Serial Numbered Rods

List of Serial-Numbered Paul H. Young Co. Fly Rods
Copyright 2008-2024 Robert Jon Golder 

1515 serial-numbered rods are listed.
The list is updated regularly. Photos of serial-numbered rods are frequently added.

The tip sections of PHY Para 16 #2087 were numbered by Paul H. Young near the male ferrules.

Abbreviations used in this list include PHY = Paul H. Young and MJK = Martin J. Keane

This is a list of serial numbered Paul H. Young Co. rods that I have researched. Serial numbering began in 1955, beginning with the serial number 1955. For records of more PHY rods, see the non-serial numbered list elsewhere on this site.

PHY’s serial numbering system exhibits MANY problems and anomalies. These include:

• Deliberately skipping blocks of numbers,

• Mistakenly repeating numbers already assigned to previously-built rods,

• Adopting and then abandoning separate lists of bamboo spinning rods, bamboo casting rods, and fiberglass rods,

• Crossed-out or indecipherable numbers, misspelled words (ex., “Aetnatt” for Aetna guides), and a few attempts to resolve discrepancies.

Here are SOME of the major problems with PHY’s record keeping:

• In 1955, Paul Young numbered his first three serial-numbered spinning rods as 1955SP, 1956SP and 1957SP, then skipped twenty-one serial numbers and began the sequence again as 1978SP, 1979SP, 1980SP, etc., with no explanation.

• Serial numbering was relatively consistent until #2309. The next number is #2910. The next numbers after that are 2111, 2112, 2113, etc. to 2138. These numbers are duplicates of numbers previously assigned to rods. It appears that Mr. Young did not catch the mistake and so there are many authentic, duplicate-number rods. Then after 2138 come the following numbers, where it seems Mr. Young realized his errors: 2139/2339, 2140/2340, 2341, 2342, 2343. And then…!

• Mr. Young introduced a gap of 999 serial numbers in the numbering system. The missing numbers are #2344 to #3343. Bob Summers told me that Mr. Young joked about making his rod building competitors wonder how he could have produced so many rods so quickly.

• There is another major gap in the numbering system of 299 serial numbers. The missing numbers are #3369 to #3668. This may have been an error, or another deliberate gap. I have a few reports of rods marked with serial numbers that should be part of this gap.

Paul H. Young died on April 28, 1960. Rod #3881, a Para 17, finished on May 18, 1960 appears to be one of the first rods completed after PHY’s death. If you know of PHY serial-numbered rods that may be added to this list, please contact me at robertgolder AT comcast DOT net.

A special note about serial numbered PHY rods built for PHY himself and for his family members; they include:
#1968
 Low water salmon rod
#2024
 Perfectionist built for Martha Marie Young

#2069 Martha Marie built for Martha Marie Young
#2168 Driggs built for PHY’s brother Ben
#XXXX, a unique 7’6″ PHY Princess, PHY’s personal rod, built 1958, with two different tips, acquired after Young’s death by Ernest Schwiebert (scroll to the bottom of this page to find this rod and other “XXXX” serial-numbered rods where the number is not known).
#XXXX, a Martha Marie Model built for Martha Marie Young (scroll to the bottom of this page to find this rod and other “XXXX” serial-numbered rods where the number is not known).

The list of PHY Serial-Numbered Rods is ordered as follows:

Serial #
Year, Model, Length, Writing on the flats, – Notes

List of Serial-Numbered Paul H. Young Co. Fly Rods

1955
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.17 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 17/64″ OS (old style, Pernack) ferrule, tips with 6/64” tip tops. Built for Larry McDonnell of Detroit, MI. The first of the serial-numbered fly rods.

1955SP
Spinmaster, Light Saltwater spinning rod. 7’6″, 5.15 oz., 16/64″ ferrule, 7/64″ tip tops. Built for J.B. Taylor of Birmingham (MI?). The first of the serial-numbered spinning rods. PHY separately identified serial-numbered PHY spinning rods with a four-digit number plus the letters SP for a short period. Then came a period when Young gave spinning rods four digit numbers that are shared with fly rods (for example, there is a spinning rod #1992 and a fly rod #1992). Finally, Young incorporated spinning rod serial numbers sequentially into the same four-digit list as fly rods.

1956
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.05 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips with 4/64” tip tops.

1956SP
Spinmaster, “J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.04 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top, thread Holland 319.

1957
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.29 oz., 13/64″ aluminum ferrules, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. There is reason to believe that Driggs rod #1957 may not have been built. Therefore it is not counted in the total number of listed rods.

1957SP
Spinmaster, Salyer model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.10 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top, thread Holland 319, built for William A. Chafin, Logan, WV. MJK’s full description for this rod follows, from his catalog no. 50 (1988): “Fine orig. PAUL YOUNG “Spinmaster” in delightful lt. wt. design, 6’4″, 3.10 oz., Ser. #1957, 2/1, Super-Z ferrules, gorgeous dark flamed exotic cane w/bronze wraps, double ring classic spin handle, orig. foul-proof standing guides, a surprisingly strong action – certainly one of America’s best & most beautiful spinning rods ever built. Overall exc. cond. w/bag & tube. $400.” The next serial numbered spinning rod is 1978SP. It is not known why PHY skipped twenty-one SP spinning rod numbers.

1958

“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.19 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Black pocketed cap and black screwlock reel seat mechanism over cork spacer. Full Wells grip. Pernack (“old style”) ferrules. Hookkeeper. Tan-brown wraps. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “Parabolic 17”  8-1/2′ – 5.19 oz.  C or GBF  Second flat: Fer. 17/64  Tip Top 6/64. Sold to Harold C. Tibbitts of Wheelersburg, OH – July 17, 1957. Thanks to Fred Kretchmann who showed me this rod at SuperBoo 2016 in Fairfield, Maine. This Para 17 was also listed as follows in the Fall & Winter 1979 Len Codella / T&T list: “Paul Young 8’6″ Para 17 2/2, No. 8, 5-1/4 oz. Fast act. Cork S/L seat, Bronze Winds. Serial No. 1958. Built in 1956 by Paul Young. N/M. $495.” No. 8 refers to casting the rod with a modern 8-weight fly line. Thanks to Steve Williams (slw on the Classic Fly Rod Forum) for this information. PHY Para 17 #1958:

1959
“Parabolic 17 Deluxe” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.30 oz. Varnished, medium-flamed cane, antique gold/tan wraps, blued 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips each with 6/64″ tip tops, black screwlock cork seat with Young-marked cap, grip described as “unusual Wells grip w/a tapered cork into shaft” (no photo), rod was described by MJK as “…built during Paul Young’s lifetime, ser. #14XX…” Serial numbering began in the year 1955, with serial number 1955, so the number should have been 19XX. Possible explanation: The number “9” may have been poorly written on the rod, leading MJK to interpret the mark as a “4”. MJK catalog no. 49 (1988). A rod owned by “Cimarron Red” from Classic Fly Fishing Forum has its serial number partially removed, likely by refinishing, and is believed to be #1959. Of this rod, Cimarron Red wrote to me, “In measuring the rod along its length, I determined that the dimensions were in line with later Para 17’s that I have measured.” Purchased in January 1976 from Art Neumann at Wanigas Rod Co., Saginaw, MI.

1960 (see listing for rod #2169)
“Parabolic 16 Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 4.87 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 16/64″ ferrule, tips made with 5/64″ tip tops. Built for R.M. Smith of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Finish date: July 1956. An identical listing was given for this Para 16 as #2169, but the number 2169 was crossed out in the shop records and number 196o was substituted. It appears that Young forgot that the order had been placed in 1955, and then made a correction in the log when the rod was finished in July 1956. Only one Para 16 rod was produced for R.M. Smith and it was marked as #1960. A different Para 16 rod, marked with number 2169, was built for another customer.

1961
“Parabolic 16 Deluxe” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.51 oz. Flamed varnished cane, step-down ferrules (probably Pernack; not Super-Zs), cap and ring over cork (Detroit die-stamp on cap). Lettering on two flats can be seen in photos, First flat: “Parabolic 16” Deluxe Second flat: 8 1/2′ – 4.51 oz. H.C.H. – H.C.F. Each tip is inked #1961 near the male ferrule, and the butt is inked #1961 near a snake guide. Rod was owned by French angler Jean-Paul Pequegnot, whose name is on the tube cap. The prior owner of this Para 16 was George Beall, an expatriate American and member of Charles Ritz’s International Fario Club, who lived in southern France, married a French artist and had many children, fished in the Pyrenees and northern Spain, and authored magazine articles about the early fly fishing history of Spain; see PHY rod #4020 for more information). Forum member “jyl” wrote to me from France with the information that after George Beall’s death, Beall’s widow gave this rod to Jean-Paul Pequegnot. Original bag, may be original Champion tube. Offered on eBay by Hoagy B. Carmichael, April 2009, where it sold for $4160 (Other rods owned by George Beall that are listed in this Database are #3943 Perfectionist and #4020 Martha Marie. See the listing for #4020 to read detailed information about the life of George Beall).

1962
“(Texas) General Salmon Dry Fly Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.47 oz.  16/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips made with 5-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 325. Built for J. Ryan of Detroit, MI, April 1956.

1963
“Parabolic 16 Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’9″ length (not the standard Para 16 length of 8’6″). 16/64″ OS (old style) Pernack ferrule, tips built with 5/64″ tip tops.

1964
“Florida Special / Salmon / Deluxe” model fly rod. 9’0″. Removable extension butt. 18/64″ ferrule, tips made with 6/64″ tip tops.

1965
“Boat Rod Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’2″ length (not the standard length of 8’0″), 2/2, 4.80 oz.  16/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips made with 5-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for Robert B. Bender of Detroit, MI. Build date: February 23, 1957.

1966
“Boat Rod” model fly rod. 8′, 2/2, 4.75 oz.  Varnished and flamed cane, gold wraps. Half wells grip (appears cleaned or new), black down-lock over cork with stamped and pocketed cap. Blued 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips made with 5/64″ tip tops. Refinished by Bob Summers. Inkled on four flats of the butt: Ken Johnson  /  Boat + Canoe Special 8′ 4.75 oz  /  Fer 15/64  Tip Top 5/64  Bamboo Wt. 3.xx oz  /  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. Period champion tube with brass collar, unusual black fabric bag. Built for Ken Johnson of Jackson, MI. Dated 1955. Listed on Bob Summers’ website November 2018 for $3,500.00. The description reads: “I refinished it about twenty years ago since. This model was was cataloged as the boat rod after 1956 Paul Young designed it for the Au Sable River guide boat.”

1967
“Salmon Low Water Wet” model fly rod, 9’6″, 6.35 oz. “Removable 12″ handle – salmon nymph.” Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips made with 5/64″ tip tops.

1968
“Texas General / Salmon Low Water” model fly rod, 9’6″, 2/2. 6.75 oz. Varnished, warmly flamed cane, smooth appearance with little or no mottling. Paper label on cork spacer of handle, text in PHY’s handwriting: 1968 9 1/2 Salmon Low Water. Shaft marked: Texas General Sticks, Ext. Grip 9 1/2 4.72 oz. H.C.H. Sh. Taper. Butt is marked 1968 near stripping guide. Each tip is marked #1968. Cigar/Ritz grip with thumb indentation. Cork grip is part of a removable 12-inch handle that also includes a black screwlock mechanism and integral 1-1/2″ ext. butt. Olive wraps, solid at snake guides, decorative spiral wraps at ferrule. Original, brown bag and Champion-style tube. MJK wrote: “This rod is unused – came directly from the Young family, deluxe grade…” MJK catalog #52 (1989). Thanks to Chris Moore, who in 2015 sent me photos of rod #1968 that he found on a Japanese web site.

1969
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 2.65 oz.  14/13/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips built with 4/64″ tip tops. Built for Judge C.C. Ruston of Marquette, MI. January 1955.

1970
“Canoe” model fly rod. 7’10” (unusual length). 4.20 oz. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 5/64″ tip tops.

1971
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″. First Midge to be serial numbered. Thanks to Carl Heuter (“carl otto”) for checking with Bob Summers to find this information. 1.71 oz. 11/64″ “featherweight” aluminum ferrule. 4/64″ tip top. Built for Paul E. Jackson of Ypsilanti, MI. Finished in January 1955. PHY Midge #1971:

1972
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 2.60 oz.  14/13/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for Jim Clancy of Ishpeming, MI. Finished in January 1955.

1973
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.09 oz.  15/14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops.

1974
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.29 oz.  14/13/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for Norman J. Altman of Columbus, OH.

1975
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.79 oz.  13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for Union Supply of Pittsburgh, PA.

1976
“Nymph Junior” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2.62 oz., 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 4/64″ tip top. Built for Lloyd Fox (c/o “Crowe”), Detroit, MI.

1977
“Florida Special” model fly rod. 9’0″, 2/3 (built with two heavier tips with 7/64″ tip top, and one lighter tip with 6/64″ tip top). 6.65 oz.  18/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Built for E.J. Alfsen at Rue Lisboa 93, São Paulo, Brazil. Finished February 2, 1955.

1978
“Texas General” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.34 oz.  16/64″ ferrule, tips made with 6/64″ tip tops. Built for Gus Wright of Dallas, TX. Finish date: December 28, 1955.

1978SP
Spinmaster, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.25 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Walter P. Pike of Columbus, GA.

1979
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.50 oz. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips made with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for Dr. E.A. Smith of Grand Rapids, MI. Finish date: February 9, 1955.

1979SP
Spinmaster, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.20 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Built as a stock rod, first owner unknown.

1980
“Texan” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 4.95 oz.  Screwlock reel seat, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips made with 5/64″ tip tops.

1980SP
Spinmaster, a spinning rod for saltwater use, 7’6″, 5.39 oz., 16/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Built for Howard Broussard, Port Arthur, TX. Spinning rods of this size were offered in the circa 1955 PHY catalog as light saltwater rods.

1981
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.23 oz., wet “parabolic” tip (5/64″ tip top) and dry fly tip (4/64″ tip top). Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Described as having a “one-inch grip” – could this mean an untapped grip made from one-inch diameter cork rings? Built for Dr. George Taft of Flint, MI. Finish date: February 11, 1955.

1981SP
Spinmaster. Another spinning rod for saltwater use, 7’6″, 5.55 oz., 16/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Marked first flat: “SPIN-MASTER” 7 1/2′ – 5.55 oz. Second flat: Fer. 16/64 TipTop 8/64. Also marked 1981SP. Varnished, flamed cane. Unusual dual handle with length of cane in between. Dual rings on upper cork where reel would be seated. Came in brown, shiny bag and Weber Dot-Line Telescopic rod case (second PHY spinning rod I have seen in such a case). Briefly offered in eBay auction October 2008; auction was canceled. Then offered on Bob Summers’ web site December 2008. Bob Summers told me that this rod was built for John Chew of Pennsylvania, who owned many Young rods. Spinning rods of this size were offered in the circa 1955 PHY catalog as light saltwater rods.

1982
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 5.35 oz. with wet parabolic tip having a 7/64″ tip top. 5.19 oz. with dry fly tip having a 5/64″ tip top.  Screwlock reel seat. 17/64” Super-Z ferrule. Built for John C. Gilliland of Denver, CO. Finish date: February 13, 1955. (Gilliland also owned PHY spinning rod #1990).

1982SP
Spinmaster, J.C. Salyer model spinning rod, but also had a fly reel seat, so actually a combination fly-spin rod, 6’4″, 3.65 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for G.C. Brown of North Baltimore, Ohio. (See 1983SP listing)

1983
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2. 2.58 oz. Built for Hazen Miller of Royal Oak, MI. Flamed and varnished cane. Cigar grip, bright aluminum slide bands over cork seat. Brown wraps tipped black. 14/13/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips with 4/64″ tip tops. However, one tip with red spiral wrap at the ferrule, denoting a light and heavy tip (new tip made during refinish?). Refinished. Inked By Bob Summers: Paul H. Young Co. Perfectionist 7’6” H.E.H.  /  Bob Summers Built 1958 Refinished 1972. #1983. The build date was actually February 17, 1955, not 1958. Red satin bag and dull finish Champion style tube (both typical of 1960’s and 70’s rods – likely a replacement with the refinish). Seen on adamsanglingbooks.com December 2018 for $3750.00. Perfectionist #1983:

1983SP
Spinmaster,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, but also had a fly reel seat, so actually a combination fly-spin rod, 6’4″, 3.58 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for M.H. Brown of North Baltimore, Ohio. (See 1982SP listing)

1984
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9′, 2/2, 5.95 oz.  Marked on five flats in PHY’s handwriting. First three flats: Bob Doerr Deluxe / 9′ – 5.95 oz. G.B.F. / Fer. 17/64 Tip Tops 6/64 February 1955. 4th flat reads (something – probably owner name Elmer E. Homoth) Fond du Lac, Wis. 5th flat reads: Feb. ’55  17/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Tips each made with 6/64″ tip top.  Offered by Bob Summers on web site June 2007. (Elmer E. Homoth also owned PHY Musky Special #2008)
“Bob Doerr” Model, #1984

1984SP
Spinmaster,
a spinning rod with no known model name, 7’6″, 4.02 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Original owner unknown.

1985
“Midge” model fly rod, probably 6’3″, possibly sold directly from the Young fly shop.

1985SP
Spinmaster, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.42 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Built for John Meinschein of Detroit, MI.

1986
“Midge” model fly rod, probably 6’3″, now 2/1 (probably built as two-tip rod). Flamed varnished cane, dual bright aluminum rings over cork, single thumb depression in almost straight-tapered cigar cork grip, gold-bronze wraps with small decorative spiral wrap at front of grip, snake guide used in place of stripping guide on butt, black anodized aluminum ferrules. Only one tip is shown in photos, so if there was a second tip it may be lost. Photos show inking on two flats of the butt, in PHY’s handwriting: First flat: unreadable (owner name?), followed by 56 Kenwood Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.   Second flat:  “MIDGE” 6′ 3″) – 1.73 oz. H.E.H. – Carsten Tiederman. There may be more writing on other flats. At the base of the female ferrule is written the serial number: 1986. Photos included in a bulk e-mail from the American Museum of Fly Fishing, July 2016. Carsten Tiederman commissioned this rod and may have owned it, or it may have been a gift (Carsten Tiederman also commissioned PHY Midge #2104 as a gift rod.)

1986SP
Spinmaster, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.34 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top.

1987
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.89 oz.  Screwlock reel seat.  15/64″ ferrule. Tips made with 5/64″ tip tops. Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for Alfred O. Peslin of Ridgewood, NJ. Finish date: February 21, 1955.

1987SP
Spinmaster, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.55 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Built for Joe K. Bywater of Dallas, TX (This seems to be the last of the SP-marked spinning rods. It appears that many of the following spinning rods may have the same four-digit serial number as a fly rod; for example, see the next two listings for fly rod #1988, a Parabolic 17, and spinning rod #1988, a special order).

1988
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, built February 1955, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.42 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. Rod inscribed on three flats. First flat: Paul Kropacek  Feb.’55   Second flat: “Parabolic 17” DeLuxe – 8 1/2′ – 5.42 oz.  G.B.F.  Third flat: Fer. 17/64  Tip Top 6/64  Serial number 1988 marked on tips at base of male ferrules and on butt at base of female ferrule. Nickel silver 17/64″ ferrule seems to be a stepdown ferrule (or possibly Super-Z? can’t see clearly in photo). Varnished flamed cane, “Detroit” stamp on pocketed butt cap, black screwlock cork reel seat, cigar cork grip with single thumb indentation, solid wraps (Holland 319) except small decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Built for Paul Kropacek of Chicago, IL. Finish date: February 21, 1955. Seen on Gary Siemer’s Vintage Fly Tackle site, July 2012 and R.W. Summers’ site, December 2014. (Paul Kropacek is also known to have owned a non-serial-numbered Parabolic 16 fly rod). Parabolic 17 #1988:

1988
Spinmaster,
Special order spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.04 oz., 13/64″ ferrule, 6-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Roland Kalpks.

1989
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.75 oz.  Pearsall’s thread used on thread wraps. Built for A.E. Holton of Grosse Pointe Park, MI. Finish date: February 21, 1955.

1989
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 7’2″, 3.35 oz., 13/64″ ferrule, 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Norman Wathen of Jeffersonville, Indiana.

