Payne, E.F. – Bass Bug

For your consideration is a very scarce E.F. Payne Bass Bug fly rod. This is a 9' 0" three-piece built for a #7 or #8 line weighing 6.15 ounces. The Bass Bug was one of three specialty rods Payne offered during the 1950s and 1970s. The other two are the Canadian Canoe and Streamer. Not very many of these specialty rods were produced.

The blank is flamed and oven tempered. The wraps are brown with copper edges. There is an extra few wraps of yellow and purple at the keeper and male ferrules. The western style grip is 6 1/2". The wood spacer appears to be Spanish cedar. Uplocking aluminum screw lock hardware with the stamp "Payne" in a cartouche and "Reg US Pat Off." On the reverse side "Sold by Abercrombie and Fitch Co., New York" is present. The red A&F sticker is present on the tube. In my hand, the action is medium-fast. This rod displayed some bag burn and was sent to Steve Blake a number of years ago. Steve returned the rod stating, "Everything is original except for the varnish." I am told that Steve painstakingly saved the original wraps. The grip also received a minor cleaning and is as smooth as the day it left the Payne shop. The bluing remains a rich black with very little fading and has a few small inconsequential marks. The varnish has been polished indicated by a white residue under a few of the guides. The hang tag has become detached but has been saved and the brass loop and string still remain attached to the bag. 

Payment by check or money order required. If PayPal or credit card is preferred, an additional 3.5% will be added to the order.