built, length unknown, 3/1 (perhaps had a second tip originally?). Extensive refinish by Bob Summers. Varnished cane, bright metal downlocking screwlock reel seat with wood spacer as illustrated in the 1940 PHY catalog, variegated chestnut/black wraps with no tipping, hookkeeper not seen, metal stripping guide (no agate). Forward of the grip are a thick wrap, then a thin decorative wrap, then a space followed by four thin decorative wraps in a group, then the butt is inked in Bob Summers’s handwriting on two flats. First flat, in white lettering: Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod. Second flat, in black ink: Refinished May 1993 by R.W. Summers. Offered June 2014 by Gary Siemer on his Vintage Fly tackle web site.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″ 2/2, described as parabolic action, half Wells grip with orig. thumbprint depression, built w/resourcinol glue, jasper wraps, 3/4″ invisible wrap on one tip, cork screwlock seat, orig. bag and tube. MJK catalog no. 54 (1990).

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″ 2/2, appears Young-built, extensive repair/refinish by Steve Blake, reportedly weighs 5 oz. Half Wells grip appears from photo to be made from 13 half-inch corks, therefore 6-1/2″. Black/orange jasper wraps. Bright silver pocketed butt cap. Grey screwlock mechanism over black barrel, cork reel seat spacer. Scarf repair reportedly made by Steve Blake on one tip, but apparently there are clear overwraps on both tips. Seen January 2015 on Len Codella web site.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″ 2/2, Young-built, post World War II 1940’s, PHY probably split the cane and made the blank himself. At minimum, I think PHY assembled this rod from components and hand-shaped the cork grip. Rod weighs 4.3 oz. on USPS scale. Lightly flamed cane. 14/64 ferrule.  “Prosperity” ink stamp on butt. Half Wells grip. Variegated jasper wraps. Unmarked but authentic pocketed butt cap on screwlock cork seat. Silver appearance of the butt cap doesn’t match the bronzed finish of the rest of the mechanism, but it’s not a surprise to find mismatched finishes on the least expensive rod model in Young’s line-up. B-24 tube. Purchased for $1276 on eBay in April 2010 by current owner, who states it was bought from an owner in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, in whose family the rod had been for more than fifty years. Rod is believed to have been bought by this family at W.E. Sell Sporting Goods in Hanover, PA.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″ 2/2, Young-built, best-quality cap and ring hardware (diagonal coin-edge knurling on cap and ring, “Detroit” stamp on cap) contrasts with poorly-done cane that shows significant glue lines. Lightly-printed “Prosperity” ink stamp on cane. Probably Half Wells grip (poor eBay photos). Variegated jasper wraps. One tip is almost 4″ short and has a spinning rod tip top attached. Sold for $226 on eBay in July 2010.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″, 3/2, Edwards-built, described as weighing 4.8 oz., refinished, all sections full-length, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, aluminum tube and red/green/white plaid cloth bag, described as dating from the time of the “Grand Avenue shop” (the PHY Co. was located at 8065 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI during the mid-1930’s, which is the probable date of this Edwards-built rod). Sold by William J. Jenack Auctioneers, Chester, NY, December 11, 2005 at auction for $600.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″, 3/2, Edwards-built, all sections full-length, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, Varnished cane, red agate stripping guide, Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod inked in white on butt, appears yellowed by varnish and age. Mottled olive/black jasper wraps, solid wrap at front of cork grip secures ring hookkeeper and is followed by five separate trim wraps, green cloth bag looks original, but aluminum tube looks too long, perhaps sized for an 8’6″ 3/2 rod. Midsection is missing one snake guide. Seen August 2014 on eBay. Seen again July 2018 on eBay.

PHY Prosperity, 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished cane (original varnish was polished and a fresh overcoat applied). Unusual uplocking spring-loaded reel seat, made of chromed metal and a black spacer. Butt is 1-1/4″ short, so possibly the reel seat is a replacement. Long half Wells grip, tapered to quite small diameter at reel seat end. Photos show the grip is made from 14 corks, so it is about 7 inches long. Hookkeeper. Orange/black jasper wrap (one tip was rewrapped to match the other tip and the butt). Typical Prosperity ink stamp on butt section. Original dark green bag, tube appears to be handmade by or for Young with wooden bottom plug and long black cap. Offered on F.D. Kretchman web site, June 2011.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″ 2/2, Young-built. Lightly flamed cane. “Prosperity” ink stamp on butt. Half Wells grip. Variegated jasper wraps. No hookkeeper. Pocketed silver butt cap, cork seat (signs of ridging in pictures), black screwlock mechanism with bronzed metal showing through in places. B-24 tube. Seen on eBay, December 2013. Seen again on eBay 2018 and listed as refinished.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″, 3/2, Edwards-built, all sections full-length, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, mottled green/black wraps tipped black, ring hookkeeper, original aluminum tube and green cloth bag, dates to mid-1930s (PHY also sold Edwards’ rods at this time; the 1935 PHY catalog showed two full pages of Edwards rods). Sold by “lakenpine” (John Pickard) on eBay, July 2009, $660. Offered on eBay by another seller October 2009 for $990 or best offer.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″, 3/2, Edwards-built with PHY single thumb indentation in cork grip, rod is notable for this thumb indentation far forward in the grip that looks like PHY’s authentic modification. One tip is about 5″ short, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, mottled green/black jasper wraps with no tipping, ring hookkeeper, red agate stripping guide, cane is inked in white lettering on one flat of the butt section: Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod. Light olive green cloth bag and tube, probably dates to mid-1930s. Offered on eBay, April 2014.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″, 3/2, Edwards-based, PHY single thumb indentation in cork grip, cheap replacement reel seat. Reel seat is cheap gold-colored cap and screw ring over black plastic barrel, probably a replacement, rod has mottled green/black jasper wraps with no tipping, ring hookkeeper, inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod.” Thumb indentation in half Wells cork grip may be a modification by PHY. Cheap beige cloth bag and unremarkable tube. Offered by Coldwater Collectibles, May 2014.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″, 3/2, Edwards-built, one tip down about 1″, snake guide placement locations vary slightly between tips, downlocking full metal reel seat has two rails, cork grip appears to be built from 11 half-inch corks with typical Edwards shape, silvery olive green/black jasper wraps with no tipping, ring hookkeeper, inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod”, angle of white lettering indicates that it was inked by a left-handed person, tube not seen in photos, green cloth bag with stiff brown insert, should date to mid-1930s. Shown in 2008 on Classic Fly Rod Forum by owner “Freestoner.” Offered on eBay March 2011.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″, 3/3, Edwards-built with three tips, downlocking reel seat w/wooden spacer, mottled green/black wraps, ring hookkeeper, original aluminum tube and olive green cloth bag, inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod” by a right-handed person, should date to mid-1930s, offered for $1200 on Bob Summers’ web site, November 2011.

PHY Prosperity, 8’6″, 3/2, one tip 1/2″ short, downlocking reel seat w/walnut spacer, mottled green wraps, bag, tube, B/W photo appears to show Edwards-built rod, was lot #120A and sold for $600 + buyers premium at R.W. Oliver’s Fifth Annual High Rollers Auction, February 28, 1992, Marlborough, MA.

PHY Prosperity, Edwards-built, 8’6″, 3/2, reel seat heavily damaged and mostly missing, all rod sections full length, half Wells grip, olive variegated wraps, red agate stripping guide, butt section inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod”. Khaki tan bag, dented aluminum tube. Offered for sale and listed as “on hold,” December 2015, in “Project Rods” section of Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 3/2, Edwards-built, full-length tips but one tip missing its tip top, downlocking full metal reel seat has two rails, cork grip appears to be built from 11 half-inch corks and perhaps part of a twelfth cork ring, grip is typical Edwards shape but modified with a single thumb indentation likely by PHY, olive green/black jasper wraps with no tipping, ring hookkeeper, inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod”, brown bag and aluminum tube, shown to me by Ward Tonsfeldt, May 2016.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 2/2, caramel-colored cane, half Wells grip, variegated copper/black wraps, Prosperity ink stamp (not hand-signed), inexpensive downlocking all-metal reel seat. Sometimes these seats may possibly be later substitutions, but sometimes I think Paul Young really did use a cheaper seat, particularly on the lower-end rods like the Prosperity, and at least once on a prototype rod where Young probably was interested in seeing how the rod fished, and possibly not concerned about every final detail looking perfect. This rod looks like Paul Young may have built or assembled it. Sold for $615. plus shipping, eBay, August 2008.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 2/2, caramel-colored, lightly-mottled cane, half Wells grip, variegated copper/black wraps, Prosperity ink stamp (not hand-signed), inexpensive downlocking all-metal reel seat. Brown bag, B-24 tube. Seen on Classic Fly Rod Forum and then on eBay, May 2015. Is possibly the rod listed above.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 2/2, one tip about 13″ short. Varnished cane, pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp, screwlock reel seat mechanism has black barrel and brighter screw mechanism, over cork spacer. Long half Wells grip appears about 7″ long, made from 14 half-inch corks. Variegated copper/black wraps. Prosperity ink stamp. Seen on eBay, November 2016, sold for $324.62.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 3/2, mottled cane, half Wells grip, cap and ring over cork reel seat, cap with “Detroit” stamp appears to be round, non-pocketed cap, cap and ring hardware appears to be of quality also seen on Special and Ace rods of the late 1940s, red/black jasper wraps, bright ferrules, Prosperity ink stamp (not hand-signed), said to be refinished by Bob Summers although one tip is down 5″, missing the tip top, and has a set. Green bag is said to be original, tube is not original. Offered as Lot 190 at Lang’s Auction, April 30, 2011, then offered for $1100 at Lang’s Store web site, June 2011.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 3/2Edwards-built, downlocking reel seat with bright hardware and wooden spacer, mottled olive/black jasper wraps, cigar grip, ring hookkeeper, agate stripping guide, butt is inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod”, one tip is down at least 5 inches. Olive bag with black ties. Aluminum tube. Sold for $315. on eBay, December 2012.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 3/1Edwards-built, downlocking reel seat with bright hardware and wooden spacer, mottled olive/black jasper wraps, cigar grip, ring hookkeeper, agate stripping guide, butt is inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod”. Only one tip with rod when found in Seattle area, may have had two tips but bag has space for only one tip. Thanks to Ward Tonsfeldt for photos and report. In August 2014, this rod was offered on eBay with the following issues described: one snake guide missing, four guide wraps replaced, damaged hookkeeper wrap, missing tip top on the single tip.

PHY Prosperity, 9’0″, 3/2Edwards-built, downlocking reel seat with bright hardware and wooden spacer, so dirty that color of wraps cannot be seen, cigar grip, ring hookkeeper, butt is inked in white lettering on one flat: “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod”, all sections heavily damaged when seen on eBay, midsection and tips are all short, midsection is only 31-1/2″, one tip measures 28″ and the other is only 20-3/4″. No information on bag or tube; presumed missing. Seen on eBay, December 2014.

—————- (end of PHY Prosperity rods) ————–

PHY 8’0″ 2/2, built May 1948, probably a Standard Dry Fly rod. One tip is 1/2″ short. 3.78 oz., 14 ferrule, 4-1/2 tip top, varnished cane, warm smooth golden blonde color, non-pocketed cap with knurling all around front edge, and ring. Cap marked with “Detroit” stamp. Long, Ritz-style grip with rounded cigar end. Solid amber-brown wraps just a bit darker than the cane, except black wraps at the ferrules. Strongly inked in black, in PHY’s handwriting, on two flats. First flat: 8′ – 3 7/8 oz.  14/64 Fer.  4 1/2/64 TT.  Second flat: Paul H. Young  Detroit. May 1948.  Each tip also has an unusual marking, showing the weight of the tip alone: Tip wt. 7/8 oz.  Original bag, looks like white, light canvas with faded red piping; bag flap inked in PHY’s handwriting: 8′ – 3 7/8 oz.  14 Fer.  B-24 tube.

PHY 8’0″ 2/2, most likely a Standard Dry Fly rod built late 1940s – early 1950s, 3.65 oz., 14 ferrule, 4-1/2 tip top, varnished cane, moderately flamed, screwlock cork seat with pocketed, “Detroit” – stamped cap, half Wells grip, black wraps. Inked on three flats, First flat:  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. Maker   Second flat: 8′  3.65 oz.  HDH  Third flat: 14/64 Fer  4 1/2/64 Tip Top  Bag and Champion-style tube. Offered for $1900. as a Dry Fly Special on tackle web site, November 2011.

PHY 8’0″ 2/2, 4-1/2 oz., built 1954 for PHY’s friend Fred C. Pew of Birmingham, MI, similar to a Para 15. Varnished cane, warm smooth golden blonde color, pocketed bright cap marked with “Detroit” stamp. Black screwlock reel seat over cork. Solid cigar grip, 6-1/2″ long, made from 13 half-inch corks. Golden-amber wraps. Super-Z ferrules. Inked in black in PHY’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: Fred C. Pew – Birmingham – 1954   Second flat: 8′ – 4 1/2 oz. – H.D.H.  Bob Summers wrote: “Fred was a close friend of Paul Young and a long time customer of the store. When I was 17 to 20 years old I remember Fred visiting the shop and talking rods and fishing trips with Mr. Young… Paul Young made this rod in 1954 and it is dated on the butt section. Mr. Pew called it a para 15 as he marked it on the tube cap. It’s really a little bigger in the butt making it a little less parabolic.” Green bag and nondescript tube. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, April 2014 for $2100.

PHY 8’0″ 2/1, fly rod, built 1951, originally owned by Wes Cooper (refinished by him in 1989?)  Varnished cane. Cap and ring over cork reel seat. Solid cork grip, almost straight shape but with slightest half-Wells-type curves is 6-1/2″ long, made from 13 half-inch corks. Unusual root-beer color and tan wraps with cream tipping may have been done by Wes Cooper, along with inking on butt as follows: First flat: Paul H. Young 1951 – re: WCooper 1989   Inking on tip as follows: P.H.Y.  WC.  Reported by “czkid” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum as a Para 15, but in my opinion, and according to PHY’s written description of the taper, the swelled butt rules out this possibility.

PHY 8’3″ fly rod built for B.F. Jaques of Los Angeles, CA, known to me only from a satisfied-customer testimonial letter printed in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: The eight foot 3” fly rod I bought from you two years ago is a “honey” and naturally is my pet… It has stood up beautifully and is as good today as the day I received it…”

PHY 8’3″ ly rod built for Don McClouth. 2/2, flamed and varnished cane, gold/copper wraps, blued ferrules. Half wells grip with dual thumb indents (lightly soiled), black down-locking hardware, cork spacer, bright pocketed cap, 2 1/2″ fighting butt. Marked on two flats by Paul H. Young: Don McClouth Dteroit – May ’53  /  8’3″ – 5.23 oz. H.C.H – H.C.F. Proper bomber material aluminum tube with cap and period taupe bag. Size 15 ferrule. Per Bob Summers: ‘The action is much like the boat rod’. Listed Bob Summers website December 2018 for $3,000.00.

PHY 8’6″ fly rod, 15/64″ ferrule, 4-3/4 oz., built July 1947. Bright cap, probably pocketed, marked with “Detroit” stamp. Cork reel seat. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting: 8 1/2′ – 4 3/4 oz.  15 Fer  July ’47. Solid green wraps on snake guides. Bag appears to be heavy beige canvas. Photos provided by Dennis Buranek.

PHY 8’6″ modified parabolic nymph fly rod built March 1950 for Stanley L. Eldert of Schenectady, NY. 8’6″, 2/2, varnished and deeply flamed cane, bright non-pocketed cap and ring over cork reel seat, 6-inch cigar/Ritz grip made from twelve half-inch corks, decorative golden-yellow spiral wraps throughout, gold-plated Pernack ferrule. Butt is inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats; first flat: Stanley L. Eldert – Schnectady – Mar. ’50 Second flat: 8 1/2′ – 4.22 oz.  H.D.H. Short Taper  Third flat: Wet fly action  Brown cloth bag and B-24 tube. One of the most beautiful Young rods known. This rod was described in a satisfied-customer testimonial letter printed in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: The eight and a half foot modified parabolic nymph rod you built for me a year ago does everything you claimed for it – especially handling large trout on light gut. It really handles a lot of line.” Two other rods built by PHY for Stanley Eldert are known to me: an 8’9″ rod built before this Nymph Rod, and a Para 15 built afterward.

PHY 8’6″, 15/64″ ferrule dry fly rod built for “G.H.” of Madrid, Spain, known to me only from a satisfied-customer testimonial letter printed in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: I am taking home the fine rod you made me, and will show it to my British friends. I have tried it out here in Spain and find it has a splendid action and is very effective, especially with dry flies.”

PHY 8’6″ dry fly rod built April 1950, 5.25 oz., 16 ferrule, 5-1/2 tip top, varnished, lemon wraps, short cigar grip with thumb indentation, screwlock cork reel seat, rod marked 8 1/2′ – 16 – 5 1/2 – D.F.  /  5.25 oz.  Bamboo wt. 3.88 oz.  April 1950.  Tube inscribed 5.25 oz.  Mrs. Sweeney  GBF line. Nothing is known about Mrs. Sweeney. Rod was bought by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm from Art Neumann at Wanigas Rod Co. on April 7, 1972 and received by Mac on April 17, 1972. Mac never liked the short grip and sold the rod to Bob Summers after a year.

PHY 8’6″ custom built w/ 3 tips in 1952, 4.15 oz., slightly flamed cane, blued shouldered ferrules size 15, tan wraps, two dry fly tips and an original, heavier tip, Wells grip, reel seat is sliding band over mortised cork, with original bag for all three tips, and tube. MJK catalog 74 (1998).

PHY 8’0″, 2/2 light trout rod, very similar to description in 1940 PHY Co. catalog of a Featherweight (Dry Fly) Special. This rod sold for $5100 on eBay on January 23, 2008. Varnished (refinished), smoothly flamed cane, slight swell ahead of the cork; Garrison/Ritz grip, cap and ring, very nicely knurled and finished, with Detroit die-stamp, over cork seat. Brown spiral wraps typical of “Special” grade rods. Inked in three lines: First line: 8′ 3 5/8 oz Bamboo Wt 2 5/8 oz Second line: 14/64 Fer. 4/64 Tip Top HEH Third line: Paul H Young – Detroit Maker An original Young identification tag is stapled to the top of the bag; I have never seen this before. Tube and an outer leather case are not original.

PHY “Don West Dream,” built 1949. 8’0″, 2/2 (one tip 2″ short) trout rod. Slender cigar grip, cap and ring over cork, black wraps, refinished, marked with 1949 date, bag and tube. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #265, sold for $650 plus 10% buyer’s premium.

PHY 7’0″ rod, probably a refinished, smallest-size Special or Ace, circa 1950, 7’0″, 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., varnished flamed cane, swelled butt, pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, screwlock reel seat over cork, half Wells grip, red wraps are non-original, inked 7′ – 2 3/4 oz. HEH  B-24 aluminum tube and bag. Refinished and re-inked by unknown person. Overall dimensions and weight match those for the smallest-available dry fly rod in PHY 1950 catalog. Thanks to Yamasemi T. of Japan.

PHY 7’6″ rod built for Mrs. H.Y. Barnes circa 1950, 7’6″, 2/2, 12/64 ferrule, 3/64 tiptop, unusually light tiptop not cataloged in that time period, only one tip known for this rod, assembled rod with other tip was lost near the Brueal River, Minnesota in the late 1970’s. Reported by macbarn of the Classic Fly Rod Forum (his mother’s rod).

PHY 8’0″ rod built with three tips for H.Y. Barnes of Toledo, Ohio in 1950, 8’0″, 2/3, rod is marked H.Y. Barnes, Toledo, Mar 29 50 8′ 3-3/4 oz 14/64 fer 4 1/2/64 tip top Paul H Young Detroit Maker. Reported by macbarn of the Classic Fly Rod Forum (his father’s rod).

PHY 7’6” 2/2, built 1951, varnished dark blonde cane, screwlock cork seat with new cork, cigar grip new replacement by Bob Summers, old-style ferrules, not Super-Zs; butt inked in PHY’s handwriting, Tom Purkiss / 7 1/2′ – 13 Fer.  H.E.H. Bright red wraps, solid wrap at front end of cork grip and elsewhere, except quadruple decorative spiral wrap on butt adjacent to inked lettering. Seen November 2013 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY 7’6” 2/2, 2.99 oz., varnished cane, judging from photos it appears to be a smooth caramel-color flaming rather than mottled flaming, black screwlock cork seat, pocketed cap has “Detroit” stamp. 12/64ths blued step-down ferrule, 4/64 tiptops, described as “almost parabolic in action” with “an unusually long swell that starts about four inches from the cork fore-grip.” Rod may have been refinished. Writing is described as original but whose writing it may be is not clear to me; it may be by Bob Summers. Inked on two flats. First flat: Paul H. Young  Det. Mich.  Maker  Second flat: 7 ½  2.99 oz.  HEH  Non-original bag and Champion brass-capped tube. Sold on eBay for $1280.55, June 2011.