1990
“Midge” model fly rod 6’3″, 2/2, 1.74 oz. Stated to be for H.F.H. line. Pearsall’s thread used on thread wraps. Appears to have black anodized ferrules (judging from poor photo). Has two bright rings over cork, straight grip tapers to a point (not blunt at end). Built for Ernest Kanzler of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Finish date: February 21, 1955.  “In a bag and tube.” Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #259, sold for $2500 plus 10% buyer’s premium.

1990
Spinmaster,
spinning rod? or Fly-Spin model?, 8’0″, 4.95 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Orange and black thread wraps. Built for John C. Gilliland of Denver, CO.  (Gilliland also owned PHY fly rod Parabolic 17 #1982).

1991
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.75 oz.  Pearsall’s thread used on thread wraps. Built for Glen D. Peters of Hammond, Indiana. Finish date: February 21, 1955.

1991
“Oregon Egg” bait rod
, 8’0″, 8.70 0z., 20/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Orange and black thread wraps. Built for John C. Gilliland of Denver, CO. (Gilliland also owned PHY fly rod Parabolic 17 #1982).

1992
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.74 oz.  Pearsall’s thread used on thread wraps.

1992
Spinmaster
, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.45 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Built for Robert P. Terrill and sent to the American Embassy at Rio de Janeiro where Terrill was stationed, clandestinely studying Brazil’s intentions to develop a nuclear program. At least three other rods were sent to Terrill in Rio, including a Para 15 Keller DeLuxe built in October 1954 (before serial numbering) and a Bob Doerr rod built in 1955, but without a serial number.

1993
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, “MIDGE”, 6′-3″ – 1.75 oz. H.E.H. “Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit, Maker” – Dated February 1955, according to Bob Summers (cannot see that flat in pictures), the number 1993 is inked on butt and both tips, oil finish, 12/64″ aluminum ferrules, 4/64″ tip tops on tips, Pearsall’s thread used on thread wraps, two bright rings over cork. Built for William A. Chapin of Logan, W.Va. Finish date: May 19, 1955. Rod offered for $5K on Summers web site, July 2007. PHY Midge #1993:

1993
Spinmaster,
“Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.50 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Built for Morris Stagner of Detroit, MI.

1994
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.74 oz.  Pearsall’s thread used on thread wraps.

1994
Spinmaster
, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.50 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top.

1995
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″ (a note for this rod – cut down “Texan” – indicates that the blank may originally have been 8’6″), 2/2, 4.55 oz.  15/64″ ferrule. Two tips, one with 5/64″ tip top and the other with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Bob Emmons of Capac, MI. Finish date: February 21, 1955.

1995
Spinmaster
, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.53 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 6/64″ tip top.

1996
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, dated February 1955, built by PHY for Tom Young of Detroit, MI (no relation to PHY). Heavily flamed cane, “finished with 100% bakelite gum, varnished only on wraps and writing,” ventilated Wells grip built of ten cork rings, dual bright aluminum rings over cork seat, 14/13/64 featherweight aluminum ferrule, rod now has three tips – one original with 4/64 tiptop, one early factory replacement with 4/64 tiptop, and a dry fly tip (3.5/64 tip top) given to the owner later. No hookkeeper. Rod inscribed on three flats: first flat: “Perfectionist” 7-1/2′, 2.62 oz., H.E.H.   Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit  Third flat: Tom Young – Detroit – Feb ’55  Serial number 1996 marked below butt ferrule and above tip ferrule. Black wraps, 5/0 thread (dry fly tip has translucent tan wraps). Young bag and aluminum tube. Build date: Feb. 25, 1955. Offered for $5000 in Jim Adams’ catalog, December 2010.

1996
Casting/Plug rod, 4’9″, 17/64″ ferrule, 7/64″ tip top, black thread wraps. Built for J.E. Hite of Detroit, MI.

1997
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, “W.A. Reedy – Rochester – May, ’55” “Texan” 8 1/2′ – 4.39 oz. H.C.H – H.C.F” Fer. 15/64 Tip Top 5/64  B-24 bomber conduit rod tube.

1997
Spinmaster,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 3.25 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps.

1998
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.56 oz.  14/13/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for John J. Wackly of Kansas City, Kansas. Finish date: March 3, 1955.

1988
Spinmaster,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 3.22 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps.

1999
“Boat Special” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.80 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ ferrule, tips with 5/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. One of two Boat Specials, #1999 and #2000, built for Dick Hardy of Bradley Beach, NJ. Finished March 5, 1955.

1999
Spin-Master, “J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod. 6’4″, 2/1. 3.23 oz., 14/64″ ferrule, 5/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. Built in 1955 for Jack Clark of Carson City, NV. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over long cork grip. Known to be marked on one flat in PHY’s handwriting: “SPIN-MASTER”  6’4″  3.23 oz.  Also marked 1999. Re-wrapped by Bob Summers. Offered for $850 in late 2011 on Bob Summers’ web site.

2000
“Boat Special” model fly rod. 8’0″. 4.73 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ ferrule, tips with 5/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. One of two Boat Specials, #1999 and #2000, built for Dick Hardy of Bradley Beach, NJ. Finished March 5, 1955.

2000SP
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 7’2″, 4.00 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Thread: 475-0. Built for Arthur Hudson of Dunedin, FL.

2001
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.27 oz.  17/64″ ferrule, tips with 6/64” tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for Clarence E. Henry of Pasco, WA. Finished May 11, 1958.

2001SP
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 7’2″, 3.55 oz., 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Dr. Robert A. Koch of Beckley, West Virginia.

2002
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 2/2, 5.75 oz. 17/64″ ferrule, tips with 6/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for Rodi Hammarlst of Frbsön, Sweden. Finished May 21, 1955.

2002 (see also #2007 and #3923)
Spinning Rod, one of a set of three spinning rods built by PHY over a period of four years (1956 – 1960) for Ryan P. Williams. As a set, the three rods handle line weights from 4 lb. to 15 lb. test. Each rod is in excellent condition. This spinning rod: 7’6″, 4.00 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6-1/2/64″ tip top, carboloy guides, dual black rings over long cork handle. Decorative spiral wrap at front of handle. Lettering includes this text in PHY’s handwriting on two flats, First flat: “SPIN-MASTER” 7 1/2′ – 4 oz.  Second Flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker  Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, October 2010.

2003
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod. 9’0″, 2/2, 5.69 oz.  17/64″ ferrule, tips with 6/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps.

2003
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 7’6″, 4.02 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6-1/2/64″ tip top, carboloy guides.

2004
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. Finish date: March 9, 1955. 8’6”, 2/2, 5.38 oz. with wet parabolic tip and 5.23 oz. with dry fly tip. Built for F.P. Horning of Detroit, MI (who owned many PHY fly rods and a very rare Midge Spinmaster spinning rod). Varnished flamed cane, pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock mechanism over cork reel seat, Super -Z ferrules. Solid, half Wells cork grip was built from thirteen half-inch corks. Solid gold-bronze wraps, except a decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Lettering is by PHY. Butt is marked on four flats. First flat: F.P. Horning – Mar. ’55 –  Second flat: “Parabolic 17″  8’6”  5.38 oz. –  5.23 oz.  Third flat: Wet – G.B.F.  Dry. H.C.F.  Fourth flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Butt is also marked 2004 near stripping guide. One tip (wet parabolic tip) is labeled 2004 G.B.F.  The other (dry fly) tip is marked 2004 H.C.F. and has decorative spiral red thread wraps at the base of the male ferrule and at the tip top. Copper-colored satin bag. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle.  PHY Parabolic 17 #2004:

2004
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.62 oz., carboloy guides, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for J.S. Savery of Detroit, MI.

2005
Trolling rod. 7’6″. 5.89 oz. 17/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 475. Built for Dana Summers of Chicago, IL (who was no relation to rod maker R.W. “Bob” Summers. Dana Summers also owned a small, non-serial-numbered bait casting rod built by PHY in September 1953.) Finish date: March 9, 1955.

2005
Spinmaster
, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.48 oz., Aetna guides, 15/64″ ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Chas. Corkins of Dearborn, MI.

2006
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.27 oz.  14/13/64 featherweight aluminum ferrule, tips with 4/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for John S. Kilner of Woodstock, VT. Finish date: March 9, 1955.

2006
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 7’2″, 3.50 oz., carboloy guides, 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Eldon D. Young of Sacramento, CA. Build date: December 3, 1956.

2007
“Texan” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 4.80 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ ferrule, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Loy Wong of Battle Mountain, NV. Finish date: March 12, 1955.

2007 (see also #2002 and #3923)
Spinning Rod, 7’2″, 3.45 oz., carboloy guides, 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, one of a set of three spinning rods built by PHY over a period of four years (1956 – 1960) for Ryan P. Williams of Detroit, MI. As a set, the three rods handle line weights from 4 lb. to 15 lb. test. Each rod is in excellent condition. Lettering includes this text in PHY’s handwriting on one flat: Lightweight  7’2″  3.45 oz.  Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, October 2010.

2008
“Musky Special” rod. 8’6″. Thread: Holland 475. Screwlock reel seat. 27/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 11/64″ tip top. Built for Elmer E. Homoth of Fond du Lac, WI. Finish date: March 12, 1955.

2008
Spinmaster,
spinning rod, 7’2″, 3.36 oz., Aetna guides, 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319.

2009
“Texan” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 4.72 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ ferrule, one tip with 4-1/2/64″ tip top and one tip with 5/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Major William Dickerson of Fort Lewis, WA. Finish date: March 16, 1955.

2009
Spinmaster,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.26 oz., Aetna guides, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Thread: Holland 319. Built for J.Patt Wardlaw of Erie, PA. Build date: March 8, 1957.

2010
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2.  15/64″ ferrule, one tip with 4/64″ tip top and one tip with 5/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Mal Rose of Modesto, CA. Finish date: March 17, 1955.

2011
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″. 1.74 oz. 12/11/64″ ferrule, tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: March 17, 1955.

2012
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.10 oz., wet (parabolic) and dry tips, built for Bernard R. Baker of Toledo, OH. Black screwlock seat. Olive-gold wraps with decorative spiral wraps at ferrules and grip. Butt measurement is 0.297″. Measurement at tiptop of dry fly tip is 0.060″. Butt is marked on four flats. First flat: Bernard R. Baker – Toledo – Mar. ’55  Second flat: “Keller DeLuxe”  8′ – 4.10 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 15/64   1- 5/64 Tip  1- 4/64 Tip  There is a blank flat, and then the Fourth inked flat reads: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – maker. Thanks to Gavin Wright. Finish date: March 23, 1955.

2013
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2. 3.85 oz.  15/64″ ferrule, one tip with 4/64″ tip top and one tip with 5/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: March 23, 1955.

2014
“Boat Rod” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2. Screwlock reel seat, “reversed.” 15/64″ ferrule, tips with 5-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for H.L. Simpson, of “Romeo” (probably the village of Romeo in Michigan). Finish date: March 24, 1955.

2015
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.54 oz.  14/64″ ferrule, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Wendel Salmon of Grosse Pointe, MI.

2016
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.72 oz.  Screwlock reel seat.  14/64″ ferrule, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: March 24, 1955.

2017
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  12/64″ ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for John J. Steele of Detroit, MI. Finish date: March 24, 1955.

2018
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  12/64″ ferrule. 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for William J.H. Johnston of Detroit, MI. Finish date: March 26, 1955.

2019
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.28 oz.  13/64″ ferrule. 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 325. Built for “Walter E.Bronston – c/o B.E.Y.  New York.” (Was B.E.Y. Ben E. Young, PHY’s brother?). Finish date: March 29, 1955.

2020
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  11/64″ ferrule. 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for George W. Kelly of Sodus, NY. Finish date: April 2, 1955.

2021
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  11/64″ ferrule. 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Rosalynd Johnston of Detroit, MI. Finish date: July 7, 1955.

2022
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.23 or 3.28 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, cap and ring over cork (bright hardware, pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, knurling on front and rear edges of ring). Small ventilated cork grip (built from eight cork rings) with single thumb depression, hookkeeper, solid copper-brown (Holland 319) wraps, butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats: First Flat: M.M.Y. model – 7 1/2′ – 3.28 oz.  H.D.H.  Second Flat: Fer. 14/64  Tip Tops 4 1/2/64.  Also marked with serial number 2022. Built for Virginia Masterson of Yarmouth, Maine (possibly related to Walter Masterson, pitcher for Boston Red Sox and other baseball teams, and known Paul H. Young rod owner). Finish date: April 9, 1955. Thanks to Steven Sanders.

2023
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2. 3.61 oz. with dry fly tip, 3.66 oz. with wet parabolic tip. 15/64″ ferrule, dry tip with 4/64″ tip top and wet tip with 5/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for T.B. Rowe of LeRoy, Ohio. Finish date: April 11, 1955.

2024
“PERFECTIONIST” model fly rod, dated April 1955, built by PHY, gift of PHY to his wife Martha Marie Young. Finish date: April 11, 1955.Flamed cane, butt and both tips are all built with 2X2 node arrangement. Ventilated cigar grip, dual bright rings over cork seat. The cork reel seat and grip assembly is built from a total of 15 one-half-inch corks. There is a cork button (one cork) on the end of the rod to keep the dual rings from sliding off. The rest of the reel seat is built from five corks. The grip is built from nine corks, of which the rearmost two corks (adjacent to the reel seat) are glued together while the remaining seven corks form a “ventilated” grip. These seven corks are separated by roughly 1/16″ gaps. Olive thread wraps. The rod is inscribed in PHY’s handwriting: first line Martha M. Young April – ’55, second line: “Perfectionist” 7-1/2′, 2.51 oz., H.E.H. silk. Rod also is marked in ink at increments of 7 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches up from the handle; thread wraps mark the measurements. Michigan fishing regulations for 1955 pertained to these lengths. The legal length limit for trout was seven inches; for bass, ten inches. Mrs. Young therefore could measure the trout she caught without carrying a ruler. Green bag has tag that reads Martha Perfectionist in two lines, in PHY’s handwriting, plus tube. Once owned by the late Sante Giuliani (“fishnbanjo”).

Rod #2024, Perfectionist, built by PHY as gift for wife Martha Marie Young. Paul Young’s plan was to secretly take this rod along on a fishing trip with Mrs. Young as a surprise gift. His plan was to wait until they had reached the river and when she asked him for “her” rod, he was going to present her with this Perfectionist instead of the 7’6″ rod that she had been using.

It was quite a special moment several years ago when banjo invited me to make my first casts with Mrs. Young’s rod. It has a strong easy stroke that is pure poetry. The rod is very comfortable in the hand, even though the grip is quite small for hands the size of banjo’s, or mine. The thumb indentation orients your hand in the right place, and the spaces between the corks help improve your hold on the grip, much like tire treads improve a car’s hold on the road. In December 2014, I caught a twenty-inch trout using Mrs. Young’s Perfectionist (see photo).

2025
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/3, 5.28 oz. Screwlock reel seat.  16/64″ ferrule, three tips –  one tip with 5/64″ tip top and two tips with 5-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for D. Valley of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 21, 1955.

2026
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.58 oz.  15/64″ ferrule, tips with 5/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Glen Miller of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 25, 1955.

2027
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe Dry Fly” model fly rod, 8’0″, 15/64″ “old style” (Pernack) ferrule. 4/64″ tip top. Built with two tips but only one tip has survived; it is 1/4″ short and a small lift in one flat was repaired. Rod was in poor condition in August 2012, and was sent to Michael Sinclair because varnish was peeling away and taking PHY’s original inked handwritten information with it. The ink adhered to the varnish rather than to the cane; Sinclair’s procedure saved most of the remaining lettering. Varnished cane, cap and ring over cork, “Detroit” stamp on cap, half Wells grip with thumb indentation, unmarked Super-Z ferrules. Wraps were green (Holland 325) which Michael duplicated closely. There was inking originally on four flats of the butt section. The first flat was extremely faded and contained original owner information which cannot now be seen. Owner was E.W. Fix. His address, Mitchell, South Dakota, was written on this flat also. Second flat: Keller DeLuxe  8′ – 3.74 oz.  H.E.H.  Third flat: Fer. 15/64  Tip Top 4/64  Fourth flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit. Maker. On the butt section near the stripping guide and on the tip near the male ferrule was inked: 2027. Finish date: April 26, 1955. PHY Para 15 Keller DeLuxe Dry Fly #2027:

2028
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.76 oz., wet (parabolic) and dry tips, built for F.P. Horning of Detroit, MI. Varnished flamed cane, pocketed cap and ring over cork reel seat (ring knurled diagonally on front and back edges). 15/64″ Super -Z ferrule. Wet tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry tip has 4/64″ tip top. Ventilated cork grip, very subtly-shaped half Wells with two thumb indentations, grip was built from nine separate half-inch corks, plus a tenth cork blends into the reel seat. Solid gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319), except a decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Hookkeeper. Lettering is by PHY. Butt is marked on four flats. First flat: F.P. Horning – April – 1955  Second flat: “Keller DeLuxe”  8′ – 3.76 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 15/64 – 1- 5/64 Tip – H.D.H.  1- 4/64 Tip – H.E.H.  Fourth flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Butt is also marked 2028 near stripping guide. Dry tip is labeled 2028 – DRY – H.E.H. on one flat, and has red spiral wraps at base of male ferrule and at the tip top. Wet (parabolic) tip is labeled 2028 on one flat, and 5/64 Tip H.D.H. on the next flat, and when seen in January 2016 this tip was badly cracked and bent about one inch from the tip top (since repaired). Satin bag is copper-colored with greenish tint. Finish date: April 27, 1955. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle. PHY Para 15 Keller DeLuxe #2028:

2029
“Driggs” model fly rod.  7’2″, 2/2, 2.49 oz. Varnished flamed cane, black dual rings over cork reel seat (rings knurled front and back edges). 13/64″ Super -Z ferrule. Two tips, each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Ventilated cork grip, cigar shape with single thumb indentation, was built from eight separate half-inch corks, plus a ninth cork blends into the reel seat. Solid gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319), except a decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Lettering is by PHY. Butt is marked on four flats. First flat: F.P. Horning – April 1955  Second flat: “DRIGGS” Special  7’2″ – 2.49 oz.  Third flat: Fer. 13/64  Tip Top 4 1/2/64  Fourth flat (not adjacent to the other three): Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Butt is also marked 2029 near stripping guide. Each tip is labeled 2029.  Copper-colored satin bag. Built for F.P. Horning of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 27, 1955. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle. PHY Driggs #2029:

2030
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Albert P. Thompson of Philadelphia, PA. Finish date: May 4, 1955.

2031
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.92 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ ferrule. Built with two differently-tapered tips. “Wet” parabolic tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry fly tip has 4/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for John Rood of Minneapolis, MN. Finish date: May 5, 1955.

2032
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4 oz.  15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Built with two “wet” parabolic tips. Each tip has a 5/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Gordon Maffey of Kansas City, MO. Finish date: May 5, 1955.

2033
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 2.63 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule. Each tip has a 4/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Norman J. Altman of Columbus, OH. Finish date: May 11, 1955.

2034
“Texas General” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.32 oz. with dry fly tip. 5.45 oz. with wet parabolic tip. Built with two differently-tapered tips; dry fly tip has 5/64″ tip top, “wet” parabolic tip has 6/64″ tip top. Super-Z ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Ned Jewett of Lapeer, MI. (Ned Jewett and his wife Barb owned many PHY rods. Ned’s photo appeared on the cover of the circa 1955 Paul H. Young Co. tackle catalog). Finish date: May 13, 1955.

2035
“Texas General” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.37 oz. with dry fly tip, 5.39 oz. with wet parabolic tip.  Built with two differently-tapered tips. Super-Z ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for John Lord of Grosse Pointe, MI. Finish date: May 13, 1955.

2036
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.73 oz.  Inked on shaft: Arnold Gingrich, New York, Paul H. Young Co. Detroit, Maker, Midge 6’3″ 1.73 oz. H.E.H. All sections are marked 2036. Black anodized 12/64″ ferrule, 4/64″ tip tops, dual black rings over cork, black wraps. Finish date: May 13, 1955. Sent to Gingrich’s office at Esquire magazine. Original bag & tube, letter of provenance from Bob Summers. Sold as Lot 92 for $4500 at Lang’s November 2, 2007 fishing tackle auction. Arnold Gingrich heavily promoted Paul H. Young and the Midge rod in books and magazine articles. In The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich described his first experience with a Midge rod when fishing with his friends Charles and Vivian Kerlee: “Charlie had got one from Paul Young in Detroit… and had bought it with no intention of using it himself, as he is over six foot, with the build of a tackle. But Vivian is small, and he wanted a light little rod that she could use without arm fatigue… Vivian let me try it, and the very first cast was a revelation… giving it back was like giving back a piece of my arm. I wrote a check for one that same day. They only cost $65 at that time, but I’d have paid five times as much, if that had been the price. I never wanted anything more avidly in my life. Once I got it, I used no other rod…” (Note also PHY Midge #2037 built for Vivian Kerlee, and also PHY Midge #2045 which was built very shortly after these Midges for Charles Coiner, a friend of Gingrich’s, who is mentioned in The Well-Tempered Angler.)

