Items from the Estate of David Wiesenberger, Founder and Owner, Anglersmail, Parma Heights, Ohio
1936-2014
Imagine being a kid in your early teens in Parma Heights, Ohio in the 1970's- a place about as far removed from fly fishing as can be conceived. After all, it's just a few miles south of downtown Cleveland, where in 1969 the city became a national joke when the sickeningly polluted Cuyahoga River actually caught fire! Imagine you were lucky enough to have a grandfather who took you trout fishing in the streams of western Pennsylvania, where you learned the ways of catching trout with a spinning rod and bait.
Now, imagine learning of a fishing store opening just a couple miles from your home. You excitedly get on your bike with your meager earnings from odd jobs and paper route and visit the new store. The store is a small annex to another store, seperated by a little gold chain. You can see in, but can you get in? They have no bait, no spinning tackle...you wonder, what's all this strange stuff? Flyfishing? What's that? If you are among the Chosen, the chain is sometimes moved aside and you enter a new world filled with gorgeous and exotic cane rods, metal fly boxes with little windows, books, exotic feathers and hooks without snells, fancy reels filled with thick lines so unlike the mono you've used. All of it instantly and curiously desireable and out of reach on paper route earnings. But the desire...oh God, the Desire!
This little miracle in my life was a store called Anglersmail. Anglersmail was established and owned by David Weisenberger. As the name implies, it was mainly a mail order business, hence the limited store hours and small showroom. Casting a rod was done in a back parking lot, where it required one heck of an imagination to visualize rising trout and pristine waters. But it was not just a Big Deal for local adherants of the fly and teenage wannabees, but a thriving national presence in the fly fishing world with a recognizable name to any old timer from that era.
Anglersmail carried items of quality: very recognizable names like Leonard, Wheatley, Cortland, Scientific Angler, Thomas and Thomas, as well as introducing anglers to exceptional quality imported items that were not so well-known in the states: rods by Sharpes and Constable, for example.
David once told me he didn't sell tackle as much as he sold dreams. Not far from where I sit is a plastic Cortland fly box I got there as a teen, now filled with winding checks I use on our rods. Also near at hand is my first real cane rod, a Constable, purchased in about 1980 along with a Hardy LRH reel that I still use to this day.
David did indeed sell dreams, and for a lot of people, those dreams came true on waters all across the world. And they still do, for some guy making cane rods just a few miles away. Peace, and sweet dreams!
All of our vintage tackle is subject to our terms as outlined on our Vintage Tackle Page. If an item is of interest to you, just contact us by email or phone 1-440-845-4415 8AM-8PM, EST. We answer email and calls 7 days a week. Thank you!
Rods
Thomas and Thomas Midge 7' 2p 2t for DT4 line, serial number 3713(1981). Medium flamed cane, 3 x 3 node spacing, mirror matched tips, cute abruptly swelled butt- a T&T trademark, Perfection guides and Mildrum stripper wrapped in off white translucent silk tipped cinnamon, dark brown silks at ferrules, 5" cigar grip, D/L cap and ring with varnished walnut spacer, oxidized NS ferrules and reel seat hardware.
I can't hide my admiration for T&T rods. Every detail is attended to, right down to the classic, flowing script; female ferrule embossed with the T&T logo with witness marks on ferrules, flawless varnish rubbed down to an understated satin, tips marked 1 and 2, swelled butt speeding up the rod action and adding some power. Rod is in very good shape, excepting some bluing loss on the metalwork. The long list of master craftsmen that have worked under Tom Dorsey- Marc Aroner, Bob Taylor, Tom Moran, Troy Jacques, et al- attests to T&T's preeminence in the world of bamboo rodmaking. $2,450 SOLD!
Thomas and Thomas Classic 7' 2p 1t for DT5 line, serial number 3101(1978). Impregnated. Medium flamed cane, 3 x 3 node spacing. Perfection guides and Mildrum stripper wrapped in off yellow translucent silk tipped cinnamon, dark brown silks at ferrules, 5" cigar grip terninating in superfine-type profile w/hook keeper above, D/L aluminum cap and ring with varnished walnut spacer, oxidized NS ferrules.