PHY 8’8” 2/2, built in 1949, 5-7/8 oz., the two tips were full length. Screwlock seat. Offered by Hoagy B. Carmichael in a catalog mailing dated April 5, 1989.

PHY 8’9” 2/2, built in 1942, 5.0 oz. Green variegated sprial wraps over blond varnished cane. Marked on two flats between spiral wraps on the butt in PHY’s hand ‘S.L.E. 1942 / 8’9 5oz‘. Marked on a single flat beyond ‘New Ferrules and Reelseat. Dec. 1948‘. Scroll edged non-pocketed cap over cork with scroll edge slide band. Half wells grip. S.L.E. is very likely the owner’s initials. Stanley L. Eldert of Schenectady, NY.  Mr Eldert is known to have ordered a few rods from Young including a Para 15 dated Nov 1951 and a unique 8’6″ Parabolic Nymph rod dated March 1950. Thanks to member norcaltroutbum of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for sharing this rod.

PHY 9’0″. 2/2. Half wells grip (recently cleaned to an ‘as new’ appearance), black downlocking mechanism over  acork spacer, pocketted and stamped cap. Claret wraps at guides and ferrules. Blued step down ferrules. Inked on two flats in Paul H. Young’s hand: L.B. Boensch. 9′ – 6 oz  G.B.F. Line / Detroit (written above) Paul H. Young Maker. Tan open weave fabriv bag with tan piping often seen on dated 1950 and 1951 rods. Labeled Champion brand tube. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site 2020 for $1,700.00 with the  statement ‘I have steel wooled and given rod a light varnish overcoat.’

PHY 9’0″. 2/2. Cane does not appear flamed. Half wells grip (very faint soiling) with silver slide band over cork seat, Detroit stamped cap. Unusual silver winding check topped with a spiral wrap. Later 5″ fighting butt by Bob Summers (original was lost). Wrapped in the manner of the Special model, claret colored spiral wraps at guides and ferrules. Chrome guides and bright finish nickel silver step down ferrules. Inked on two flats in Paul H. Young’s hand (faint ink): M.H. Mathison Feb ’47  /   9′ – 6 oz  G.B.F Line . The tube has several hand written and typed labels and a black rubber caps at both ends. Correct green bag. The rod is named ‘The Beast Master’ on two of the labels. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site 2018 for $1,650.00.

PHY “TEXAN” FLY RODS (and similar)

PHY TEXAN DELUXE, 8’6″, 2/2, flamed cane, dark non-pocketed butt cap and bright ring over cork reel seat, half Wells grip, hookkeeper, Super-Z ferrules, golden-bronze wraps, marked (according to eBay seller): “Texan” Deluxe 8-1/2′ – 4.59 oz.  H.C.H. – (second line size is probably H.C.F.) / Bamboo wt. 3.43 oz. – Fer. .234″  Tip Tops .078″ / Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit, Mich. Original brown cloth bag with dark brown piping and B-24 tube. Rod had black electrical tape on reel seat when seen in an eBay listing, late December 2013 – early January 2014. Sold for $2005.

PHY 8-1/2′, 2/2, built 1952, 4.59 oz., same ferrule and tiptop sizes as the “Texan” model, completely refinished by Bob Summers. Inked inscription in three lines: First line: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit 52 Second line:8 1/2 – 4.59 oz. HCH HCF Third line: Fer. 15/64 TipTop 5/64 Bamboo wt. 3.44 oz. Varnished flamed cane, cap and ring cork seat, “Detroit” stamp on cap, new half-Wells cork grip, brown wraps. Comes in brown bag with darker brown piping; bag is for 8’6″ rod but is marked on inner cloth flap Aug ’47 8 1/2 – 4 7/8 16 Fer. This appears to be a bag that originally held another, earlier PHY rod. Tube appears to be modern. Offered February 2009 on eBay. In November 2010, what appears to be the same rod was briefly offered for a day, and then the auction was ended without bids. Photos show this rod has diagonal knurling on both edges of the ring, plus the relatively rare edge knurling on the front edge of the butt cap; the cap cannot have a shaped pocket because of the knurling. It has exactly the same lettering in Bob Summers’ handwriting. A brown bag can be seen in the photo, but there is no information on whether it is marked. There is no mention of a tube. In April 2011, the same rod was offered on eBay. In December 2012, the same rod in a modern Landmark Olympic tube sold for $1301. on eBay.

—————- (end of PHY Texan rods) ————–

PHY “PARA 13” FLY RODS

PHY custom-built Para 13, 7’9″
, date unknown or not recorded. From MJK’s description: “Built for Mr. O.S. Wood of Michigan who reportedly had a very bad medical problem with his shoulder. His son brought him to see Paul Young who built this rod specifically to allow him to continue fishing w/a minimum of discomfort. The rod shaft is marked ‘Parabolic 13 7’9″ 2.95 oz. HEH line’ Also marked ‘Fer. 13/64 Tip Tops 4/64 Orville S. Wood Ann Arbor Mich.'” One lightweight dry tip (with red spiral wrapping at tip top) and one heavier tip (green wraps at tip top). Flamed cane, lime green wraps, 2×2 node arrangement, half Wells grip, dual band cork reel seat, second tip ¼” short but apparently built exactly this way. Orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog 84 (2002).

PHY custom Para 13, 7’3″, 4-pc. pack rod with wet & dry tips, rod shaft marked Parabolic 13 7’3″ 4 pc. wet/dry. From MJK’s description: “Custom designed for a doctor from Pennsylvania. The rod sections were selected and cut by Paul Young himself… a pack rod with six pieces, including a top and third section of lighter taper for dry fly use as well as a second top section and additional third section of heavier tapers for wet fly or distance casting.” Very dark flamed cane, gold wraps over blued guides, Super-Z blued ferrules, semi half Wells grip, Midge-style inletted cork reel seat w/ dual black aluminum reel bands. Weighs 2.92 oz. in heavy configuration, 2.84 oz. in dry fly configuration. Original six-section bag & tube. MJK catalog 84 (2002).

—————- (end of PHY Para 13 rods) ————–

PHY “PARA 14” FLY RODS

PHY Para 14
7’3″, 2/3, marked, “Paul H. Young Co., Parabolic 14, 7’3″, 2.65 oz.,” built June 1949 with three different original tips. Built with butt section 3″ longer than tips. Tips individually marked “dry fly,” “fast dry-fly,” and “bug action.” Dark flamed cane. Fancy, deluxe open-spiral gold-tan wraps. Halstead-style ferrules. Cap and ring over cork reel seat, standard Young stamp on butt cap, slightly flared cigar grip. MJK catalog 47 (1987), and also MJK catalog 58 (1991), and also MJK catalog 66 (1994).

PHY Para 147’6″, 3.58 oz. (weight of bamboo alone, 2.35 oz.). The owner sent a letter to Paul H. Young which was reproduced in the circa 1955 PHY Co. catalog (picture of Ned Jewett on the cover holding an Atlantic salmon). All that I know about the rod is from the letter. Interestingly, the owner states that he got the rod at Von Lengerke & Antoine, the sporting goods store in Chicago, IL. I don’t know whether VL&A was representing and displaying Young rods in a formal arrangement with the PHY Co. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Young: You no doubt will be pleased to know how well I like one of your rods. Recently, I purchased a “Parabolic 14 / 7 1/2 ft.” 3.58 oz. bamboo weight 2.35 oz., at V.L. & A. in Chicago. When I picked it up at the store I had no intention of buying a rod at all, but it felt so good I took it home and put an HDH nylon line on it. Its action exceeds my expectations. Always thought my little old rod was tops but I believe fishing with this Young rod will be even more of a pleasure. As I stated the nylon HDH line seems to work perfectly; bringing out excellent action. The rod doesn’t seem to be overloaded even upon “picking up” and false casting with about 40 ft. of this line. It will shoot more than that. – Dr. Harvey C. Roll, Evanston, Ill.

PHY Para 148’0″, 2/2. Build date 1953, refinished November 2012 including new cork by R.W. Summers. Varnished flamed cane. Round, non-pocketed cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring over cork. Ritz grip. Brown thread wraps. Butt inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting in two lines. First line: Paul H. Young Det. 1953  Second line: Parabolic 14  8′  HDH Dry & Wet.  Tips lettered Dry Tip and Wet Tip. Offered March 2016 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY Para 148’0″ (see note), 3-1/2 oz, 2/3, three tips – one for dry fly, one for slightly heavier dry fly/nymph, a third tip for larger nymphs and bass bugs is a copy of a damaged original tip which accompanied this rod when sold, burgundy-colored wraps, sliding band cork seat, ritz grip, super-Z ferrules, refinished. Note: unfortunately, MJK did not actually state how long the rod is! But the description is embedded among a list of eight foot rods, so best guess is that this is an 8’0″ Para 14. MJK catalog 56 (1991).
This is probably the same Para 14 rod that was listed in MJK’s Spring 1985 catalog even though the weight was given as 3-3/4 oz (of course the weight will vary depending upon which of the three tips is used). The third tip is described as having a large invisible wrap.

PHY Para 148’0″, 2/2,  Previously listed by Allan Liu at www.sportingspirit.com. Assembled and inked by Don West. Marked on two flats:   8′ – #14 Par 2.58-oz TROUT  11-8-49,  Paul Young Stick . Each tip inked at the ferrule on two flats: 14-PAR-TROUT,  2.58oz. Varnished, pewter deluxe spiral wraps, flamed cane. Round, non-pocketed cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring over cork. Straight tapered grip with thumb indent. Original bag and Champion style tube.

—————- (end of PHY Para 14 rods) ————–


PHY “PARA 15” FLY RODS

PHY Para 15 dated June 1949, 8’0″, 2/2, 3-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold/bronze wraps, blued cap and ring over cork reel seat, cigar/Ritz cork grip. PHY’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “PARABOLIC 15” 8′ – 3 3/4 oz. Bamboo wt. 2 3/4 oz. H.D.H. Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. June – ’49. Bag and tube built from surplus B-24 aircraft aluminum tubing.

PHY Para 15 dated July 1949, 8’0″, 2/2, 4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral gold/bronze wraps. Cork grip has two thumb indentations. PHY’s handwriting on four flats. First flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ – 4 oz. Second flat: 15/64 Fer. 5/64 Tip Top. Third flat: Dr. Carleton A. Smith, Birmingham. July 1949. Fourth flat: PAUL H. YOUNG Co. – Detroit Maker. “Birmingham” is believed to be Birmingham, Michigan, a town located north of Detroit. Tube is probably made from surplus B-24 aircraft aluminum tubing. Reported by Chuck Snyder.

PHY Para 15 dated August 1949, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.82 oz. Tips are full length. Flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral bright green wraps with decorative spirals on either side of Paul H. Young’s handwriting in black ink on three flats. Straight grip almost without taper. First flat: “PARABOLIC 15” 8′ – 3.82 oz. Second flat: 15/64 Fer. 5/64 T.T. H.D.H. Third flat (not adjacent to either of the other two lettered flats): Grace O. Beach, Pittsburgh. Aug ’49. Thank you to Bob Summers for showing me this rod.

PHY Para 15, believe built c.1949, 8’0″, 2/2, 4 oz.. One tip about 1″ short. Lightly flamed cane, deluxe open-spiral yellow wraps, Ritz/cigar grip, cap and band over cork, lettered in PHY’s handwriting on three flats, First flat: 8′ – 4 oz. “Parabolic 15” Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker Third flat: H.D.G. or H.D.H. Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing photos and info.

PHY Para 15, built 1950, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.97 oz., cap and ring, cigar grip, lemon wraps. Marked “Parabolic 15” 8′ 3.97 oz. / 15/64 Fer. 5/64 TipTops H.D.H. Was owned by Malcolm “Mac” Seaholm, whose notes on the rod include “made in 1950?” Mac bought the rod April 7, 1972 from Art Neumann of Wanigas Rod Co., and paid $125. He received the rod April 17, 1972. The first fish Mac caught with this Para 15 was a 12-1/2″ brown trout on a caddis pupa – “took it with a surging wake.” Mac put a thumb indentation in the grip, and put a hookkeeper on the rod. He sold the rod on September 20, 2000 and received $2450.

PHY Para 15, built 1950, 8’0″, 2/2 (both tips are dry fly tips), varnished flamed cane, pocketed cap and bright downlocking screwlock reel seat over mortised cork, Ritz grip with single thumb indentation, ring hookkeeper, brown decorative spiral wraps throughout. Refinished by Bob Summers, original inking is gone, marked on two flats, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det. Maker  Second flat: Parabolic 15  Also reported to be marked 1950. Brown rod bag, B-24 tube. Thanks to troutwings of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Para 15, built March 1950 for John D. Singley, Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA, 8’0″, 2/2, original wet (parabolic) tip 1″ short, replacement dry fly tip built by Bob Summers. Reportedly inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on the butt: John D. Singley, Jr.  Pittsburgh  Mar. 1950  /  Parabolic 15  8′ – 3.76 oz.  Bamboo wt. 2.83  /  H.D.H. or H.D.G. Tips are also marked and the dry fly tip, at least, must be in Bob Summers’ handwriting. New, very slender cork grip, built by Bob Summers. Bag appears to be original. Period brown leather rod tube, very attractive but non-original. Shown by uintaangler on the Classic Fly Rod Forum, May 2014. The Singley family name goes back a long way in the Pittsburgh area. In 2011, the 100th Singley family reunion was held in Zion Grove, Schuykill County.

PHY Para 15, built March 1950 as a gift for Hazel Johnson, fly tier for the Paul H. Young Co., 8’0″, 2/2, wet (parabolic) and dry fly tips. Refinished by Bob Summers in May 1995, and so marked. On first flat, original inking reads: Hazel Johnson  Mar. 1950  followed by Bob Summers’ handwriting: Refinished May 1995 by R.W. Summers  Second flat: From the Youngs  Third flat: Parabolic  8′  3.90 oz.  15/64 fer.  Fourth flat:  /  HDH or HDG Line  Wet tip is marked HEAVY TIP near ferrule. Dry fly tip is marked LIGHT TIP near ferrule. Varnished, flamed cane. Non-pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, and ring, over cork. 7″ grip (made from 14 half-inch corks) is straight and untapered. Hookkeeper. Green bag and unremarkable aluminum tube. Thank you to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle.

PHY Para 15, marked as built June 1950, 8’0″, 2/2, many non-original modifications, one of the tips is a replacement built at the R.L. Winston Co. when rod was restored by Winston at the San Francisco location in the early 1970s. Rod is described as having a dry fly tip (made at Winston with 3X3 node spacing) and a parabolic tip and butt built by Young with 2X2 node spacing. Cigar cork grip is a replacement. An Orvis Battenkill walnut downlocking reel seat is a replacement for the original Young cork reel seat. Original inked lettering is gone, and has been replaced by substitute wording that is not typical of what Paul Young would have written. Rod butt section is now marked Paul Young “Parabolic 15” on one flat, and June 1950 on a second flat. Other butt markings, not seen in photos, include 3.9 oz HDH (6)  Bamboo Wt. 2.09 oz. One tip is now labeled Parabolic – General and the other tip is labeled Parabolic – Dry Fly. Ring hookkeeper, red wraps. Replacement bag and tube. Offered for sale Jan/Feb 2014, Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Para 15 dated January 1951, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.90 oz., built with two “wet” tips (5/64 top-guides). One tip 1-1/2″ short, the other 4-1/2″ short. Deluxe open-spiral tan/brown wraps, “slightly oversize” cigar grip, cap and band over cork, orig. bag and tube with B-24 collar with cap. MJK catalog 82 and 83 (2001), and catalog 84 (2002).

PHY Para 15, 8’0”, 2/2, built July 1951, described as a “Super Grade” rod. Known from published description for Lot 416, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. Described as “in excellent original condition- showing little signs of use.” Low-resolution photo shows half Wells grip, new-looking black cap and ring over cork; cap is said to show “Detroit” stamp. Flamed cane, varnish applied to front face of grip, wraps are described as “orange” but appear bronze-gold in photo. The original owner’s name is inscribed on the butt section but unfortunately was not provided. Inking includes the original owner’s name, “Dallas – July ’51, Parabolic 15 Super Grade. 8′- 3.92 oz. 1 Dry- 1 Wet tip.” Both tips are also inscribed with differing tip top sizes; again, actual sizes not given. Original bag and B-24 aluminum tube, wooden bottom plug.

PHY Para 15, 8’0”, 2/2, built Nov 1951, yellow silks, varnish over darkly flamed cane. Blued, Detroit stamped non-pocketed cap over cork with slide band. Flat contoured grip with varnish on the nose. Decorative spiral wrap at the grip. Inked on two flats by PHY: Stanley L. Eldert –  Schenectady – Nov. 1951 / ‘Parabolic 15’ – 8 – 3.65oz. H.D.H. Para.tip – H.E.H dry fly tip‘. Both tips with deeply blued, almost black male ferrules, one tip marked ‘Dry Fly Tip’. Thanks to Nfp325 of the Classic Fly Rod Forum May 2017Two other unique rods built for Stanley L. Eldert are listed in the database, an 8’9″ dated 1942 and an 8’6″ Nymph from 1950. A testimonial from Mr. Eldert is included in the 1952 catalog.

PHY Para 15, circa 1952, 8’0″, 2/2, 3-3/4 oz., K.T. Keller model, built with two “dry” tips. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, Wells grip, brown wraps, blued ferrules. MJK described the rod as “circa 1952” and if this is true the rod should be pre-serial numbering. MJK catalog 61 (1992) and 62 (1993).

PHY Para 15, built January 1952 (or possibly 1951) for A.V. Lotti, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.92 oz. finished weight, built with wet tip (0.078″ at tip top) and dry tip (0.069″ at tip top). Screwlock cork seat. Marked as follows: A.V. Lotti – Detroit – Jan. ’52 / 8-15-4 “Parabolic” Bamboo wt. 2.51 oz. / Finished wt. 3.92 oz. “8-15-4” indicates a rod of eight feet in length with a 15/64 ferrule and a 4/64 tip top, which in this case must be solely referencing the dry fly tip. Thanks to Howard Weinberg for this report. This rod is also known from its inclusion as Lot 104 in the Crossroads Angling Auction of October 27, 2013. There, the rod is said to be dated 1951. However, as PHY often wrote the number “2” as an almost straight mark, I think it is more likely that Weinberg the owner read the date more carefully, and that it is probably 1952. Measurements taken by Crossroads show that the measures 0.069″ at the tip top, and the wet parabolic tip measures 0.078″ at the tip top. Auction photos and description show that there is a single thumb indentation in the cork grip. Original light brown bag and B-24 tube. See the spinning rod section for another rod that was owned by A.V. Lotti, a 7’2″ Spin-Master built in 1953.

PHY Para 15, built March 1952 for Herman Berman of Evansville, Indiana, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.88 oz., built with wet and dry tips, dry tip 3/8″ short. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, “Detroit” stamp on butt cap, Wells grip, brown wraps. Original triangular-end bag and B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Offered on eBay July 2010.

PHY Para 15, built March 1952 for Clyde B. Kennedy of Detroit, MI. 8’0″, 2/3 (three tips), 3.57 oz. (weight of bamboo alone, 2.66 oz.) Varnished flamed cane, dual rings over cork seat, straight grip with two thumb indentations, cream-yellow solid wraps, hookkeeper. Inked on three flats of the butt section in PHY’s handwriting. First flat: Clyde B. Kennedy – Detroit – Mar – ’52.  Second flat: “Para. 15” – 8′ – 3.57 oz.  Bamboo wt – 2.66 oz. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit. Maker. Thanks to Bill Kaplin for showing me this rod at the 2014 Catskills Rodmakers Gathering at the Catskills Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

PHY Para 15 built in 1952 for K.T. Keller as a gift for “C.S.J.”of Los Angeles, CA, no details available, known solely from two letters written by C.S.J. and published in PHY catalog, circa 1955 (red cover, picture of Ned Jewett). Paul H. Young often called the Para 15 rod “the K.T. Keller model.” The letters:
K.T. Keller, Esq., Chrysler Corp. – Dear K.T.: The fly rod is quite the nicest thing that I have ever seen and I thank you for your thoughtfulness in sending it to me. Sincerely, C.S.J., May 1952.
Dear Mr. Young: I have just returned from a fishing trip in Grand Tetons and I want to tell you again that the rod is the most perfect trout rod I have ever had the pleasure of using. This was one of the most satisfying fishing trips I have ever had and your rod added immeasurably to the pleasure of the trip. (8′ 15 Para.) Sincerely, C.S.J., Sept. 1952.