2037
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.74 oz.  12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Stripping guide is a snake guide. Reported in MJK catalog 87 (2003) where it was listed as 203X. Built for Vivian Kerlee of New York. Finish date: May 13, 1955.

2038
Salmon fly rod, unusual custom length and no specific model name known. 10’3″, 10.42 oz. 27/64″ ferrule (!). 9/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Black. Built for F. Brock of Birmingham, MI. Finish date: May 19, 1955.

2039
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.95 oz. (another record gives a weight of 3.05 oz.)  Varnished, flamed cane, non-pocketed cap in black bearing the Detroit stamp and ring over cork (knurling on front and rear edges of ring and cap). Half wells grip, hook-keeper, solid copper/gold wraps (Holland 319). Appears refinished. Possibly new cork, wraps and varnish. Script appears to be that of Bob Summers, though not confirmed. Was built with 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, and 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Butt inked on three flats in script: Paul H Young Co. Det 1955  /  Martha Marie 7’6″ HDH  /  4/64  Tip Top 4 1/2/64.  Butt and each tip marked with serial number 2039. One tip marked Wet Tip, the other with a red wrap at the tip-top. Proper green satin bag and aluminum bomber tube with cap. Several (gold colored) labels and personal labels affixed to the tube. Built for H.P. Halladay of Detroit, MI. Finish date: May 21, 1955, but apparently the rod was sold on July 20, 1955. Seen on Spinoza Rods web page October 2018 for $3500.00

2040
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.10 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over cork (knurling on front and rear edges of rings), ventilated cork grip built with seven separate corks, hookkeeper, solid copper-brown wraps (Holland 319)except decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule, Super-Z ferrule, tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, butt inked on two flats: First Flat: M.M.Y. model   7 1/2′   3.10 oz.  H.D.H.  Second Flat: Fer 14/64  Tip Top 4 1/2/64.  Butt and each tip marked with serial number 2040. Long repair wrap on one tip. Hooded canvas bag with lighter piping; no tube. Sold for $2366. on eBay, July 2012. Built for W.M. Waters, national Bank of Detroit, MI. Finish date: June 9, 1955.

2041
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″, 2.45 oz.  14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips built with 5/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: June 9, 1955.

2042
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.95 oz.  Varnished dark flamed cane, dual black rings over cork (knurling on front and rear edges of rings), ventilated cork grip with single thumb depression, hookkeeper, solid copper-brown wraps (Holland 319), 14/64″ black featherweight aluminum ferrules, tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, butt inked on two flats: First Flat: M.M.Y. model   7 1/2′   2.95 oz.  H.D.H.  Second Flat: Fer 14/64  Tip Top 4 1/2/64.  Butt and each tip marked with serial number 2042. Thanks to owner Bucky Ryan. Built for Jack Sekely of Salem, OH. Finish date: June 17, 1955.

2043
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.93 oz.  15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Tips built with 5/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Paul J. Van Lauren of Green Bay, WI. Finish date: June 4, 1955.

2044
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.71 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrules, tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Union Supply (dealer) of Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: June 4, 1955.

2045
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, seen with one tip when first noted in 2007, but originally would have been a two-tip rod. A second replacement tip was later built by Bob Summers. Lettered on three flats, first flat: Charles T. Coiner – Mechanicsville, Penna.  Second flat: “MIDGE” 6’3″ 1.74 oz. H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. June ’55  Flamed varnished cane, featherweight aluminum ferrules, tips built with 4/64″ tip tops, dual black rings over cork, black wraps (5/0 thread) with small decorative spiral wrap at front of straight cork grip. Replacement bag & tube. Offered eBay April 2007, purchased by spruce grouse of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Charles T. Coiner was a landscape painter, discussed by Arnold Gingrich in The Well-Tempered Angler (1965). The rod order to the PHY shop in the name of Charles T. Coiner was made through Charles Kerlee (see Midge #2036 listing for more info). Finish date: June 4, 1955.

2046
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 2/2, 6 oz. marked on rod by Summers (another source gives weight of 5.70 oz.) Refinished. Lettered in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats: First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det. Maker Second flat: Bob Doerr Model 9′ 6 oz. GBF  Third flat: Fer 17/64 TipTop 6/64 Tips are numbered 2046. One tip is still numbered in PHY’s handwriting. The other tip is numbered in Summers’ handwriting. 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Tips built with 6/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Bob Summers showed me this rod, mid-October 2008. It was originally built for William J. Brennan of Middletown, NY. Original finish date: June 6, 1955.

2047
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 4.75 oz. Screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Dry tip built with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Wet tip built with 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319.  Built for T.W. Smith, Jr. of Barberton, OH. Finish date: June 6, 1955.

2048
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 4.70 oz. Screwlock reel seat. “Old style” (Pernack) ferrule. Dry tip built with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Wet tip built with 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319.  Built for L.O. Bradshaw of Barberton, OH. Finish date: June 6, 1955.

2049
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 4.55 oz. Lightweight “skeleton” reel seat with dual rings over cork. “Old style” (Pernack) ferrule. Dry tip built with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Wet tip built with 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 475.  Built for Frank T. Parsons of Barberton, OH. Finish date: June 6, 1955.

2050
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.10 oz.  13/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, tips built with 4/64″ tip tops. Built for Gene Larson of Detroit, MI. Finished June 1955.

2051
“Driggs Special” model fly rod, a demonstrator fly rod owned by and made for use by the PHY Company, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.34 oz.  14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Black 5/0. Ventilated cork grip. Snake guide used on the butt section in place of a stripping guide. Finished June 1955.

2052
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.48 oz. Flamed cane, sliding band reel seat. Noted in an old brochure, circa 1984, from Allan Liu, American Sporting Collector, Amawalk, NY. Featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finished June 1955.

2053
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.51 oz.  Ventilated cork grip. Featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Robert F. Coburn for Norman J. Altman, Columbus, OH. Finish date: June 17, 1955.

2054
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.98 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. “Wet” parabolic tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry fly tip has 4/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for F. Clifford Cox of Arlington, MA. Finish date: June 11, 1955.

2055
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.05 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Two “wet” parabolic tips built with 5/64″ tip tops. Black snake guides. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Lawrence McLouth of Birmingham, MI. Finish date: August 8, 1955.

2056
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.08 oz. with “wet” parabolic tip, 4.02 oz. with dry fly tip. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. “Wet” parabolic tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry fly tip has 4/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for George P. Maul of Trenton, NJ. Finish date: July 6, 1955.

2057
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe Dry Fly” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.50 oz.  Two dry fly tips, each built with 4/64″ tip top. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319.

2058
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.95 oz. “Wet” parabolic and dry fly tips. “Wet” parabolic tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry fly tip has 4/64″ tip top. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Dr. Allene E. LeHew of Clifton Forge, VA. Finish date: April 1, 1956.

2059
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.68 oz. Super-Z ferrule. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319.

2060
“Texas General” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.25 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. One tip with 5/64″ tip top and one tip with 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Clarence E. Smith, Ottawa Lake, MI (c/o Jack Taylor). Finished June 1955.

2061
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.72 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Norman Nicholson of Bellville, MI. Finish date: June 17, 1955.

2062
“Powerhouse” model fly rod. 9’6″, 2/2, 8 oz.  4-1/2″ aluminum screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Tips built with 7/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 475-A. Built for Howard Fitzgerald of Pontiac, MI. Finish date: June 18, 1955.

2063
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.10 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Both tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Sold to Dan Bailey Fly Shop (dealer) in Livingston, Montana. Finish date: June 28, 1955. This may have been the rod that was damaged by the buyer, and a bitter dispute over who was at fault caused a complete breakdown of the Paul Young – Dan Bailey relationship.

2064
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.59 oz. Screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Both tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Sold to Pat Barnes (dealer) in West Yellowstone. Finish date: June 31, 1955.

2065
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.62 oz.  Screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Both tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for George Zahm of Buffalo, NY., Finish date: August 2, 1955.

2066
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.0 oz. Varnished, flamed cane; 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, copper/gold wraps (Holland 319), blued slide band over cork seat (records show that this was originally supposed to be a screwlock reel seat), black pocketed and stamped end cap. Half wells grip. Marked wet and dry tips; single red wrap at the ferrule and tip-top of the dry tip. Wet tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry tip has 4-1/2/64” tip top. Inked in Paul Young’s hand on 3 flats:  Frank E. Wood July 1955  /  “Parabolic 15″ 8′  4oz.  HDH  /  Paul H Young co. Detroit – maker. The butt marked just below the female ferrule #2066. Wet tip marked: WET #2066 WET, dry tip marked: #2066 DRY. Brown satin bag and brass collar Champion tube with cap. The rod appears to be in exceptional, lightly used condition. The handwriting by Paul on the butt appears to be missing on the corners of the cane, yet varnish appears intact (refinish?). The singular red bands used to denote the dry tip are unusual, commonly those are red spiral wraps. Built for Frank E. Wood and delivered c/o “Maywald,” Chicago, IL. Finish date: July 14, 1955. Listed by Spinoza Rods October 2018 for $3,500.00.

2067
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule. Tips built with 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Like #2066, also built for Frank E. Wood? Delivered c/o “Maywald,” Chicago, IL. Finish date: July 14, 1955.

2068
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.80 oz.  15/64″ ferrule. Tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for T.E. Purkiss of Santa Maria, CA. Finished July 19, 1955.

2069
“Martha Marie” model fly rod belonging to Mrs. Martha Marie Young. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.03 oz.  Varnished dark flamed cane, dual black rings over cork (knurling on front and rear edges of rings), ventilated cork grip with double thumb indentations, no hookkeeper, solid copper-brown wraps (Holland 319) except decorative spiral thread wrap in front of cork grip, black featherweight aluminum ferrules, butt inked on two flats: First Flat: M.M.  7 1/2′  –  3.03 oz.  H.D.H.  #2069  July ’55  Second Flat: Paul H. Young Co – Detroit. Maker  One tip marked 2069  T.T. 4.  The other tip marked 2069  TT 4.  The cork reel seat is inked Paul H. Young – Detroit / M.M. model – 7 1/2′  –  3.03 oz. / H.D.H.  July ’55. –  Finished July 19, 1955  –  PHY Martha Marie #2069:

2070
“Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.98 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane; 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, gold-brown wraps (Holland 319), screwlock cork seat. wet and dry tips; red spiral wrap on dry tip. Wet tip has 5/64″ tip top. Dry tip has 4/64″ tip top. Writing on first flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ – 3.98 oz. Second flat: Fer. 15/64 1- 5/65 1- 4/64 Tips Former owner’s name and address (not known to me) reportedly also on butt section. Wet tip marked: WET H.D.H. 5/64 TipTop Dry tip marked: DRY H.E.H. 4/64 TipTop Finish date: July 21, 1955.

2071
“Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.95 oz., screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. One “wet” parabolic tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry fly tip (4/64″ tip top). Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: July 21, 1955.

2072
“Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’0″ 2/2, 3.98 oz., screwlock reel seat. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. One “wet” parabolic tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry fly tip (4/64″ tip top). Thread wraps: Holland 319. Sold to Winstedt’s Tackle Shop (dealer), Valley Cottage, NY. Finish date: July 21, 1955.

2073
“Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.07 oz., screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Don B. Smith of Grosse Isle, MI. Finish date or possibly sale date: May 31, 1956.

2074
“Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 4.12 oz., screwlock reel seat. Described as having a “Big Grip.” Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: July 21, 1955.

2075
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.42 oz. Super-Z ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for C.E. Snell of Glencoe, IL (sent c/o VL&A). Finish date: July 21, 1955.

2076
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.31 oz.  Dual band reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: July 21, 1955.

2077
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.36 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: July 25, 1955.

2078
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 2.36 oz. (identical weight to #2077). Varnished, heavily flamed cane. Bronze wraps (Holland 319), 13/64″ black aluminum ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Black aluminum dual rings, all cork slender, varigated grip with double thumbprint scallops. PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det.  Second flat: “DRIGGS”  7’2″  2.36 oz.  H.D.H.  Third flat: Ferrule 13/64 Tip Top 4 1/2 / 64. Champion tube with copper satin bag (had previously been reported with B-24 tube). Rod is pristine with no marks and very slight anodization wear on one male ferrule. Finish date: July 25, 1955. Reported to be slightly parabolic, medium fast, takes #4 line. Owned by Classic Fly Rod Forum member brooksriver.

2079
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.01 oz. Featherweight aluminum ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for H.V. McDermott of Norman, OK. Finish date: August 6, 1955.

2080
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.02 oz. Featherweight aluminum ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319.

2081
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/3 (two original tips by Paul Young, one additional tip by Bob Summers), 1.75 oz.  The two original tips are 3/8″ shorter than the new tip and the butt. One Young tip has a clear safety silk wrap. Lettering seen on a flat of the butt indicates a 4/64 tip top. One flat reads: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker  Flamed varnished cane, black aluminum ferrules, dual black aluminum rings over cork, bronze wraps (Holland 319 originally, looks like Bob Summers added black wraps) with small decorative spiral wrap at front of straight cork grip. Bag & tube. Built for Jack Clark of Carson City, MI. Finish date: January 3, 1956. New cork grip and reel seat made by Bob Summers, since the original owner had a habit of hooking his fly in the cork handle. Offered for $3500 by Bob Summers on web site, November 2011. –  PHY Midge #2081:

2082
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.  Flamed varnished cane, dual black aluminum rings over cork, single thumb depression in almost straight-tapered cigar cork grip, gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319) with small decorative spiral wrap at front of grip, black anodized aluminum ferrules. Butt inked on three flats in PHY’s handwriting: First flat: “MIDGE” 6’3″ – 1.75 oz. H.E.H.  Second flat:  Fer. 11/64  Tip Top 4/64  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit. Maker.  Each tip is marked: 2082  Letter from PHY dated August 30, 1955 was found in the bottom of the tube written to this rod’s original owner, last name Hannah. PHY proposed to send to Mr. Hannah a Midge and a Driggs and let him decide which one to keep. Thanks to “Rio Grande King” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

2083
“Texas General” model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.40 oz.  16/64″ ferrule. Both tips with 6/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for H.B. Steinbach MD of Detroit, MI (sent c/o Jack Taylor, March 21, 1956). Finish date: August 3, 1955.

2084
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 2.97 oz.  14/64″ ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: August 7, 1955.

2085
“Powerhouse” model fly rod. 9’6″, 2/2, 7.15 oz.  19/64″ ferrule. Both tips with 7/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Finish date: August 16, 1955.

2086
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz.  11/64″ ferrule. Both tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Jean C. Farwell (c/o Marion B. Campbell of Grosse Pointe, MI). Finish date: August 26, 1955.

2087
“Parabolic 16″ model fly rod. 8’6”, 2/2, 4.49 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, pocketed cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring over cork reel seat (ring knurled diagonally on front and back edges). 16/64″ Super -Z ferrules. Tips built with 5/64″ tip tops. Ventilated cork grip, cigar-shaped with single thumb indentation, grip was built from nine separate half-inch corks, plus a tenth cork blends into the reel seat. Solid gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319), except a decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. First snake guide above the stripping guide appears rewrapped in different thread color. Hookkeeper. Lettering is by PHY. Butt is marked on two flats that can be seen in photos. First flat: F.P. Horning. Aug. ’55  Second flat: “Parabolic 16”  8 1/2′ – 4.49 oz.  H.C.F.  Butt is also marked #2087 near stripping guide. Each tip is labeled #2087.  Satin bag is copper-colored. Built for F.P. Horning of Detroit, MI, who owned many PHY rods. Finish date: August 26, 1955. Seen January 2016. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle. PHY Parabolic 16 #2087:

2088
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod. 9’0″, 2/2, 5.70 oz.  17/64″ Super -Z ferrules. Tips built with 6/64″ tip tops. Marked 9′ – 5.70 oz. – GBF – Fer 17/64 – tip Top 6/64. Rod is also reportedly marked with the owner’s name (John W. Thaxton of Phoenix, Arizona) followed by 1955. Black screwlock cork seat, original bag & tube. Built for John W. Thaxton of Phoenix, AZ. Finish date: September 1, 1955.  Lot #16, R.W. Oliver’s Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, sold for $700. plus 10% buyers premium.

2089
“Standard Dry” model fly rod. 8’0″, 3.43 oz., 14/64″ featherweight ferrule, tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Donald D. Hayes of San Francisco, CA. Build date: September 23, 1955.

2090
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, 5.25 oz.  17/64″ ferrule, tips built with 5-1/2/64” tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Chas. F. Craig of Pontiac, IL. First finish date was October 22, 1955, but a second date was given as December 13, 1957 (replacement?).

2091
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. 8’0”, 2/3, 3.96 oz. Supposedly a rod built with three differently-tapered tips, a rare version of the Parabolic 15 known as the “Three-Way Junior,” with three tips for HEH, HDH, and HDG silk fly lines (extra-light tip with 4/64″ tip top, plus two dry fly tips). However, other records show one tip was to be built with a 4-1/2/64″ tip top, and two tips to be built with 5/64″ tip tops. Don’t know how to reconcile the differences, but a special rod nonetheless. Varnished, flamed cane; gold-brown wraps (Holland 319), cap and ring over cork seat. Hookkeeper. Original four-compartment Young bag, and tube. Built for John Weiner of New York. Finish date: October 22, 1955. PHY Parabolic 15 #2091:

2092
“Florida Special” model fly rod. 9’0″, 2/2, 6.60 oz.  18/64″ ferrule, two differently-tapered tips. One tip has a 6/64″ tip top. The other tip has a 7/64″ tip top. Sent to Winstedt’s Fly Shop (dealer), Valley Cottage, NY. Finish date: October 22, 1955.

2093
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod. 9’0″, 2/2, 5.60 oz. with lighter tip having a 5-1/2/64″ tip top, and 5.73 oz. with heavier tip having a 6/64″ tip top. Owned by John A. Feldenzer, author of “Of Baseball and Bamboo: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, and the Paul H. Young Rod Company,” The American Fly Fisher, Vol. 31 no. 4 (Fall 2005). Photographs of rod #2093 are found in the article. Acquiring rod #2093 from Bob Summers got John started researching PHY, and led to a friendship with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox second baseman Bob Doerr. Varnished, flamed cane, brown wraps (Holland 319), screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap. This Bob Doerr rod was originally built for Russell C. (“Russ”) Malone of Matamoras, PA, mentioned several times by PHY in private letters to his friend Chauncy Lively. This fly rod is known from one mention in a letter from PHY to Chauncy Lively, dated October 29, 1955. PHY wrote, “Russ Malone ordered a ‘Bob Doerr’ this mornings mail. Looks as if he has some getting around in mind.” This was two days before the rod’s listed finish date of October 31, 1955. A Driggs rod and a Parabolic 15 rod are listed in the NON-serial Numbered part of the Database as belonging to Russ Malone.

2094
“Canoe Special” model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2,  4.42 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, half Wells grip, hookkeeper, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrules, tips built with 5/64″ tip tops, gold-brown wraps (Holland 319), black screwlock cork seat with grey metal barrel, “Detroit” stamp on pocketed butt cap. PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: Dr. David C. Groff – Xmas 1955  Second flat: “Canoe Special” – 8′ – 4.42 oz.  H.C.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker.  Each tip is marked: 2094  Bag and tube. Finish date: November 19, 1955. Given its length and weight, rod MAY be a specially marked Boat Rod, but that is just my speculation. Rod was seen on eBay July 2012, seller took a private offer before auction conclusion. Another rod originally owned by Dr. David C. Groff of Grosse Isle, MI is a Parabolic 17 built in 1949.

2095
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.78 oz.  Wrapped with black 4/0 thread. 12/64″ ferrule, tips built with 4/64″ tip tops. Built for Jane K. Gingrich, c/o Esquire magazine, New York, NY (Noted Midge enthusiast Arnold Gingrich, Jane’s husband, was editor and publisher of Esquire). Finish date: November 23, 1955.

