I have loved this forum since joining, it has helped guide me through buying and seeking out vintage fishing tackle immensely. Recently I bought this rod. It was a garage find! The chap selling it said it belonged to his father who stopped using it in the 1970's and it has been stored in his garage ever since. Over 40 years!!
And it looked the part too. The rod bag was covered in cobwebs and I was thrilled when taking the rod out to see that it might well be a B James and Son MK4 Avon or Carp rod. I am no expert about these rods, in fact this is the first one I have ever seen in real life.
Many years ago I used to repair fishing rods and make the odd rod for a fishing tackle shop, and just recently I got back into rod making and have restored two split cane rods which I loved doing. I want to restore this rod but before I do anything I wanted to gain some information if possible from you lovely people.
Firstly can any of you tell if it is an Avon rod or Carp rod? I have no idea so would appreciate any advice there. The rod is 10' 2" in length with a 28 inch cork handle. Unfortunately it has no decals.
As it is I am sure a MK4 I want to be sympathetic to its restoration and make sure I do it right as it does look like the rod has undergone changes during its life. I have uploaded some photos so you can see how it looked when I got it. I have so far stripped off all the rings and varnish and was supprised to then be able to see what must have been the original intermediate whipping marks. I wonder why they would have stripped off those and turn it into the rod it is now? Strange, and I will never know why.
One thing I am doubtful about are the rod rings which seem to be too small on the top section of the rod. The tip ring is definately wrong as is the butt ring which I will change to an original for the rod. But can any of you kindly give me the correct inner ring sizes for a MK4 top section?
Finally what would you suggest regarding the rewhipping of the rod? I want to whip it in a dark green, what I am thinking about are the intermediates. It is going to be impossible for me to add the original amount of intermediates as there must have been well over 100+ to whip, but I would like to do some. What do you suggest? Do you have any photos of your own rods as a guide?
Thank you so much for any information you can give, I am very grateful as I would like to give this rod a nice restoration and then after over 40 years hidden away in a garage, take this lovely rod to my favourite lake and breath new life into it. Thank you kindly John
John
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/a3t7TNu.jpg)
Rings too small on top section?
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/nZyK2zL.jpg)
Hidden original intermediate markings
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/EV8awH3.jpg)