PHY “Three-Way Junior” built May 1952, a rare variation of the Para 15 made with three differently tapered tips. Varnished, flamed cane. Black cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and black ring over mortised cork reel seat. Cap is round cap without shaped pocket, and has diagonal knurling on forward edge. Ring has knurling on front and rear edges. Gently curved half Wells grip. Hookkeeper. Butt is inked on at least four flats: First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker – May 1952  Second flat: “THREE WAY Jr”  “Parabolic 15”  Tip No. 1  4 oz.  H.C.F. – H.C.H.  Third flat: Tip No. 2  3.88 oz.  H.D.H. – H.D.G.  Fourth flat: Tip No. 3  3.78 oz.  H.E.H.  Each tip is marked at the base of the male ferrule as follows: Tip 1 has a single red wrap and is inked No. 1 – H.C.H. Tip 2 has two red wraps and is inked No. 2 – H.D.H. Tip 3 has three red wraps and is inked No. 3 – H.E.H.   Beige rod bag is inked 3 WAY Jr. / May ’52 in PHY’s handwriting.

PHY Para 15 K.T. Keller Model, built June 1952 for Horace E. Todd of Dover, NJ. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.12 oz., bamboo weight 2.7 oz., built with wet and dry tips, wet tip marked WET 5/64, dry tip marked DRY 4/64, marked for H.D.H. – H.D.G. line. “Detroit” stamp on butt cap. Offered for sale by “pinardi” on Classic Fly Rod Forum, June 2014.

PHY Para 15, built July 1952 for B.M. Hamil of Dearborn, MI, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.05 oz., probably built with wet and dry tips, evidenced by recommended fly line designations. Varnished flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat, “Detroit” stamp on butt cap, cigar grip, solid golden wraps with decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule, which is marked Super-Z. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: B.M. Hamil – Dearborn – July ’52 Second flat: “Parabolic 15” – 8′ – 4.05 oz.  Third flat: Bamboo wt. 2.62 oz.  H.D.H.  H.D.G.  Bag and tube unknown.

PHY Para 15 built in 1954, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.14 oz., built with “dry” and “wet” tips. Varnished, flamed cane, slightly swelled cork grip, screwlock over cork reel seat. Offered for $2200, MJK catalog 67 (1995).

PHY Para 15 DeLuxe, Keller model, 8’0″, 2/2, built with “dry” and “wet” tips. Varnished, flamed cane. Inked on two flats. First flat: “Parabolic 15” DeLuxe – (K.T. Keller model)  Second flat: 8′ – 1 wet – 4.14 oz.  1 Dry – 4.04 oz.  Bamboo wt. 2.66 oz.  Like the previous Para 15, this rod has a weight of 4.14 oz., but there is no 1954 date on it, so it seems unlikely to be the same rod. Reported by bearbutt of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Para 15 Deluxe dated December 1954, 8’0″, 2/2, rod shaft marked “Special Parabolic 15”built with “dry” and “wet” tips. Flamed cane, dark rust-brown wraps, straight grip, screwlock over cork reel seat. MJK catalog 44 (1986).

PHY Para 15, may be inked with the owner’s last name of “Sturdy,” repaired by PHY in October 1955. Known solely from references to the rod written by PHY in private letters to his friend Chauncy K. Lively. Lively had helped set up at deal with the Union Supply Company, through which Young sold some rods including this para 15 which seems to have been sold as an unfinished kit, which the Union Supply Co. may have badly finished and sold to a customer (Sturdy?) who may also have taken poor care of it. By October 1955 the rod had been returned to PHY for repairs. On October 24, 1955, PHY wrote to CKL: “The Para. 15 your friend bought from the Supply Co. is here for a new tip. The rod looks like hell. It had not been varnished, the ink is chipping off, and I want to give it the complete works, re-finish and revarnish. The object of this [letter] is to get from you his name, and install it before varnishing. I will also clean up the grip. There was a heavy cord under the reel bands, and I assume he had trouble with the reel fit… The whole deal has been some what of a puzzle, and I hope to get it straightened out for him… Now, if the rod deal isn’t too important, I mean if the owner isn’t a personal friend, just pass it, and I’ll make the tip and send along. It sure appears that he gives a rod very little care, and the cork is absolutely filthy. I do hate to have a rod around looking like this one does. It wouldn’t be much of a recommendation, if he showed it off.” PHY must have received a quick reply from CKL, since in PHY’s next letter, dated October 29, 1955, PHY wrote: “Rec.d yours regarding the Sturdy rod. I’m afraid I put you to too much trouble on this matter. At any rate, the rod is re-finished, and has his name on it.”

PHY Para 15, probably dates to late 1940’s – 1951, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.21 oz., varnished flamed cane, wet and dry tips, bright screwlock reel seat over cork, bulbous cigar cork grip, decorative spiral thread wraps, marked in PHY’s handwriting “Herb Watson” Howell Mich. “Parabolic 15” 8′ – 4.21 oz. H.D.H. Bamboo wt. 2.83 oz. Private communication by owner.

PHY Para 15, 8’0″, 2/2, varnished cane, cap and ring over cork reel seat, straight grip with single thumb depression, built with “dry” and “wet” tips, marked “8′ – 3.94 oz. – Wet,  HDH – 3.85 oz. – Dry”  Original bag and tube. Sold at R.W. Oliver’s Third Annual Auction of Antique and Classic Fishing Tackle, Friday, July 3, 1987.

PHY Para 15, 8’0″, 2/2. Flamed cane. Butt cap has “Detroit” stamp. Black downlocking reel seat, half Wells grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, gold wraps, built with “dry” and “wet” parabolic tips, dry tip has 4/64 tip top, wet tip has 5/64 tip top. Butt marked “Parabolic 15” – 8′ – 4-1/4 oz. – Fer. 15/64 – 1- 4/64 – 1-5/64 Tip Top  Original bag and Cal-Air tube. Restored by Steve Blake. Offered in Carmine Lisella’s Jordan-Mills Rod  Co. catalog No. 22 (Spring 2004).

PHY Para 15 Keller DeLuxe, 8’0″, 2/2, varnished cane, screwlock cork reel seat, half Wells grip built from 12 corks (about 6″ long). Butt is marked on two flats in Paul H. Young’s handwriting. First flat: “Parabolic 15” DeLuxe – 8′ – 4.20 oz. wet tip  H.D.H.  4.12 oz. dry tip H.E.H.  Second flat: K.T. Keller Mod.  screwlock (?) oz.  Tips are marked Dry Tip and Wet Tip in handwriting that to me does not look written by either Paul Young or Bob Summers. Decorative spiral red thread wraps at base of ferrule and at tip top of dry tip section. Beige bag (believed to be non-original) and B-24 tube that is missing the cap. Tag on tube describes rod as “reworked” by Bob Summers in 1987. Golden-bronze solid thread wraps of excellent quality; these are certainly by Summers. Offered on eBay by Hoagy Carmichael, June 2013.

PHY Para 15 retrofitted to a 4-piece pack rod format, 8’0″, originally 2/2, now 4/2, originally 4 oz., MJK’s description: “…presently being made into a 4 pc. pack rod w/ Super-Z ferrules and traditional Young wraps, etc… rod was damaged in shipment precisely in the center of the butt section & tips…” MJK catalog 50 (1988). It is not known whether this rod has two dry tips, two parabolic “wet” tips, or one of each. It is possible that this was a serial-numbered rod, as MJK didn’t give any information about when the rod was built. I know of only one Para 15 that was deliberately built as a 4-piece pack rod. PHY built it in 1957 using red-anodized ferrules; it is PHY rod #2284 listed in the serial-numbered rod section.

PHY Para 15 built for E.L. Miller, Winnemucca, Nevada, in 1949, refinished 1957 by PHY, until recently known solely from Miller’s undated testimonial letter published in PHY catalog, circa 1955 (red cover, picture of Ned Jewett). Excerpts: “Dear Mr. Young: I would like to offer a word of praise for that splendid rod I purchased from you three years ago (8′ – 15 – Para). After over 30 years of buying and discarding I have for the past three years been thoroughly satisfied with the power and line handling ability of this rod. Streamers in heavy water or 16-18 dry flies on still water, it completely satisfies…” Believe it to be this PHY 8’0″ fly rod, 2/1, built 1949, refinished 1957. 8’0″, 2/1 (not known whether there originally was a second tip), reportedly weighs 4.3 oz. Cigar/Ritz grip, cheap red metal downlocking reel seat, copper wraps with lighter trim wraps. Inked in PHY’s handwriting, first flat: E.L. Miller  Winnemucca Nevada  Second flat: 1949  Re-Finished Feb. ’57  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit  Described as having bag and tube. Sold on eBay for $501., July 2010. In 2011 Scott Davis sent me photos of the actual rod built for E.L. Miller. Cork, reel seat, and male ferrule were all replaced by Bob Summers in 2011, plus new wraps and varnish by Bob Summers. Inking on one flat reads in PHY’s handwriting: E.L. Miller, Winnemucca, Nevada  Another flat in PHY’s handwriting reads: 1949  Re-Finished Feb. ’57  and on the next flat, in PHY’s handwriting: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit  On another flat Bob Summers wrote: Refinished by RW Summers 5/2/2011. The single tip has a red spiral wrap at the tip top which may indicate that it is a dry fly tip.

PHY Para 15, Special grade, built for D.B. Bell of Idaho, no details available but it can be assumed that the rod had custom spiral thread wraps at guides, ferrules, and forward of the cork grip, as was typical of Special grade, known solely from Bell’s undated testimonial letter published in PHY catalog, circa 1955 (red cover, picture of Ned Jewett). Excerpts: “Dear Mr. Young: The Special Grade Parabolic 15 and new line arrived today…casting with it was effortless; its action a new experience for me… how nicely this rod handles even on such short acquaintance.”

PHY Para 15 Keller built for Russ Malone, known only from one mention in a letter from PHY to Chauncy Lively, dated January 27, 1955. It appears that PHY customer Russ Malone offered some fishing on private water (probably Brodhead Creek in Pennsylvania). A letter of January 19, and this letter, discuss how the Lively and Young families might arrange to go fishing together on Malone’s water. At the end of this letter PHY wrote: “I have made him a dry fly tip for his Keller, am shipping it without him knowing anything about it. Don’t know if he is good enough to use it, but his rod showed excellent care, and proper use.” If seen, Malone’s Para 15 Keller may be identifiable if his name was inked on the rod. See the Driggs section for another Malone rod.

PHY PARA 15 built for Howard M. Swartz of Pittsburgh, PA, who also owned a Midge, no details available, known solely from Swartz’s undated testimonial letter published in PHY catalog, 1958. The rod may have a serial number. Excerpt from the letter: “Dear Mr. Young: Will you please send me the ‘Midge’ fly rod, the Hardy ‘Uniqua’ reel and the King Eider H.E.H. fly line. Check is enclosed. I hope the Midge rod will come through as beautifully made, with as straight sections and as effortless an action as the ‘Parabolic 15’ which I purchased last summer, and with which I am more than pleased. The Parabolic 15 is a delight to use.” In a private letter from PHY to Chauncy K. Lively, dated August 1, 1957, PHY wrote, “Mr. Swartz wrote me from a Mich. resort that the rod was OK.”

TWELVE PHY Para 15 rods, “semi-finished,” of which ten were intended for members of the Air Corps Reserve in Colorado Springs, CO, by arrangement with Ernest Schwiebert, Jr.  The twelve rods are noted in a private letter from PHY to Chauncy K. Lively, dated May 5, 1957. PHY wrote about his recent rodbuilding activities, as follows: “Have been going to town on little rods, and sent 12 semi-finished Para. 15 to Ernie Schwiebert in Colorado Springs.” Of this group of twelve rods, the ten rods for students in Schwiebert’s fishing class are listed in a letter published in the 1958 (brown cover, illustration of the PHY shop at 17701 West 8 Mile Road in Detroit) PHY tackle catalog. Build dates are probably 1957; these rods are probably not serially numbered. Excerpts from Ernest Schwiebert’s letter to PHY, published in the 1958 catalog: “…Have also used (my) Para 15 widely, since it is an excellent all around Western model. The boys in my fishing class are all happy with theirs…”

PHY 8’0″ gift rod, reportedly KT Keller version Para 15, built by Bob Summers for friend Bob McFarland,no serial number on this gift rod, flamed cane, black screwlock seat over cork, half Wells grip with thumb depression, black decorative spiral wraps at butt and black solid wraps tipped gold at snake guides, both rarely seen; marked in Bob Summers handwriting on three flats, first flat: to my fishing buddy Bob McFarland  Second flat: From Bob Summers  Third flat: 8′  3 3/4 oz.  Thanks to Steven Sanders.

PHY Para 15, apparently 1978 construction but no serial number, 8’0″, 2/2. Wet “parabolic” tip and dry fly tip. Dark flamed varnished blank. Black pocketed butt cap, Detroit stamp. Ventilated half Wells cork grip. Downlocking black screwlock reel seat. Step-down ferrules. Maroon wraps. Small red wrap on dry fly tip. Todd Young’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: 8′ – 4 oz. “Parabolic 15”  Second flat: T. Young  78′  Attractive appearance is like earlier Para 15s, not the rods that Todd Young was building in the late 1980s (see serial numbered list for examples). My speculation that this could be a refinished rod, or perhaps Todd Young was guided by his father Jack Young in making this rod (but I could be completely wrong). Thanks to Michael Stefanac for info and photo.

 PHY Para 15 dates to 1995 but no serial number, 8’0″, 2/1. Brown blank does not appear to have much if any mottle flaming. Half Wells cork grip. Downlocking screwlock all-black material seat. Todd Young’s handwriting on five flats. First flat: 5 wt. line  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Third flat: Parabolic 15 – 8′  Fourth flat: PHY Chapter T.U.  Fifth flat: 30th Anniversary  Bag and tube. Seen on eBay March 2011.

PHY Para 15 built for J.V.C. Neilson. Nothing is known of this Para 15 rod other than that it is the subject of a satisfied-customer letter from J.V.C. Neilson to PHY that appeared in the circa 1952-53 (green cover) PHY catalog. It is described by Neilson as a “dry fly and nymph rod” purchased on PHY’s recommendation, so it probably was built with two differently-tapered tips, dry and “wet” (parabolic). Listed here in case a rod surfaces with J.V.C. Neilson’s name on it.

PHY Para 15, 7’10” length, 2/2, known to me solely from a letter written by Paul H. Young to his friend Chauncy Lively in March 1954: “I have a model of the Keller, which finishes at 3.40 oz. with the dry tip, and 3.49 with the wet tip. it is 7’10”, has an ‘air-conditioned’ grip, skeleton reel seat, uses a No. 3 snake as a stripper guide, is wrapped with 4/0 elk, and has boiled oil finish. I can almost bet that this one will out perform any rod ever made, within its weight limits.”

PHY Para 15, 7’10” length, 2/2, apparently original length was 7’10”. In a private letter written in March 1954 to his friend Chauncy Lively, PHY described a 7’10” version of the Para 15 that he had built, and was very excited about its performance. This may be a similar rod, refinished at some point by Bob Summers. Varnished flamed cane, ventilated cigar grip made of nine separate half-inch corks stretching from the front of the grip, plus a sold cork section of two corks and possibly part of a third cork, brown wraps, bronze snake guides and tip tops,  hookkeeper, screwlock cork seat with black threaded barrel and bright threaded ring, “Detroit” stamp on black pocketed butt cap, inked in Bob Summers’ hand on two flats of butt, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Parabolic 15  8′  4 oz.  No serial number.  New bag made by Evie Summers. B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. The rod was reportedly given to Glen “Shep” Sheppard of the “North Woods Call,” a Michigan conservation publication, as payment for advertising services. Offered on Jim Bresko’s Coldwater Collectibles web site, March 2013, for $2895.

PHY Para 15, 7’11” length, 2/2, built for Paul E. Jackson of Ypsilanti, MI. Apparently undated and no serial number. One tip may be replacement made at later date as wraps do not quite line up. Oil finished rod.  Non-pocketed, black butt cap with “Detroit” stamp and silver ring (finish worn off?) over cork reel seat. Peckerhead-shape cork grip. Marked Super-Z ferrules. Photo shows butt inked on two flats in PHY’s handriting. First flat: Paul Jackson – Ypsilanti. Second flat: “Parabolic 15 – 8′ – 3.80 oz.  H.D.H.  One tip is marked DRY, has red decorative thread wraps at ferrule and tip top, which is black. The other tip is marked WET, has solid wraps throughout, tip top is silver. Brown satin bag, cheap aluminum tube (neither B-24 tube nor Champion-style). Offered by lordfly44 (Hoagy Carmichael) on eBay, December 2013. Paul Jackson owned at least two other PHY rods, both serial numbered: PHY Midge #3770 and PHY Perfectionist #3722. markings on the tube of one of these rods indicate that he was an attorney.

PHY Para 15, known solely from a letter by PHY to Chauncy K. Lively dated October 24, 1955, believed to have started as a rod blank or rod blank/cork grip combination built by PHY and sent to Union Supply Co. at a Pennsylvania address for final assembly and sale. The rod eventually was returned to PHY in very bad condition with a request for repairs. Excerpts from PHY’s letter: “Dear C.K. – The Para. 15 your friend bought from the Supply Co. is here for a new tip. The rod looks like hell. It had not been varnished. The ink is chipping off, and I want to give it the complete works, refinish and revarnish. The object of this is to get from you his name, and install it before varnishing. I will also clean up the grip… The whole deal has been some what of a puzzle, and I hope to get it straightened out for him.” The outcome is not known. If the rod still exists, I assume that there was no serial number, but I could be wrong.

PHY Para 15, 3.76 oz., known solely from listing in MJK Fall/Winter 1982 catalog, at that time described as functionally a 2/1 rod, with wet fly tip 3/4″ short and missing tip top guide, and dry fly tip splintered 12″ down from the tip. Flamed rod, probably oil finish, said to be 3.76 oz. and circa 1950.

PHY Para 15, 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished and lightly flamed cane. Gold/brown semi-transparent wraps, blued guides and ferrules, chrome loop hook keeper, new cork grip in half wells, black down locking hardware over new cork seat and Detroit stamped pocketted butt cap. Wet and Dry tips. Refinished by Bob Summers and inked in his hand on two flats: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  / Parabolic 15. Bomber tube and tan bag with brown piping. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site May 2020 for $3,500.00

—————- (end of PHY Para 15 rods) ————–

PHY “BOAT ROD,” 8’0″, 2/2. Rod is inked on two flats, First flat: “Boat Rod” Second flat: 8′ 16/15 Bamboo wt. 3.06 oz HCH – HCF Varnished, lightly flamed cane, Detroit stamp on butt cap, screwlock cork seat, solid half-Wells cork grip with two thumb depressions, step-down ferrules, solid (not decorative spiral) burnt-orange thread wraps, shiny satin greenish-brown bag, Champion-style tube, believe circa 1951-54, reported by owner Steve Keim, 2009.

PHY “BOAT ROD,” 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished, flamed cane. Unusual wood-spacered reel seat may be Morris Kushner – origin. Unusual cork grip, half Wells reversed from normal positioning on a Young rod. Solid brown wraps. Hookkeeper. Refinished rod is inked following refinish in Bob Summers’ handwriting, as follows: Paul H. Young Co. Det. Mich. 1952 refinished 1970 & 1982 / Boat Rod.  8′  4 1/2 oz. .H.C.H.  /  Bob Summers

PHY 8’0″ rod built for Ted Doman, 8’0″, 2/2, described in Lang’s Fishing tackle Auction catalog for April 13, 2002, as follows: “Paul H. Young – Custom… Ted Doman – 4 oz. – 8′ – med – HED (sic)” marked 8 ft. Trout Rod. This 8 ft. 2 piece 2 tip HDH wt. line rod has screw down-locking over cork reel seat. The mid section is1 3/4″ short and the varnish appears to be stripped in preparation for refinishing. Bag and tube.” (catalog page 45, item 282).