2096
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 2.71 oz.  Thread wraps: Holland 319. 14/13/64″ ferrule, tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for J.C. Salyer II of Silver Spring, MD. Finish date: November 23, 1955. (John Clark Salyer II, 1902-1966, “the father of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” owner of many PHY fly rods and spinning rods, a 6’4″ PHY spinning rod model was named for Salyer).

2097
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod. 9’0″, 2/2, 5.68 oz. Thread wraps: Holland 319. 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two differently-tapered tips, one built with 5-1/2/64″ tip top, the other built with 6/64″ tip top. Built for J.C. Salyer II of Silver Spring, MD. Finish date: November 23, 1955. (John Clark Salyer II, 1902-1966, “the father of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” owner of many PHY fly rods and spinning rods, a 6’4″ PHY spinning rod model was named for Salyer).

2098
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2/2, 3.10 oz. Thread wraps: Holland 319. 14/64″ ferrule, tips built with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for Larry Maple, a gift to (or from?) Allan P.K. in Michigan. Finish date: November 28, 1955.

2099
“Powerhouse” model fly rod. 9’6″, 2/2, 7.17 oz. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Super-Z ferrule, tips built with 7/64″ tip tops. Built for F.P. Horning of Detroit, MI (owner of many PHY rods, including PHY Driggs #2029). Finish date: November 28, 1955.

21XX
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’3″, 2/2. Dark-flamed, blued Super-Zs, sm. Cigar grip w/ thumb indent., cork and ring seat, orig. Bag & tube. Corsetti #31 (Spring 2001). This report from a Corsetti tackle catalog of a Princess rod in the 2100 serial number range cannot be verified.

2100
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.85 oz. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Screwlock reel seat. 15/64” “old style” (Pernack) ferrule. Two tips each built with 5/64″ tip top. Built for Jack E. Rush of Detroit, MI. Finish date: January 4, 1956.

2101
Martha Marie fly rod, 7’6″, 3.75 oz.

2102
Boat Rod fly rod, 8’0″, 4.66 oz.

2103
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 4.08 oz.

2104
Midge fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, 1.75 oz. Finished on March 30, 1956. Before a major restoration in 2014, was described in the PHY database as “a damaged ‘lady’s rod’ Midge with tiny grip, one tip is marked 2104 and has original golden-bronze wraps, but is cleanly broken 8-1/2″ below the tip top; both pieces survive. There is a second tip in the original copper-colored satin bag, fitted with the correct black aluminum ferrule, that is about 2 inches short, not as finely tapered as the other tip, no inked serial number, cane looks about the same but varnish is different, has different non-original brown wraps, may be a tip from the PHY shop that was substituted for a second tip now lost. 2X2 node arrangement on all cane sections. Butt section of the rod has original PHY inked lettering and serial number 2104, but also has the non-original brown wraps. The following is lettered on the butt section on three flats: First flat: For Kay, Andrews Road, Greenwich Conn.  Second flat: “Midge”  6′-3″ – 1 3/4 oz.  H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker.  Dual black rings over cork reel seat, tiny grip measures only 4-1/8″ long, overall length of reel seat and grip only 7-1/2″, varnished and rather dark flamed cane, no hookkeeper, snake guide instead of stripping guide, black anodized aluminum ferrules. First reported by “flyreelman” (formerly “reelhimin”) of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Rod conveyed via Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle to “quashnet” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum in 2013. After major restoration by Bob Summers, PHY Midge #2104 retains the butt section with original inking by PHY plus an additional inked line in Bob Summers’ handwriting: Refinished by RW Summers 8/1/14. The rod now has two new tips, each inked 2104, plus new cork grip and reel seat, modified hardware and aluminum ferrules. Research by cwfly of the Classic Fly Rod Forum indicates that original owner “Kay” may be Katherine Calhoun Sterling, who lived on Andrews Road at the appropriate time with her family and husband John C. Sterling, a publisher. kay and John Sterling were originally from Bridgeport, CT. Kay’s brother Philo was one of the founding partners of a Bridgeport law firm, Marsh, Day & Calhoun. John Sterling was a 1911 graduate of Dartmouth. He belonged to a small fishing club, the River Hills Fishing Club. He died in March 1964 at age 75. – Thank you, Charlie! PHY Midge 2104, shown with flies tied by PHY:

2105
Midge fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, 1.75 oz.

2106
Midge fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, built 1956 for Walter Bromley. He also owned PHY Perfectionist #4195, built 1965. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat, large cork button at end of seat, relatively long reel seat and short, nearly straight grip with taper in front. Decorative spiral thread wrap in front of grip; no hookkeeper. Golden brown thread wraps are solid at snake guides. Black anodized aluminum ferrules. The following is lettered on the butt section on three flats: First flat: Walter Bromley  Second flat: “Midge”  6′-3″ – 1 3/4 oz.  H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker.  Dark satin bag and Champion-style tube. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, May 2016. Summers wrote that he remembered the original owner visiting Paul Young at the Detroit shop, and sixty years later he received the rod from Bromley’s son to sell. This Midge was used mostly on the Au Sable River in Michigan where the family had a fishing camp. PHY Midge #2106:

2107
Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2, 4.00 oz. 15/65″ Super-Z ferrule. 5/64″ tip tops. Thread: Holland 319. Sold to Walter P. Pike of Columbus, GA. Finish date: April 2, 1956.

2108
Parabolic 15 Keller Deluxe fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2, 3.98 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 15/65″ Super-Z ferrule. One “wet” parabolic tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry fly tip (4-1/2/64″ tip top). Thread: Holland 319. Sold to C.K. Sprague of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 6, 1956.

2109
Special “stiff” fly rod for HCH line, 7’6″ 2/2, 4.24 oz. 15/65″ Super-Z ferrule. 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Sold to Wm. B. Turner, Jr. of Louisville, KY. Finish date: April 6, 1956.

2110
Texan fly rod, 8’6″, built with three tips (thanks to Carl Heuter of Wanigas Rod Co. for this information). 4.75 oz., 15/64″ ferrule, 5-1/2/64″ tip top, built for Gordon E. Lima of Pasadena, CA. Finish date: April 6, 1956.

2111
Driggs fly rod, 7’2″, 2.61 oz.

THREE PAUL H. YOUNG RODS ARE REPORTED TO BE MARKED WITH SERIAL NUMBER 2112 – A PARABOLIC 15 FLY ROD, A PARABOLIC 15 KELLER DELUXE FLY ROD, AND A WEST’S PET COMBINATION SPIN AND FLY ROD:

2112
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2 (wet and dry tips), 3.93 oz.  Cigar-shaped grip. Pocketed cap and ring over cork reel seat. Holland 319 thread wraps. 15/64” Super-Z ferrule. Butt section inked in PHY’s handwriting: Dr. David M. Rouse – Sept. ’57 / “Parabolic 15” 8 – 3.93 oz. H.D.H. Butt section is also inked #2112. Wet parabolic tip is inked WET 2112. Dry fly tip is inked DRY 2112.

2112
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.15 oz., screwlock reel seat, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. One “wet” parabolic tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry fly tip (4-1/2/64″ tip top). Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for Everett Golden of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 13, 1956.

2112
“West’s Pet” combination spin and fly rod, Spinmaster-grade, built March 1957. Super “Z” ferrule 16/64. 8 1/2″ dual slide band grip w/ 3 5/8″ screw DL cork insert fly seat. Spin slide bands and butt cap marked PAUL H. YOUNG CO. – DETROIT — MICH. in rectangular box. Rod shaft inked – Chas. W. Walls Jr. Mar. ’57 – on one flat, and – “SPIN-MASTER” 8′ – 5.15oz – on adjacent flat. Rod marked with serial number – #2112 – near butt ferrule. Original khaki twill bag and period 2″ Champion aluminum tube. Rod refinished by Bob Summers in 2006 – new grip with a more conventional shape, new Super-Z ferrules, writing in PHY’s hand removed and redone by Bob, new varnish. The owner notes that in the 1950’s combo rods were an option on PHY’s 7’2″, 7’6″, and 8′ spin rods, and says that this rod works nicely with 3/8 oz. lures or a WF7F fly line.

2113
Eight-foot fly rod, 4 oz., screwlock reel seat,  14/64″ ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top.

2114
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.70 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrule, 5/64″ tip top. Built for H.A. Seaman of Cincinnati, OH. Finish date: April 13, 1956.

“2114
SEE DESCRIPTION OF FLY ROD #2214, which was incorrectly listed as #2114 in a series of fake eBay auctions.

2115
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 5.67 oz., screwlock reel seat, 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319.

2115
Spinmaster, 6’4″ 2/1 spinning rod built for Fred Horning. Cork handle made from 20 half-inch corks. Dual black rings. Golden-brown wraps, close to cane color. Lettered in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on two flats, First flat: F.P. Horning  Second flat: “SPIN-MASTER”  6’4″ – 3 1/2 oz.  Tip numbered 2115. Original copper-colored satin bag, no tube. Thanks to Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle.

2116
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, featherweight aluminum ferrules, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Phil Hanson, Corcoran, CA. Finish date: April 16, 1956.

THREE FLY RODS ARE REPORTED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES TO BE MARKED WITH SERIAL NUMBER 2117.

2117 (duplicate number with rods below)
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.21 oz., Super-Z ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for C.T. Murphy, Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 21, 1956.

2117 (duplicate number with rods above and below)
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Featherweight Deluxe variation (though it appears to have nickle silver ferrules). Two 4-1/2/64ths tips, ventilated cigar grip, two rings over cork, seen at http://vfish.net/MarthaMarie.htm

2117 (duplicate number with rods above)
Texas General, model name not marked on the rod, but TEX. GEN. is inked on the flap of the rod bag. Built for PHY’s very close friend Paul Cardell as a Christmas present, 1957. 8’6″ 2/2  5.46 oz. (Rod is reported by Gary Siemer to weigh 5.5 oz. with the wet tip and 5.4 oz. with the dry tip).  When I first saw the rod in 2008, it had a black screwlock cork seat with holes drilled in side of butt cap (holes were made by Paul Cardell for attachment of a handmade device to help hold a Pflueger Medalist reel in place). The rod has since been cleaned up by Robert Summers and the holes have been filled and the black cap repainted. Exaggerated single thumb depression in cork grip was built up out of segments separately fitted and glued, wet and dry tips, solid golden-yellow wraps (decorative yellow spiral wrap at based of female ferrule, red spiral wrap to denote “dry fly” at base of male ferrule of dry fly tip. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats on the butt: First flat: Paul Cardell – Xmas. ’57  Second flat: from Dorothy – Jim – Kent Third flat: 8 1/2′ – 5.46 oz. Dry Tip H.C.H. Wet Tip G.B.F.  Wet tip is labeled on one flat: 2117 WET G.B.F. Dry tip is labeled on two flats, First flat: 2117 Second flat: DRY H.C.H.  Beige rod bag with dark brown piping, flap marked TEX. GEN., Champion-style tube is inked Paul E. Cardell plus address information near tube collar. Rod was purchased from Bob Summers by “kingstu” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Not long afterwards, in 2013, the rod was placed for sale on Gary Siemer’s “Vintage Fly Tackle” site. Texas General 2117 built for Paul Cardell:

2118
Martha Marie fly rod, 7’6″, Super-Z ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top, built for T.H. Wilson. Finish date: April 24, 1956.

TWO FLY RODS ARE REPORTED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES TO BE MARKED WITH SERIAL NUMBER 2119.

2119 (duplicate number with fly rod below)
Midge fly rod, 6’3″, 1.82 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrules, 4/64″ tip top.

2119 (duplicate number with fly rod above)
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2 Wes Jordan’s Para 15. Wet and dry tips. “Supposedly they were good friends and communicated rod building techniques. Original very good condition except Wes replaced the reel seat with an Orvis down screw locker…. With note from Gloria Jordan.” – catalog description, Catskill Fly Fishing Center benefit auction, September 11, 1987.

2120
Martha Marie fly rod. 7’6″, 3.69 oz., Super-Z ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Reported via private e-mail.

2121
Midge fly rod. Finish date: April 27, 1956. 6’3″, 2/2, built for F.P. Horning. Varnished flamed cane, dual silver rings over cork, each ring is knurled both front and back, black 12/64″ aluminum ferrules. Ventilated cigar cork grip with single thumb indentation was built from eight half-inch corks; a ninth cork transitions into the cork reel seat. Solid gold-bronze wraps, except a small decorative spiral wrap at front of the grip. Lettering is by PHY. Butt is marked: F.P. Horning – May ’56 / MIDGE 6’3″ – 1 3/4 oz.  HEH / Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker. Each tip and the butt are marked #2121. Copper-colored satin bag. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle.

2122
Midge fly rod. Finish date: April 27, 1956. 6’3″, 2/2, built for Wilbur S. Boyd, Valparaiso, ID.

2123
Martha Marie fly rod. 7’6″, 3.04 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrules, 4-1/2/64″ tip top, built for George S. Gordon of Boston, MA. Finish date: May 2, 1956.

2124
Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe dry fly rod. 8’0″, 4.15 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrules, 4-1/2/64″ tip top, built for R.L. Starrett of Sheldon, Iowa. Finish date: May 4, 1956.

TWO FLY RODS ARE REPORTED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES TO BE MARKED WITH SERIAL NUMBER 2125.

2125  (duplicate number with rod below)
Parabolic 15. 2/2.  3.82 oz.  Dated Xmas 1957. Varnished flamed cane. Wet and dry tips. Pocketed black butt cap (with “Detroit” stamp) and ring over mortised cork reel seat. Cigar grip; shaped almost like a Ritz grip with a bluntly tapered nose. Solid golden-bronze wraps throughout, except decorative spiral red wraps at base of ferrule and at tip top of dry tip. Probably Super-Z ferrule. Hookkeeper. All inking on cane by Paul H. Young. Marked on two adjacent flats of the butt section. First flat:  Frank M. McDonald – Xmas ’57  Second flat: “Parabolic 15” – 8′ – 3.82 oz.  H.D.H.  Dry tip inking can be clearly seen in photo: DRY 2125. Satin bag and Champion-style tube. Offered on eBay, April 2016.

2125 (see 4635) (duplicate number with rod above)
Little Giant. Build date: May 1956. 6’6″ 2/2 Built for H.W. Clapsaddle. Varnished flamed cane. Black pocketed butt cap and black screwlock mechanism over cork reel seat. Cigar grip. Solid brown wraps. Butt section inked by PHY on two flats. First flat: H.W. Clapsaddle  Detroit  May ’56.  Second flat: Little Giant  6’6″ – 3 oz.  H.D.H. Short Taper.Initially reported by Richard Shelton, the rod had a butt and one tip marked #2125, and a second tip marked #4635. I have recorded another rod made up of parts from two rods (see listings for #4387 and #4389), but never with such widely different serial numbers. Later owned for a time by RyanAK of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, who reported that in a refinish by Bob Summers, the tip marked #4635 has been renumbered as #2125 to match the original tip.

2126
Midge fly rod. 6’3″ 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Featherweight aluminum ferrules. 4/64″ tip top.

2127
Driggs fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2, 2.84 oz. Super-Z ferrules. 4-1/2/64″ tip top.

2128
Texas General fly rod, 8’6″. 5.44 oz.

2129
Boat Rod 8’0″ 2/2 Varnished, flamed cane. Cigar grip, bright metal screwlock seat over cork, black butt cap, hookkeeper, Lettered on two flats, First flat: “Boat Rod” 8′ – 4.65 oz. H.C.H. Second flat: Fer. 15/64 TipTop 5/64. Satin bag and Champion-style tube. Seen on eBay September 2009.

2130
Midge fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  Flamed varnished cane, black aluminum ferrules, dual black rings over cork, each ring is knurled both front and back, gold-bronze wraps with small decorative spiral wrap at front of cigar cork grip. Finish date: May 16, 1956. Lettered on three flats, first flat: Carl Sekler (or Selkey?) – Salem Ohio  Second flat: “MIDGE” 6′-3″ 1.83 oz. H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker  Butt and tips each numbered 2130. Original brown satin bag & Champion-style tube. Offered eBay, sold $6060., April 2012.

2131
Perfectionist fly rod, 7’6″, 2.69 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top, built for Dr. W.A. Spears of Augusta, Michigan. Finish date: May 16, 1956.

2132
Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe fly rod, 8’0″, 4.25 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrules, “wet” parabolic tip with 5/64″ tip top and dry fly tip with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Robert O. Johnson of Van Dyke, MI. Finish date: May 19, 1956.

2133
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 5.75 oz., Super-Z ferrules, both tips with 6/64″ tip tops. Built for Arnold Gingrich c/o Esquire magazine, New York. Finish date: May 20, 1956.

TWO FLY RODS ARE REPORTED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES TO BE MARKED WITH SERIAL NUMBER 2134:

2134 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 5.73 oz., Super-Z ferrules, one tip with 6/64″ tip top and one tip with 5/64″ tip top. Built for Jane K. Gingrich c/o Esquire magazine, New York. Finish date: May 20, 1956.

2134 (duplicate number with rod above)
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2  4.05 oz. Build date should be May or June 1956. Varnished flamed cane. Wet and dry tips. Wet tip is short about 2 inches. Pocketed black butt cap and black screwlock reel seat over cork. Cigar grip; shaped almost like a Ritz grip with a bluntly tapered nose. Wet tip and dry tip. Solid golden-bronze wraps throughout, except decorative spiral red wraps at base of ferrule and at tip top of dry tip, and decorative spiral golden-bronze wrap at base of female Super-Z ferrule on butt section. Hookkeeper. All inking on cane by Paul H. Young. Marked on two adjacent flats of the butt section:  “Parabolic 15” – 8′ – 4.05 oz.  /  Wet tip, H.D.H.  Dry tip, H.E.H.  Owner’s name who received the rod as a gift, and the initials of the gift-giver, are inked on a third flat of the butt: Bud Nagelvoort, Owosso (W.J.M.). Bud Nagelvoort received the rod from his brother-in-law, William J. Mills, Jr.`The butt is marked 2134. The wet tip is marked 2134 Wet  H.D.H. and the dry tip is marked 2134 Dry – H.E.H. Thank you to Short Tip of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

2135
Texas General fly rod, 8’6″

2136
Midge fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  Built for Dayton D. Stone of Big Rapids, MI. Finish date: June 2, 1956 date. Small photos on eBay appeared to show rod with flamed cane, black aluminum ferrules, dual silver rings over cork, each ring is knurled both front and back, gold-bronze wraps, possibly with small decorative spiral wrap at front of cigar cork grip. Lettering could be seen on the cane, but could not be read. Later report from “brooksriver” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum indicated that the rod butt is marked: Dayton D. Stone June 1956 / MIDGE 6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  HEH / Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker / 2136. One tip is marked 2136 and the other tip is marked Hallady near the male ferrule. This gives rise to speculation that this Midge rod could be associated with Leonard Halladay of Mayfield, MI, originator of the Adams dry fly. The spelling of the name on the rod is not quite right, but PHY is known for other spelling errors on rods. Brown satin bag & Champion-style tube, probably original. Seen on eBay, December 2013. Also thanks to “brooksriver” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

2137
Midge fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  1-3/4 oz.

2138
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 4/2 (four-piece pack rod). 3.51 oz.

2139
Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe fly rod, 8’0″, 4.10 oz.

2140
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″

2141
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″

2142
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 4.17 oz.

2143
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 5.45 oz.

2144
Parabolic 17 fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2 Flamed cane, gold/copper wraps, chrome guides, hookkeeper, half Wells grip with knurled slide band in black over cork, pocketed end cap. Pernack style ferrules blued. Inked in Bob Summer’s script on three flats: Paul H. Young Co. Det.  /  Parabolic 17 8’6″ 5.47oz GBG GBF  /  Fer 17/64 Tip Top 6/64.  Butt inked just below stripping guide #2144. Tips marked above the ferrule as well in Bob Summer’s hand: #2144. Likely refinished with new cork, wraps and varnish. Original brass collar Champion tube with cap, green satin bag. Originally built and finished on June 19, 1956 for Robert O. Johnson of van Dyke, MI. Listed October 2018 on Spinoza Rods web page ‘Coming Soon’.

2145
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2, 4.00 oz, Super-Z ferrules, “wet” parabolic tip with 5/64″ tip top, dry fly tip with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Dated June 1956 (finished on June 22, 1956). Built for Wm. J. Brennan of Middletown, NY. Paul Young’s handwriting in black ink. Destroyed in shipment following an eBay sale. Beware of fake eBay auctions or any other offers to see, even if using genuine photos of this rod.