Without the usual swelled butt, this early T&T Classic bends down into the grip. Marked for a 5 line, this would also feel good with a DT4 and perhaps even a 3. Tip has fishing set, but otherwise in good condition considering its age. Original bag and case. $1,375 SOLD!
EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE IS SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leonard 38H, 2p 2t. for DT3/4 line, size 11 ferrule. Leonard blond cane w/3 x 3 node spacing, red wraps tipped gold at ferrules and strap and ring hook keeper, terminating in diminutive 5" cigar grip, w/ varnished butternut mortised spacer, d/l NS cap and ring stamped "HL Leonard Rod Company, Makers". One tip down 1/2" with 3" long clear overwrap starting just below the tip top and a minor fishig set. The purpose of the overwrap is unclear as I see nothing untoward with the cane under magnification. The second tip is 2 3/4" short with a minor fishing set and an oversized tip top mounted. Rod has been given a varnish overcoat, original bag and tube sans cap. $1,295 SALE $995!!!!! SOLD!
Kiri 6'6" 2p 2t for DT3/4. Richly flamed cane, 3 x 3 node spacing, glasslike varnish, chrome snakes and black titanium stripper wrapped in CP forest green silk tipped orange, 6" cigar grip w/ D/L cap and ring seat w/stabilized amboena burl spacer. Oxidized super Z style NS ferrules and oxidized NS reel seat hardware. Aluminum ferrule plug. A very nice, lightly used rod from this talented Ohio rodmaker, almost new, excepting a slight amount of bluing wear at ferrules and reel seat hardware. Has a very nice feel in hand that bends down into the butt. $850 SALE $650!!!!!!!!!!! SOLD!
Winston Elite LT 8'9" 5p for DT5. The Elite rods were a very limited a short-lived program(2001-2003) at Winston wherein- for a price ($995)- anglers could customize their options. All of these rods came with the rods inked in the owner's name with a special engraved case cap with serial number. (This one is 008) Features a NS uplocking seat w/an outrageously burled mortised amboena spacer, silver wrap tipping . Appears new, excepting case wear. Removeable rubber end cap placed on reel seat to protect the nickel silver end cap. Extremely hard to find a rod from this series. $850 SOLD!
Hardy Palakona 7'2" 2p 1t for 5 wt line. Blond Hardy cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, reverse twist snakes and agate stripper(cracked) wrapped in black thread tipped green, oxidized brass ferrules with very little bluing wear, varnish very good, writing intact and in typical Hardy spiral form, clean diminutive cigar grip w/D/L aluminum knurled ring and hooded screw on retainer stamped in Hardy fashion. Serial number D/O inked on rod shaft. Bag and tube are replacements. $425 SALE $325!!!!!!!!!! SOLD!
The Scottie by Sharpes of Aberdeen, "The Featherweight" 8' 2p 1t for DT5 line. Richly flamed and impregnated cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, oxidized brass ferrules, maroon C/P silks, aluminum winding check, D/L aluminum knurled ring with hooded butt cap and skeleton cork spacer, cleaned cigar grip, cute little Scottie decal just above the grip. Guide and ferrule wraps appear to have been redone and in great shape. Of medium action, feels quite pleasing in hand! Original bag. $575 SALE 35% OFF $375!!!! REDUCED AGAIN 50% OFF $285!!!!! SOLD!!!
RL Winston Joan Wulff Favorite 8'6" 3p for DT5 line. IM6 graphite, full Wells grip with thumb impression, D/L NS screw lock seat w/bird's eye maple spacer. Owner's name inscribed on rod. $450 SOLD!
Sage Center Axis SPL Graphite IV 8'1" for #1 line w/intregal reel: Perhaps one of the coolest ultra-light outfits ever produced, this rod for 1 weight line has a very pleasing and soft action. Curious, I put the entire outfit on a postal scale, total weight for the rod, reel, line and backing only 4.1 oz. Awesome. Wide arbor reel in anodized titanium. With original bag, reel case, paperwork and also zippered travel tube, so you don't have to remove the reel. A very rare and short-lived model, showing only the slightest signs of use. $695 SOLD!