PHY “PARA 16” FLY RODS (and similar)

PHY Para 16 DeLuxe, dates to early 1950s, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.79 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed butt cap with Detroit-stamp, black screwlock reel seat over cork. Half Wells grip is 6″ long, made from twelve half-inch corks, front cork is heavily pitted due to being used as a hookkeeper. Original hookkeeper and thread wraps that held it are missing. Solid gold-bronze thread wraps throughout, color almost blending into the color of the cane, except a decorative spiral thread wrap at base of female marked Super-Z ferrule, and replacement jasper thread wraps to hold snake guide nearest to female ferrule. Butt has stripping guide and two snake guides. Tips each have seven snake guides plus tip top guide. Butt section is lettered in PHY’s handwriting on three flats, First flat: “DeLuxe”  Second flat: Parabolic 16  8 1/2′ – 4.79 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 16/64″  Tip Top 5 1/2 /64″  Tips are identical. One tip is lettered: Fer. – .250″  Tip Top .078  The other tip is lettered: Fer. – .250″  Tip Top .078″ Owned by “chestatee” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, received from bamboo rod maker Gary Soeffker.

PHY Para 16 built for Ted Doman, dated June 1948, blonde cane, now owned by uniphasian of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. This is the same rod listed as item 79 in MJK catalog 49 (1988). MJK’s description: Extremely rare PAUL YOUNG PARABOLIC 16, 8 1/2′, 2/2, 4 5/8 oz. for #6/7 line, marked “June 1948,” Wells grip, lock cork seat, blued guides w/deluxe brown wraps, exc.++ cond., w/orig. bag & early correct tube; this is not a flamed finish Young, but is extremely pretty w/a smooth easy powerful taper offering light weight w/power, very scarce. $750.

PHY Para 16, built November 1949, unfished. 8’6″, 2/2, 4.47 oz. Lightly flamed cane, yellow wraps, half Wells grip with sharply sculpted thumb indentation, cap and band over cork, butt lettered in PHY’s handwriting on three flats, First flat: 8 1/2′ – 4.47 oz. Parabolic 16 H.C.H. – H.C.F. Second flat: Ferrule 16/64 – Tip Tops 5/64 Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker. Nov. 1949 Each tip is also lettered: 16/64 Fer. – 5/64 Tip Top Thank you to SOUTH CREEK LTD. of Lyons, CO for sharing photos and info.

PHY Para 16, early, blonde cane, completely refinished by RL Winston, 8’6″, 2/2, varnished blonde cane, cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring, half Wells grip clearly made by PHY, ferrule is not Super-Z, rod probably dates to late 1940s. Completely refinished at the RL Winston shop. Original lettering and markings are gone, and replaced with Winston-style inked script most likely in Glenn Brackett’s handwriting, identifying the rod as a Para 16 but incorrectly identifying the Paul H. Young Co. as the The Paul H. Young Rod Co. (the word “Rod” was never used in the company name, and I have never seen the word “The…” used to start the name of the company). Measurement at butt is 0.377″ (thicker than catalog statement of 0.305″ for later Para 16 models), at the stripping guide measures 0.351″, at the female ferrule measures 0.262″. Tips are differently tapered, one is definitely parabolic and the other appears to be a dry fly tip. Node arrangement 2X2 throughout. I have cast the rod and it’s smooth and strong, a great caster. Owned by “hat” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY 8-1/2′, 2/2, built 1953, variation on a Para 16 – “a little more butt diameter. Making it a little less Parabolic.” (Bob Summers). Inked inscription in two lines: First line: Paul H. Young Maker Detroit 1953 Second line: 8’6″ 5.25 oz. HCH Black screwlock cork seat. New half-Wells cork grip, guides replaced with new old-stock guides, and refinished by Bob Summers. 16/64 ferrule, 5/64 tip top. Fishes 6- to 7-weight line. Owned by ‘uniphasian’ of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

Parabolic 16, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.69 oz. (bamboo weight, 3.40 oz.). Flamed varnished cane. Lettering on three flats of the butt section can be seen in photos, First flat: “Parabolic 16  Paul Stroud Model  Second flat: 8 1/2′ – 4.69 oz. Bamboo wt. 3.40 oz.  Third flat: H.C.F. line  This rod possibly dates to 1951 or 1952, as on page 19 of the circa 1952 Paul H. Young Co. fishing tackle catalog, the Parabolic 16 model is also called the “Paul Stroud Model.”

—————- (end of PHY Para 16 rods) ————–

PHY “PARA 17” FLY RODS 

PHY Para 17, dated 1949, built for Dr. David C. Groff
, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.35 oz. Varnished flamed cane, fixed short cork fighting butt, bright screwlocking reel seat over cork, Ritz/cigar grip beautifully proportioned, decorative brown spiral thread wraps throughout, photos show inking on two flats. First flat : Dr. David C. Groff 1949  Second flat : “Parabolic 17”  8 1/2′ – 5.35 oz.  Tips are separately labeled Wet Fly Tip and Dry Fly Tip.  eBay seller says the tips taper to a 7/64 and 5/64 tip top, respectively. Seller mistakenly claimed that this Para 17 was #1949, the first serial-numbered PHY rod. It is actually a rod dated 1949. There is no serial number on butt or tips. Offered on eBay March 2013 in a package with three valuable Hardy reels and other items. Another PHY rod originally owned by David C. Groff is serial number #2094.

PHY Para 17, dated July 1949, 8’6″, 4.79 oz., probably built with differently-tapered wet parabolic tip and dry fly tip as indicated by recommended GBF and HCH fly lines.Varnished cane. Photos show inking on three flats in PHY handwriting. First flat : “PARABOLIC 17 – 8 1/2′ – 4.79 oz.  Second flat : 17/64 Fer. – 6/64 Tip Top  G.B.F. – H.C.H.  Third flat : Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker – July 1949. Private collection, inherited by owner from his grandfather.

PHY Para 17, dated 1950, inked handwriting by Martha Marie Young, built for Philo Wright, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.36 oz., varnished flamed cane, pocketed butt cap, bright screwlocking reel seat over cork, Ritz/cigar grip with single thumb indentation, special Chinese red decorative spiral wraps, inked with owner Philo Wright’s name, flats are also inked : Paul H. Young – “Parabolic”  /   8′-6″  5.36 oz.  17F.  /  1950   Original B-24 tube and bag. Thanks to Scott Davis. Acquired in 2013 by RyanAK of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Para 17, dated March 1950, built for Dr. H.R. Roehne, 8’6″, 2/2, tips are mirrored tips (all nodes in precisely the same positions on each tip, indicating tips were made from the same culm of cane. 2X2 node arrangement.). When examined by “gooseberryrods,” the tips appeared to be wet and dry tips, as one tip was 0.004″ larger at the three reference points he was able to check. Flamed mottled cane with no really dark patches. Cork grip is six inches long. Cap and ring reel seat is about 3-1/4″ long. Decorative spiral thread wraps; color: brown. Butt is inked on five of the six flats, first flat: Dr. H.R. Roehne – Mar. 1950  Second flat: Parabolic 8 1/2′ – 4.89 oz.  Third flat: Bamboo wt. 3.78 oz.  Fourth flat: 17/64th Fer.  5 1/2/64 Tip Top  Fifth flat: H.C.H. or G.B.F. Line  Original B-24 tube and brown bag.

PHY PARA 17, dated May 1951, rare 9’0″ 2/2 format, built for Walter Wolf, St. Paul, MN.
9’0″, 2/2, 5 oz. As of 2016, the only nine-foot Para 17 that I know of. This version was catalog listed only in the circa 1952 PHY catalog. Varnished cane, long smoothly-tapered elongated cigar grip, rounded in front, with no thumb indentations. Detroit stamp on silver non-pocketed butt cap, plus ring, over cork; a very light reel seat for a Para 17. Red decorative spiral wraps at ferrules, guides, and at front of grip. Doubtless the same red decorative spiral wraps were also located at the bases of the tip tops, but both tips were short when found, one by 3-3/4″, and the other tip by 11 inches.

Lettered on five flats by PHY.
First flat: Walter Wolf – St. Paul – May 1951

Second flat: “Parabolic 17” – 9′ – 5 oz.
Third flat: Fer. 17/64 Tip Top 5 1/2/64

Fourth flat: “H.C.F.” – “H.C.H.” or “D” level

Fifth flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker

Rod was found at a yard sale in St. Paul, MN. A plan is underway to scarf both tips back to full length. The original owner, “Walter Wolf,” may be Walter James Wolf, PhD, chemist who pioneered many uses for soybeans.

PHY PARA 17, dated November 1951, built for Herb Witte.
8’6″, 2/2, 5.20 oz. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap, brown decorative spiral wraps at ferrules, guides, tip tops, and at front of grip.
Lettered on two flats by PHY.
First flat: “PARABOLIC 17” 8 1/2′ – 5.20 oz. HCH Herb Witte Nov. 1951
Second flat: Fer. 17/64 Tip Top 5 1/2/64

PHY PARA 17. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.20 oz. Varnished cane, gold wraps, half-Wells grip, black screw-lock cork seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap. Refinished. Inked in Bob Summer’s flowing script on two flats:  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker 52  /  Parabolic 17 8 1/2 5.40oz . Original Chamion tube with correct cream fabric bag trimmed in brown.  Listed on Bob Summers website November 2018. “I refinished it about fifteen years ago.”. Priced at $3,000.00

PHY Para 17, 8’6″, 2/1, 5.40 oz., flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, rod was refinished by Bob Summers, original bag and tube. No information on whether there was a serial number or a date, or whether it was built with only one tip. MJK catalog no. 66 (1994).

PHY Para 17, 8’6″, 2/1, built with 2″ extension butt, offered by Hoagy B. Carmichael in a catalog mailing dated April 5, 1989.

PHY Para 17, was owned by Pat Barnes, early West Yellowstone fly shop owner, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.40 oz. Reported to have been crudely refinished by Barnes, who bought his shop from Don Martinez and operated it with his wife, fly tier Sigrid Barnes. Steve Blake refinished the rod to more appropriate appearance. Lettering now looks similar to PHY’s handwriting. Inked on two flats of the butt. First flat: Par. 17  5.40 oz.  8 1/2′  Second flat: Fer. 17/64  Tip Top 6/64  Each tip is marked: Par. 17 – 5.40 oz. Thanks to Ward Tonsfeldt.

PHY Para 17, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.27 oz., described by MJK as “built during Paul’s lifetime” so it could possibly be a serial-numbered rod. Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, rod refinished 1971. MJK catalog 52 (1989), 54 and 55 (1990), 56 and 57 (1991). Rod of same description – believe it was the same rod – was also offered in MJK catalog 68 (1995), 69 (1996) and 71 (1996).

PHY Para 17, dated July 1952, from the collection of Ernest Schwiebert, Jr., stated to be an unusual 8’8” length, but the dry tip is reported to be 2″ short and the wet tip is 1″ short, 2/2. Sold for $750 as lot 158 at Lang’s April 25, 2008 auction. Flamed cane, wet and dry tips (one marked Dry Fly), butt section was overvarnished but the tips were not, and their thread wraps were starting to dry out, marked Super-Z ferrules, bright screwlock downlocking cork reel seat, “Detroit” stamp on bright cap, half Wells grip. Original bag and tube.

PHY Para 17, dated March 1954, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.05 oz. Believed to be the Para 17 sold for $2100 as lot 1747 at Lang’s November 3, 2007 auction, and known from published description for Lot 420, sold for $1600, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. Varnished, flamed cane, orange wraps over chrome guides, blued Super-Z ferrules, bright cap and ring over cork reel seat, half Wells grip with some ridging. “Detroit” stamp on cap. Both tips reported to be inscribed with the ferrule size and tip top size. Identical tip tapers. Inscriptions include the original owner’s name and address (unfortunately not given by Lang’s), plus “Mar. 1954, Parabolic 17″, 8′ 6”, 5.05 oz.,” and line weights: “G.B.F. or G.B.G. or C level”. Original bag (appears from photo to be canvas) and B-29 aluminum tube with wooden bottom plug.  A Para 17 offered on eBay in late November 2010, that sold for $2875, appears to be the same rod. All features noted above are shared by this rod. Better photos and documentation gave additional information: First flat: Anthony Hallman  Second flat: Terrace Park, Ohio  Mar. 1954  Third flat: “Parabolic 17”  8 1/2 – 5.05 oz.  G.B.F. or G.B.G. or C level  Each tip is identically marked: Fer. 17/64  Tip Top 5 1/2/64  Strong mottle-flamed markings on cane. Bright ring band has diaginally knurling on both edges. Simple round cap, without shaped pocket, has diagonal knurling on forward edge. Bag is beige cloth with dark brown piping.

PHY Para 17 built for Michael J. Repa of Wilkes Barre, PA, known to me solely from Repa’s letter to PHY published in the 1958 or possibly 1959 PHY catalog; excerpts: “Last year I purchased one of your ‘Parabolic 17’ rods and want to tell you that it is working out wonderfully. It handles our largest Deer hair bugs with ease. As a matter of fact my brother likes it so well he has acquired it, so I’ll have to get another for myself…” The letter is undated, and the rod is possibly serial-numbered.

PHY Para 17, 8’6”, 2/1, almost all writing has been lost so dates and particulars are unknown. Notable for non-pocketed cap with knurling on forward edge and ring with knurling front and back, very delicate hardware for so large a rod. Cap and ring over cork, half Wells grip, hookkeeper. Purchased from Bob Selb “years ago.” Thanks to Steven Sanders.

PHY Para 17 or similar, 9’0″ in length, built for A.S. Kloss of Wilmington, DE. Known to me solely from a “satisfied customer” letter printed in the green-covered PHY catalog, circa 1952. Rod was nine feet long, with a 17/64″ ferrule and a 6/64″ tip top. At this time the Parabolic 17 was offered in two lengths, the more familiar 8’6″ length and a 9’0″ rod which is what this rod probably represents. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Young: The 9′ – 17 – 6 Para. rod arrived in excellent condition and it is indeed a beautiful rod. I tried it out on the lawn and it handles a line in a fine manner. I know that I will have many a pleasant hour using it. With kindest regards I am, Cordially yours, A.S. Kloss, Wilmington, Del.

PHY Para 17, either 8’6″ or 9’0″ in length, built for B.B.D. of Texas. Known to me solely from a “satisfied customer” letter printed in the green-covered PHY catalog, circa 1952. Rod length was not stated. At this time the Parabolic 17 was offered in two lengths, the more familiar 8’6″ length and a 9’0″ rod. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Young: I had great expectations for my Parabolic 17, but never dreamed it would exceed all of them. It puts out more line with less effort than I thought possible for any rod to do. It is amazing. B.B.D., Texas.

PHY Para 17 or similar, 8’6″ in length, built for M.R.B of Madrid, Spain, described as “Director – Tourism Department.” Known to me solely from a “satisfied customer” letter printed in the green-covered PHY catalog, circa 1952. Rod is described by PHY as “8 1/2′ – 17 [ferrule] modified parabolic.” M.R.B.’s letter: Dear Paul: I gave your trout rod a good trial last weekend. It is now my very favorite, although my line was too light for its power. I am really amazed by what it can do in relation to its weight. One has to see it to believe it. I am mailing you our book on Salmon Fishing in Spain. Although written in Spanish you will find the illustrations and river maps useful.”


—————- (end of PHY Para 17 rods) ————–

PHY “FLORIDA SPECIAL” FLY RODS

PHY Florida Special shown in photo page 9, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1951, and page 57, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1955 (red-and-white cover with photo of Ned Jewett), caption reads, “Record shark taken on fly tackle by Jack Ardis. Rod is 9′ 18-7 modified parabolic. (Florida Special)” Same photo also shown in April 1955 Field & Stream article by Joe Brooks, “Shark in the Shallows,” starts page 64, photo caption reads “Angler Jack Ardis of Miami, Florida, and his 41-pound lemon shark, possibly largest ever taken on regulation fly-fishing tackle.”Brooks’ article does not mention Paul Young by name, but tells the story of how Ardis caught the shark while fishing with Capt. Leo Johnson of Islamorada, taking an hour and ten minutes to land it.

PHY Florida Special
, circa 1949, 9’0″, size 18 ferrule, size 7 tip top, shown in photo page 8, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1951, and page 57, PHY catalog, undated, believe to be 1955 (red-and-white cover with photo of Ned Jewett), more info available in 1951 catalog. In 1949 Wendell H. Peterson of Miami, FL, won the fly division of the Metropolitan Tournament with a Jack Crevalle weighing 10 lb. 2 oz. As a prize, he received this PHY Florida Special rod. In 1950, using the Florida Special, Peterson again won the fly division of the tournament, also setting a new tournament record with a Jack Crevalle of 14 lb. 3 oz.

PHY Florida Special w/ permanent 1-1/2″ ext. butt, 9’6″, 2/2, built February 1952, flamed cane, brown wraps, half Wells grip, black downlocking screwlock all-metal seat. Hookkeeper. Inked writing by PHY on cane. First flat: Florida Special  9-1/2′ – 7.20 oz.  G.A.F.  Second flat:  Fer. 19/64  T.T. 7/64   Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Feb. 1952  Hooded bag, beige with black ties, and tube. Seen on eBay September 2011, sold for $1547.33.

PHY Florida Special w/ 2″ integral ext. butt, 9′, 2/2, built March 1953, flamed cane, gold-bronze wraps, 6.43 oz. with dry tip, 6.54 oz. with wet tip, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, MJK catalog 58 (1991) and 59 (1992).

PHY Florida Special, 1954, known from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively: “Today was varnish day and among others, was a rod for Carl B. Shelley of Pittsburg, the order coming through Shenk @ Tittle. It is my first dealing with either of them. I assume Mr. Shelly got our cat. and had the dealer order the Florida Special.”(letter to CKL, March 31, 1954).

PHY Florida Special w/ removable ext. butt, 9′, 2/1, built May 1954, caramel-colored cane, dark red wraps, half Wells grip, black downlocking screwlock all-metal seat. Inked writing by PHY on cane. First flat: 9′ – 6.87 oz.  18/64 Fer. 7/64 TipTop  Second flat: C.T. Lawson – May 1954  Bag and tube with green label that appears to have PHY’s handwriting on it. Seen on eBay July 2011.

—————- (end of PHY Florida Special rods) ————–

PHY “BOB DOERR” FLY RODS (named for the Hall of Fame Red Sox second baseman)

PHY 9’0″ “Bobby Doerr” Model, 9’0″, 2/2, built 1953 for Dr. Norman A. Fleishman of Muskegon, MI. 9’0″, 2/2, one tip short 2″ and missing tip top and needs a line guide rewrapped, other tip full length but missing one guide and needs another rewrapped, varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat (bright screw collar over black threaded barrel) with 2″ cork extension butt (some damage), half Wells grip, marked Super-Z ferrule, bookkeeper, butt inked (reportedly in PHY’s handwriting) “Dr. Norman A. Fleishman – Muskegon – 1953, ‘Bobby Doerr’ Model – 9′ – 5.98 oz., G.B.F. Bamboo Wt. 4.33 oz., ‘Mod. Parabolic 17′”. Each tip inked: “Fer. .265, Tip Top – .093.” Original bag (with holes), replacement fiber tube. Listed as Lot 303 in Lang’s auction, October 12, 2012.

PHY “Bobbie Doerr” fly rod built with three tips, and marked with owner initials J.W.R.  Rod is marked as a Bobbie Doerr rod, the -ie ending of the first name not correct, as the Hall of Fame Red Sox second baseman was known as “Bobby Doerr” or “Bob Doerr.” One tip marked DRY and 1953. Cap and ring reel seat. Black tips with gold tipping, very rarely seen in Young rods. Likely to be a refinished rod with original markings lost or modified. Extra-wide tube to accommodate a three-tip rod.

PHY 9’0″ (Bobby Doerr Model?), 2/2, built October 1952 for M.J. Towne. 9’0″, 2/2, heavily flamed cane, varnished with gold/copper wraps (some cracking or discolored), step-down ferrules (not Super-Z). Inked on one flat in Bob Summers’ hand: M.J. Towne  Oct. ’52  Inked on the next flats in Paul H. Young’s hand:  9 ft  5.68 oz.  GBF  /  Fer. 17/64  Tip Top 6/64  /  Bamboo wt. 4.08 oz.  Partially refinished by Bob Summers. New grip, new wrap at winding check, new 1″ permanent cork fighting butt with metal end cap. Original green bag and bomber style tube in a canvas sleeve. Sold on eBay May 2019 for $1128.00.