2146
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 4.09 oz., 2/3 (built with three tips: one “wet” parabolic tip with 5/64″ tip top, two dry fly tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top). Super-Z ferrules. Built for Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams. Finish date: June 22, 1956

2147
Texas General-based combination fly and spinning rod
, 8’6″, 2/2, black thread wraps, 16/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Fly tip and spinning tip each with 6/64″ tip top. Built for Sibba Kemmerling. Finish date: June 22, 1956

2148
Driggs fly rod. Built in June 1956. 7’2″, 2/2, built for Robert J. Rowe, MD of Dallas, TX. Black dual aluminum rings, original Super -Z ferrules. Solid copper-gold wraps, except a decorative spiral wrap at ferrule. Lettering is by Jack Young. Butt is marked on three flats. First flat: Robert J Rowe MD  Second flat: “Driggs River”  7’2″ – 2.66 oz.  Third flat: a Paul H. Young Co. rod  Butt is also marked 2148 near stripping guide. Each tip is labeled 2148 near the male ferrules. Original bag and Champion tube. Finish date: June 30, 1956. Condition near perfect (tip tops replaced but no cane missing). Found some years ago in an antique shop in western Massachusetts, sold for $200! At that time it had been owned by a local fire warden, whose wife sold the rod (plus an Orvis rod and an F.E. Thomas rod) to the shop. Thanks to Gavin Wright.

2149
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 4.10 oz., 2/2. One wet tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry tip (4/64″ tip top). Thread: Holland 319. Built for John R. Hoover of Chagrin Falls, OH. Finish date: July 2, 1956.

2150
Texas General fly rod, 8’6″, 5.32 oz.

2151
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 4.12 oz.

2152
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2 One wet tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry tip (4/64″ tip top). Cigar grip, down-slide band skeleton cap & ring reel seat. “Detroit” die-stamp on butt cap. Finish date: July 6, 1956. Inked on the shaft: William L. Hanford, West Stockbridge, Mass. / ‘Parabolic 15’ 1 wet H.D.H. 1 dry H.E.H. Owned by Per Brandin, who told me: “This rod is in my opinion, very well built for being a Paul Young rod (the workmanship is often pretty rough) and it is a spectacular rod to fish with. It will handle a DT5 line on the dry tip, but is better with a #6 line with either tip and I have even fished a WF 7 on the wet tip.” Purchased by Per Brandin from Dana Gray, spring 2009.

2153
Parabolic 15 fly rod, 8’0″, 3.95 oz.

2154
Texan fly rod, 8’6″, 4-3/4 oz. Screwlock reel seat.

2155
Parabolic 15 8’0″ 2/2, 4.15 oz. Refinished at some point by Bob Summers and inked in his hand. Cigar grip, black screw-lock over cork (chipping, loss and/or hook digs to the cork seat/grip). “Detroit” die-stamp on pocketed black butt cap (with wear). Gold wraps. Varnish shows wear, exposed bamboo visible in the provided pictures. Horseshoe upturned hook keeper. One tip is short approximately two inches and has a set.  Theis short tip has adjusted guide spacing to reflect the loss in length (at the tip?). A green colored bag is include (similar to other PHY bags, but a satin bag was more common for this period of the mid 1950’s).  No tube. Marked in Bob Summer’s script:  “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4.15 oz.  /  HDH HDG Line.  There is apparently script on the third flat, but no pictures were provided. Posted on the classicflyrodforum by TopDawgTerry, March 2019. Listed a week later on eBay for BIN $3100.00. The Auction listing description stated wet and dry tips. The eBay pictures show an overwrap on one tip. This same tip appears to show cane of a darker color than the other two sections. Seen again on eBay for $2800.00 August 2019.

2156
Texas General fly rod, 8’6″, 4.67 oz. Screwlock reel seat.

2157
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.91 oz. 4-1/2/64″ tip top.

2158
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″.  11/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules. 4/64″ tip top. Black thread wraps. Finish date: July 24, 1956. Built for Charles Kerlee of New York, NY.

2159
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 5.91 oz. Super-Z ferrule. 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Outdoor Sportsman, Washington, DC. Finish date: July 25, 1956.

2160
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″, 2.70 oz., 15/66″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. 5/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Carsten Tiedemann of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Finish date: July 26, 1956. (Carsten Tiedemann commissioned PHY Midge #2104 as a gift rod for Katherine Calhoun Sterling of Greenwich, CT).

2161
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2  2.79 oz.  Super-Z ferrule. 5/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for F.A. Heller of Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: July 27, 1956.

2162
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2  2.54 oz.  Ventilated Ritz-style grip with thumb indentation, built from nine 1/2″ corks, tenth cork transitions to cork reel seat with pocketed, black-finished, “Detroit” die-stamped cap & bright ring with diagonal knurling on front and back edges, gold/tan wraps are solid except for small decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip, black aluminum ferrules, butt inked in PHY’s handwriting: “DRIGGS” 7’2″  2.54 oz.  H.D.H.  Also marked on another flat, possibly in handwriting of D. Gordon Rupe (husband) or Ruby L. Rupe: RUBY L. RUPE – DALLAS – 1956. Butt and both tips are marked: 2162. Orig. brown satin bag & Champion-style tube with name and address markings for D. Gordon Rupe and Ruby L. Rupe. Finish date: July 30, 1956. Thanks to Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle.

2163
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2  2.79 oz. Built for D. Gordon Rupe of Dallas, TX.

2164
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1-3/4 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule.  4/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Walter B. Ford II of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Finish date: August 1, 1956.

2165
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1-3/4 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule.  4/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for H.R. Stevenson of South Barre, MA. Finish date: August 1, 1956.

2166
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1-3/4 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule.  4/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Bill Brown of Livonia, MI. Finish date: August 1, 1956.

2167
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1-3/4 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule.  4/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Tony Clark of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Finish date: August 3, 1956.

TWO FLY RODS ARE REPORTED FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES TO BE MARKED WITH SERIAL NUMBER 2168. IT APPEARS THAT BOTH LISTINGS ARE ACCURATE:

2168 (see #2196) (duplicate number with rod below)
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2 2.68 oz. Marked: “Ben Xmas ’56 from Paul” Gift from PHY to brother Ben. Ventilated grip with thumb flat, black-finished die-stamped cap & ring, gold/tan wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995). PHY may have intended to number this rod as #2196.

2168 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 5.25 oz.,  17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two differently-tapered tips, one with 5-1/2/64″ tip top and one with 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for R.M. Smith of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Finish date: July 1956.

2169 (see listing for rod #1960)
“Parabolic 16″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.73 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 17/64″ ferrule, 5/64” tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Eldon G. Young of Sacramento, CA. Finish date: August 4, 1956.

2170
“Parabolic 16″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.70 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 17/64″ ferrule, 5/64” tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Edward Argo of Detroit, MI. Finish date: February 7, 1957.

THREE IDENTICAL MIDGE RODS, #2171, #2172, and #2173, WERE BUILT FOR J.L. HUDSON:

2171
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for J.L. Hudson of Detroit, MI. Finish date: August 8, 1956.

2172
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for J.L. Hudson of Detroit, MI. Finish date: August 8, 1956.

2173
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for J.L. Hudson of Detroit, MI. Finish date: August 8, 1956.

2174
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 5.35 oz., Super-Z ferrule. Two differently-tapered tips, one with 5/64″ tip top and one with 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Les Getter of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. Finish date: August 10, 1956.

2175
“Midge” model fly rod, described as “semi-finished,” 6’3″. Provided to Rev. Frank L. McCormick of Fort Morgan, CO, August 12, 1956.

2176
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for J.A. Ramsey of Alpina, MI. Finish date: August 13, 1956.

2177
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for dealer Outdoor Sportsman, Washington, DC. Finish date: August 13, 1956.

2178
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for R.J.. Hudson, MD of Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: August 15, 1956.

2179
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 2.67 oz. Thread: Holland 319. Featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4/64″ tip top. Appears to have been originally intended for Ernest G. Schwiebert of Elliott City, MD, but went to Eldon G. Young of Sacramento, CA, ready on September 24, 1956.

2180
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2 August 15, 1956. 2.69 oz. 0.275″ butt (not 0.260″). Each tip was measured at 0.058″ at the tip top. Varnished flamed cane. Lightweight black aluminum ferrules, black dual aluminum bands over cork seat, each band knurled front and back. Cigar-shaped cork grip. Yellow-gold wraps, solid, except for decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip; no hookkeeper seen in photos. Circumferential crack at the juncture of the cane and the female portion of the aluminum ferrule. Ferrules are stated to be loose-fitting. Rod known from two sources: a listing as rod #218X in MJK catalog 75 (1998), and seen as #2180 in an eBay auction ending December 2011; the rod sold for $6300. at auction. The eBay auction incorrectly referred to the tube as a “B-52 bomber tube” but it is not the type of tube made from B-24 aluminum aircraft tubing. It is a Champion-style tube. Now owned by “hdrmd” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

2181
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 2.72 oz. Built for Glen Robye of Bloomfield Hills, MI. May 15, 1957.

2182
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2, 2.59 oz. Two-ring reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. 4-1/2/64″ chromium tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Bob Rowe of Dallas, TX (c/o Don West). December 19, 1956.

2183
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight aluminum ferule. 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0.

2184
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight aluminum ferule. 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0.

2185
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz. Featherweight aluminum ferule. 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0.

2186
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.75 oz., screwlock reel seat. Super-Z ferrule. Thread: Holland 319.

2187
1956 (August), Bobby Doerr, 9’0″. Marked on three flats, First flat: Mike Darcy Aug. ’56 Second flat: “Bob Doerr” model 9′ – 5.75 GBF Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. PHY’s handwriting. Rod was refinished by Bob Summers, and has additional writing in Summers’ handwriting: Refinished by RW Summers 6/1/09. Varnished, flamed cane. Brown wraps. Rod has bright metal butt cap with black screwlock reel seat hardware. Gold coated Super-Z ferrules. Cork grip and cork reel seat spacer are replacements. Both tips are marked #2187 in Summers’ handwriting. One tip 1/2″ short. Tube is B-24 aircraft aluminum tube with additional cloth tube enclosure (not original). Original owner Mike Darcy lived in Vanderbilt, MI. Reported by “bow river” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, owned at the time by a guided fishing trip client. Rod subsequently offered on eBay, September 2009, and sold for $1215.

THE FOLLOWING THREE RODS WERE BUILT FOR JOHN CLARK SALYER II, “FATHER OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM”:

2188
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2.76 oz., Super-Z ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for J.C. Salyer II of Silver Springs, MD. Finished August 24, 1956.

2189
“Parabolic 16″ model fly rod, 4.75 oz., Super-Z ferrule, 5/64” tip top. Built for J.C. Salyer II of Silver Springs, MD. Finished August 24, 1956.

2190
Spinning rod, custom 4-piece pack rod, 7’6″. Built for J.C. Salyer II of Silver Springs, MD. Finished August 24, 1956.

2191
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.82 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrule, one tip with 4/64″ tip top, the other tip with 5/64″ tip top.

2192
“Parabolic 15 Keller DeLuxe” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.22 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrule, one tip with 4/64″ tip top, the other tip with 5/64″ tip top.

2193
“Texan” model fly rod, 2/2, 4.78 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrule, both tips with 5/64″ tip top. Built for Lenore Ruthenberg of Pontiac, MI. Finish date: June 14, 1957.

2194 (contradictory ownership information)
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, reported as 3/2  by Lang’s auction house but this is surely a misprint, believe to be lettered on three flats; First flat: L.B. Sheppard, June ’58  Second flat: Parabolic 15 – 8′ – 4.15 oz., H.D.H.  Third flat: Fer. 15/64 Tip Top 5/64  Each section marked 2194, but Lang’s reported writing on tips is lighter and different style than butt writing. Owner reports rod also has 5/64 TT inked at base of each tip, two thumb depressions in cork, and butt 3X2X1 spacing, one tip 3X3, one tip 2X2. Rod sold for $2200 as Lot 609 in Lang’s April 20, 2007 auction. Auction photo shows flamed cane, black screwlock downlocking cork reel seat (“Detroit” stamp on black cap), cigar grip, barely visible lettering on one flat of Fer. 15/64 Tip Top 5/64 appears to be Paul H. Young’s handwriting. Rod is also reported to have been built for R.M. Laird of Hanover, PA.

2195
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2.50 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Col. N.R. Laughinghouse of Tucson, AZ. Finished August 30, 1956.

2196 (see #2168)
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2 2.68 oz. Marked: “Ben Xmas ’56 from Paul” Gift from PHY to brother Ben. Ventilated grip with thumb flat, black-finished die-stamped cap & ring, gold/tan wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog no. 67 (1995). PHY may have intended to number Driggs rod #2168 as #2196. It is listed in the shop records as 2196 (2168) to B.E. Young (one of PHY’s two brothers), Bloomfield, Christmas 1956. The rod is only counted once, not twice, in this database for the total numbers of rods.

2197
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2 2.67 oz. Black “Detroit” die-stamped cap & ring reel seat over cork. Cigar cork grip with single thumb flat, built from 10 half-inch corks, due to shaping the grip appears slightly less than 5″ long. Gold/tan wraps, Super-Z ferrules. Lettering in PHY’s handwriting inked on three flats. First flat: J. Mimura  April ’57  Second flat: “DRIGGS” – 7’2″ – 2.67 oz.  H.D.H.  Third flat: Fer. 13/64  T.T. 4 1/2/64. Brown-copper original bag & Champion-style tube. Built in April 1957 for J. Mimura, MD of Detroit, MI. Another rod built for Dr. J. Mimura is listed in the PHY Database; it is Martha Marie #3368, dated March 1958. PHY Driggs 2197:

2198
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2, 2.80 oz. Super-Z ferrule. Thread: Holland 319. April 1957.

2199
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Built for Dr. Arthur E. Hammond, Detroit, MI. December 3, 1956 (order date?) Finish date: September 1, 1956.

2200
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Finish date: September 1, 1956.

2201
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black 5/0. Finish date: September 1, 1956.

2202
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.05 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrule, both tips with 5/64” tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Finish date: September 1, 1956.

2203
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.17 oz., screwlock reel seat, Super-Z ferrule, both tips with 5/64” tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Bill Leetch, Washington DC, c/o Washington Star. Finish date: November 21, 1956.

2204
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, one-tip rod, 5.18 oz., Super-Z ferrule, tip has 5/64” tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Michael Reps, Wilkes Barre, PA. Finish date: September 7, 1956.

2205
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2. Featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Built for Elizabeth S. Ledyard, Grosse Pointe, MI. Finish date: December 13, 1957.

2206
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2. Featherweight aluminum ferrule, 4/64″ tip top. Built for Arnold Gingrich, c/o Esquire magazine, New York, NY. Finish date: September 14, 1956.

2207
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2. Varnished and flamed cane. Ventilated cigar grip with double thumb indent, dual black rings over cork seat. Gold colored wraps, aluminum ferrules anodized black, per Bob Summers’s website. Inked in Bob Summers’ writing:  “Perfectionist” 7 1/2′ 2.75 oz.  /  Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker .  Brown/Green satin bag with brass collared Champion tube. Grip shows mild soiling. Per Summers’ listing December 2018:  The writing is mine. It was one of the first rods that I did the writing on. Listed for $4,000.00. Built for W.S. McFadden, Minneapolis, MN. Finish date: March 29, 1957.

2208
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 3.75 oz.,

2209
“Texas General” model fly rod,

2210
“Texas General” model fly rod,

2211
“Texas General” model fly rod with dry fly tips,

2212
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″ 2/2, 5.91 oz., 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Varnished, flamed cane, Wells grip, screwlock cork reel seat, chrome guides, orig. bag & tube. Built for Les Reinecke, Chicago, IL, c/o the V.L. and A. store in Chicago. Build date: July 5, 1957. Offered for sale in the MJK catalog No. 63 (1993).

2213
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″ 2/2, 5.86 oz., 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top. Built for Louis Kukich of Union, NJ. Build date: March 31, 1959.

2214
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2  Lightweight version of the Para 15, built with two dry fly tips (another record states that both tips had 5/64” tip tops). Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Ventilated, cigar-shaped cork grip. Thread: Holland 319. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats of butt section. First flat: “Parabolic 15”  8′ – 3.50 oz. H.D.H.  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker  Also inked 2214 on butt and each tip. Original brown satin bag and B-24 aircraft aluminum tube. Sold November 2014 through Gary Siemer’s Vintage Fly Tackle web site. Prior to that sale, #2214 was offered on eBay in April 2007 (it was incorrectly listed as serial number 2114). Subsequently there were fake eBay auctions repeating the same serial number error, in July 2007, March 2008, July 2008, and June 2012. Thanks to Gary Siemer for photos.

2215
Rare 7’6″ Princess or very similar taper (no model name inked on rod, and no record elsewhere of the “Princess” model name used for #2215). Finish date was Dec. 20, 1956. Order was made c/0 Jerry Queen in Detroit for Alec C. Little.  7’6″ 2/2.  2.65 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Swelled butt construction. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Ventilated, cigar-shaped cork grip with single thumb indentation. Eight cork segments in grip. Black aluminum ferrules, size 13. Tip tops are 4-1/2. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats of butt section. First flat: (Owner’s name) Alec C. Little, then Xmas ’56  Second flat: 7 1/2′ – 13 – 4 1/2 – 2.65 oz.  H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young plus additional inking, possibly Detroit-Maker.  Also inked 2215 on butt and each tip. Original brown cloth bag with darker brown piping and Champion tube with full, undamaged decal. Aside from some rubs on the male ferrules, everything appears mint unused. In the second volume of Trout (Book II) in the 1984 edition, on page 1064, Ernest Schwiebert wrote about PHY having made a small number of seven-foot-long Princess rods. Then Schwiebert wrote that PHY made one special, longer Princess rod, a 7’6″ Princess which Schwiebert eventually owned. Quoting Schwiebert, “John Waller Hills observed that once in his life each fly fisher encounters a rod so perfectly suited to his personality and temperament and physical skills that it becomes a part of him. Thus far in my fishing odyssey, the seven-and-a-half foot Princess passed on to me from the collection of its maker is that rod – it is that exquisitely poetic balance of delicacy and power that comes alive in the hands.” Rod #2215 is not Schwiebert’s rod, but it may be something similar. It is certainly rare and unusual. Thanks to Bob Summers for photos.

2216
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″ Thread: Holland 319. Mentioned in Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction catalog.

2217
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″ Thread: Holland 319. Mentioned in Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction catalog.

2218
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″ 2/2 “LITTLE GIANT 6’6″” 2.78 oz. HDH” Paul H. Young Co. Cigar grip w/thumb depression. Thread: Holland 319. Offered in Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction.

2219
“Fly Special” fly rod, 9’0″, 6-3/4 oz., 18/64″ Super-Z ferrules, 7/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for John Kimmerling of Miami, FL. Finish date: October 13, 1956.

2220
Spinmaster, Saltwater spinning rod, 7’6″, 5.87 oz., 17/64″ Super-Z ferrules, 7/64″ tip top. Thread wraps: Red. Built for John Kimmerling of Miami, FL. Finish date: October 13, 1956.

2221
“Texas General” fly rod, 8’6″, 5-1/2 oz., screwlock reel seat, 16/64″ ferrules, one tip with 5/64″ tip top, the other tip with 6/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Chas. F. Hemenway of Chicago, IL. Finish date: October 17, 1956.

2222
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2

2223
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2

2224
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2

2225
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.70 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for George Cameron of Detroit, MI. Finish date: December 15, 1956.

