A superb Gary Howells fly rod, 8', 2-piece, 2-tip, built for a #5 line. Serial #4531. Listed as 3 3/4oz though it actually weighs a little less, 3.6 oz, on my scale. Medium action. Used but very good condition. This is listed as Gary Howells personal "birthday rod" with a 1979 manufacture date, and the rod comes with letters attesting to the provenance. After Gary's death in 2000 this rod passed into the possession of Craig Lynch of Ridgefield, Wa. The letter relates that the leather tube is from the Winston shop and was personally embossed with Gary's name by Jeff Walker at Winston. Included is a copy of Gary's logbook for this period.

The rod is flamed cane in three up node pattern. Excellent quality varnish. Brown main wraps with yellow edges. Mildrum carbide stripper and chrome guides. Some cracking to the wraps at the ferrules. Lettered " G.H. Howells" with a small chip in the varnish between the E and the L . and "8' 3 3/4 oz. #4531. The serial number is also lettered on the wrap flat of both tips. The western-style grip shows faint signs of having been cleaned. The reel seat is a flatted cork skeleton seat with aluminum cap and ring. The rod comes with the correct red cloth bag and the embossed leather tube and paperwork of provenance.