Payne Model 97 Fly Rod 7' 2/2 #4

Payne Model 97 Fly Rod 7' 2/2 #4A stunning EF Payne model 97 fly rod, 7', 2 piece, 2 tips and weighing 3. 2 ounces. Rare beyond belief, this rod is not just mint but still has the paper and gum strips on the grip. And to top it all off it is an uplocking screwlock model in this size, something I have never seen in this model. Dry fly action. Late 1950's construction date. This rod has all the Payne hallmarks, from the node layout to the perfect varnish to the brown wraps tipped

50" diameter

An American classic reel waiting for your next angling adventure

The reel foot is very slightly filed on one end

ferrule plug and Hardy labeled tube

Made by the Dingley shop in 1945

A nice Hardy Uniqua fly reel

Payne-style nickel silver cork check

Black aluminum cap and ring reel seat over a mortised burl wood spacer

This rod is all original

Petersburg in 1950 shortly after the move from Brooklyn

These reels were made "rings up" style whereby the spool spins in the opposite direction of the handle and there is a single roller bar in the rings-up position

One pillar has a little bit of line wear at the corner but it's mostly cosmetic and quite shallow