2226
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 8’6”, 2/2, wet and dry tips, varnished flamed cane, 2X2 node spacing on wet tip, basically 3X3 node spacing with some node staggering on dry tip, 3X3 node spacing on butt. Half Wells grip, bright downlocking screwlock seat over cork with fixed two-inch all-cork extension butt, “Detroit” stamp on butt cap, bronze-brown wraps to match cane colors, decorative bronze-brown spiral wraps at base of female ferrule on butt section, and tiptop on wet tip; decorative deep red spiral wraps at base of male ferrule and tiptop on dry tip. Super-Z ferrules with encircled-Z logo on female ferrule. Hookkeeper. Inked on butt in PHY’s handwriting on two flats, First flat: Lloyd Lawson – Dearborn Mich. Second flat: “Parabolic 17” 8 1/2 – 5.45 oz. Also marked #2226on butt near stripping guide. Wet tip marked 2226 – Wet – G.B.F. Dry tip marked 2226 – Dry – H.C.H. Original owner was Lloyd Lawson of E&L Transport Co., Dearborn, MI who during World War II designed a custom dual-engine Ford truck used to haul military bomber aircraft parts to factories for final assembly. Finish date: January 8, 1957. PHY Para 17 #2226:

2227
“Midge” model fly rod,

2228
“Encampment Special” model fly rod,

2229
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

2230
“Texan” model fly rod,

2231
“Texan” model fly rod,

2232
“Parabolic 16” model fly rod,

2233
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2234
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2235
Three-piece custom fly rod with 16/64″ and 11/64″ ferrules, 7’9″

2236
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2 3.46 oz. Inking on two flats can be seen. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Second flat: Martha Marie Mod. 7 1/2 3.46oz Rod was also reported to be marked HDH for line weight and to have a serial number in the 22XX range (which was #2236). Flamed varnished cane, gold-bronze wraps nearly blending into cane color, Half Wells grip, cap and ring over cork, ring appears silvery while cap has much black on it but also many scratches. Cap has Detroit die-stamp. One tip is short 1.3 cm (1/2 inch). Thanks to cdmoore of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for reporting this rod seen on a Japanese web site, Dec. 2007.

2237
May 1957 Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  2.67 oz. An extraordinarily beautiful rod built for Clyde G. Wagner of Seattle, WA, dated May 1957. Varnished flamed cane. Lightweight black aluminum ferrules, black dual aluminum bands over cork seat, each band knurled front and back. Cigar-shaped ventilated cork grip. Yellow-gold wraps, solid, except for decorative spiral wrap at front of cork grip. Inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting: Clyde G. Wagner, Seattle, Wash. May ’57 / “Perfectionist” 7 1/2′ – 2.67 oz. H.E.H. / Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Butt and each tip inked: 2237. Maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. Finish date: May 3, 1957. Photos thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle. PHY Perfectionist 2237:

2238
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2  2.75 oz. Another exceptional Perfectionist rod, this one built for noted angling author Charles K. Fox of Harrisburg, PA, author of Rising Trout and other classic works. Dated April 1957 (finish date: April 4, 1957). Flamed cane. Lightweight black aluminum ferrules show wear (my research on this rod has shown that Fox was concerned about the ferrules, and mentioned it to Chauncy Lively, who in turn contacted PHY). Black dual aluminum bands over cork seat, each band knurled front and back. Slender, graceful, cigar-shaped solid cork grip. Yellow-gold wraps, solid. Inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting: Chas. K. Fox – Harrisburg – Apr.’57 / “Perfectionist” 7 1/2′ – 2.75 oz. H.E.H. / Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Also marked: 2238. Bronze/green satin bag and Champion-style tube that is inked at the collar in PHY’s hand: Charles K. Fox  Harrisburg PA. PHY Perfectionist 2238:

2239
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2, build date March 21, 1957, marked Richard V. Rounds 3/21/57 / A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4.3 oz HDH HDG Butt cap has Detroit die stamp. Finish date: March 21, 1957. Rod was refinished by Bob Summers, May 30, 1972. Reported by “troutbumwannab” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, who purchased the rod directly from Bob Summers at Bob’s shop in Traverse City, MI. In addition, troutbumwannab told me, “Bob [Summers] took me and my boy fishing on his river where he guided us for several hours on the Boardman where I fished with the traditional Adams and caught many fish. The boat we fished from was originally owned by George Griffith (the originator of TU) which he inherited and refurbished (they were friends).” (See also #3938, a Perfectionist built for Richard Rounds of San Diego, CA).

2240
“Parabolic 16” model fly rod,

2241
“Texas General” model fly rod,

2242
“Texas General” model fly rod,

2243
“Driggs” model fly rod,  7’2″  2/2  Flamed cane. Black dual aluminum bands over cork seat, each band knurled front and back. Slender, cigar-shaped ventilated cork grip. Solid wraps very close to cane color. Inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “DRIGGS” 7’2″   2.42 oz. H.D.H.   Second flat:  Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker. Also marked: 2243 on butt and each tip. Thanks to Bob Summers for photos and information. Built for Arnold Gingrich, c/o Esquire magazine, New York, NY. Finish date: March 27, 1957.

2244
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 2/2, 5.87 oz. Varnished, flamed cane. Screwlock cork reel seat with black butt cap, bright screw ring and grey corroded threaded barrel. Black butt cap has Detroit die stamp. Half Wells grip with single thumb depression. Solid thread wraps (Holland 319) throughout. Hookkeeper. 17/64″ Super-Z ferrules. 6/64″ tip top. Butt inked on two flats in PHY’s handwriting: Sid Wirth  Mar. ’57  /  “Bob Doerr” model  9′ – 5.87 oz  G.B.F.  Tips are each marked 2244 and both are “wet” parabolic tips. Copper-brown satin bag, Champion-style tube with green cap. Rod was sent c/o “Maywold” to Sid Wirth of Chicago, IL. Finish date: March 27, 1957. First reported in brief by “azbassin” (Yuku), with much more subsequent info from Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle (offered August 2016 for sale).

2245
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.80 oz. 15/64″ ferrule. One tip with 4-1/2/64″ tip top, the other tip with 5/64” tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Andrew Danes of Farrell, PA. Finish date: March 27, 1957.

2246
Midge, unusual 6’4″ length, 6’4″ 2/2  Flamed varnished cane, cork grip appears to be built from nine half-inch corks thus about 4-1/2″ long, its shape is fairly straight-taper along its length with conical end in front, dual black rings over cork, each ring is knurled both front and back, 12/11 black aluminum ferrules, 4/64″ tip top, black 5/0 solid thread wraps. Lettered on two flats, first flat: “MIDGE” 6′-4″ 1 3/4 oz. H.E.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker  Butt and tips each numbered 2246. Original beige bag with brown piping & interesting labeled Champion tube with a PHY shop label applied over it, both being worn away so that you can see some of both labels. Built for Paul Jackson of Ypsilanti, MI. Finish date: March 27, 1957.  I have one other brief record of a 6’4″ Midge from a Martin J. Keane catalog, listed in the Non-serial-Numbered list of Young rods. MJK did not state whether or not that Midge had a serial number, so it is possible that the MJK-listed rod was this rod.

2247
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.55 oz. Thread: Holland 319.

2248
Spinmaster, spinning rod, 8’0″, 5 oz.  15/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Thread: Black. Built for Lt. R.E. Byers of Lake Charles, LA. Finish date: March 30, 1957.

2249
Spinmaster, spinning rod, 8’0″, 5 oz.  15/64″ ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Thread: Black. Built for Lt. R.E. Byers of Lake Charles, LA. Finish date: March 30, 1957.

2250
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.61 oz.

2251
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 4-3/4 oz.

2252
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2 Marked “Apr, ’57”. 3.70 oz. 2X2 node placement, blued Super-Z ferrules, 4-1/2/64″ tip top, deluxe tan/bronze wraps (Holland 319) with blued guides, slightly bulbous grip with thumbprint, reel seat is cap and ring over cork, cap with “Detroit” stamp. Original brown nylon bag and original tube with green screw-on cap. Built for Hank Durr of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 4, 1957. Offered for sale in MJK catalog 82 (2001).

TWO RODS ARE RECORDED AS SERIAL NUMBER 2253. THE MIDGE ROD IS AUTHENTIC. THE LISTING FOR THE MARTHA MARIE ROD NEEDS MORE STUDY:

2253 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Midge” model fly rod, unusual 6’4″ length. 1-3/4 oz.  Featherweight aluminum ferrule. 4/64″ tip top. Thread: Black, 5/0. Built for Joe Murphy of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 4, 1957.

2253 (duplicate number with rod above)
1959 Martha Marie “7’6″” 2/2″ April ’59. SB cork seat. Thumb-print grip. 3.70 oz. MJK catalog 55 (1990). Year date could be mistake; if so, could be same as rod 225X marked Apr. ’57 in MJK catalog 82.

2254
“Little Giant” model fly rod,

2255
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2256
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2257
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2258
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2259
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2260
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2261
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod,

2262
“Texas General” model fly rod,

2263
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2264
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2265
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2. Varnished and flamed cane, half wells cork grip, black screwlock mortised cork seat with pocketed butt cap, solid reddish-brown semi-transparent wraps, blued ferrules, step down female on the butt. Refinished by Bob Summers. The butt inked in Summers’ hand: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker and inked by Paul H. Young on the next flat: “Boat Rod” 8′ 4 1/2oz H.C.H.  Built for Jack Mulligan of Detroit, MI. Finish date: May 17, 1957. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site June 2021 for $3,500.00

2266
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4-1/2 oz. Built for V.P. Bailey of Detroit, MI. June 1957.

2267
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/3 (two original tips, each 2-1/2″ short, plus one full-length replacement tip). Butt and original tips appear to be built by PHY. Replacement tip appears to be by Bob Summers. Flamed cane, cigar grip, black screwlock mortised cork seat with pocketed butt cap, solid reddish-brown wraps except decorative spiral wraps at base of female ferrule on butt and base of male ferrules on original tips. Butt is lettered in faint ink in PHY’s handwriting: Boat Rod  8′ – 4 1/2 oz.  H.C.H.  May ’57  each original tip is faintly lettered 2267 in PHY’s handwriting. Replacement tip is more boldly lettered #2267 in Summers’ handwriting. Dates to 1957. Thank’s to Rick’s Rods of Denver Co. for photos.

2268
“Standard” model fly rod,

2269
“Texan” model fly rod,

2270
“Texan” model fly rod,

2271
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2272
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2273
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

2274
“Midge” model fly rod,

2275
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2276
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2277
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2278
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2279
“Midge” model fly rod,

2280
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,

2281
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2.  2.73 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, lovely gold wraps, half Wells cork grip, knurled ring (much of the black finish lost), stamped and pocketed cap in black. Records indicate two identical tips with 13/64″ Super-Z ferrules and 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, Holland 319 thread wraps. Apparently now with wet and dry tips, loop hookkeeper, blued ferrules, the wet tip ferrule with a darker finish and a gap of bright NS at the wrap. The butt inked in  Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats: “Driggs 7’2″ 2.73 oz   /   Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker”. The butt and dry tip serial numbers inked in Bob Summers’ hand, as is the word ‘Wet’ on the wet tip. The serial number on the wet tip remains in PHY’s script. Refinished (appears to be Bob Summers’ work). Grip appears replaced with faint glue residue at the butt cap. Replacement brown fabric bag, period aluminum bomber tube with cap. Listed on Bob Summers web site January 2021 for $4500.00.

2282
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2.45 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule.

2283
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2.73 oz., 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule.

2284
“Parabolic 15” custom 4-piece pack rod version, 3.9 oz., 8’0″, 4/2, built with red featherweight aluminum ferrules in sizes 18/64″, 15/64″, and 12/64″. Tips have 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Cigar grip. Marked in PHY’s handwriting: W.P. (or possibly) H.P. Langworthy, June ’57, “Parabolic 15” – 8′ – 3.9 oz., H.D.H. Finish date: June 3, 1957. Was owned for about one year in the early 1990’s by quashnet of the Paul H. Young Rod Database.

2285
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2286
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

2287
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

2288
“Midge” model fly rod,

2289
“Midge” model fly rod,

2290
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2291
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod,

2292
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2293
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2,  3.90 oz. Finish date: July 6, 1957. Dry tip (4-1/2/64″ tip top) and wet tip (5/64” tip top). Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, black cap and ring over cork seat, cigar grip, Holland 319 gold-tan wraps (red decorative spiral wrap on dry tip), original greenish-brown satin bag & probably original tube. Seen February 2010 on Bob Summers’ web site.

2294
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

2295
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2  3.47 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, no knurling, and ring knurled front and back edges, over cork, solid cigar grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, tan/bronze wraps, solid except for decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Hookkeeper. Inked in PHY’s handwriting: Robert C. Hibbitts – July ’57 / M.M.Y. model – 7 1/2′ – 3.47 oz. H.D.H. Original greenish-bronze nylon bag, Champion-style tube. Sold August 2012 by Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle. Robert C. Hibbitts of the Hibbitts’ Department Store in Wheelersburg, Ohio is known – from a letter that he wrote to PHY dated October 20, 1957 – to have owned three other Young rods, serial numbers (if any) unknown, but they will be listed here – in addition to this Martha Marie rod, finished on July 11, 1957, they are:

Parabolic 17 fly rod

7’2″ Spinning Rod, light

Texas Kid baitcasting rod

#2295 Martha Marie is also known from a March 1980 Jeff Kruh (KCFD) tackle sales list. It was offered at that time for $1000. Thanks to Steve Williams (“slw” on the Classic Fly Rod Forum) for this information.

Photo of #2295 Martha Marie, of which Hibbitts wrote: “With the ‘Martha Marie’ I can lay a line anywhere I want it with ease I never dreamed possible. I can cast it all day and never feel tired.”

2296
“Standard Dry Fly” model fly rod, 8’0″, now 2/2. A second, wet tip was built by Bob Summers. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. The dry tip looked to be a 4-1/2/64″ measurement or smaller when I first heard about the rod from Bob Summers. Now refinished by Bob Summers; butt and tips marked 2296; tips marked WET and DRY, butt section marked on three flats in Summers’ handwriting. First flat: Graydon H. Ellis  July 57  Standard Dry  Second flat: 8′  3.56 oz.  HEH  Third flat: Refinished by R.W. Summers 4/2014. Varnished flamed cane, black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp and dark gray ring with flat diagonal knurling on both edges, over cork reel seat. Cigar grip, built from eleven half-inch corks. Hookkeeper, solid brown wraps, greenish bag and Champion-style tube. Built for Grayson H. Ellis of Highland Park, IL. Finish date: July 24, 1957. Thanks to Stuart Hayden and Bob Summers.

2297
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,

2298
“Midge” model fly rod,

2299
“Midge” model fly rod,

THE NEXT ROD, LISTED AS 22XX, NEEDS MORE STUDY:

22XX
1957 Parabolic 15 8’0″ 2/2 Built May 1, 1957. Dry and wet tips. Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, black screwlock cork seat, “Garrison-style” grip, “gold-tan deluxe wraps” (does “deluxe” mean decorative spiral wraps?), original bag & tube. MJK catalog 65 (1994).

2300
“Midge” model fly rod,

2301
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, with five tips, that belonged to Wayne “Buz” Buszek (the Federation of Fly Fishers sponsors the Buz Buszek Memorial Award for Fly Tying). Presented as a five-tip Para 15 on a January 2013 eBay listing, photos showed what appeared to be a Para 15 with three full-length tips and two short tips. I didn’t think that all the tip pieces belonged with the single butt section, and there is a record that indicates one wet tip (5/64″ tip top) and one dry tip (4-1/2/64″ tip top), but Bob Summers confirmed that all five tips belong with this rod; Buszek must have just been hard on rod tips. Bob Summers recalls that Mrs. Young used to buy fly materials and flies from Buszek. Based on what I saw in photos, one tip has 2301  5 T.T. written on it. Lettering on two flats of the butt. First flat: “Parabolic 15”  8′ – 4 oz.  H.D.H. – H.D.G.  Second flat: PAUL H YOUNG CO. DET 57  Varnished flamed cane, cigar grip, black screwlock mortised cork seat. Built for Wayne “Buz” Buszek of Visalia, CA. Finish date: July 27, 1957.

2302
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod,

2303
“Parabolic 16” model fly rod,

2304
“Parabolic 16” model fly rod,

2305
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2306
“Texan” model fly rod,

2307
“Texan” model fly rod,

TWO “MARTHA MARIE” FLY RODS ARE RECORDED AS SERIAL NUMBER 2308. BOTH RECORDS ARE PROBABLY AUTHENTIC.

2308 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.37 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Roy L. McNulty of Detroit, MI. Finish date: July 31, 1958.

2308 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. An otherwise blank page in the shop records lists “2308 – M.M.Y. duplicate number… 3.55 oz.”  July 7, 1958.

2309
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

2339
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, cigar cork grip. Black aluminum ferrules, dual black rings over cork, black wraps. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “MIDGE” 6’3″ 1.75 oz. H.E.H.   Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker  All sections are marked2339. Original coppery-brown satin bag. Champion-style tube. Cork grip looks new, rod may be unused or nearly so. Sold on eBay June 2011 for $3543.77.

2341
Midge 6’3″ Built for Edsel Ford’s daughter, Josephine Clay Ford, circa 1957. Reported by Sante Giuliani who saw the rod at SuperBoo IV in Maine. Rod was in almost unused, mint original condition with bag and tube, and owner’s name inked on the rod. Granddaughter of automotive pioneer Henry Ford, Josephine Clay Ford (1923 – 2005) was a philanthropist who donated millions for the arts, cancer research, and similar worthy causes. Edsel Ford helped finance Admiral Richard Byrd’s 1926 flight to the North Pole, in recognition, Byrd named his airplane “Josephine Ford.”

A GAP OF 999 rods ( # 2344 to # 3343) was deliberately inserted by PHY in his shop record book.

3313
Perfectionist, photos showing serial number, tapered cork grip, and reel seat bands and ferrules seen on Japanese web site. Cannot confirm authenticity, but it appears unlikely. Serial number #3313 should be part of the gap described above.

3344
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″ 2/1 5.4 oz. Originally built in 1958 as a two-tip rod, but only one tip has survived. Flamed varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat with gray threading, 16/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top, cigar grip, bronze wraps (Holland 319), bag with lighter-colored piping, Champion-style aluminum tube. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on one flat, near grip: “Texas General” 8 1/2′ – 5.40 oz.  G.B.F. or C level   Serial number 3344 is also inked on the butt and the one tip. Offered May 2015 on eBay. Seller wrote that he received rod as an eighth grade graduation present along with a Pflueger 1495-1/2 reel. Seen again on Bob Summers website May 2020. Refinished and re-scripted in Bob’s hand. New grip and seat as well. Listed for $1,700.00.

3345
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″ 2/2 5.4 oz. Flamed varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat with gray threading, half Wells grip with exaggerated “pinch,” bronze wraps (Holland 319), original bag and aluminum rod case. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats; First flat: “Texas General” 8 1/2′ – 5.40 oz. Second flat: G.B.F. C level Belonged to Roy D. Chapin, Jr., former chairman and CEO of American Motors Corporation, died in 2001 at age 85. Finish date: August 6, 1958. Listed on Len Codella’s web site, November 2008. Owned by “mosquito” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

3346
“Texas General” model fly rod,  8’6″ 2/4 5.30 oz., 16/64″ Super-Z ferrule, bronze wraps (Holland 319), built with four tips (two with 5/64″ tip tops, and two with 6/64″ tip tops) for Bill Brown of Detroit, MI. Finish date: January 14, 1958.

3347
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3348
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3349
“Florida Special” model fly rod,

3350
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3351
Spin-Master, spinning rod.
7’6″, 2/2, 4.63 oz., Ferrule 16/64″, TipTop 7/64″. Black thread wraps. Currently measures 46″ butt, one tip 43-1/2″, other tip 37″. Marked Stuart W. Fenton. Finish date: February 7, 1958. Delivered c/o University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

3352

“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2, 4 oz.  Built with two original wet tips, 5/64 tiptops. Flamed cane, cork screwlock seat, gold/tan wraps (Holland 319), Super-Z ferrules. Built for Frank Kalwa of St. Louis. Finish date: February 15, 1958. MJK catalogs 63 (1993), 64, 65 and 66 (1994), 67 (1995).

3353
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, screwlock reel seat with “extension grip.” (ext. butt?)

3354
“Midge” model fly rod,

3355
“Midge” model fly rod,

3356
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″

3357
“(Texas) General” model fly rod, built for Stuart Fenton.

3358
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3359
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3360
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3361
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″ 2/2, 3.55 oz. Screwlock reel seat. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built in June 1958 by both Paul H. Young and Bob Summers. Summers told current owner Chris Ringlstetter that it was originally built for Don Valley, CEO and chairman of the National Bank of Detroit. A well-known Michigan fly fisher, Valley owned many Young rods, and also bought four Summers rods. Rod was refinished by Summers in the 1980’s.

3362
“Martha Marie” model fly rod.

3363
Spin-Master, spinning rod.
6’2″ for 5/8 oz lures, 4.40 oz., 16/64″ Super-Z ferrules, carboloy guides on tip and butt. Built for Bernie Hielman. Finish date: February 23, 1958.

3364
“Boat Rod” model fly rod.

3365
“Encampment / Boat Rod” model fly rod.