RL Winston signed Guide 9' 4p for 9 wt. Top quality Boron IIx graphite rod in Winston green, serial #1147xx, u/l anodized aluminum screw lock with woven graphite spacer and small fighting butt(fixed) , full Wells grip. Minor grip soiling, very little use. Owner's name inked on shaft at factory. VG+. Powerful, but typical of Winston graphite rods, a power you can feel. Original bag and labeled case. $395 SALE $295!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOLD!
Hardy 6'3" Midge-Jet Fiberglass 2p for 3-4 wt line. 1970's vintage brown glass with reverse twist snakes wrapped orange. D/L aluminum Hardy seat w/pocketed butt cap. In VGC, writing and decal intact, some grip soiling. Awesome wiggle-ability. Yummy. Original Hardy bag. $295 Sold!
Orvis UL Full Flex Spin: Little, ultralight 5' spinning rod for 1/8 to ¼ oz lures, in yellow glass, super Z style ferrules w/witness marks. Ferrules a bit tight. Close to mint condition, bag not original and quite soiled. $49 Sold!
The Scottie by Sharpes of Aberdeen, 6'6" 2p 1t for DT4 or 5 line. Richly flamed and impregnated cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, oxidized brass ferrules, maroon C/P silks, aluminum winding check, D/L aluminum knurled ring with hooded butt cap and skeleton cork spacer, cigar grip, cute little Scottie decal just above the grip. Rod still has its plastic over the cork. One ferrule wrap a little dry, otherwise quite good. Feels very light in hand, great little rod. Original bag and hang tag. $625 SALE 35% OFF $399!!!!!!! SOLD!
'The Scottie' rods by Sharpes of Aberdeen, Scotland: The following rods are original store display models from Anglersmail. Like the Constable rods, David formed a close association w/Sharpes and imported a lot of these rods, which have much to recommend them. As the Constable rods, they also warranted a mention in Schweibert's Trout.
These are richly flamed and impregnated cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, oxidized brass ferrules (some w/witness marks), maroon C/P silks, chrome reverse twist guides and stripper, aluminum winding check, aluminum reel seat hardware, cute little Scottie decal just above the grip. They have pleasing medium actions, with tight cane and node work, and are robustly well-built so you can brush beat and fish them without worry. These are one-tip rods(made that way) with original bags. A case can be supplied, if desired.
The Scottie by Sharpes of Aberdeen, 8'6" 2p 1t for DT6 or 7 line. Richly flamed and impregnated cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, oxidized brass ferrules, maroon C/P silks, aluminum winding check, D/L aluminum knurled ring with hooded butt cap and skeleton cork spacer, cigar grip, cute little Scottie decal just above the grip. Rod still has its plastic over the cork. Ferrule wraps a little dry, otherwise quite good. Powerful rod, would be great in a boat for the hex hatch or fishing out West on big water. Original bag and hang tag. $550 SALE 35% OFF $350!!!!!!!!! REDUCED AGAIN 50% OFF $275!!!!! Sold!
Orvis Trout Bum Superfine 6' 4p 2 wt. A gorgeous little rod that has seen very little use, complete with mint bag, tube and paperwork. $325 SOLD!
Sage SP Graphite IV 8' 3p for 4 wt line. Fast. Good condition w/grip soiling, reel seat metal could use a polish to bring it to like-new condition. $245 SOLD!
Ted Simroe Model 3805, 3p. 2t 8' for 5 wt line, #665. Dark blond cane w/ 3x 3 node spacing, Super Z bright NS ferrules, understated tan wraps tipped red, chrome snakes and stripper, NS strap and ring hook keeper, NS winding check terminating in 6" reverse half Wells w/uplocking aluminum screw lock seat w/varnished spacer chosen to harmonize with the cane. Has a nice, tippy yet progressive feel with plenty of backbone that just begs a dry fly and rising fish! Varnish is quite good, rod is straight and tight and in excellent overall condition excepting some grip soiling(slight) and the inevitable minor scratches on the aluminum reel seat from honorable use. Original bag and case. Great rod from a historic figure in the Catskill rodmaking school. $1,800 if new. This one, $1495. SOLD!
