Leonard, H.L. – 8' 0" 'Fairy Catskill'

For your consideration is an exceptional all-original pre-fire H.L. Leonard 8' 0" "Fairy Catskill" bamboo fly rod. This is an 8' 0" three-piece weighing 2.25 ounces. All sections are original full-length and straight.

This consists of straw-colored cane with yellow wraps tipped black. The tag reads "Fairy, 8', 2 1/4oz." The diminutive guides beg for a silk line – might even require a modern line used sans welded loop. The grip measures 4 1/4 inches with a nickel silver cap and ring over the spacer. The cork has minor ridging and appears to have been cleaned. The tips mic at 0.0540. The ferrules are sizes 8 and 12. In my hand, the action is medium slow. A few varnish touch-ups have been applied to the wraps. The tube, bag, and tag are all original. The ferrule plugs are additions. It's exceedingly difficult to find this model in original, full-length condition. 

The owner fished this with 1-weight silk. Many do this to protect the fine tips and to make the rod perform "more dry fly like." These rods would have been fished originally with an IFI, IFG, HFH, or HFG ( 3wt and 4wt) silk line. These lines would have produced a deeper bend and almost wet fly action as the line weight increased. 

The owner fished this with either his Leonard Bi-Metal or Wm. Mills & Son Fairy reel which is also for sale here on the site.