3366
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2 4 oz. March 1958. Varnished flamed cane. Screwlock seat over cork, butt cap and ring are black, screw core is corroded gray metal. Cigar grip (really a straight grip with a bluntly tapered nose). Wet tip and dry tip. Solid golden-bronze wraps throughout (Holland 319), except decorative spiral red wraps at base of ferrule and at tip top of dry tip, and decorative spiral golden-bronze wrap at base of female ferrule on butt section. Hookkeeper. All inking on cane by Paul H. Young. Marked on three flats:  Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker.   /  “Parabolic 15” – 8′ – 4 oz. H.D.H.  /  Stuart W. Fenton – Mar. ’58  (Finish date: February 27, 1958). The wet tip is marked 3366 WET H.D.H. and the dry tip is marked 3366 DRY H.E.H. Copper-colored satin bag, Champion-style tube. Many thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle for a much more detailed account of this rod than was previously available.

(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

3367
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3368
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″ 2/2  3.28 oz. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Both tips have 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip with single thumb indentation. Solid gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319) except decorative spiral wrap at base of female Super-Z ferrule. Butt inked in PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: Dr. J. Mimura – Mar. ’58  Second flat: M.M.Y. Model – 7 1/2′ – 3.28 oz. H.D.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker. Inked 3368 on butt and tips. Satin bag. Champion-style tube. Finish date: March 17, 1958. Seen October 2012 on eBay. The auction was ended early. The listing got small details wrong, such as giving the total weight as 3.18 oz. instead of actual listed weight of 3.28 oz. Another rod built for Dr. J. Mimura is listed in the PHY Database; it is #2197 Driggs built April 1957.

There is a major gap in the numbering system of 299 serial numbers. The missing numbers are #3369 to #3668. Nevertheless, I have a few reports of rods marked with serial numbers that should be part of this gap.

348X (?)
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2 Super-Z ferrules, cigar grip, brown wraps, dual black bands on cork seat. Misprinted serial number is given as 34,8xx. My best guess is that MJK meant to write the serial number as 348x. MJK catalog 62 (1993).

3541
“Parabolic 17” model fly rod, “8’6″” 2/2″ A Paul H. Young Co. Rod “Parabolic 17 8’6″” 5-1/4 oz.” 1958 date? Bob Summers’ handwriting! Seen at www.bamburakentaja.com

3564
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2  Flamed varnished cane, half Wells grip, non-pocketed round cap with diagonal knurling on front edge, and ring with knurled edges front and back, over cork. Gold-bronze wraps, solid throughout. Lettered on three flats, each lettered flat appears from photos to be separated by a blank flat (no adjacent inked flats, unusual, rod is refinished, may have been relettered although lettering looks authentic for the period. First flat: “The Perfectionist”  Second flat: Paul H. Young – Maker  Third flat: 7’6″ – 2.75 oz. HEH  Butt and tips each numbered: 3564. Tips are differently tapered. One tip measures 0.068″ at the tip top. The other tip measures 0.080″ at the tip top. Green bag and B-24 tube. Offered for $3200, April 2012, Tim Zietak. Now owned by “hdrmd” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

3669
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3670
“Midge” model fly rod,

3671
“Midge” model fly rod,

3672
Casting rod.
6’0″ for 5/8 oz. lures. 15/64″ ferrules. Built for John R. Seidel of Toledo, OH. Finish date: march 20, 1958.

3673
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3674
“Five Star” Martha Marie model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. Much inking, black, some of it faded and hard to read. First flat, in PHY’s printed handwriting: Five Star “M.M.Y.” 7 1/2′ 3.40 oz. H.D.H.  Second flat is cursive writing that may be PHY’s handwriting: Made by Paul Young Detroit  Third flat: D. Gordon Rupe – Dallas  Butt and both tips also inked: 3674.  Built for D. Gordon Rupe. Cap and ring over cork. Pocketed butt cap, black, with “Detroit” stamp. Ring, graying, has diagonal knurling on front and rear edges. Cigar grip with single thumb indentation. Hookkeeper. Black wraps, solid except for decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Original copper-colored satin bag, Champion-style tube with Rupe ID and address markings on tube and cap. Thanks to Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle.

3675
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3676
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3677
“Texas General” model fly rod,

3678
“Texas General” model fly rod,

3679
“Princess” model fly rod,

3680
“Princess” model fly rod,

3681
“Florida Special” model fly rod,

3682
Spinning rod, “Five Star” Salyer (J.C. Salyer model) spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.45 oz., 2/1, dark mottled flamed cane, 2X2 node arrangement for butt and tip, dual black rings over 10″ straight cork grip, grip is slightly flared at both ends and built from twenty half-inch corks, black wraps are solid except for a spiral black wrap at base of female ferrule, bronze-finished foulproof standing guides (one guide on butt, four guides and tiptop on tip), marked Super-Z ferrule, hookkeeper. Butt is inked in PHY’s handwriting on one flat: Five Star “Salyer” 6’4″ – 3.45 oz. (Five Star is written in cursive; the rest of the line is hand-printed lettering).  Butt is also inked 3682 near line guide. Tip is inked 3682 forward of line guide nearest to the male ferrule. Original copper-color satin bag & extra-wide Champion-style tube. The J.C. Salyer model was PHY’s lightest cataloged spinning rod at 6’4″, 14 ferrule, 5 tiptop, 3-1/8 oz. finished weight. This example is built with slightly more heft: 14 ferrule but a 6 tiptop and 3.45 oz. finished weight with no unusual hardware to add weight.

3683
Spinning rod, “Five Star” Salyer (J.C. Salyer model) spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.40 oz., 2/1,

3684
Spinning rod, Barney Fisher model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.65 oz.

3685
Spinning rod, Barney Fisher model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.67 oz.

3686
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 3.95 oz.

3687
Combination Fly and Spinning rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.96 oz. with fly tip, 5.12 oz. with spinning tip. 15/64″ ferrule.

3688
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″

3689
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 3.84 oz.

3690
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2  3.51 oz. Dry and wet tips. Flamed cane, dual black rings over cork seat, modified, ventilated Ritz/cigar grip composed of eleven half-inch cork rings, the last of which blends into the mortised cork reel seat. Inked in Paul H. Young’s handwriting in black ink as follows, on butt section, first flat: “Parabolic 15”  8’. 3.51 oz.  H.D.H. Second flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Detroit – Maker  Butt section also is inked in PHY’s hand with serial number 3690. Tip sections are labeled 3690 DRY and 3690 WET. Dry tip with 4-1/2/64″ tip top, wet tip with 5/64″ tip top. Cork grip and reel seat are recent work by Bob Summers. Gold-tan wraps (red decorative spiral wraps on dry tip), hookkeeper, dark brown bag & Champion-style tube. Built for Wm. N. Rice of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 10, 1958. Offered for $4500, July 2019 on Bob Summers’ web site.

3691
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 4 oz.

3692
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 3.60 oz.

3693
8’3″ five-piece custom fly rod, ferrules are 19/64″, 17/64″, 16/64″ and 12/64″. Tip has a 5-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Thomas E. Lewis of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 10, 1958.

3694
“Midge” model fly rod,

3695
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 3.80 oz.

TWO “PRINCESS” FLY RODS ARE RECORDED AS SERIAL NUMBER 3696. THE REUBEN RICH ROD WAS IN ORIGINAL CONDITION WHEN I EXAMINED IT. I AM NOT AS SURE ABOUT THE OTHER ROD. BOTH RODS APPARENTLY DATE TO APRIL 16, 1958.

3696 (duplicate number with rod below)

Princess  7’0″  2/2  3-3/4 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over mortised cork reel seat, cigar grip with single thumb indentation. Hookkeeper. Tip top on one tip appears to have been reset. Solid black wraps, except decorative spiral wrap at base of female Super-Z ferrule. Black ink is used for serial numbers 3696 on each tip; otherwise, gold ink was used for inscriptions in PHY’s handwriting. The gold ink is heavily tarnished, cracked, or completely missing in some places, having taken the overlying varnish away with it. Some writing can only be interpreted as a sort of stencil where the existing varnish coat contrasts with the spaces left by the missing material. Butt was inked in “gold” ink in PHY’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: Reuben Rich  Second flat: “PRINCESS – 7′ – 3-3/4 oz.  H.D.H.  Third flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker.  Greenish-bronze satin bag. Champion-style tube. Built for Reuben Rich of Lake Forrest, IL. Finish date: April 16, 1958.

3696 (duplicate number with rod above)

Princess  2/2  2.75 oz.  Varnished flamed cane, cap and reel reel seat over cork, round non-pocketed butt cap, ring knurled front and back, light brown decorative spiral wraps. Inked on two flat, first flat: “PRINCESS”  Second flat: Wgt. 2.75 oz.  4-16-58. Looks like a complete refinish. Cannot tell who inked the rod. Seen 2014 at Catskills Rod Gathering at Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. Thanks to Bill Kaplin.

3697
“Midge” model fly rod,

3698
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3699
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3700
Casting rod.
6’0″ for 1/2 oz. to 5/8 oz. lures. 16/64″ ferrule. 7/64″ tip top. Thread: Holland 319. Built for A.A. McGonagle of Detroit, MI. Finish date: May 1, 1958.

3701
Spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.35 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Thread: Holland 319. Built for Hugh Martin of Detroit, MI. Finish date: May 8, 1958.

3702
Texas General 8’6″ 2/3  5.15 oz. Flamed varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat, 16/64″ Super-Z ferrule. large Ritz-style grip, bronze wraps (Holland 319). Butt is inked in Bob Summer’s handwriting on two flats; First flat: “Texas General” 8’6″ – 5.15 oz. Second flat: DRY TIP HCH  WET TIP GBF. There are three tips – two original tips and a third, later tip. Original dry tip with 5-1/2/64″ tip top has decorative spiral red wraps at base of male ferrule and at tip top, and is lettered 3702  DRY HCH (what appears to be a small red painted dot separates 3072 and DRY). The original wet tip with 6/64″ tip top is lettered 3072  WET  GBF. The third tip, also a wet tip and built later, is lettered 3072.

3703
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3704
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod,

3705
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3706
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.00 oz. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Wet tip with 5/64″ tip top, and dry tip with 4-1/2/64” tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Robert C. Hannah of Los Angeles, CA. Finish date: May 26, 1958 date. Serial number and 1958 date reported by “dbauerle” on Classic Fly Rod Forum July 2007.

3707
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.20 oz. Varnished flamed cane, non-pocketed cap (with diagonally marked decorative edge) and knurled ring over cork seat, “Detroit” stamp on cap. Blued 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Tips with 6/64″ tip tops. Lettered in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on two flats, First flat: Walter G. Mentzer – Yonkers, N.Y. Second flat: “Parabolic 17” 8 1/2′ – 5.20 oz. G.B.F. Serial number 3707 on all sections, looks as though redone and relettered by someone other than Paul Young. Original bag and B-24 aluminum tube. Finish date: June 3, 1958. Sold in 1981 by Hoagy B. Carmichael, then offered by Carmichael again for a client using eBay, May 2009, then offered again by Carmichael on eBay, September 2011, sold for $1525. Rod offered for sale on Bob Summers’ web site, July 2012.

3708
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3709
“Standard” model fly rod, 8’0″,

3710
“Standard” model fly rod, 8’0″,

3711
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.95 oz. Varnished. 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Built for K.C. Gerhardt of Ardsley, NY. Finish date: June 10, 1958. Purchased in March 1977 by “Cimarron Red” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum from Larry Madison of CT.

3712
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 4.05 oz.

3713
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.05 oz. Built for Clinton F. Spiers of Old Greenwich, CT.  Varnished flamed cane, non-pocketed cap (with diagonally marked decorative edge) and a black downlocking ring over unfinished aluminum threading, cork seat. “Detroit” stamp on cap. Cigar grip. Blued Super Z ferrules. Gold wraps (Holland 319) with decorative spiral at the butt ferrule. The hook keeper wrap is a lighter shade of gold and possibly replaced/repaired? Lettered in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on two flats, Clinton Spiers – June ’58  /  “Parabolic 15” 8 ‘ – 4.05 oz. H.D.H. Serial number 3713 on all sections. Marked WET and DRY tips, the dry tip sporting decorative red spiral wraps at the ferrule and tip-top. Dry tip with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. wet tip with 5/64″ tip top. Original grey bag and Champion aluminum tube with brass collar. Sold Sept 2018 by Hoagy B. Carmichael on eBay for $3,263.77. The rod was accompanied by an original typed letter on PHY shop letterhead detailing the rod action and length of the Princess and Driggs; the original mailing envelope present. A fine condition 1958 catalog was included with the lot as well.

3714
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 3.77 oz.

3715
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 4.12 oz.

3716
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 4.13 oz.

3717
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 4.14 oz.

3718
Spinning rod, J.C. Salyer model spinning rod, 6’4″

3719
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3720
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3721
“Encampment Special” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.84 oz.,

3722
Perfectionist 7’6”, 2/2, 2.62 oz. (incorrectly given as 1.62 oz. in an eBay listing). Built for Paul E. Jackson of Ypsilanti, MI, July 1, 1958 (thanks to Fred Kretchmann for this info. At this time I cannot explain a dating discrepancy with rod #3770, also owned by Jackson but apparently built in March 1958, seemingly earlier than lower-serial-numbered rod #3722). Varnished flamed cane. One tip is marked with a red wrap and is a replacement made by Bob Summers. Dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip. Black aluminum ferrules. Black wraps. Gold ink lettering includes: Paul H. Young Detroit Maker Perfectionist 2.62 oz. The eBay seller said there was more writing, but he could not read it. The gold paint on these rods often chips, making inscriptions hard to read. Did not meet reserve price in June 2011 auction. Highest bid reached was $1530. Subsequently sold as lot 237, Lang’s Auction, April 21, 2012. Aluminum ferrules were described as being too loose to fish with, needing to be tightened or replaced. Subsequently sold on eBay, June 2012, for $1962.17, still with loose ferrules.

3723
“Encampment Special” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.41 oz.,

3724
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3725
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1 3/4 oz. One tip is about 1-1/2″ short. Varnished flamed cane, dual black bands over cork reel seat, short grip appears only about 4 inches long and tapers toward the front like an Orvis Superfine grip, black wraps, black aluminum ferrules, inked in PHY’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “MIDGE”  6’3″ – 1 3/4 oz.  H.E.H. Second flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit – Maker. Cloth bag, beige or slightly purplish, has darker brown piping. Champion-style tube. Built for J. Campbell. Finish date: July 8, 1958. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, quickly on hold at $3500., late May 2013.

3726
“Midge” model fly rod,

3727
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,

3728
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. Cap and ring over cork reel seat has black, round (non-pocketed) cap with “Detroit” stamp and diagonal knurling on edge; ring is thick and is knurled on both edges. Cigar grip with single thumb depression. Gold wraps (Holland 319). Small decorative thread wrap at base of male ferrule. Black ink inscription in PHY’s handwriting on at least one flat: “M.M.Y.” model – 7 1/2′ – 3.59 oz.  H.D.H.  Serial number 3728 is inked on butt of rod near stripping guide, and on both tips. Built for Wayne “Buz” Buszek of Vasilia, CA.

3729
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1 3/4 oz. Finished July 28, 1958. Varnished flamed cane, dual black bands over cork reel seat, short grip appears only about 4-1/2 inches long (the ninth half-inch cork starts to become part of the cork reel seat). Cork grip tapers toward the front. Solid black wraps, black aluminum ferrules, no hookkeeper. Unusual inking – the first flat is written in gold ink, and the second and third flats are written in black ink. All are written in PHY’s handwriting. First flat: R.H. Goddard – Grosse Pointe  Second flat: “MIDGE”  6’3″ – 1 3/4 oz. – H.E.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Finish date: July 28, 1958.

3730
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3731
“Midge” model fly rod,

3732
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3733
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3734
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Clyde G. Wagner “M.M.Y. 7 1/2′ – 3.57 oz, HDH” Gold ink lettering. Mortised cork reel seat, sliding band, Detroit-stamp butt cap. One tip has a slight set and a 2″ repair wrap at the top end. Sold at Lang’s auction for $2300 plus buyer’s premium, 11/5/05. Built for Clyde G. Wagner of Detroit, MI. Finish date: August 2, 1958.

3735
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,

3736
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3737
“Midge” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3738
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, shop log build date: August 6, 1958, built for Carter H. Leslie of Chicago, Illinois. 8’0″ 2/2 Wet (5/64″ tip top) and dry (4-1/2/64” tip top) tips. 4.02 oz. Cork screwlock reel seat. Was originally a varnished rod. Marked HDH – HDG Aug ’58 (handwriting looks like Summers). Purchased by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm from Art Neumann of Wanigas Rod Co. in January 7, 1971. Mac’s first fish on this rod was an 8″ brown trout, taken on a #16 Tups at Potter Creek. The Paul H. Young Co. “overhauled” (to use Mac’s term) this rod in 1972, installing a new grip, oil finish, and new guides. This all cost $37.90, including postage. The rod case was returned with the wrong cap, and no gasket. Bob Summers put new ferrules on this rod. On July 6, 1974, Mac took rainbow trout and a 16″ brown trout on this rod at the Manistee River. Hoagy Carmichael sold this rod for Mac in 1984, Mac received $850. This rod also sold at Lang’s April 13, 2002 auction and then at Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction, for $2640.

3739
1956 Texas General. 8’6″.

3740
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 5.50 oz.

3741
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.67 oz.

3742
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 5.30 oz.

3743
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 5.20 oz.

3744
1958 Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 3.37 oz. HDH line. Marked: Stuart W. Fenton, Oct. ’58.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

3745
Spin-master
, spinning rod. Dated October 1958. Appears inked in PHY’s own handwriting. 7’6″, 4.10 oz. Marked Stuart W. Fenton, Oct. ’58.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

3746
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1-3/4 oz.

3747
Spin-master
, spinning rod, J.C. Salyer model.

3748
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod,

3749
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, in very unusual 7’9″ length, two dry fly tips each with 4-1/2” tip tops.

3750
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.72 oz.

3751
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.71 oz.

3752
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.71 oz.

3753
Spin-master, custom spinning rod,
“Texan” model butt section.

3754
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.71 oz.

3755
Texan 8’6″ 2/2 Varnished, flamed cane. Wet and dry tips; the dry tip is down about 2″. Half Wells grip, cap and ring over cork with “Detroit” marking, diagonal decorative knurling on cap. Inked in PHY’s handwriting on one flat: “Texan”  8 1/2 – 4.67 oz.  1 Wet Tip H.C.H.  1 Dry H.D.H. (the information on the tips appears in two lines, one above the other, on the same flat). Dry tip is separately marked: DRY H.D.H. 3755  Wet tip is separately marked: WET 3755 H.C.H.  Butt is separately marked: 3755  Solid bronze wraps at guides, decorative spiral wrap at base of female ferrule. Hookkeeper, Champion-style tube, gray bag with light yellow piping. eBay auction, July 2010. “Texan” model descriptions in the 1950’s PHY catalogs did not offer wet and dry fly tip options, and the 1958 PHY catalog offered the “Texan” with a screwlock reel seat. As so often happens with PHY rods, #3755 deviates from catalog descriptions. Bob Summers offered this rod on his web site August 2012 for $2500, and wrote: “Built 1958. I refinished rod including new cork about ten years ago.”

3756
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 3.95 oz.

3757
Parabolic 15 8’0″ 2/2 Varnished. Wet and dry tips (5/64th and 4.5/64th tips). Purchased in 1976 by “Cimarron Red” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum from Anton Udwary, Spartanburg, SC. Seen again May 2019 on the CFRF Classifieds. Listed for $3,200.00 by user ‘caveman’. Caveman’s description: Dark flamed Paul Young Para 15 looking especially stunning w/ its deluxe finish, having bronze-tan wraps, blued guides and Super Z ferrules. Originally built for Don C. Lynn, whose name is on the shaft and below is “Parabolic 15” 8′ 3.95 oz. H.D.H. Comes in the perfect format , having one wet tip and one dry tip. Serial # 3757 on both tips. Has the SL cork seat and cork grip with minor ribbing and a slight thumb recess. Varnish appears mirror -like throughout. Packaged in the original brown satin bag and aluminum tube. Straight and full in excellent condition. Was a personal rod of Marty Keene for a while. One of the world’s greatest rods for a 6 wt line. Don C. Lynn lived in Avalon, PA. Finish date for rod: Dec. 12, 1958.