Hardy Palakona CC De France, 6'6" 2p 1t for 5 wt line. Blond Hardy cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, bronze reverse twist snakes and agate stripper and tip top wrapped in dark brown color preserved thread with full intermediates, oxidized brass ferrules with witness marks and very little bluing wear, varnish very good, writing intact and in typical Hardy spiral form, clean diminutive cigar grip w/D/L aluminum knurled ring and hooded butt cap stamped with hardy logo and serial number H9646 (1956) stamped on ring. Bag is a replacement, tube is original w/portions of label remaining. Tip 1" shorter than butt(made that way).
This rod is a little poker, fast, with serious backbone and is in excellent overall condition. Would be a cool rod for small spring creek fishing at places like Spruce creek or other angling clubs. Nice! $495 SOLD!
The Scottie by Sharpes of Aberdeen, 9'6" 2p 1t for DT6 or 7 line. Richly flamed and impregnated cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, oxidized brass ferrules w/ferrule plug, maroon C/P silks, aluminum winding check, D/L aluminum screw lock seat with hooded butt cap, Wells grip, cute little Scottie decal just above the grip. Powerful rod w/ a parabolic action, would be great in a boat for the hex hatch or fishing out West on big water, or a light steelhead rod. Fantastic condition, tip is about 1" shorter than butt but apparently made that way as original tip-top and wrap is intact. Original bag. $425 SOLD!
Orvis Superfine 7' 2p 2t. for WF6 line. Serial number 59252, 2 5/8 oz. Richly flamed and impregnated Orvis cane, 3 x 3 node spacing, tips mirror matched, chrome snakes and Mildrum stripper wrapped in original translucent chocolate, Superfine style cork grip, reel seat is two aluminum bands over mortised cork. Rod is in excellent condition overall, all writing intact and crisp, female ferrule could use a bluing touch up, but overall very fine with a delightful action. As usual, this Orvis rod I feel is overmarked for WF5 line(and I have a very lazy, slow stroke) and feel it would be much better with DT3 or DT4 lines. Original bag and labeled tube. Great fishing tool. $875 SOLD!
Hardy Palakona "The Perfection" , 8' 2p 1t. 4 wt, serial number H54712A. (1963) Light caramel colored cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, maroon CP wraps w/full internediates, bridged chrome guides, agate stripper and tip top, strap and ring hook keeper terminating in 7" full Wells grip, w/ U/L aluminum screw lock w/black plastic spacer, oxidized brass ferrules w/twist lock feature. Inked in spiral format. Original bag in good condition, no case. (But one can be provided.) Overall very good condition w/cleaned grip, varnish is very good and overall condition is quite good for a rod of this vintage. Bluing wear on male ferrule due to the twist lock mechanism. $395 SOLD!
Constable "Firefly" 2p 1t 9' for DT6. This rod model perhaps pre-dates the rods carried by Anglersmail as the cosmetics and details are quite different. Both the butt and tip varnish are curiously degraded near the ferrules and the cane discolored. The tip is showing signs of delamination in this area, so rod is probably best as a project rod, for parts, or historical sample of Cliff's work. $45 SOLD!
Thomas and Thomas Hendrickson 6'6" 2p 2t for DT4 line, serial number 3708(1981). Medium flamed cane, 3 x 3 node spacing, mirror matched tips, cute abruptly swelled butt- a T&T trademark, Perfection guides and Mildrum stripper wrapped in off white translucent silk tipped cinnamon, dark brown silks at ferrules, 5" cigar grip, D/L cap and ring with varnished walnut spacer, oxidized NS ferrules and reel seat hardware.
I can't hide my admiration for T&T rods. Every detail is attended to, right down to the classic, flowing script, female ferrule embossed with the T&T logo, flawless gloss varnish, tips marked 1 and 2, swelled butt speeding up the rod action and adding some power. Rod is in very good shape, excepting some bluing loss on the metalwork and normal wear on reel seat spacer from use. Straight and tight, w/great delicate in hand feel, w/original bag and old aluminum lined leather case w/tote strap. $2,550 SOLD!
Rattan Rod Case: Beautifully woven rattan rod case with walnut end caps with leather trim and strap and snap closure. Built over a PVC tube for durability, inside length is about 43 1/2", which will allow holding a 2p rod up to 7' long. Gorgeous! $150 SOLD!
