An H.L. Leonard 49-5 Catskill fly rod, 7'6", 3-piece, 2-tip, built for a #5 line. 3.9 oz. Serial #97111. Mint condition. This rod is packed in a deluxe wooden presentation box with an additional rod tube reproducing a pre-fire Leonard tube. This rod would date to the last incarnation of Leonard Rod Co in the early 2000s under Brian McGrath. A very well done rod with blond cane and tiny nodes in a three-up construction. Catskill is lettered under the keeper wrap and 49-5 one flat left. The serial number is one flat right. There is no front grip check. The stripping guide is modified to look like a circle guide. The wraps are a very light tan, almost transparent with very fine red edges. The step ferrules are polished. The rod action is medium-fast semi-full flexing but with fine tips. The grip is a medium cigar 4 3/4" in length and made up of small (1/4") corks. The slide band reel seat has a wooden lip to the edge of the cork, replacing a rear cork check. The wood is a very high-grade curly maple flatted and varnished to show the wood grain to best effect. The seat hardware is the standard late model Leonard cap and ring with the "H.L. Leonard Rod Co, the Rod maker. since 1869". Originally these would have been made from a spun cap and much lighter. The rod mounts into a deluxe wooden box lined with blue velvet and mounted with brass hinges and snaps. An oval brass plaque mounted on the cover is engraved with "H.L. Leonard Rod Co, the Rod Maker since 1869".