PHY 9’0″ Bob Doerr, 2/2, 5.94 oz., built May 1955 for Robert P. Terrill, no serial number. 9’0″, 2/2, dark flamed cane, screwlock cork reel seat, butt cap marked with “Detroit” stamp, half Wells grip with two thumb indentations, marked Super-Z ferrule, hookkeeper, black wraps, decorative red spiral wraps on the dry fly tip at base of male ferrule and at tip top. Inked as follows – First flat: Robert P. Terrill – May ’55  Second flat: “Bob Doerr” model – 9′ – 5.94 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 17/64  1-Tip 6/64  1-Tip 5/64  Each tip is marked at the base of the male ferrule: one is marked WET and the other is marked DRY. Built in May 1955, this rod would be expected to have a four-digit serial number in the range of 2030 to 2040, but there is no serial number. Robert P. Terrill was a US State Dept. official who was Counselor of Embassy at the US Embassy in Rio de Janeiro in 1954; by 1959 he was the Under Secretary of State’s Special Assistant for Communist Economic Affairs. Terrill owned at least three other PHY rods, which are described elsewhere in this list. He was an active steelhead fisherman who created classic fly patterns like the “Surgeon General.” This Bob Doerr rod was subsequently owned by noted steelhead angler Wes Drain, who originated classic steelhead flies like the “Green Butt Skunk,” “Steelhead Kelly” and “Drain’s 20.”

PHY 9’0″ “Bobby Doerr” Model, 9’0″, 2/2, built 1953, additional extension butts, reel seat and new ventilated grip by Bob Summers. 9’0″, 2/2. Varnished flamed cane. New uplocking aluminum and impregnated maple reel seat designed and made by Bob Summers, with two removable extension butts, one 1″ long and the other 6″ long. Rod can be used for two-handed casting with the 6″ extension. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Bobby Doerr  Second flat: 9′  6 oz.  #8 to 9 Line  Tube (probably original) and bag (looks new). Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, January 2014, for $2500.

PHY 9’0″ Bob Doerr, 2/2, 5.85 oz., no serial number. 9’0″, 2/2, dark flamed cane, black screwlock over cork reel seat, silver pocketted butt cap marked with “Detroit” stamp, half Wells grip, butt extension composed of 8 cork rings, blued ferrules, hookkeeper, typical PHY gold/copper wraps, decorative double spiral wraps on each tip-tip. A thick over varnish at the hookkeeper with two black letters inked. The butt also shows signs of later over-varnish from the last guide eon the butt to the top of ferrule collar. Per the listing ‘Three of the guides
on one of the tips should be rewound with the correct silk’.
This is not visible in the provided images.  Inked on two flats in Paul Young’s hand:  9′ – 5.85 oz. G.B.F. Line or C level (Bob Doerr model)  /  Ferrule 17/64 Tip Tip 6/64. Original green bag with brown piping, correct Champion aluminum tube with brass collar; worn yellow and white paper taped to the top of tube below the collar with black handwriting Mich 48303. Listed on eBay by Hoagy Carmichael September 2018.

PHY 9’0” 2/2 “Bob Doerr” Model , built March 1951 for Mrs. John Caren of Columbus, Ohio. Rod is identified as a Bob Doerr model on the rod tube cap, and the rod’s characteristics are those of a Bob Doerr model. Varnished, flamed cane appears refinished by Bob Summers. Red thread wraps. Bright reel seat screwlock hardware. Long, almost straight-taper cork grip. Butt section is inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: 9 – 5.95 oz. with wet tip  5.82 oz. with dry fly tip.  Second flat: G.BG  Third flat (non-adjacent): Mrs. John Caren – Columbus, Ohio – Mar. 1951  Wet and dry fly tips are separately labeled near male ferrule as WET fly tip. and DRY fly tip. The rod currently has three removable extension butts. The ext. butt with black rubber end cap is original to the rod. Believing that this ext. butt was lost, in 2020 the current owner had Bob Summers make two additional extension butts, one 4” long and the other 3/4” long. Current owner believes tube and bag are original. 

—————- (end of PHY Bob Doerr rods) ————–

PHY 9’0″ “modified parabolic” fly rod with 18/64 ferrule, built for K.R.H. of New Jersey. Described by K.R.H. in a letter to PHY published in the circa 1952-53 (green cover) PHY tackle catalog. No mention of whether the rod had a model name such as Para 18. Excerpt from K.R.H.’s letter: “I gave it a good inspection. It is certainly first class as regards workmanship and design, and I am sure it is going to give me years of wonderful service.” 

PHY 9’0″ fly rod with 18/64 ferrule and light and heavy tips, one with 5/64 tip top, the other 7/64 tip top, owned by C.H.L. of Kansas. Custom built by PHY and described by C.H.L. in a letter to PHY published in the circa 1955 (red cover) PHY tackle catalog with the cover photo of Ned Jewett. No mention of whether the rod had a model name such as Para 18. Excerpts from C.H.L.’s letter: “I took out the new rod for a couple hours and caught some crappies. I tried three different lines and reels, and both tips. The 5/64 tip is ample for my fly and spinner combinations with the lines I have, but the 7/64 tip will be the medicine for longer casts with a heavier line… With this new rod my timing gave me no trouble… It is really fine in action, power, and workmanship.”

PHY 9’0″ Bass rod with light and heavy tips, listed for $300 by T&T in Hearthside News, Vol. 4 No. 1 (June 1984) and Vol. 4 No. 2 (December 1984). 2/2, 5-3/4 oz. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Reel seat is cork screwlock. Red wraps. Refinished.

PHY 9’0″ 2/2 fly rod, 6 oz., built 1950. Varnished, lightly flamed cane. Black screwlock seat over cork. Cap has shaped pocket. Half Wells grip. Solid reddish brown wraps. inked in two lines on two flats. On first flat: L.B. B____h, 9′ – 6 oz. G.B.F. On second flat: Detroit. Seen January 2011 on eBay, auction ended without sale.

PHY Parabolic 9’0″ rod, built 1951, similar to or may be a Nymph Special as described in circa 1952 PHY catalog. 9’0″, 2/1, varnished, lightly flamed cane; lettering in two lines Paul H. Young Detroit Maker 51 / Parabolic 9′ 16/64 Fer. 5/64 TipTop 4.25 oz. HDG , screwlock cork reel seat, Detroit stamp on butt cap, Garrison/Ritz grip tapers with slight increase in diameter from back to front, step-down ferrules (not Super-Zs); very unusual two-color wrap pattern, solid rose wraps against cork grips, ferrules, and guide feet, followed by yellow decorative spiral wraps. Khaki bag, silver tube with black cap. Owned by czkid of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Modified Parabolic 9’0″ rod, 2/2, built March 1951 for J.P. McClurg. 9’0″, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, cheap red-finished aluminum screwlock seat, hole at base indicates that it was fitted with an extension butt that is now missing, half Wells grip, not a Super-Z ferrule, hookkeeper, butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on four flats. First flat: J.P. McClurg – Portland – Mar. 1951  Second flat: Mod. Parabolic – 9′ – 6.29 oz.  Bamboo Wt. 4.43 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 17/64  Tip Top 6/64. GAF line  Fourth flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit Maker. Grayish-brown bag and B-24 tube. Seen October 2012 on eBay, sold for $760. Refinished thereafter by Bob Summers with removal of old reel seat and installation of a new aluminum locking reel seat by Summers. Fifth flat addition of lettering in Bob Summers’ handwriting: Reelseat, Extension & Refinished by RW Summers 9/6/012. Offered June 2016 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY salmon rod built for Jay Taylor, First National Bank Building, Amarillo, TX. Nothing is known of this rod other than the content of a satisfied-customer letter from Jay Taylor to PHY that appeared in the circa 1952-53 (green cover) PHY catalog. Listed here in case a rod surfaces with Jay Taylor’s name on it. Full text of letter is as follows: Dear Mr. Young: Please forgive me for not writing you sooner and giving you a report on the Salmon rod you made for me. It was wonderful, and a fourteen pound salmon on the end of it really gave me some action that I never dreamed possible. the rod, line, reel, everything was perfect, and I appreciate your picking out, sight unseen, such good equipment for me. Soncerely yours, Jay Taylor, 1st Natl. Bank Bldg., Amarillo, Texas.

—————- (end of various rods) ————–

PHY “TEXAS GENERAL” FLY RODS 

PHY Texas Generalbuilt in 1951. 8-1/2′, 2/2, 5.41 oz. Open-spiral burgundy wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat. MJK catalog 76 (1998).

PHY Texas General with three different tipsbuilt in July 1952, 8-1/2′, 2/3, 5.06 oz., built for J.C. Salyer, “Father of the National Wildlife Refuge System” and frequent PHY customer, rod set up as a “Three Way” rod with three different tips. Half Wells grip. Round, non-pocketed cap with scribed line and diagonal knurling, and ring over cork seat. marked July 1952 – Texas General 8 1/2′ – 5.06 oz.  Bamboo wt. 3.74 oz.  GBF  C level  Fer 16/64  Tip Top 6/64. Offered on eBay, April 2011.

PHY Texas Generalbuilt in December 1952, 8-1/2′, 2/2, wet and dry tips. Shaft marked “12-52” plus other unspecified writing. Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip w/ thumb print, black screwlock cork seat. MJK catalogs 58 (1991) and 59 (1992).

PHY Texas Generalbuilt in 1953 for champion fly caster Don West, whose name is on shaft. 8-1/2′, 2/2, wet and dry tips. Open-spiral burgundy wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, slightly oversize partial wells grip w/ thumb print, sliding band cork seat. Quashnet believes that Don West of Texas and Paul Young had shared business interests; West may have sold Young rods and even built them from blanks supplied by PHY. MJK catalog 75 (1998).

PHY Texas General, built 1953 for Kenneth E. Halloway of Fort Campbell, KY, known to me solely from Halloway’s letter to PHY published in the 1958 or possibly 1959 PHY catalog; excerpts: “…the Texas General you made for me in 1953 is still in perfect shape. I’ve taken lots of big bass on it, and used it for Steel head while stationed at Fort Ord in California… the rod is as straight and good as the day I got it. I tie my steelhead flies as big as 2/0 but can handle them without any trouble on the Texas General.”

PHY Texas General, wet and dry tips, 8-1/2′, 2/2. In Paul H. Young’s handwriting, on the butt, first flat: “Texas General”  Second flat: 8 1/2′ 5.54 oz. Bug Tip 5.32 oz. Dry Tip  Third flat: Fer. 16/64 1 Tip 5/64 1 Tip 6/64. On one tip, inked: “Wet Bug” GBF – C level. On other tip, inked: Dry – HCH – HCF. Flamed cane, brown/gold wraps with decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule, blued Super-Z ferrules, cigar grip, black screwlock cork seat, refinished by Steve Blake. Carmine Lisella’s “Jordan-Mills Rod Co.” catalog 21 (Fall 2003). Rod shown to me by Bill Kaplin in 2014 at the annual Catskill Rod Gathering at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

PHY 8’6″ parabolic fly rod, #16 ferrule, 4.91 oz., dated October 20, 1950, marked as “The General” and probably a Texas General model, believed to be a rod blank/cork grip combination built by PHY and sent to Don E. West of Dallas, Texas for final assembly and sale to William Sailor.  Rod is inked as follows, on four flats: Wm. Sailor (or Sailon?) 10-20-50 / 8 ½ FT. Paul Young. / “The General” Bug Action / Finished by Don West  The inked lettering is definitely not Paul H. Young’s handwriting. The most logical guess is that it is Don West’s handwriting. The phrase “Finished by Don West” implies that Paul H. Young sent the blank and the hardware, thread, etc. for West to assemble. My guess is that Paul Young also made the cork grip and sent it along with the blank. There is more lettering on the rod. 4.91–oz. is marked on the cork reel seat and the weight of the rod in ounces – 4.91 – is marked on the cork grip (it looks as though “oz.” probably followed 4.91).  #16 and, on the next flat, W.S., is marked on each of the tips. The rod was finished with decorative spiral wraps at guides, ferrules, and in front of the cork grip. Examination of the cane at the tip tops shows there was never a thread wrap on the tip guides, re-enforcing the rod owner’s belief that this was the normal method Don West employed when he finished out the Young rods (there are no wraps at the tips of any of the four Young/West rods that he owns).  “The General” is in excellent condition and may be unfished or little fished, although the ferrules show some apparent corrosion. Cap and ring over cork reel seat. Pocketed butt cap with typical “Detroit” stamp of the PHY Co., ring has diagonal knurling on front and rear edges. Single thumb depression in grip. Super-Z ferrule. Thanks to “salmonid” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for information about these rods.

PHY General, dry tip and bug tip, built for W.D.G. of Dallas, Texas, 8’6″, 2/2, one bug tip and one dry tip, 16/64″ ferrule, known to me only from an appreciative customer letter written to PHY by W.D.G. of Dallas, Texas, and published in the green-covered (circa 1952) PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: I tried an HCH on the fast tip and it worked well. It gave me an idea as to weight that tip will handle, and it is amazing the way I picked up 60 ft. of line. Using a level B I shot two perfect scores at wet fly accy. using the ‘Bug’ tip. Now I can splice a line to bring out the latent power, and will give you the measurements. Hope you and yours have a great 1952. Yours sincerely…”

PHY Texas General, 8-1/2′, 2/2, one tip (probably a lighter tip) is 2″ short, otherwise described as in “pristine condition” in Joe Garman’s bamboo rod sales list dated February 1982.

PHY Texas General, 8-1/2′, 2/2. Varnished and flamed cane, common/period gold wraps, silver guides, blued ferrules (The female ferrule sporting a spiral wrap), loop hook keeper. Half wells grip, black down-locking seat, cork spacer and pocketed butt cap with the PHY Detroit stamp. The rod appears original and very lightly used. Each tip inked at the ferrule in PHY’s hand: Fer-.250 Tip Top .093. The butt inked on two flats by PHY: “Texas General”  8 1/2′ – 5.35oz Bamboo Wt. 3.73oz  /  G.B.F. or level C. Proper Bomber material aluminum tube with cap, period green fabric bag. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site March of 2020 for $2,700.00.

—————- (end of PHY Texas General rods) ————–

PHY “PARA 18” FLY RODS

PHY 9’0″, 2/2, dated August 1948, early parabolic rod with 18 ferrule built for Bill Currie. Lettered on four flats, First flat: Bill Currie – Aug ’48 Second flat: 9′ – 5 ½ oz. 18 Fer. 7 TipTop Third flat: By Paul H. Young Detroit Fourth flat: Parabolic action. Varnished cane, light caramel flamed. Ritz grip with thumb depression, screwlock cork seat, flip ring hookkeeper, tube and cream bag with brown piping with additional writing on bag by PHY. Photos shown to me March 2007.

PHY Para 18, 9’3″, 2/2, built by PHY with two new extension butts and other modifications by Bob Summers. Varnished flamed cane. Screwlock cork seat has bright pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp, a new mortised wood spacer, new screwlock mechanism by Summers, and two new removable extension butts – one short (1″) with a metal disk on the end, the other long (6″) with a black rubber button on the end. New cork grip, almost straight but tapering slightly to increased thickness at forward end, is built from fifteen half-inch corks and has two sculpted thumb indentations. Solid chestnut brown wraps. Hookkeeper. On butt section, three lines of inked text by PHY and one line of text by Bob Summers. Inking by PHY as follows, First flat: “Parabolic” 18 – 9’3″ – 6 1/8 oz. – GAF  Second flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker  Third flat: 18/64 Fer.  7/64 Tip Top. A single line of text in Bob Summers’ handwriting, on a non-adjacent flat to PHY’s inked text, reads: Reel seat, Ext. & Refinished by RW. Summers 7/1/2013. Very light (almost white) bag with dark brown piping. Aluminum tube. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, and on Gary Siemer’s Vintage Fly Tackle site, 2016.

PHY 10’0″ marked (9’10” actual length) Para 18, owned by Harry Darbee and modified by Jim Payne.Marked 10′, Para 18, 2/2, 7.32 oz., the rod was reported by Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY, to be 9’10” (no info on whether this due to broken tips or the Payne modifications). Built with detachable handle (no detachable butt). Liu wrote, “Harry didn’t like it so brought it to Jim Payne – completely rebuilt by Payne – handle is Payne with uplocking Payne RS – a unique piece of angling history with the Darbee, Payne & Young association – bag & alum. tube.” Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Winter 1985 catalog.

PHY Para 18, built May 1949, 9’0″, extension butt is present, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, decorative spiral bronze/tan wraps, screwlock cork seat, Detroit stamp, bag & tube. Refinished by Bob Summers. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, June 2008.

PHY Para 18, built 1949, 9’0″ with 2″ replacement extension butt, 2/1, weight 6-1/4 oz., ferrule 18/64, tiptop 8/64, flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, bag & replacement tube. MJK catalog 74 (1998).

PHY Para 18, built 1949, 10’0″ with 5″ extension butt, 2/2, flamed cane, deluxe yellow wraps, detachable handle with screwlock cork seat, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog 75 (1998).

PHY Para 18, built December 1949, 9’6″, extension butt is missing, 2/2, flamed cane, marked in gold lettering, fading and not in good condition, Parabolic 18 9’6″ 10 oz. G.A.F. Line Bamboo only 4.51 oz. Gordon F. Burgess – Waquoit, Dec. 1949. Tips marked .2807, tip tops .125. Double spiral wrap at front of grip, decorative spiral bronze wraps, screwlock cork seat, bag & tube. Waquoit is a village on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Offered on eBay February 2008.

PHY Para 18/17, built 1949, 9′. 2/2 Varnished cane, gold wraps, silver slide band over morticed cork seat, non-pocketed and stamped cap, cigar grip with single thumb indent, light soiling. Gold finish ferrules. The butt inked on 2 flats by PHY: 9′ PARABOLIC 18/17  18 BUTT-1 7Tip. 5.26oz 17 Fer. 6T.T.  G.B.F  /  Paul H. Young Detroit-Maker. Aug.1949.  Period tan bag with brown piping, later domed brass cap aluminum tube. Listed on Bob Summers’ website July 2019 for $2,500.00.

PHY Para 18, built 1950, 9’0″, was not built with an extension butt, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, decorative spiral brown wraps, screwlock cork seat (bright screwlock mechanism with darker cap, which has Detroit stamp), half Wells grip, bag & B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Built by Paul H. Young, and each tip is marked identically in PHY’s handwriting: 18/64 Fer.  6/64 Tip Top  The butt was refinished by Bob Summers, and its lettering redone, due to bug spray damage. The butt now is marked on three flats in Summer’s handwriting. First flat: Paul H Young Maker Detroit Sept 1950   Second flat: Parabolic 18/17  9′  5.93 oz.  GBF  Third flat: Bamboo wt 4.57 oz. (not sure of the “5” – it may be another number).  Offered for $2150 on Bob Summers’ web site, September 2010. Offered for $1800 on Bob Summers’ web site, February 2011.

PHY Para 18, built 1951, 9’0″, 5.90 oz., for GBF line, Ferrule 18/64, tip top 7/64, reported by “bow river” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, owned by a guided fishing client.

PHY Para 18, built 1951, 9’0″ 2/2 , said to weigh 6.1 oz. (although marked 5.90 oz.) varnished, flamed cane, long Ritz-style cork grip (new work by Summers?), pocketed bright silver cap (with “Detroit” die stamp) and bright screwlock seat over cork, decorative spiral brown wraps, hookkeeper, ferrule does not look like Super-Z judging from photo, gold lettering: “Paul H. Young Maker Detroit 51”, “9′ 5.9 oz. Parabolic 18”, “18/64 Fer 7/64 Tip Top GBF line.” Removable cork and rubber fighting butt. Bag and tube. Refinished by Bob Summers. Seen on M.W. Reynolds web site, 2012, then sold on eBay for $1475, July 2012. Could be same rod reported by “bow river.”

PHY Para 18, exact length unknown, built for Col. G.M. O’Connell of St. Michaels, MD. A photo of Col. O’Connell with this rod and a prize-winning barracuda is featured in the green-covered PHY catalog, circa 1952. Rod appears to have a 2″ fixed extension butt; reel looks like a large Pflueger Medalist. Text that accompanies the photo reads as follows: BARRACUDA  1st Prize in Metropolitan Miami Fishing Tournament 1951, Fly Division. Wt. 11 lbs. 13 ozs., length 40 inches. Taken on a Paul H. Young “Parabolic 18” by Col. G.M. O’Connell, St. Michaels, Md.  100th PLUS Bone-fish: Col. O’Connell has taken past his hundreth Bone-fish on a fly, every fish on a Paul H. Young Co. fly rod. (Two other rods owned by Col. O’Connell, both baitcasters, are listed in this database).