Constable "The Eighty Two", 8'2" 2p, 1t. for 6 wt line. Staggered ferrule design, caramel colored cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, fawn CP wraps tipped olive, chrome snakes, agate stripper, aluminum winding check terminating in 7" full Wells grip, w/ D/L aluminum screw lock seat w/varished walnut spacer, oxidized brass ferrules w/stiffener for butt section. Beautifully inked in spiral format, serial #376. Replacement bag, no case, (But one can be provided.) overall good condition w/grip soiling.
A powerhouse of a rod for DT6 line, this rod features staggered ferrule design as advocated by Charles Ritz, which allows for an uninterrupted flow of energy. This was a common feature on Constables of the era. Clifford Constable was a very prominent builder in England to whom David formed a close association, and Constable rods were a mainstay offering in Anglersmail catalogues. These rods were written very approvingly by Ernest Schwiebert in Trout, pages 1028-1030. $450 SOLD!
Bellinger 6'9" 2p 2t for DT3. Fast. Serial number 107.Lightly flamed cane w/novel node staggering scheme, maroon wraps, black snakes and oxidized agate stripper, oxidized Super Z ferrules w/amboena ferrule plug, Western grip, uplocking slide band seat with stabilized amboena shell and cork in mortise area. Rod shows almost no signs of use, slight grip soiling, in overall excellent condition. With original bag and case. $1,350 SALE $995 Sold!
Constable RH Woods 7' 2p 1t. for DT4-5 line. .Staggered ferrule design, caramel colored cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, yellow CP wraps tipped black, chrome reverse twist snakes, agate stripper, aluminum winding check terminating in 6" cigar grip, w/ D/L aluminum ring and pocketed butt cap w/all cork spacer, oxidized brass ferrules w/stiffener for butt section. Inked in stright format. Replacement bag in poor condition, no case. (But one can be provided.) Overall good condition w/grip soiling, excepting last 5" of the tip could use varnish touch up. Has a very pleasing light action.
This rod features staggered ferrule design as advocated by Charles Ritz, which allows for an uninterrupted flow of energy. This was a common feature on Constables of the era. Constable was a very prominent builder in England to whom David formed a close association, and Constable rods were a mainstay offering in Anglersmail catalogues. These rods were written very approvingly by Ernest Schwiebert in Trout, pages 1028-1030. $425 SOLD!
Sweetgrass 7'3" 4-5 wt. 2p 2t. Penta, caramel color cane, maroon wraps tipped orange and black at grip wraps, overwrapped NS ferrules as was the custom at Winston, blued agate stripping guide and light wire bronze snakes, bamboo winding check transitioning to Western grip, rope knurled hook keeper, D/L NS cap and ring with bubinga spacer, signed "Built by Glenn Brackett and Jerry Kustich, Sweetgrass" #15242. (2011)
In great overall shape, with one tip showing no sign of ever being fished, this rod possess a nice backbone, probably by virtue of it's penta design, but has a very pleasing action and feels very light in the hand. Orginal bag and case w/mongrammed, heavily sculpted cap. Gorgeous, by the original 'boo boys'. $1,745 SOLD!
Hardy Palakona 7'2" 2p 2t for 5 wt line. Blond Hardy cane w/ 3 x 3 node spacing, reverse twist snakes and agate stripper wrapped in black thread tipped green, oxidized brass ferrules with very little bluing wear, varnish very good, writing intact and in typical Hardy spiral form, clean diminutive cigar grip w/D/L aluminum knurled ring and hooded screw on retainer stamped in Hardy fashion, aluminum ferrule plug. Serial number I/Y inked on rod shaft. Original bag and tube. No sign this rod has ever been fished excepting some light scratches on the aluminum end cap. $795 SOLD!
