An exceptionally rare Sam Carlson / Thomas Rod Company one-piece hexagonal bamboo rod, 5'6", and built for what feels like a #5 line. Serial #1103, built by Sam in the late 1950s after he purchased the Thomas Rod Company. Talk about scarce, I don't know that I've ever come across another one of these in this configuration. The script on the rod reads "Thomas Rod Co. #1103-5 1/2". The rod weighs 2.3 ounces on my scale. Fast dry fly action. Excellent original condition, the rod is very straight and shows few signs of use, with just a hint of brassing to the edges of the butt cap on the seat. The varnish is superb, as you would expect from Sam. Medium flamed cane with the nodes done in a random spiral-ish configuration. Wrapped red with red-and-black tipping. Carbide stripper. 5 1/2" grip that's shaped to a western profile, and the reel seat is all-cork with an oxidized cap and ring (there is some slight brassing to the edges on the cap). The rod packs into a dark khaki bag and the original tube with the Thomas decal intact, along with a protective overbag. An exceptionally rare and interesting rod by one of the true masters of the craft.

Please note that we are requesting that the buyer pay for this item via a check or bank wire - please select this option if you use our website checkout and we will follow up with the details. Thank you!