PHY Para 18, built January 1952, 9’0″, 2/2, flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, step-down blued ferrules, solid (not spiral decorative) wraps, two different tips, one with 7/64 tip top (though unlabeled), the other is a 6/64 tip top labeled FlyTip 6/64 Tip Top written near the ferrule. Much other inking on the butt section in Paul H. Young’s handwriting. First flat: D.A. Lisenby – Weldon, Ill. Jan 1952 5.97 oz : 6.14 oz  Second flat: 9′ – 18 – 1 – 6: 1 – 7  TipTop  Inking on the third flat (in tiny, detailed lettering on two lines with brackets for the different weights) indicates that the weight of the bamboo alone, when the rod was equipped with the lighter 6/64 tip for GBF line, was 4.29 oz.  The weight of the bamboo alone, when the rod was equipped with the heavier 7/64 tip for GAF line, was 4.44 oz.  The weight of the finished rod was 5.97 oz. with the lighter tip and 6.14 oz. with the heavier tip. Original bag, tube. Offered on eBay by Hoagy B. Carmichael, May 2009. Thanks to “cwfly” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum whose research indicates that Donald A. Lisenby was born August 7, 1910 and died September 26, 1997. His grandfather Charles built the first two-story house in Weldon, a very small town in farming and stockyard country. Donald A. Lisenby was a principal with H.P. Lisenby in the Weldon Oil Co. – “serving you since 1923 – Shell Products.” Photos by current rod owner “Sam Iam” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Para 18, 9’0″, 2/1, 5-3/4 oz. Straight grip, screwlock cork grip, foulproof guides. Action described as very slow. Inscribed for GBF line. Purchased used for $55 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm from MJK on November 29, 1973. Mac fished it only one time. Mac sold the rod back to MJK for $150 on August 6, 1987.

PHY Para 18 or similar, 9’0″, 5-1/2 oz. Butt inked on three flats in PHY’s handwriting. First flat: Tim Bedford  9′ – 5 1/2 oz.  “Parabolic”  Second flat: 18/64 Ferrule  7/64 Tip Top  Third flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker Decorative spiral wraps before and after inked writing. In the collection of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, Manchester, VT. The late Tim Bedford made bamboo rods in the style of Lyle Dickerson, having purchased Dickerson’s rod shop, including the milling equipment.

PHY Para 18 or similar, 9’6″ in length, built for A.S.K. of Delaware (believe this is A.S. Kloss of Wilmington, DE). Known to me solely from a “satisfied customer” letter printed in the green-covered PHY catalog, circa 1952. Rod was 9’6″ long, with a 18/64″ ferrule and saltwater chrome guides. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Young: Rod and line arrived in fine condition – and I appreciate the most excellent workmanship in this rod. You are to be congratulated in producing such a fine product. In my enthusiasm for fresh water fishing I overlooked the need for chromium guides for salt water fishing in Chesapeake Bay, and I am glad you used them. I am sure my many fishermen friends will envy me this rod. I can hardly wait to try it out. A.S.K., Delaware. Another letter in the same catalog was written about a Para 17 by A.S. Kloss of Wilmington, Delaware. I believe that A.S.K. is probably the same person.

PHY Para 18, built June 1950, 9’6″, 2/2, flamed cane, black screw-lock over cork seat, Detroit stamped and blued pocketed cap. Blued step-down ferrules with black wraps, the guides and butt wraps in green, chrome guides. Spiral wrap at the cork above a half wells grip. The rod appears to be very lightly used, if at all. The varnish, cork and ferrules appear ‘as new’. No indication of a refinish or repairs.  Inked on the butt section (4 flats) in Paul H. Young’s handwriting: Bob Kales – June 1950  /  “Parabolic 18” – 9 1/2′ – 6.15oz. G.A.F. line.  /  Bamboo Wt. 4.60oz.  /  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit. Makers. Light guage aluminum tube with a large thread cap. Brown bag. Listed on on Bob Summer’s web site October 2018 for $2,500.00.

PHY Parabolic 9′, built June 1948, 9’0″, 2/2, lightly flamed cane, knurled silver slide band over cork seat, Detroit stamped cap. Half wells with 2 thumb indents, minor soiling. Blued step-down ferrules with black wraps, the guides and butt wraps in golden/orange, chrome guides. Inked on two flats in Paul H. Young’s hand: “Parabolic” 9′ – 18/64 ferrule 5 1/2 oz.  /  Paul H. Young Detroit. June ’48.  Period Champion tube with brass collar, correct brown bag. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site November 2018 $2,500.

—————- (end of PHY Para 18 rods) ————–

PHY “LEE CUDDY POWERHOUSE” FLY RODS

PHY “Lee Cuddy Powerhouse”, 9’6″, 2/2, built 1953, 7.19 oz., built in 1953 for Col. L.R. Miller (this information is inked on the rod). Two flats of the butt are also inked in PHY’s handwriting as follows, First flat: “Cuddy Powerhouse”  9 1/2′ – 7.19 oz.  G.A.F.  Second flat: Bamboo wt. 5.26 oz.  Fer. .296  TipTop .109. Varnished flamed cane, fixed extension butt, screwlock seat over cork, half Wells grip, hookkeeper. Bag, tube, and green protective sleeve to encase tube. Thanks to Sante Giuliani. Now owned by Scott Davis.

PHY rod built for Lee Cuddy, 9’6″ “Powerhouse” model, July 1950. Big fly rod shown on cover of 1951 PHY catalog, held in J. Lee Cuddy’s right hand, beside fly rod record-catch tarpon on 12 lb. test leader. Letter from J. Lee Cuddy to PHY is reprinted on page 16 of catalog: “…all time record for tarpon taken on regular fly equipment. I caught the record 63 lb., 5 ft. 3-1/2 inch tarpon on your rod…” Rod size is not designated, but the same catalog describes the Lee Cuddy “Powerhouse” rod as a 9’0″, size 20 ferrule, size 8 tiptop rod weighing seven ounces. The circa 1955 catalog describes a “Powerhouse” fly rod as a 9’6″, size 19 ferrule, size 7 tiptop rod weighing seven-and-a-quarter ounces. The catalog says, “This rod was developed mainly for fly-caught tarpon record seekers.” This rod is probably the same, or similar, to one of these. The Miami (FL) Rod and Reel Club web site reports that in 1948 J. Lee Cuddy established 17 club records in eight tackle classes. This MAY be the same 9’6″ 2/2 rod with Lee Cuddy’s name on it, reportedly on display (as of January 2016) at the Fly Shop of Miami in Pinecrest, MI. The rod on display is marked Lee Cuddy  July ’50  9’6″ – 8.05 oz.  /  “Cuddy Powerhouse” Oregon Egg rod  Butt 1 – Texas Kid Tip 1 – 5/8 plug accy tip  /  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker.

PHY “Lee Cuddy Model” (Powerhouse), 9’6″, 2/2, built July 1952 for H.L. Horsley, 6.63 oz., butt section inked in PHY’s handwriting as follows, First flat: H.L. Horsley – July 1952  Second flat: Lee Cuddy Model – 9 1/2 – 6.63 oz. Third flat: G.A.F. line  Varnished flamed cane, fixed extension butt, screwlock seat over cork, half Wells grip with thumb indentation, solid gold wraps at cork grip and at snake guides, decorative quadruple gold wraps on butt after inked inscriptions, decorative spiral gold wraps paired with solid black wraps at male and female ferrules. Seen in late 2021 in generally fine condition except one tip needing attention to three snake guides, plus a hook dig. Brown bag, tube.

—————- (end of PHY Lee Cuddy Powerhouse rods) ————–

PHY 9’0″, built circa 1950, 2/2, two differently tapered tips, one with 6/64 tiptop and the other 5/64 tiptop, size 16 ferrule, weight with 0.078 tip is 5.50 oz., with 0.095 tip is 5.70 oz., lightly flamed cane, Wells grip, 100% black finish screwlock cork seat, Young-marked butt cap, dark red wraps, blued shouldered ferrules, unfortunately the owner had original shaft markings removed to have his name inscribed, rod action described as “very similar to a Texas General,” MJK catalog 81 (2000).

PHY 9’0″, 3/2, poor condition, poorly refinished, markings on cane gone, may have wet/dry tips, seems to be built for HDH line, eight guides plus stripping guide and tip top, tips measure 36″, mid shorter by 1/4″, butt shorter by 1/2″. Reported by czkid of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY 9’0″, 3/1 fly rod, poor condition, poorly refinished with spinning rod guides attached with green wraps, markings on cane gone, also missing are a presumed second tip, the bag, and the tube. Do not know whether PHY made the blank or whether it was supplied to him. Black pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock cork reel seat, cigar grip, thin metal winding check almost certainly part of poor refinish job, step-down ferrules. Thanks to Jerry Wallace.

PHY 9’0″ Bone/Steelhead/Salmon Special, 2/2, 6.79 oz., varnished, lightly flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with 1″ permanent extension butt, bronze wraps. Hearthside News, Vol. 4 No. 2 (December 1984), published by Thomas & Thomas, Turners Falls, MA.

PHY 9’2″ 3/2 rod, 6.55 oz., varnished, richly flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat with 2″ permanent extension butt, light green wraps with chromed guides, blued Super-Z ferrules are sizes 21 and 15, large Wells grip w/ dual thumbprint depressions, marked on reel fittings and original markings (not otherwise described) on cane shaft, orig. bag and B-24 aluminum tube with cap. MJK catalog 82 (2001) and 83 (2001).

PHY 9’3″ “Parabolic 20/19”. 6-3/4 oz., 2/1, 8/64″ tip, 20/64″ mid. Bright alum. Screw-lock cork seat into N/S cap w/ fixed 2-1/2″ ext. butt. Cap stamped “Paul H. Young Co. / Detroit Mich.” 8″ grip with thumb indents. Cane marked: 9’3″ – 6 ¾ oz. “Parabolic” 20/19 20/64 fer. 8/64 T.T. / Axxx I. Dxxxx Feb. ’54 – G.A.F.. Maroon wraps, chrome snakes, tip tops, and Perfection strippers. Seen Adams angling catalog 51 (2004) and catalogs 54 and 55 (2005).

PHY 9’0″ Parabolic 21 (9’5″ with ext. butt), built January 1949. 7-1/2 oz., 2/2. Varnished flamed cane, walnut and bright metal screwlock downlocking reel seat believed to be made by Lyle Dickerson, half Wells grip with series of three thumb indentations. Black decorative double-spiral thread wrap at front of cork grip, black decorative triple-spiral thread wraps at tip tops, solid dark green wraps tipped black at snake guides. Heavy, bright metal tip tops with support struts. Surprisingly, has black aluminum truncated ferrules. Butt is inked by PHY as follows: H.H. Garman – Detroit. January ’49, 9’5″ “Parabolic 21”, 7 1/2 oz., Paul H. Young, Detroit, Maker. Tips are inked 7 1/2 oz. but thread wraps on one tip partially hide the inking. Bag will hold six rods sections (it was made for two rods). Tube has aluminum collar, brass caps, and is covered with old brown kraft paper. To be sold as Lot 303, Lang’s Auction, Oct. 10, 2015.

PHY 9’3″ 2/2, 7-1/2 oz., varnished cane, screwlocking reel seat over cork, unique and completely detachable 13″ handle, black wraps, a special rod built for Mr. I.E. Jacobs of the Rod and Reel Club, Miami, Florida as a tarpon rod, described as having “immense power.” Offered in Hearthside News (Vol. 4 No. 1; June 1984), published by Thomas & Thomas of Turners Falls, MA.

PHY 9’3″ 2/2 salmon/steelhead rod, ext. butt, built 1951, described as in “excellent shape”in Joe Garman’s bamboo rod sales list dated February 1982.

PHY 9’6″ 3/2, varnished cane, cap and ring, unusual identification sticker: in two lines, MAKER, PAUL H. YOUNG / DETROIT, MICH. Much later handwritten notation by Bob Summers: Refinished by RW Summers. Seen by me at a vendor’s table, Lang’s antique tackle show, Boxborough, MA, November 2008. It is almost certainly the same rod that was brought to my attention in 2010 by the current owner. On four flats: First flat is the decal in two lines: MAKER, PAUL H. YOUNG / DETROIT, MICH.  Second flat: Refinished by Robert W. Summers Feb. 10 – 08  Third flat: 9 1/2′   5 3/4 oz.  Fourth flat: June 1943  The mid section is 4″ short. Ferrules are 19 and 13. Actual weight measured by the owner is 5.5 oz. The tube is built with a spring-loaded bump.  One simply depresses it, and the cap slides straight up and off.

PHY 9’6″ 3/2, varnished (possible old over-varnish), deeply-flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with Young-marked cap, Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, no extension butt, described as a parabolic 3/2 rod for nine- to ten-weight lines. MJK catalogs no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).

PHY 9’6″ 2/2, varnished,deeply-flamed cane, bright silver screwlock cork seat with blued, stamped and pocketed cap. 2″ extension butt, half Wells grip, gold colored ferrules, gold wraps. Sprial decorative wrap at the nose of the grip. Rod appears very lightly used. Rare and never before seen label from the Young shop affixed to the tube. The light grade aluminum tube with externally fitted and threaded cap is common to rods dated from the late 1940’s to early 1950’s. Solid brown fabric bag.  A unique rod as it is inked for a wholesale. Marked on 3 flats by PHY:  9 1/2′ – 6.45oz. G.A.F.    Bamboo wt. 4.53oz.  /  Made for J.L Hudson Co. Detroit Mich.  /  T.W. .375-.281-.102.  The T.W. is indicative of a Ted Williams model rod. The Young shop could not market Ted’s rods as he signed exclusive marketing rights with Sears & Roebuck.  The J.L. Hudson Department Store opened in 1911 in Detroit. The primary location operated at 1206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit from 1946 to 1983. Listed on Bob Summers’ website November 2018 for $3,000.00.

The very unique tube/label that accompanies the above Ted Williams’ rod:

PHY 9’6″ 2/2, low water salmon/steelhead rod with detachable handle. Varnished, flamed cane, cork screwlock reel seat, cork grip with double thumb depressions, Super-Z ferrules, bag and tube. MJK provided a letter of authenticity. MJK catalogs no. 82 and 83 (2001) and 84 (2002).

PHY 9’6″, built for Hall T. Elder, Ruston, LA, 9’6″, 2/2, for a GAF fly line. Varnished, green wraps, (black wraps on the ferrules), deeply-flamed cane, screwlock cork seat with Young-marked cap, Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, no extension butt. Built for Hall T. Elder of Ruston, Louisiana. Marked on 3 flats. Hall T. Elder . Ruston, 9’6″ – 6.27oz G.A.F., Bamboo wt 4.40oz  Fer 18/64 Tip Top 7/64. Known also from Elder’s letter to PHY reproduced in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog. Excerpts: “Dear Mr. Young: Only recently I tried a Cortland Stratoline silk GAF line on the 9 1/2 ft. GAF rod I got from you and got 15′ better than I have ever been able to obtain with any other rod…”

PHY 9’6″ 3/2 heavy fly rod probably taking a nine- to ten-weight line. Probably an example of an unnamed 9’6″ 3/2 rod model, ferrules 21/64″ and 15/64″, tip top 6/64″, 6.75 oz. finished weight, that was cataloged in the first half of the 1950s. This rod was found in a rural Washington state antique store by current owner. Varnished rod was clearly refinished with incorrect thread colors, and any original inking on the cane was lost. Rod was sent by current owner to Bob Summers who did a full refinish to restore period-authentic appearance. Butt of rod is now inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Maker Detroit 52.  Second flat: 9’6″  6 3/4 oz.  6/64 TT GAF  Third flat: Refinished by RW Summers July 2014. Deeply- and beautifully-flamed cane. Black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock cork seat. Half Wells grip. Bright ferrules, believe they are Super-Zs. No extension butt. Non-original bag and tube. Thanks to “southernangler” for photos and report.

PHY 7’0″ 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., screwlock cork seat with Detroit stamp on butt cap, cigar grip, orig. bag & tube, lightweight semiparabolic action for #4 line. MJK catalog 54 (1990).

PHY 7’6″, custom built 1942
, 2/2, 2-3/4 oz., light dry fly action, Wells grip with thumb print, sliding band over cork, blued fittings, jasper wraps. MJK catalog Winter 1985-86.

PHY 8’0″ dated August 1947, 2/1, 4 oz., parabolic, lightly-flamed, rod shaft marked Sticks by Paul Young, also dated Aug 1947. Unmarked otherwise on cane; has authentic Young butt cap on a sliding band cork seat, “hammer-style” (?) cork grip. Needed total refinish, had no bag or tube. Possibly a kit rod? Impossible to know from the written description. MJK catalog no. 65 (1994).

PHY 8’6″ strong dry fly rod, 4-1/4 oz. for HCH line, 15/64 ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top, circa 1946 – 1948.May be a late-1940’s “Standby” model, or similar. The later “Texan” model was built at this length, weight, and ferrule size. Varnished cane, half-Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, August Pernack-designed ferrules,  no “Detroit” stamp on butt cap, but cap is authentic. Butt lettered on two flats by PHY in bold, dark ink. First flat:  8 1/2′ – 4 1/4 oz.  HCH  Second flat: Paul H. Young.  Detroit.  Maker  One tip, which is a bit short, is marked: Fer. 15/64 Tip Top 4 1/2/64  Other tip is full length, is unmarked, and has very slightly different thread golden wraps – a coarser thread. This tip appears refinished; if so, any original inking was lost. There are dark thread wraps at the hookkeeper and at the ferrule bases, and these thread wraps are of two different kinds as well – a dark thread color that shows a hint of maroon, which may be original, and a darker, almost black thread.

PHY 8’6″ 2/1 “parabolic distance” fly rod, 5 oz.  Known to me only from a brief description in the MJK Spring 1984 catalog. Flamed cane, Wells grip, sliding bands over cork, Super-Z ferrules.

PHY 8’6″ parabolic fly rod, #15 ferrule, 4.56 oz., dated November 3, 1950, believed to be a rod blank/cork grip combination built by PHY and sent to Don E. West of Dallas, Texas for final assembly and sale to William Sailor.  Rod is inked as follows, on four flats: Wm. Sailor (?) 11-3-50 / #15 – 8 1/2′ Paul Young. / Parabolic Action Trout / Finished by Don E West  The inked lettering is definitely not Paul H. Young’s handwriting. The most logical guess is that it is Don West’s handwriting. The phrase “Finished by Don E. West” implies that Paul H. Young sent the blank and the hardware, thread, etc. for West to assemble. My guess is that Paul Young also made the cork grip and sent it along with the blank. There is more lettering on the rod, in what appears to be two different handwriting styles. Currently in need of refinishing, the rod was finished with decorative spiral wraps at guides, ferrules, and in front of the cork grip. Original canvas bag with ties.

PHY 8’6″ 3/1 fly rod, 5 oz.  1940’s, blond cane, resourcinol glue lines, wells grip, aluminum downlock over black threads and cork seat, pocketed and stamped aluminum cap. Pernack ferrules. Marked on one flat in PHY’s hand:  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker. Refinished in gold silks with a non-standard hookkeeper and wrap at the grip. Non-original bag and tube.

PHY 9’0″ 2/2, 5 3/4 oz. Bright screw-lock over black threading, cork seat with blued pocketed cap, half wells grip with a few small chips at the nose. Lightly flamed cane with Special style spiral wraps in dark red/claret. Blued step down ferrules. Inked between two spiral wraps in Paul H. Young’s hand:  9′  5 3/4 oz. GBF. Correct Champion tube with brass collar has several written and typed labels. Rod is named the ‘Rocket Master’ according to these labels. Brown satin bag commonly seen in the latter part of the 1950’s. Listed on Bob Summers’ website in 2018 for $1,950.00.

PHY BAITCASTING AND BAIT RODS

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, Edwards-based, with light-ink handwriting by same person who inked the Edwards-based “Ace” shown above. 5’0″, 2/1, varnished cane, white or light ink signature exactly like the Young/Edwards “Ace.” Judging from photos, Pat Garner thought the black reel seat might be a later addition. The rod was seen on Bob Summers’ web site for one day in early 2009, and then removed.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, Edwards-based Prosperity. 5’0″, 2/1. Tip has one clear wrap. Varnished cane, marked in white ink, “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod.” Maroon wraps, red agate guide. Khaki bag, aluminum tube. Offered for sale on Bob Summers’ web site, December 2015.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, Edwards-based Prosperity model, marked “Paul H. Young’s Prosperity Rod” in light-ink handwriting. Described as 5’6″ in an eBay listing, but photo shows the butt section was severely shortened, so probably this was originally a 6’0″ rod, 2/1, varnished cane, white or light ink signature. Bright fittings over black barrel reel seat. Bag, but no tube. Sold for $382.97 on eBay, December 2012.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, Edwards-based, with light-ink handwriting. 6’0″, 2/1, varnished cane, white or light ink signature. Black reel seat. Bag and tube. Sold for $214.72 on eBay, August 2010.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, dated 1942. 6’0″, 2/1, varnished cane, decorative burgundy open spiral wraps, refinished by Bob Summers, 1-1/2″ foregrip, black screwlock seat. MJK catalog no. 88 (2004).