Heddon Dowigac Bamboo Baitcasting Rod, 5', 2p 2t. Medium Action, Staggered Butt and Tips: This beauty proves that early baitcasting rods by Heddon were incredible works of art. Exquisite nickel plated brass finely knurled metalwork, beautifully sculpted grip, full intermediates in black and red silk, agate tips tops. Rod appears to have been expertly over varnished at some point, and 3 out of 4 of the guides are probably wire frame replacements of the original agate guides…one agate guide remains. If this wasn't an overvarnish job, the whole rod must have been re-wrapped and revarnished, an incredible accomplishment for a rod like a Heddon baitcaster and a true labor of love as it would take days of wrapping to redo the whole rod. Original canvas bag and fiberboard tube with carry handle and embossed Heddon name. $245 SOLD!
Thomas and Thomas Travel Rod and Reel Case: Super high quality zippered case will hold up to 32" rod tubes, making it ideal for short 3 piece or longer 4-piece rod tubes. Heavy duty canvass, re-enforced with leather, embossed with T and T logo, carry handle and luggage tag, no strap. High quality. $150 SOLD!
Graphite and Glass:
Hardy Perfection Glass 7'6" 3p for DT 4 line. Gorgeous, top quality glass rod in great condition with only minute scratches on end of aluminum butt cap. I put this together and OMG, does it wiggle nice…very soft, just fabulous. Could also be used with a DT3 for those with a faster stroke. Original bag , hang tag and case. Case label peeling, but otherwise VG+++. $225 SOLD!
T&T Traveler, 8' 4p for 4/5 line. The incredible quality and eye for detail exhibited in T&T cane rods is also manifest in their graphite rods. In good condition, this one features a D/L NS seat over rosewood spacer, cigar grip, hook keeper and has a moderately fast action for DT4/5 lines. Original bag and labeled case w/brass cap. $395 Sold!
T&T Traveler Special Dry Fly, 8' 4p for 4 line. The incredible quality and eye for detail exhibited in T&T cane rods is also manifest in their graphite rods. In good condition, this one features a D/L NS seat over rosewood spacer, cigar grip, hook keeper and has a fast action for DT4 lines. Original bag and labeled, zippered (with lock!) cordura case w/leather trim. $395 Sold!
Sage Graphite III 7'11" 2p for DT4 line: gorgeous deep maroon blank and wraps, western grip, U/L screwlock w/matching rosewood spacer. Condition good excepting scuffing on metal and wood of reel seat, minor grip soiling. Owner's name inked on shaft at factory. $325 Sold!
Hardy Glass "The Trout Fisher" 8' 2p 5 wt. Like the other Hardy glass listed, when I wiggled this one I got that 'special' feeling. Nice, soft action akin to bamboo. Gorgeous, top-quality green glass blank w/matching wraps, grip with minor soiling and scuffing on end of aluminum butt cap. High quality sock, tube with it's own labeled cover and cork stopper. No ferrule plug. All of it, super high quality. $300 new, $250 for this lightly used one. SOLD!
RL Winston, signed Guide El Supremo 8'6" 3p for 4 wt. 2 1/2 oz, serial #252xx. Top quality IM6 graphite rod in Winston green, d/l NS screw lock with maple spacer, full Wells grip. Grip soiling, reel seat oxidation, wear but otherwise VG+. Original bag and labeled case. Fabulous and desirable rod. $600 SOLD!
RL Winston signed Guide 8'6" 3p for 5 wt. 2 7/8 oz, serial #492xx. Top quality IM6 graphite rod in Winston green, d/l NS screw lock with bird's eye maple spacer, full Wells grip w/thumb depression. Slight grip soiling, reel seat oxidation, wear but otherwise VG+. Original bag and labeled case, but case top number doesn't match rod. $600 SOLD!
Bob Taylor 7' 2p 2t for DT3. Medium flamed cane with golden nodes in 2 x 2 stagger, gorgeous varnish work, mirror matched tips, black snakes and Mildrum-type stripper wrapped in honey transluscent silk tipped red, oxidized ferrules, winding check, hook keeper, d/l cap and ring seat w/Bob's impressed logo with varnished ceder spacer. Reflecting Bob's tenure at T&T, this rod has a cute, abrupt swelled butt and is stylistically similar to the famous clean and understated T&T look. 6" cigar grip w/minimum of grip soiling, one tip with a slight fishing set, original bag and tube. Finely tipped with a sweet action for DT3 line. $2,550 SOLD!
Reels
Note: Reels from the Wiesenberger estate are listed separately here.
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