My New 'Boo...Well New to Me

[lowesttaco]

Hi all,

Been lurking around for a few months and I finally pulled the trigger on my first cane rod. It's a South Bend 323-9, appears to be in really good shape to me. Just a few questions for the local 'boo gods.

It appears to have some varnish on the ferruls and on the cork, is this normal or a sign of a refinish?

Anyone out there know when the rod dates to?

What is this thing worth, I think I got a good deal but it is a ebay purchase

The line specs convert to a 6wt anyone know if a 6wtDT will do fine on this or should I line up or down. I can throw a 5 or 8 WF on it and try it.

All the sections are the same length but one tip has a little chip in the finish, is it easily repairable or should I leave it alone.

Well I'm sure these won't be my last questions or my last cane stick thanks in advance for the advice

[Buck Henry]

Congrats, that is a very nice looking rod you got their! The SB 323 was one of SB's nicer models and sold for $16.50 back in 1942. It is listed as a DF (dry fly) taper according to SB specifications.

Concerning your questions; I take a stab at answering them:

It appears to have some varnish on the ferruls and on the cork, is this normal or a sign of a refinish? - my guess is that it is normal as the wraps on your rod sure look to be original. You gotta remember that these SB rods were made in a production factory, so a little bit of excess varnish on the ferrules and that splotch on the cork would not be unheard of.


Anyone out there know when the rod dates to? - I have a spec sheet from 1942 that lists the SB 323, so it goes back at least until then. My guess is that your rod was probably built sometime in the 40's or early 50's.

What is this thing worth, I think I got a good deal but it is a ebay purchase - most good condition 9 foot SB rods go for somewhere between $100 and $200 on the used market. I have seen mint condition, never fished SB's go for a bit more, and there are some rare models like the 290 that also command a bit higher value.

The line specs convert to a 6wt anyone know if a 6wt DT will do fine on this or should I line up or down. I can throw a 5 or 8 WF on it and try it. - like most old boo's, you are just going to have to line it up with several line weights and see what loads it best. I have a similar rod (a 9 foot SB 346) that is rated for a 6 weight and loads perfectly with a 6WF line. You can probably chunk a 5 weight line with your rod, but my guess is that you will find that either a 6 WF or 6DT line will really make that rod come alive.


All the sections are the same length but one tip has a little chip in the finish, is it easily repairable or should I leave it alone. - varnish chips are common and can be easily repaired. You can take some good quality spar varnish and use a bodkin needle to fill in the chip. It might take a few applications to completly fill it up. We have some folks here that build /repair boos and they may chime in with better advice on this than I have given. On the other hand, a small varnish chip is really not that big a deal and it would probably do no harm to leave it like it is.

I hope the above was helpful. Again, congrats on the rod and have fun fishing with it!

[lowesttaco]

Thanks Buck,

I got a update. I tried a 5WF and a 8WF. The five seamed to light and the eight to much so I think I'm gonna try a 6DT. I think this will be a go to rod on the hooch tailwater.

Jason

[Superman]

It funny how posting brings family out of the woodwork. I have been lurking here for a little while too and decided to drop a line also. I really want to thank everyone and anyone for helping Jason with his boo questions, because as soon as he gets it set up I finally get to cast this beauty. I want one really bad now, so I can only imagine its going to get worse...then again, maybe I don't want him to get help :confused:

[Drifter]

LT......to expound on Buck's excellent response.....you get extra points for having what appears to be the original rod sock. You're probably wondering where the rod tube went. It's been my experience with older bamboo rods....the rod tubes simply do not stand the test of time. Many were made of cardboard and as a result....had a short life. Watch ebay and you may be able to eventually pick up a cardboard Southbend rod tube for your rod.

[lowesttaco]

Thanks for the advice on the tube drifter and welcome to the man of steel, he will be the next one in the hunt for a new boo.

[fishnpreacher]

Those old SB rods are real workhorses. I love the older production rods for a number of reasons. They are actually very well made, as Buck has pointed out in some other posts, Wes Jordan and some of the other notable rodmakers cut their teeth at South Bend, Montegue and Shakespeare. They are readily available and parts are relative easy to come by. And if by chance you do damage one, it doesn't hurt your feelings as bad as getting the tip of your Penta chewed off by a Rott. :rolleyes: (Sorry Buck, couldn't resist that one)
All in all, good rods, great price, and they're not likely to lose any value.

BTW, ltaco, good looking rod. And as Drifter said, hold on to the sock, it adds value and authenticity to your rod.