PHY EXPERIMENTAL STEELHEAD BAITCASTING ROD, dated December 1948. 8’9″, 2/1, 20/64 ferrule, staggered (tip 54″ long). 8-1/4 oz., foulproof guides, red wraps, 15″ handle with fixed aluminum seat. Owner comments: “owned by a friend of Paul Young’s in Florida (Col. O’Connell) who fished the Keys with Young.” Thanks to Bill Benham.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD built by PHY, dated September 1953. 6’0″, 2/1, lightly flamed cane, decorative spiral wraps, Detroit stamp on black reel seat, in PHY’s handwriting marked, first line: Dana Summers Sept. ’53 second line: 6′ 3.70 oz. 3/8 oz. lure third line: 13/64″ Fer. 7/64″ TipTop Also marked #3 in different handwriting, on both butt and tip. Bob Summers told me that Dana Summers is not a relative of his. Owned by quashnet.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 6’0″, 2/1, for 5/8 oz. lures. Built for Stuart W. Fenton. Six serial-numbered rods built for Stuart W. Fenton are listed in the database.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

PHY 6’0″, ONE-PIECE ROD (baitcasting?). Known from this short description of lot #411, Fishing and Sporting Collectibles Auction, Richard A. Bourne Co., Hyannis, MA, July 20, 1989: PAUL H. YOUNG. Detroit, Mich. 72-inch 1-piece rod, red wraps, cork reel seat with “screw up-locking” (7). The “7” was a grading system indicating the rod’s condition scored 7 out of a possible 10. The limited description seems most consistent with a one-piece baitcasting rod. The rod sold for twenty dollars plus 10% buyers premium.

PHY 6’0″ CASTING ROD built by PHY. 6’0″, 2/1, flamed cane, decorative spiral wraps at front of removable grip, marked in PHY’s handwriting, first line: 6′ – 5/8 oz. plug.  Second line: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Built around mid-1950s. Aluminum tube. Offered by Bob Summers for $575 on web site, Sept. 2011.

PHY 5’6″ ONE-PIECE CASTING ROD. 5’6″, refinished with script in Bob Summer’s handwriting, first line: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker.  Second line: 5’6″ 5/8 oz.  14/64 Tip Top. Shown to me by Bob Summers, June 2012. Offered for sale for $500 on Bob Summers’ web site, January 2014.

PHY 7’9″ “MUSKY MASTER” BAIT ROD, dated September 24, 1960 and

PHY 7’0″ “MUSKY MASTER” BAIT ROD, dated 1959, refinished 2005.

Both rods shown to me by Bob Summers, June 2012.

7’9″ rod with script in Bob Summer’s handwriting, first line: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich.  Second line: Musky Master 7’9″ 5/8 oz.  14/64 Tip Top.  Third line: Sept. 24, 1960   Fourth line: Bob Summers

7’0″ rod with script in Bob Summer’s handwriting, first line: Paul H. Young Co. Det. Muskie Master  Second line: “Bob Summers” 1959 Ref. 2005

PHY ROD, probably baitcaster, built 1947, 6’4″, 2/1 (replacement tip by PHY), for 3/8 oz. and 1/4 oz. lures. Built for Harvey Chenault, MD. Known from Chenault’s letter to PHY reproduced in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog. Excerpts: “Dear Mr. Young: I am enclosing… a fishing rod made by you, delivered in 1947. This has been the most enjoyable and finest fishing rod I have ever owned and though made for a tournament casting rod has given wonderful service in fishing and was broken in a boating accident. I wonder if you could provide me with another tip of this same lightness and flexibility. When I ordered the rod I asked for the lightest possible action… consistent with casting 3/8 oz. and 1/4 oz. lures and specifically for tournament casting…”

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 6’4″, 2/1, varnished flamed cane, gold-bronze wraps; decorative spiral wrap at front of grip. Inked on butt: 6’4″  4 1/4 oz. “Detroit” stamp on black reel seat. Missing cork plug on end cork, old glue and bamboo is exposed. Brown satin bag, Champion-style tube. Lot 375, Lang’s auction, May 17, 2014.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 6’0″ although marked as 6’4″, 6’0″, 2/1, varnished flamed cane, brown wraps; decorative spiral wrap at front of grip. Inked on butt: 6’4″  3.75 oz. “Detroit” stamp on bright metal reel seat. Heavily corroded locking core. Gray vinyl bag, plain tube. Lot 376, Lang’s auction, May 17, 2014.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 6’0″ or 6’1″ one-piece with detachable handle, built January 1954 for Louis S. Kunkel, one-piece bamboo rod shaft is five feet long, the detachable handle is about one foot long. Varnished mottle-flamed cane. Inked on cane shaft on three flats. First flat: Louis S. Kunkel  Jan. 1954  Second flat: Tip – 5′  2.80 oz.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Makers (The word “Makers” is plural). No bag or tube described. Lot 377, Lang’s auction, May 17, 2014, where the detachable handle was stuck to the rod, three guides were described as original while two were replacements, and the overall length was given as six feet. Offered for sale July 2016 on Bob Summers’ web site, where overall length is given as 6’1″, the handle has been separated from the cane shaft, and a Pflueger Supreme casting reel was included in the sale.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 5’0″ 2/1 with detachable handle, 5’0″ staggered two-piece rod (tip longer than butt) with detachable Shakespeare handle that is stuck on the rod. Uniformly-colored cane. Inked on butt on two flats in Robert Summers’ handwriting, indicating refinish of an older rod. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit  Second flat: 5′  1/2 oz. Special. No bag or tube described. Seen September 2014 on eBay.

PHY BAITCASTING ROD, 5’6″ 2/1 built for Gale Labelle, two-piece staggered construction (butt shorter than tip). Varnished cane, solid jasper red-black thread wraps, ink-stamped Prosperity on butt, also hand-inked on two flats. First flat (this is the same flat that has the Prosperity ink-stamp): GALE LABELLE  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. rod  Handle assembly that holds the reel is marked William Shakespeare Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Seen on eBay August 2014, with Shakespeare reel No. 1973 also owned by Gale Labelle. Beige bag with brown piping and black ties. Aluminum tube with orange caps on both ends.

PHY Special Baitcasting Rod, 6′, 2/1. Description courtesy of the Lang’s Spring Auction 2020: Bearing the rubber stamp “Special” above the handle, this 2/1 has chrome guides, a carboloy tip top, red wraps with open spiral edges, bright ferrules, and a cork reel seat with screw down-locking hardware. The hooded collar bears the “Paul H. Young Co., Detroit-Mich.” stamping. There is very slight ridging of the cork. This rod has the original varnish which shows normal age scuffing. Young employed the staggered ferrule design so that the butt is 32” long and the tip is 40”. It comes with a brown bag and a red fiber tube.

From the collection of Hans “Bill” Holbein, the highly respected fishing tackle historian and inspiration behind many of today’s most prestigious angling collections. Known for his award winning educational exhibitions of antique fishing tackle, which never failed to include a wide range of historic and rarely seen items, each accompanied by well-documented information. His exceptional presentations were mainstays at shows for decades, not only providing exposure of antique fishing tackle to the public, but in every way geared towards encouraging new collectors. Consistently ahead of the curve, Holbein has always had an eye for quality and an inquisitive nature that encouraged the acquisition of obscure angling artifacts before they became mainstream. Bill also has the distinction of hosting the first of what would become the NFLCC regional shows, gathering a “who’s who” of fishing tackle collectors from all over the country in the early 1980’s at his Ballston Spa, NY event. A unique collection, meticulously assembled, by a true luminary of our field. Lang’s is proud to offer the Holbein Collection.  Sold for $180.00

—————- (end of PHY baitcasting and bait rods) ————–

PHY SPINNING RODS AND FLY/SPIN RODS

PHY / Don West 7’6″ parabolic spinning rod, #14 ferrule, 4.41 oz., dated February 17, 1953, believed to be a rod blank/cork grip combination built by PHY and sent to Don E. West of Dallas, Texas for final assembly and sale to William Sailor.  Rod is inked as follows, on three flats: Wm. A Sailor (or Sailer?) 2-17-53  /  7 ½’ – #14 Paul Young Parabolic  /  Finished by Don E West  The inked lettering is definitely not Paul H. Young’s handwriting. The most logical guess is that it is Don West’s handwriting. The phrase “Finished by Don E. West” implies that Paul H. Young sent the blank and the hardware, thread, etc. for West to assemble. My guess is that Paul Young also made the cork grip and sent it along with the blank. The black dual reel rings, each marked with the “Detroit” identification stamp, are still intact on the cork grip. There is more lettering on the rod, including 4.41 oz. written on the cork grip and the numbers 7’6” and 14 written on the cane. This rod was heavily used and is currently in need of refinishing. The rod blank shows ghosting where old wraps were removed. It is easy to see where the guides had originally been positioned. The rod has been completely stripped of its guides except for its glued-in tip top. Examination of the cane at the tip top shows there was never a thread wrap on the tip guide, re-enforcing the rod owner’s belief that this was the normal method Don West employed when he finished out the Young rods (there are no wraps at the tips of any of the four Young/West rods that he owns). The canvas bag with darker piping and ties is a style often seen with Young rods. Thanks to “salmonid” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for information about these rods.

PHY 8’0″ parabolic spinning rod, #15 ferrule, dated June 16, 1953, believed to be a rod blank/cork grip combination built by PHY and sent to Don E. West of Dallas, Texas for final assembly and sale to William Sailor, to give as a gift to “Jodie.”  Rod is inked as follows, on three flats: To Jodie from Bill 6-16-53  /  8’ – #15 Paul Young Parabolic  /  Finished by Don West  The inked lettering is definitely not Paul H. Young’s handwriting. The most logical guess is that it is Don West’s handwriting. The phrase “Finished by Don West” implies that Paul H. Young sent the blank and the hardware, thread, etc. for West to assemble. My guess is that Paul Young also made the cork grip and sent it along with the blank. Super-Z ferrule. This rod was heavily used and is currently in need of refinishing. The rod blank shows ghosting where old wraps were removed. It is easy to see where the guides had originally been positioned. The rod has been completely stripped of its guides except for its glued-in tip top. Examination of the cane at the tip top shows there was never a thread wrap on the tip guide, re-enforcing the rod owner’s belief that this was the normal method Don West employed when he finished out the Young rods (there are no wraps at the tips of any of the four Young/West rods that he owns). Thanks to “salmonid” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for information about these rods.

PHY SPINNING ROD, 7’6″ 2/1, likely assembled by Don E. West, dated July 17, 1950. 7’6″, 2/1, varnished flamed cane, long straight cork grip with two bright rings to hold spinning reel, variegated red/green wraps, tip top is missing, male ferrule is pulled off cane and stuck in female ferrule. The one spinning guide that can be seen in photos is bent. Not Paul H. Young’s handwriting on cane. Inked in handwriting that I attribute to Don E. West of Dallas, TX, on three flats. First flat:  W.W. Clerihew (? – last name is hard to read) 7-17-50  Second flat: #14 – 7 1/2′  Paul Young Third flat: Parabolic Action  Sold for $263.00 on eBay, late December 2011.

PHY SPINNING ROD, 7’0″ 2/1, likely assembled by Don E. West. 7‘0″, 2/1, varnished flamed cane, long straight cork grip with two bright rings to hold spinning reel, both rings marked with Paul H. Young Co. / Detroit – Mich stamp. Remnants of inked lettering appear to be written by Don E. West of Dallas, TX, on three flats, and seem to indicate a #14 ferrule. Thanks to “Rio Grande King” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY SPINNING ROD, dated 1955, finished by Don E. West of Dallas, Texas. 7’6″, number of tips unknown, not known whether it had a serial number. “Very scarce PAUL YOUNG Deluxe 7 1/2′ lt. SW / Steelhead / salmon Spinning Rod, 4 5/8 oz. for 3/8 – 3/4 oz. lures, state-of-the-art for quality spinning rods, dk. richly flamed-bamboo shafts, super-Z ferrules, standard 14″ cork handle w/ 2 blued bands & paul Young stamping, rod shaft dated 1955, showing the rod was fin’d by Don West, who had a special arrangement w/ Young & was listed in their catalog, rod needs complete refin., has no bag or tube. $230.” This description appeared in MJK catalog no. 67 (1995).

PHY 8’0″ parabolic spinning rod, #15 ferrule, dated September 9, 1958, finished by Don E. West of Dallas, Texas and given by him as a gift to William Meek, description of rod based on photos sent me by Wm. Meek’s son Philip, who as a boy was taught fly casting and fly tying by Don West in the late 1950s. Rod is inked as follows, on three flats: To Wm. Meek 9-9-58  /  /  From Don West  /  Paul Young.  8’ – #15 Spin Rod  /  Lures 1/8 to 5/8 oz., Parabolic Action    Tip is marked 8’ – #15 Spin on two flats. The inked lettering is the same handwriting associated with other Don West rods. Dual black rings over long, straight cork handle, slightly flared at each end. No serial number, even though rod was built in 1958; it seems likely that only PHY rods sold out of the shop in Detroit were serial numbered. The PHY eight-foot spinning rod with #15 ferrule was often known as the “West’s Pet” model but this one is not so marked. Thanks to Philip Meek.

PHY FLY/SPIN ROD, dated January 1953, built for Edward Goodman of Detroit, MI. 7’6″, 2/1 (built with one tip). Equipped with typical black screwlock cork reel seat (with “Detroit” stamp on pocketed butt cap) to hold a fly reel, plus 10-1/4″ cork grip over which are two bright metal bands to hold a spinning reel. Each band has the “Detroit” stamp and has diagonal knurling on one edge. Knurling on the forward ring points forward toward the rod tip; knurling on the rear ring points back toward the screwlock cork reel seat. Overall length of the reel seat and grip with rings measures 14 inches. The cane is dramatically flamed and the node arrangement of both butt and tip is 2X2. Rod is inked on the butt section in PHY’s handwriting: Edward Goodman – Detroit – Jan. ’53  The phrase “Edward Goodman – Detroit” was carefully inked over a second time to make the lettering bolder and more prominent; the date was inked once in PHY’s normal way. No inking on tip. Burnt orange wraps. Solid wraps hold double-footed line guides. Decorative spiral wraps at base of ferrules (marked Super-Z), and a decorative double spiral wrap on the butt, beginning 13-1/2″ forward of the front end of the cork grip. A heavy rod for larger lures and big flies, cane at tip measures about 0.115” flat-to-flat. With unusually good condition satin bag, with two separate pockets for butt and single tip, in copper color with greenish sheen. Champion-style tube extra wide to accommodate spinning guides. Purchased by “Quashnet” from Bob Summers.

PHY FLY/SPIN ROD, dated Dec 1952, built for Dr. John W. Rebuck . 8’0″, 2/1. Equipped with a non-pocketed and stamped cap in polished finish with a knurled slide band (also bright finish) over a morticed cork seat. The long combination full wells style grip sporting two bright metal knurled bands to hold a spinning reel (cork soiled). Lightly flamed cane, ‘foul-proof’ spinning guides throughout with claret colored solid wraps at the guides, spiral wraps at the ferrules. The ferrules with the lovely gold finish. The varnish appears to have been exposed to heat with visible signs of ‘meltdown’.  The buttt showing a heavy set. The rod is inked on four flats of the butt section in PHY’s handwriting: Dr John W. Rebuck. Detroit. Dec. ’52  /  “SPIN-CASTER” 8′-4.68oz.  /  Fer 15/64  Tip Top 7/64  /  Made by – Paul H. Young Co. Detroit. This rod and two others belonging to Dr. Rebuck discovered in March of 2020. More about Mr. Rebuck can be found here: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2069&context=hfhmedjournal

PHY FLY/SPIN ROD, built for W.B. McConnaughy. Known to me only from a letter to PHY reproduced in a PHY catalog from at least 1958, possibly 1959: “Dear Mr. Young: It has been some years since our last correspondence… the combination fly and spinning rod you designed and made for me is still performing more than satisfactorily. It has seen hard use in many western states, and has caught many fine rainbow. For the past year and a half it has seen lots of service here in Brazil, and has managed to land Pirana, Dourado (5-10 lbs.) and many other fish I am unable to catalog… Sincerely yours, W.B. McCONNAUGHY, General Electric, S.A. Sao Paulo, Brazil.”

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spin-Master,” 7’2″, 2/1, 3-3/4 oz. Flamed cane,  dual black rings over cork handle, solid gold/brown wraps throughout. Marked Super-Z ferrules. Butt is inked in PHY’s handwriting on one flat: “SPIN-MASTER  3 3/4 oz.  Seen April 2014 on Vintage Fly tackle site.

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spin-Master,” 1953, built for A.V. Lotti, Detroit, MI. 7’2″, 2/1, 3.38 oz. Flamed cane,  dual black rings over cork handle, golden-brown wraps with decorative spiral at front of cork grip and at base of female ferrule. Super-Z ferrules. Tip is inked in PHY’s handwriting: Fer. 13/64  Tip Top 6/64  Butt is inked in PHY’s handwriting, first flat: A.V. Lotti – Detroit  Second flat: “SPIN-MASTER”  7’2″ – 3.38 oz.  Stated to be made in 1953. For about 6 lb. line. Beige bag and tube. Offered April 2012 on Bob Summers’ web site. See the Para 15 section for another rod owned by A.V. Lotti, built in January 1952.

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spin-Master,” 1953, at ferrule 0.265″, at tiptop 0.109″. 7’6″, 2/1, 5.95 oz. Flamed cane,  dual black rings over cork handle, black wraps with decorative spiral at front of cork grip and at base of female ferrule. Tip is inked definitely in PHY’s handwriting: Fer. .265  Tip Top .109  Butt is inked, possibly in replacement handwriting or by PHY, first flat: “SPIN-MASTER”  7 1/2′ – 5.95 oz.  Bamboo wt. 3.80 oz.  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker  Stated to also be dated 1953; date can be seen on tape label on tube. For about 10 lb. line. Green bag and tube. Offered April 2012 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spin-Caster,” dated April 1953, built for Lewis Pyle. 6’3″, 2/1, 3.00 oz. Medium flamed cane, black wraps, 10″ dual ring handle, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Thanks to Bill Benham for report of this rod.

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Special,” 6’4″, 2/1, 3.40 oz. Lightly flamed cane, 8″ dual ring handle, 15/64″ ferrule. Thanks to Bill Benham for report of this rod.

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spinmaster,” 6’4″, 2/1, 3.39 oz. Richly flamed and varnished cane, elongated full wells grip with dual black rings (knurled on one side). The grip is soiled. Solid black wraps over ‘foul-proof’ guides, elongated spiral wraps at the female ferrule and winding check. Gold finish Super Z ferrules appear in excellent condition. Inked on two flats of the butt section in PHY’s hand: “Spinmaster” 6’4″ 3.39oz  /  Fer 15/64 Ti[ Top 6/64 BamBoo WT 2.15oz. From the collection of Dr. John W. Rebuck. This collection of 3 rods was shared with me March of 2020. More about Dr. Rebuck can be found here: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2069&context=hfhmedjournal

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spinmaster.” 7’2″, 2/1, 3.35 oz. Lightly flamed cane, gold spiral wraps, 12-1/8″ dual ring handle, stepped 13/64″ ferrule. Owner comments: “Semiparabolic action, [also] throws a nice 5 weight.” Thanks to Bill Benham for report of this rod, who also adds “I’ve made a fly/spin copy… in a very un-PHY-ish 3/2 configuration, and it does indeed throw a 5 weight nicely.”

PHY SPINNING ROD, marked “Spinmaster.” 7’2″, 2/1, 3.30 oz. “Lightweight” spinning rod model, varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over long cork grip, “Detroit” stamp on ring, black spiral wrap in front of cork grip, black solid wraps otherwise, appears to be 13/64 Super-Z ferrule, rod is marked in black ink in what appears to be Jack Young’s handwriting. First flat: “Spinmaster” 7’2″  3.30 oz.  Second flat: Fer. 13/64  Tip Top 7/64  Bamboo wt. 2.06 oz. Seen on Thomas Rod Co. web site in mid-2013, and on R.W. Summers’ site in September 2013.

