Hawes, H.W. – 8' 6" 5/6wt.

For your consideration is an H.W. Hawes Makers bamboo fly rod. This is 8' 6", 3/2 5/6wt, 4.75 oz. All sections are full length and straight.

Hiram Hawes (H.L. Leonards son-in-law) worked in the Leonard shop until Leonard’s death and then opened his own shop. Hiram was known for his casting ability, numerous casting records, and for being an excellent rod maker. Hiram Hawes died in 1929 and his son Merritt continued up to the late 1940s.

This rod consists of dark cane with matching red brown wraps creating a sophisticated tone on tone appearance. Merritt achieved his tone on his rods by using gun stock stain. The diminutive agate stripping guide has a rich tone aligning with the overall hue of the rod. Steve Bake has refinished the varnish and wraps matching the original build down to the detail of allowing the varnish to go 3/16 of an inch on to the ferrules stopping at the encircling bands. This gives the ferrule an appearance of having a brass detail as the varnish ages. The 5 1/2 inch cigar style grip appears to be original to the rod and remains in very good condition. Size 11 and 16 ferrules. In my hand, the action is on the medium side of medium-fast bending into the butt section deep. This rod can handle long casts with little effort. Depending upon your casting stroke, this rod handles both a 5 and 6 weight line. Original Landman tube.