Hey, everybody. I’m completely new to fishing and have plans to learn with an experienced friend next year, and I was hoping somebody could help me out with this rod and reel I inherited years ago from a family friend. I love this thing–it has an old-fashioned feel that really appeals to me–and was hoping to be able to use it when I start fishing. But I don’t even know what I don’t know about it, and my friend suggested I ask in a fishing group.
[It’s marked “Davega,”](https://i.imgur.com/P7Qbf5D.jpeg) which was apparently a chain of department stores, so I assume this is similar to buying “JC Higgins” gear at Sears: some other company actually made the gear, and the store sold it under their own brand. [The reel is by “Davega” as well.](https://i.imgur.com/1nHxjoB.jpeg)
The rod is labeled [Tonkin cane,](https://i.imgur.com/8Bw7Qwd.jpeg) which I gather is a kind of laminated bamboo. Wikipedia suggests that this material fell out of use in the 1950s, is that right? In any case, it’s clearly pretty old. How do these hold up? Is it still good to use? It feels very rigid, and I don’t want to use force to flex it before getting input. If it’s still usable, does it require any specific care first?
The assembled rod is 5′ 7.5″ long.
[The tip has symmetrical guides](https://i.imgur.com/jEb9FZz.jpeg) allowing it to be threaded on either side; is that for some specific purpose?
Also, [what the heck is up with this line?](https://i.imgur.com/xabtY3O.jpeg) It’s very thick and an opaque white. Is this for some special purpose, or did they just use different kinds of line back then? I assume I should replace it with modern line before trying to use it?
Finally, does this kind of reel require any specific care? How should I lubricate it? A YouTube video mentioned an “oil port” without elaboration; is that the tiny holes on the caps of its axle?
Thanks for any help you can give. I’d really, really like to take this wonderful old rod back into the field, but would hate to ruin it if it should really be left retired.
1 Comment
Hey, everybody. I’m completely new to fishing and have plans to learn with an experienced friend next year, and I was hoping somebody could help me out with this rod and reel I inherited years ago from a family friend. I love this thing–it has an old-fashioned feel that really appeals to me–and was hoping to be able to use it when I start fishing. But I don’t even know what I don’t know about it, and my friend suggested I ask in a fishing group.
[It’s marked “Davega,”](https://i.imgur.com/P7Qbf5D.jpeg) which was apparently a chain of department stores, so I assume this is similar to buying “JC Higgins” gear at Sears: some other company actually made the gear, and the store sold it under their own brand. [The reel is by “Davega” as well.](https://i.imgur.com/1nHxjoB.jpeg)
The rod is labeled [Tonkin cane,](https://i.imgur.com/8Bw7Qwd.jpeg) which I gather is a kind of laminated bamboo. Wikipedia suggests that this material fell out of use in the 1950s, is that right? In any case, it’s clearly pretty old. How do these hold up? Is it still good to use? It feels very rigid, and I don’t want to use force to flex it before getting input. If it’s still usable, does it require any specific care first?
The assembled rod is 5′ 7.5″ long.
[The tip has symmetrical guides](https://i.imgur.com/jEb9FZz.jpeg) allowing it to be threaded on either side; is that for some specific purpose?
Also, [what the heck is up with this line?](https://i.imgur.com/xabtY3O.jpeg) It’s very thick and an opaque white. Is this for some special purpose, or did they just use different kinds of line back then? I assume I should replace it with modern line before trying to use it?
Finally, does this kind of reel require any specific care? How should I lubricate it? A YouTube video mentioned an “oil port” without elaboration; is that the tiny holes on the caps of its axle?
Thanks for any help you can give. I’d really, really like to take this wonderful old rod back into the field, but would hate to ruin it if it should really be left retired.