Pics are totally necessary in this instance, as well as maker's name, length, weight, number of rod sections, and any pertinent info written on the rod butt.
I've had a love affair with split cane rods for many years, and frankly I've been lax these last few years. But, I haven't forgotten what I learned. The problem with $10 yard sale bamboo fly rods is that 99 times out of 100 that's about what they're worth. There was a huge difference in quality between "hardware store" grade factory-made rods and handmade rods from the benches of noted craftsmen (but not always- exceptions to the rule abound). The result is there are a ship load of crummy rods out there and not all that many really good ones. All too often uninformed but well meaning gents think they have a rare treasure- such is the mystique surrounding split cane rods- when in actuality they have one of about 100,000 a maker made that may or may not have value solely as a mediocre fish-catching tool.