PHY SPINNING ROD,  Spinmaster, built 1951 for Rogers C.B. Morton. 7’6″, seller on Joe’s Old Lures Message Board wrote, “the writing (that is likely Young’s) on the rod indicates it was made in 1951 for Rogers C. B. Morton, who later became Secretary of Interior and Commerce under Presidents Nixon and Ford.” Flamed cane. Three guides reportedly needed to be rewrapped. Replacement bag and tube. Sale offer seen May 2012. In September 2012 owner William Dunn sent me photos. The writing is indeed by PHY, on two flats: Rogers C.B. Morton Louisville Sept. ’51 / 7 1/2′ – 14 – Spin-Master  4.16 oz. Marked Super-Z ferrule. Decorative spiral thread wraps in front of cork grip and at base of female ferrule.

PHY SPINNING ROD,  Spin-Master, 17/64″ ferrule, 9/64″ tip top. 7’6″, 2/1. Varnished, flamed cane. Long spinning rod handle with blueish-silver locking mechanism. Golden-tan wraps, solid at snake guides, decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip, at base of female Super-Z ferrule, and at tip top. Inked in PHY’s handwriting: Paul H. Young Detroit – Maker / “SPIN-MASTER”  7 1/2′  17/64 Fer  9/64 Tip Top. / Bamboo wt. 3.80 oz.  Thanks to Jeff Carmel for this report on this rod belonging to his father. Jeff reports that his mother was a more enthusiastic angler, which may help explain why this rod looks in mint condition. Jeff Carmel’s grandfather was J.B. Schlotman (1882 – 1951), who was the first golf professional at the Detroit Golf Club at the age of 18, and one of the top national amateurs for many years. Schlotman was a dedicated outdoorsman and freshwater fisherman who fished the Au Sable River in Michigan, which might have kept him in contact with the Youngs. But Schlotman’s big love may have have been Atlantic salmon fishing on the Grand Cascapedia, where he had a lodge called “Middle Camp.” The Schlotman family had other Young rods. Two others are currently known: a Heddon-based Young owned by Mrs. Schlotman, and a 7’6″ fly rod built by PHY in 1945, probably using a blank by South Bend or a similar tackle maker.

PHY SPINNING ROD,  both PHY’s cursive handwriting and printing styles inked on the butt. 8’0″, 15/64″ ferrule, 4-1/2 oz. Decorative spiral wraps. Inked (printed) on one flat: 8′ – 15 Fer.  4 1/2 oz.  Cursive script written on the next flat: Paul H. Young Maker. Seen on eBay years ago, few notes taken at the time.

PHY SALTWATER SPINNING ROD, 7’6″ 2/1, varnished flamed cane, straight cork handle about 15″ long, dual black rings, each ring die-stamped, saltwater-style guides, solid red jasper wraps. Seen at the 2014 Catskill Rod Gathering at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.

PHY SPINNING ROD, 5’8″, 2/1. Varnished and flamed cane, 10 1/2″ cork handle with two aluminum rings, each with smooth bands flanking a center chased band. The cork is lightly soiled. Semi-transparent brown wraps (commonly seen on rods refinished by Bob Summers) over chrome no-foul spinning guides, nickel silver ferrules. Inked on two flats in Bob Summers’ hand: Bob Summers 1958  /  Paul H. Young Co. Special Spin, 5’ 8”, 14/64 Fer. 6/64 Tip Top. Replacement khaki bag and Peerless style aluminum tube (too long for the rod) with a replacement cap. Sold for $350 at the Lang’s Spring 2020 Auction.

—————- (end of PHY spinning rods and fly/spin rods) ————–


PHY KIT RODS


PHY KIT ROD COMPONENTS, unassembled group for 7’6″, 3/2 fly rod,
 possible late-1940’s date. Butt and two tips built with 2×2 node arrangements, butt cap and ring, mortised cork reel seat, 12 snake guides, one stripping guide, two tip tops. The butt cap is authentic, marked with the “Detroit” stamp, and shows diagonal edge marks. The butt cap is attached to a mortised cork reel seat. The ferrules predate use of Super-Zs. The ends of the blank have been turned to accept the ferrules, an operation that PHY separately described in the 1948 catalog as one that he would do for a dollar. If a cork grip was originally supplied, it is now missing, as is any thread for the wraps. Reported by “mtn” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. The intention is to build a rod from these components.

PHY MIDGE KIT ROD, finished by George M. Aldrich, dated January 22, 1955, 2/2, varnished flamed cane, typical all cork reel seat with dual bright rings and cigar grip may have been provided by PHY as it looks just like his own work, olive green wraps with decorative spirals at guides, must have been done by Aldrich as there are two line guides on the butt section and they are both spinning rod guides. Each tip has five snake guides and the tip top. Butt is inked by Aldrich on three flats. First flat: PAUL H. YOUNG  Second flat: FINISHED BY GEORGE M. ALDRICH 1/22/55.  Third flat:  ~ THE SPORT OF A LIFETIME ~  Brown bag and odd tube, looks like dark plastic with black plastic caps. Offered on eBay, June 2014.

PHY MIDGE KIT ROD, sold as a kit rod in 1959, 2/2, rebuilt in 2013 by Bob Summers, varnished flamed cane, the blanks were “#2” meaning they had a glue seam showing, marked by two XX, dual black rings over cork reel seat, new cigar grip by Bob Summers, chestnut brown wraps, Super-Z ferrules. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting: Midge 6’6″ HEH 1959. Also marked Refinished by R.W. Summers 6/3/13. Original maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube.

TWO PHY KIT RODS, assembled by G.L.M. of Texas from parabolic blanks 7’6″ and 8’0″ long. Rod lengths, ferrule measurements and finished rod weights could indicate a Martha Marie Model and a Para 15, or equivalents. Known from G.L.M.’s letter to PHY reproduced in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: I want to tell you how well pleased I am with my two-piece, 7 1/2′, 3 1/2 oz. parabolic with No. 14 ferrule, and my 8′, 3 7/8 oz. parabolic with No. 15 ferrule, that Don west helped me assemble. In Montana, Idaho and Wyoming I caught plenty big rainbow and brown trout up to 3 1/2 pounds on dry flies. Most of the water I fished permitted long casting, and by using heavy lines and leaders up to 12′ I got excellent results of the brightest days.” – G.L.M., Texas.

PHY KIT ROD, 8’0″, 2/1, Para 15 blank, assembled October 1949, varnished, straw-colored, very lightly flamed cane; cap and ring without die-stamp marking, half-Wells grip with thumb depression, decorative spiral red wraps, blued ferrules, 2X2 node placement, original owner’s name appears above flat that reads Oct. 1949. In Orvis one-tip bag, and tube consistent with Paul Young. Offered for $650 by Carmine Lisella in Jordan-Mills Rod Co. catalog #34, Spring 2010.

PHY KIT ROD, 8’0″, was 2/1, now 2/2 with a new tip by Bob Summers, 13/64 ferrule, assembled by Gilbert Vander Male from Young-supplied materials, varnished flamed cane, taper unknown, said to be built “sometime prior to the mid-1960’s… there may have been an extra tip…” Inked in black in a very clear, printed hand, First Flat: Made by Second flat: Gilbert Vander Male Third flat: Materials by Fourth flat: Paul H Young Co. Fifth flat: 3.5 oz. 8 ft. Sixth flat: 13/64 HDH Cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, mortised underside of cork seat appears varnished, Ritz-style grip with almost no taper from back to front of corks, black decorative spiral wrap in front of cork grip, appears to be Super-Z ferrule. Sold for $456.51 on eBay, January 2009. With a new tip made by Summers, offered for $2400 in August 2012 on the Classic Fly Rod Forum! (Forum member Robert Sedlak looked up Gilbert Vander Male’s name, and found him in the records for Washington Park Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI:

Vander Male, Gilbert

Michigan PFC, U.S. Army, World War II

  1. Nov. 25, 1903; d. Jan. 7, 1971

The unusual name, Michigan location, and dates all point to this man being the assembler and first owner of the rod.)

PHY PARA 15 KIT ROD, 8’0″, 2/3, build date 1952, fully restored by Bob Summers in 2013. Two original tips, plus a third tip built by Bob Summers when he restored the rod. Bright cap and screwlock reel seat over cork. Pocketed butt cap has “Detroit” stamp. Varnished, flamed cane. New half Wells grip by Summers has eleven cork segments. Pernack ferrules. Brown wraps. The butt is lettered on four flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First flat: Paul H. Young Detroit 1952  Second flat: Parabolic 15 Kit Rod  Third flat: 8′ #5 to 6 Line  Fourth flat: Refinished by RW Summers 9/1/2013  Tip built by Summers is marked RWS. Dry fly tip has red wrap marker at ferrule and tip top. Green replacement bag and original B-24 tube, cap is marked 1952 in black, and 8’0″ #5 & 1/2 (?) in white.

PHY PARA 15 KIT ROD, once belonging to Ernest Schwiebert, 8’0″, 2/2, acquired at a Lang’s auction. Originally built with a cigar grip. Auction purchaser “dshx” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum asked Bob Summers to replace the cigar grip with a ventilated half-Wells. Cork rings were glued conventionally together, but then turned down at intervals to “ventilate” leaving a core of cork encasing the blank, rather than gluing corks to the blank with 1/16″ separations, as is the norm. Butt is labeled in an unknown hand on two flats, First flat: Doc SchwiebertSecond flat: 8′ 3 3/4 oz. 15/64 HDH I speculate that “Doc” could refer to Ernest G. Schwiebert, Sr. (the fly fishing author’s father) who was a Ph.D. historian. The butt is also lettered on three flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First flat: Paul H. Young Para. 15 Kit Rod Second flat: Assembled and used by Ernest Schwiebert Third flat: Refinished by RW Summers 7/2/09 Tips are 5/64 and 4/64 and have markings by Bob Summers as follows: 5/64 TIP TOP Dry and 4/64 TIP TOP XDry. (Often Para 15 rods have a 5/64 “wet” parabolic tip and a 4-1/2/64 dry tip). Varnished flamed cane, bright screwlock cork seat, marked Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps.

PHY PARA 15, believed to be a KIT ROD, dated June 15, 1954, 8’0″, 2/2, dry and wet tips, varnished lightly flamed cane, gold-bronze decorative spiral wraps are far more widely spaced apart than I have seen in any rod from the PHY shop. Inked in black caps in a very clear, printed hand, almost a classic hand as found on architectural drawings, First Flat: RAY YAMAMOTO Second flat: 6-15-54 Bright cap and ring over cork reel seat, Detroit stamp on cap, half Wells grip, original bag and tube. Ray Yamamoto is said to have been a frequent PHY Co. customer in the 1950s and 1960s. Sold for $2126.99 on eBay, January 2009.

PHY PERFECTIONIST KIT ROD, age unknown,
 was 2/2, rebuilt in 2008 by Bob Summers with an additional tip. Rod was sold on eBay as a PHY 7’6″ rod in generally poor condition, model unknown (although one might guess either a Perfectionist or a Martha Marie). There was no writing on the blank. The butt and one tip were flamed, the other tip was not flamed and was heavier than the flamed tip. The rod had a black screwlock cork seat with a “Detroit” die-stamp on the cap. Winning bidder Gerry Ichikawa sent the rod to Bob Summers, who thought it might have originally been a kit rod using a Perfectionist blank. The aluminum of the reelseat was corroded, and the aluminum ferrules were quite loose. Bob Summers rebuilt the rod with dual black bands over cork, half Wells grip, nickel silver ferrules. Bob Summers inscribed the rod on three flats: First flat: Rebuilt by RW Summers 9/20/08Second flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ #4 Line Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Kit Rod

PHY PERFECTIONIST KIT ROD, dates to 1957,
 7’6″, 2/2, rebuilt by Bob Summers with new cigar/Ritz cork handle, new dual rings over cork reel seat, new brown wraps in Young’s simple style, new lettering by Bob Summers on three flats. First flat:  Paul H. Young Co. Kit Rod 1957 Second flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 1/2 oz. HEH  Third flat: Refinished by RW Summers 2010   Offered for $2750 during September 2010 on Bob Summers web site; he wrote:“We sold a few kit rods with the ferrules and handle installed. The customer did his own wrapping and varnishing… every year a few show up for refinishing. I restored them as an original Paul H. Young rod would be.”

PHY 8’6″, 4-1/2 oz. Parabolic kit fly rod assembled and owned by G.B.E. of Massachusetts, no further details available, known solely from a letter written by G.B.E. to PHY, and published in the PHY catalog, circa 1955 (red cover, picture of Ned Jewett). The letter states: “Last year I purchased from you the rod sections and accessories to make an 8-1/2′, 4-1/2 oz. parabolic fly rod. I thought you might be interested to know that I killed three 10 lb. Atlantic Salmon with it and that these fish were beached and then tailed by hand. Needless to say, I am very much pleased with the rod.”

PHY 8’6″ 2/1 “General” kit fly rod, dated 1952, owned and presumably assembled by Stuart C. Day. Varnished cane. Cheap metal reel seat with cap, downlocking ring, and red barrel. Half Wells grip. Decorative spiral wraps in red/gold combinations. Black inking visible on three flats shown in eBay photos, text presumably written by Day. First Flat: Stuart C. Day  Second Flat: 1-26-52  Third Flat: “GENERAL” 3/78 – 5.81 oz. Additionally, the following text was reported: 8 1/2 ft. – 16/64 ferrule – 7/64 TipTop  GBF – C LEVEL NYLON  Rod Sections by Paul Young – DET  Cloth bag has a space for missing second tip. Tube has pressure-button cap. Sold for $517. on eBay, December 2011.

HY 8’6″ 3/2 kit fly rod.

Lightly soiled cigar grip, red anodized aluminum Featherweight style down-locking seat with bright finish pocketed cap and triple knurled ring. These seats are common to mid 1940’s PHY rods and PHY kit rods. Solid claret colored wraps over black guides, bright finish August Pernack style ferrules common to late 1940’s 1950’s PHY rods. One tip appears short by a ¼”.  ‘Marked on two flats of the butt section in black ink: Snowy Range  / J.W.Rebuck M.D. Detroit.  From the collection of three rods discovered in March of 2020 belonging to Dr. John W. Rebuck of Detroit. More about Dr. Rebuck here: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2069&context=hfhmedjournal

PHY PARA 15 KELLER MODEL, sold as a KIT ROD and assembled by John W. Cook of Kalamazoo, MI, member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. The rod is known to me from a letter written by Paul H. Young to John Cook dated December 6, 1956, describing the rod, and from Cook’s letter of reply to PHY upon receiving the rod components, published in the 1958 or possibly 1959 PHY catalog. Excerpts from PHY’s Dec. 6, 1956 letter to Cook: “I have glued cork and reel seat on your Para. 15 butt. Our usual procedure in the shop is to set ferrules first, get correct line-up, prik-punch ferrules to indicate line-up, in order to get the reel seat in order with the guide side, or panel… Thanks for your interest, and I hope you find the ‘Keller’ much to your liking.” Excerpts from Cook’s letter to PHY, published in the late 1950’s PHY catalog: “The sticks for the Parabolic 15 arrived and it may gratify you to know that, while I’m a bit of a crank, I’m still busy admiring them. Also, the handle and reel seat are exactly right…” PHY referred to “blanks” as “sticks.” He sold kits to be assembled, usually with the handle pre-turned, and often with it attached to the blank along with the reel seat hardware. The Cook letter is undated. The rod is almost certainly not serial-numbered if it was built from a kit. Cook and PHY are known to have carried on what Cook called an “extensive correspondence” (letter from John Cook to Mike Clark from Cook, dated May 3, 1997). Cook donated almost all of his collection of PHY letters to the American Museum of Fly Fishing many years ago, but upon my inquiry the present AMFF leadership would not even confirm to me whether the letters are still in Museum archives. Thank you to Mike Clark of South Creek Rods.

PHY KIT ROD 7’6″2/2, dated 1948. Unusual black reel seat, and large metal winding check. Marked as an “Ace,” but decorative spiral thread wraps were found on “Special” grade rods of the time. Varnished cane. Butt inked on two flats in what appears to be Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: Paul H. Young Ace Kit Rod Second flat: Assembled by B. Boyhem 1948. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, December 2014.

KIT ROD built on the 7’2″, 13/64″ ferrule “Lightweight” spinning rod, but apparently with a fly rod reel seat added (combination fly/spin kit rod?). Known to me only from a satisfied-customer testimonial letter written by F.R.S. of Illinois, and printed in the circa 1952 green-covered PHY catalog: “Dear Mr. Young: I have used the lightest rod, on which I put a fly rod reel seat, for both bass and trout fishing, and have had splendid success. The action of this rod with 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 oz. spinning baits is very good. It handles fish extremely well.” – F.R.S., Illinois (7’2″ – 13 spinning rod).

Orvis kit rod finished with a PHY butt cap. 7’6″. This is the complete description from MJK’s catalog no. 63 (1993): “ORVIS 7-1/2′ kit rod, 2/1 for #5/6 line, 3-1/4 oz., dk. red wraps, used, but tight & sound, rod finished w/a Paul Young-stamped cap & sliding band, v.g. + cond. w/bag & tube. $200.”

PHY-origin kit rod, a bamboo spinning rod with two tips, one tip makes a 7’0″ rod, the other tip makes a 7’6″ rod.  2/2. Long cork grip, dual bands are not typical PHY bands, but Bob Summers identified the nickel silver ferrules as Young’s, and the cane looks like a blank from the 1940s. Thus Summers believes this is a PHY Co. kit rod from the 1940s. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, December 2015.

—————- (end of PHY kit rods) ————–

PHY FIBERGLASS SPINNING RODS AND FLY RODS

PHY 6’0″ fiberglass fly rod built by Al Ellis for the PHY Company. 
2/1. Gold-colored downlocking metal reel seat. Cigar/Ritz cork grip with metal disc at front of grip. Cheap loop hookkeeper. Brown fiberglass blank. Brown wraps with black tipping. Inscribed in black ink on shaft: F26L – 6′  2 oz.  STREAM DREAM FLY ROD / HANDCRAFTED FOR THE PAUL YOUNG CO. / By “Al” Ellis. Al Ellis owned a small fiberglass rod company in Detroit named “Yankee Clipper.” In his own shop, Ellis made some fiberglass rods marked with the PHY Co. name, and brought to the PHY shop to be sold there. Bob Summers thinks that about two dozen of these rods were sold.

PHY fiberglass salmon fly rod built by Al Ellis for the PHY Company. 2/2. Known from a 2012 internet query for information from owner of a rod marked SF2868 and marked as being handmade by “Al” Ellis for the Paul H. Young Co. (SF may stand for Salmon Fly). Rod is marked as weighing 4.27 oz. and was reported to have two tips as well as a butt section. On tip is 2″ short. Overall rod length unknown. Al Ellis owned a small fiberglass rod company in Detroit named “Yankee Clipper.” In his own shop, Ellis made some fiberglass rods marked with the PHY Co. name, and brought to the PHY shop to be sold there.

PHY 7’0″ fiberglass spinning rod built for “Bar” Jewett. 2/1. Inscribed in ink on shaft: “Bar” Jewett  /  7′  4 oz.  /  Paul H. Young Co.  /  Detroit  “Bar” is short for “Barbara,” the wife of long-time good PHY customer Ned Jewett. Brown blank. Bright, high-quality metal ferrules. Yellow wraps with red tipping. Black reel seat rings in perfect condition are stamped with the “Detroit” stamp. Original two-compartment copper-colored bag. Original tube has been lost. Acquired 2014 by quashnet.

PHY 7’0″ fiberglass spinning rod for 4 to 6 lb. line, circa 1957. 2/1. Inscribed in ink on shaft: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit  The reel seat rings are stamped with the “Detroit” stamp. Original two-compartment rayon bag and tube. Offered for $175 on Bob Summers’ web site years ago.

PHY 8’0″ fiberglass fly rod, 2/1. Late 1950s – early 1960s. Built on a Harnell glass blank. Black reel seat with gold-colored cap and rings. Half Wells cork grip. Hookkeeper. Ferrule appears to be Super-Z. Inscribed in white ink on black fiberglass shaft: 8′ – 4.64 oz.  H.C.H. / Paul H. Young Co. / Detroit. Was owned by long-time PHY customer Dick Charlton. Seen in late May 2014 on Bob Summers’ web site.

PHY 8’6″ fiberglass fly rod, 2/1. Built by Bob Summers in 1963. 4″ removable extension butt. Blank appears to be an early Narmco Conolon fiberglass blank. Black reel seat with gold-colored cap and rings. Cigar / Ritz grip. Gold-color Super-Z ferrule. Etna foulproof guides. Decorative spiral thread wraps. Inscribed in dark ink on shaft: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit / Rod by Bob Summers. Was owned by long-time PHY customer Dick Charlton. Seen in late May 2014 on Bob Summers’ web site.