3758
“Midge” model fly rod,

3759
“Midge” model fly rod,

3760
Spinning rod,
“Barney Fisher” model spinning rod,

3761
“Midge” model fly rod,

3762
“Midge” model fly rod,

3763
Perfectionist 7’6”, 2/2, 2.69 oz., HEH line. Known from published description for Lot 419, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. Flamed cane, quite short 4” cigar grip with thumb indentation, dual black bands over cork reel seat, small piece of compressed cork is glued to the reel seat to add thickness under the reel foot. Stripping guide is a snake guide. Black wraps, hookkeeper, black anodized aluminum ferrules are described as “somewhat loose and should be professionally tightened.” One tip has a strong fishing set. Inscriptions include the original owner’s name (J.R. LaRouche), followed by “Pittsburg” (probably this misspelling is as written on the rod. I know of other Young rods where Young did not add the final “h” of Pittsburgh”). All sections marked with serial #3763. Rod described as weighing 2.69 oz. and rated for HEH line, so probably these markings are on the rod. Original brownish-maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. Finish date: January 5, 1959.

3764
“Parabolic 17” model fly rod,

3765
“Midge” model fly rod, the “Floor Tile Special” Finish date: January 14, 1959.  Built for PHY customer Bob Johnson of Detroit, MI, who laid tile professionally. PHY asked Johnson if he would lay vinyl/asbestos tiles in the basement of his home that was behind the PHY shop on 8 Mile Road. In exchange PHY offered to make a custom Midge rod which at the time sold for $85. Tile was done in a week, rod was ready in two weeks with Johnson’s name on it, plus a Hardy featherweight reel, HEH King Eider line, and casting lessons behind the store. Soon afterwards, PHY introduced Bob Johnson to Ted Williams, who was in town because the Boston Red Sox were playing the Detroit Tigers. Johnson took Williams fishing on George Lake. PHY died in 1960 just before a planned trip with Bob Johnson to the Rockies to catch golden trout. Johnson had three other PHY rods, probably serial numbered, listed as XXXX rods at the bottom of this list: a Parabolic 15 purchased May 1956, a J.C. Salyer spinning rod, and a Parabolic 17 (which Ted Williams cast during the trip to George Lake).

3766
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3767
“Powerhouse” model fly rod, 9’6″,

3768
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3.58 oz.  Both tips look short but owner says they assemble full-length w/ tip and butt. Serial number present on tips and butt. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock reel seat over cork (black cap and outer screwlock ring, grey threaded section), Holland 319 thread wraps, inked inscription by PHY, only one flat seen: M.M.Y. 7 ½’ – 3.58 oz. H.D.H. Was on eBay, now owned by dshx of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Originally built for Eugene Power, shipped to University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: February 27, 1959.

3769
Spin-Master, Midge Spinmaster, 5’6″ 2/1 spinning rod built for Fred Horning. Short cork handle made from 15 half-inch corks. Dual black rings. Golden-brown wraps, close to cane color. 12/64″ ferrule. Holland 319 thread wraps. Lettered in Paul H. Young’s handwriting on three flats, First flat: Fred Horning  Second flat: Midge Spin Master.  Third flat: 5 1/2′ – 2.25 oz.  Tip numbered 3769. One line guide on butt section, four line guides and tip top on tip. Original copper-colored satin bag, no tube. Thanks to Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle. Owned by quashnet.

3770
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″ 2/2 First flat: Paul Jackson. March ’58 Second flat: MIDGE 6’3″ 1.75 oz. H.E.H. Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Serial #3770 on all sections. Flamed cane, oil finish, black wraps, black aluminum ferrules, no hookkeeper. Outside rod tube says: Paul E. JACKSON / Attorney At Law / National Bank Bldg. / Ypsilanti, Michigan. Finish date: March 6, 1959. Owned by “mosquito” of Classic Fly Rod Forum.

3771
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2 Inking visible on one flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ – 3.87 oz. H.D.H. PHY’s handwriting. Gold wraps (Holland 319). Two “wet” tips with 5/64″ tip tops. Cigar cork grip. Cap and ring, cork spacer. Built for R.L. McNulty of Detroit, MI. Finish date: March 6, 1959. Photos seen at a Yahoo! Japan site: blogs.yahoo.co.jp/captainbamboo.

3772
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3773
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 “M.M.Y. Model 7 1/2′ 3.63 oz. H.D.H. Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker ” Detroit stamp butt cap. Gold ink. eBay Feb 2007, won by uniphasian (Chuck Tinsley).

3774
Parabolic 15 8’0″ 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. Gold paint inking in PHY’s handwriting. First flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′  3.97 oz. H.D.H.  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit – Maker. Serial number 3774 gold paint inked on butt of rod near stripping guide. 3774 DRY is inked on the dry fly tip and 3774 WET is inked on the parabolic tip. Gold wraps. Gold spiral decorative wrap on butt, at base of female ferrule. Red spiral decorative wraps on dry fly tip, at base of male ferrule and at tip top. Cigar cork grip. Screwlock downlocking reel seat has black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, black ring, grey metal screw threads showing typical corrosion, and cork spacer. Hookkeeper. In Champion tube, likely original, marked “CHAMPION / MFD. BY / CAL-AIR PRODUCTS CO. / LOS ANGELES,” and bright red bag that may not be original.

3775
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″

3776
Spin-Master,
7’0″ spinning rod,

3777
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″

3778
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″

3779
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″

3780
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″

3781
Spin-Master,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.30 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, Aetna guides.

TWO RECORDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES EXIST FOR ROD #3782 – A “J.C. SALYER” MODEL SPINNING ROD AND A DRIGGS FLY ROD:

3782 (duplicate number with rod below)
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 Restored condition. Cigar grip, dual black rings over cork. Original bag, tube. Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction catalog.

3782 (duplicate number with rod above)
Spin-Master, “J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.30 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, Aetna guides.

3783
Spin-Master, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.60 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, Aetna guides.

3784
Spin-Master, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.58 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, Aetna guides. Built for Pete Moynihan of Detroit, MI. Finish date: July 30, 1959.

3785
Spin-Master, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.55 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, Aetna guides.

3786
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.00 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, two wet tips each with 5/64” tip top. Built for A.G. Beatty of Detroit, MI. Finished March 1959.

3787
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Dual black rings over cork, cigar grip, solid black wraps. Black aluminum ferrules. Lettering in gold ink (much wear and tarnishing) in PHY’s handwriting: First flat: Joseph E. Rich – 1959 Second flat: “MIDGE” 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. H.E.H  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. – Detroit – Maker. Inked 3787 in gold on butt and each tip. Grey bag with brown piping, Champion-style tube.  Reported by Ward Tonsfeldt.

3788
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.00 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, two wet tips each with 5/64” tip top. Built for Harry Lucas, Jr. of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Finish date: March 16, 1959.

TWO RECORDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES EXIST FOR ROD #3789 – A DRIGGS FLY ROD AND A PARABOLIC 17 FLY ROD:

3789
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-7/8 oz. Marked for HEH line. Described as new condition. Described as built by Bob Summers. Cigar grip, dual black rings over cork, enlarged cork button on butt end to keep rings from slipping off. Original bag, labeled tube. Lot #601, R.W. Oliver’s Sixth Annual Summer Tackle Auction catalog, sold July 1990 for $1000 plus 10% buyers premium. I remember seeing this rod at the auction. The cork of the grip and seat was whiter than any cork I’ve ever seen – dead white, as though it had been bleached.

3789
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 5.45 oz., 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 5/64” tip top.

3790
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.45 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for Ray V. Lichtviardt of Detroit, MI. Finish date: April 22, 1959.

3791
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.47 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip top.

3792
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.65 oz., screwlock reel seat, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Built for E.M. Korczynski of Taylor, MI. Finish date: March 28, 1959.

3793
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

3794
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2, 2.88 oz., 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Butt inked on the two flats that can be seen in photos, in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker  Second flat: Perfectionist 7 1/2 H.C.H.  Serial number #3794 inked at base of at least one tip near male ferrule. Varnished flamed cane, cigar cork grip, gold/bronze wraps (originally black), hookkeeper, reel seat cannot be seen in photos, bag and tube status unknown. Reported by Steve Edwards, whose father owned the rod and fished the Pere Marquette River in Michigan. Rod #3794 was offered for sale in December 2015 by Pentalux (Robert Smith) who reported that it was “repaired and refinished” by Bob Summers “several years ago,” and one tip is short by 2-3/4″.

3795
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 2.63 oz., featherweight aluminum ferrule.

3796
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.55 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 5/64″ tip tops.

3797
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.54 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 5/64″ tip tops. Built for Dr. J.A. Grubbs, Jr. of Chattanooga, TN. Finish date: June 12, 1959.

3798
“Special” model fly rod, Midge-length at 6’3″ but weighing 3.15 oz., 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, both tips with 5/64″ tip tops. Built for H.A. Seaman of Cincinnati, OH. Finish date: April 13, 1959.

3799
Princess 7’0″, 2/2, 3 oz.  Flamed varnished cane, cigar grip, black screwlock seat over cork, “Detroit” die stamp on pocketed cap. Marked Super-Z ferrule. Gold-bronze wraps, solid throughout except small spiral wraps in front of grip and at base of female ferrule. Lettered in gold ink in PHY’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “Princess” 7′ – 3 oz.  H.D.H.  second flat: Paul H. Young – Detroit Maker  Butt and tips each numbered: 3799. Brown cloth bag with dark piping, and Champion tube. Offered on eBay, April 2012, John Pickard. Photo credit: “fishwoodrods” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

37XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1 3/4 oz. Varnished flamed cane, black wraps, 2-band cork seat, has orig. Young label on outside of tube. MJK catalog No. 49 (1988).

37XX
Martha Marie  7’6″  2/2  Described in an offering from 1998 posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly by the Paul H. Young Co. located at 535 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI; believe may have been posted by Todd Young. Rod described as in near mint condition with Super-Z ferrules, dual slide bands over mortised reel seat, blunt cigar grip with thumb indentation, and gold wraps.

3800
“Midge” model fly rod,

3801
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3802
“Texan” model fly rod,

3803
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3804
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3805
“Midge” model fly rod,

3806
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3807
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3808
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3809
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″, 2/2, 2.90 oz., blunt-end cigar grip, HDH line. 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Tips have 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Cap and ring over cork; cap is dark, ring is bright and may or may not have originally been blued. Built for Glenn Ruby of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Finish date: May 8, 1959. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #259, sold for $6500 plus 10% buyer’s premium.

3810
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3811
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3812
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3813
Spinmaster, “Midge Spin-Master” model spinning rod,

3814
Martha Marie 7’6″, 2/2, probably dated May 1959. Known from published description for Lot 417, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction, which says the rod dates to May 1969; this cannot be correct. Flamed cane, black wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, cap and ring over cork. Cap is said to show “Detroit” stamp. Cigar/Ritz grip measures 5-1/2″ and has a thumb indentation. The original owner’s name is inscribed on the butt section but unfortunately was not provided. Inking includes the original owner’s name, “May ’59, Martha-Marie, 7′ 6″- 3.55 oz, HDH, A Paul H. Young Co. Rod – 3814”. Original bag and tube.

3815
“Midge” model fly rod,

3816
Built 1959, Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Dual black rings over cork (some wear to cork butt), cigar grip, black wraps with small black spiral wrap at front of grip. Black aluminum ferrules. Lettering in gold ink in PHY’s handwriting: First flat: J.A. Beresford Second flat: a Paul Young Rod Third flat: “MIDGE” 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. H.E.H. Reportedly also lettered May 1959. Original satin maroon-brown bag, probably replacement tube. Built for J.A. Beresford of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Finish date: May 7, 1959. Offered on Rick’s Rods web site, April 2009.

3817
“Texas General” model fly rod,

3818
“Perfectionist” model fly rod built in unusual 7’0″ length,

3819
“Midge” model fly rod,

3820
“Midge” model fly rod,

3821
“Midge” model fly rod,

3822
“Midge” model fly rod,

3823
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6” 2/2, 5.25 oz. First flat: “Parabolic 17” 8 1/2 5.25 oz. G.B.F. Second flat: Fred Nehabedian Royal Oak – May ’59 Third flat: a Paul Young rod 3823 on two tips; no 3823 on butt. Lettering in gold ink in PHY’s handwriting. Varnished flamed cane. Blk. finish butt cap with Detroit die stamp. Cork screwlock seat. Tube with partial PHY Co. label. Bag. Bill for Fred Nehabedian of Royal Oak. Finish date: May 25, 1959.  Offered on eBay October 2007.

3824
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.85 oz.

3825
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.75 oz.

3826
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.80 oz.

3827
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 3.92 oz.

3828
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 3.97 oz.

3829
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 4.00 oz.

3830
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″, 2.75 oz.

3831
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 3.93 oz.

3832
“Princess” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2.75 oz.

3833
“Princess” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2.78 oz.

3834
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.90 oz.

3835
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 3.99 oz.

3836
Texas General 8’6″ 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. Dark cap with “Detroit” stamp, and ring (knurled on both edges), over cork reel seat, which blends into a cigar-shaped cork grip with single, crisply-carved thumb indentation. Solid, gold-bronze wraps. Marked in gold ink in PHY’s handwriting. Butt section marked on two flats. First flat: “Texas General” 8 1/2′  5.30 oz.  Second flat: a Paul Young Rod  Butt marked #3836 near stripping guide. One tip marked 3836 Dry with decorative red spiral thread wrap at ferrule and tip-top; other (wet) tip marked 3836 G.B.F.  Offered on eBay, January 2007. Hookkeeper missing when seen in photos, March 2017.

3837
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8′ 2/2, 4.63 oz., 15/64″ Super-Z ferrules, both tips with 5/64″ tip top. Flamed cane. Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, thumbprint grip. Refinished by Bob Summers. Built for H.P. Halladay of Detroit, MI. Finish date: July 25, 1960. Offered in MJK catalog #52 (1989) and MJK #75 (1998).

3838
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3839
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3840
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,

3841
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3842
“Driggs” model fly rod, described as “Patty’s Rod,” a “cut-down Driggs” at only 6’6″ in length. 2.30 oz. featherweight aluminum ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. two tips, each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Probably a gift rod, purchased by William N. Rice of Detroit, MI. Finish date: July 28, 1959.

3843
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3844
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.48 oz., 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules, Thread wraps: Holland 319. two tips, each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top.

3845
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.77 oz. 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. two tips, each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. (A Perfectionist with partial serial number given as 384X was offered for sale by MJK as follows: Flamed varnished cane, 2-band cork seat, slight Wells-style grip with thumbprint, blued ferrules & guides, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog No. 77 (1999). The rod was either #3845 or 3846).

3846
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.77 oz. 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Thread wraps: Holland 319. two tips, each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top.

3847
“Midge” model fly rod,

3848
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  Described as “alum. ferrules, cork seat. All lettering done in gold ink. All orig., all full length. Orig. bag and tube.” Offered for $3250 by Hoagy B. Carmichael in a catalog mailing dated April 5, 1989.

3849
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3850
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3851
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3852
(It appears that #3852 was intended to be a “Martha Marie” model fly rod, but the rod may have never been made. It is not counted in this database.)

3853
“Parabolic 17” model fly rod,

3854
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3855
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2 Summers’ handwriting. Marked: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Parabolic 15  8′  4.03 oz.  HDH.  Black cap and screwlock with Detroit stamp, grey metal screw threading and cork seat. Wet & dry tips, flamed cane, brown wraps (Holland 319). Owned by uniphasian of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, who reports: “I bought this rod from Tom Hill on 03/17/05.”

3856
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

3857
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

3858
Parabolic 15 8’0″ 2/2  Varnished flamed cane (Bob Summers believes it had a light varnish overcoat). Inked handwriting is open to interpretation, but looks to me like Bob Summers. Lettering is in gold ink. Marked first flat: L.E. Smith Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 3.70(?) oz. HDH or HDG Third flat: A Paul H. Young Rod. (The number of the weight in ounces is difficult to read. Fragile gold ink may have chipped away. The last number is most likely an “0”.) Wet & dry tips (dry tip marked with red wrap), die-stamped cap and ring with coin-edge knurling, half Wells grip, bookkeeper, maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. Offered October 2007 by Carmine Lisella and offered for $3800, December 2012, by Bob Summers.

3859
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″,

3860
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”,

3861
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″,

3862
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3863
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, Jane Gingrich. New York, NY. Finish date: December 3, 1959.

3864
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, Arnold Gingrich. New York, NY. Finish date: December 3, 1959.

3865
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.83 oz., Jane Gingrich. New York, NY. Finish date: December 3, 1959.

3866
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3867
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3868
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3869
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  2 -1/2 oz. Butt inked on two flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod 1959  Second flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 1/2 oz.  Serial number #3869 inked at base of each tip near male ferrule. Varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over cigar cork grip, gold/bronze wraps, bent-wire hookkeeper, original copper-brown satin bag, tube status unknown. Thanks to Steven Sanders.

3870
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3871
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3872
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.74 oz. Marked for HEH line. Also marked: Stuart W. Fenton (handwriting in gold ink by Jack Young). Black wraps. Slim, cigar-shaped cork grip is only 4 inches long. Snake guide in place of stripping guide. Black aluminum ferrules. Black 4/0 thread.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

3873
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.74 oz.

3873
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.74 oz.

3875
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.94 oz.

3876
Perfectionist 7’6″, 2/2, 2.71 oz. Flamed cane, gold ink writing. For HEH line. Black anodized Super-Z- type Alu-ferrules 14/64 th, and reel seat, 2 sliding rings on cork. Normal (unventilated) grip. One tip approx. 4 inches short. Belonged to the late rodmaker and fly tier Preben Torp Jacobsen, of Denmark. Reported by Wolfram Schott, rodmaker, from Germany, who wrote to me that “The Perfectionist he bought after some correspondence with Al McClane, who advised him to do so. It was his favorite rod, and he made a few clones from its taper, for friends. He told me it had cost 80 Dollars at that time, which was a lot of money then, in 1950-odd.”

3877
Parabolic 17  8’6″ 2/2, described as in “pristine condition” in Joe Garman’s bamboo rod sales list, February 1982.

3878
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.66 oz.

3879
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.74 oz.

3880
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/1 (built as one-tip rod), 5.34 oz. Built with 2” extension butt.

3881
Parabolic 17  8’6″ 2/2, 5.39 oz Varnished and flamed. Aluminum down-lock (tarnished, possibly salt exposure) over cork seat, pocketed cap bearing Detroit stamp. Wells grip is soiled. Rod bears the fragile gold ink. Butt is marked Jack Young’s hand: “Parabolic 17″ 8 1/2  5.39oz  /  Harry Bedford  May 1960  /  a Paul H. Young Co. rod. Tips and butt bear the 3881 serial number. This rod was found in the basement of a recently purchased home (August 2018). Accompanying this rod was the 8’0″ Fly/spin rod also inscribed to Harry Bedford.

3882
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.20 oz.

3883
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″ 2/2, 5.6 oz. “A Paul Young Rod” Marked: Stuart W. Fenton 1960 in gold lettering (Jack Young’s handwriting). Thread wraps: Holland 319. 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Both tips with 6/64″ tip top.
(Stuart W. Fenton, retired professor of chemistry and former department head, died Feb. 4, 2006. He was 83 and a resident of North Oaks, Minn. Fenton was born April 29, 1922, in London, Ontario, Canada. From 1942 to 1945 he worked as a wartime fuel technologist for the Dominion of Canada and also studied chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he received a bachelor of science in 1945 and a master’s degree the following year. He was a research officer for Canada’s National Research Council from 1945 to 1946. In 1950 Fenton received a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1951 joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of organic chemistry. He served as chair of the chemistry department from 1960 to 1968, and retired in 1986. Many thanks to his nephew John Fenton for providing the information on seven Paul H. Young Co. rods owned by Stuart W. Fenton.)

3884
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.42 oz.

3885
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.60 oz.

3886
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.56 oz.

3887
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, unusual length at 7’4″, 3.02 oz., unusual screwlock reel seat.

3888 
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”. Finish date: March 21, 1960.

3889
Spinning rod,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 6’4″. Finish date: March 27, 1960.

TWO RECORDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES EXIST FOR ROD #3890 – A “BOAT ROD” FLY ROD AND A “PARABOLIC 15” FLY ROD:

3890 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 4.45 oz. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 5/64″ tip top. Built for Clyde L. Thompson of Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: March 27, 1960. (I think this is more likely to be the accurate record).

3890 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2 K.T. Keller Model. 4 oz. Super-Z ferrules, screwlock cork seat, cigar grip, resourcinol glue. Wet & dry tips, flamed cane. MJK catalog, Fall 1984.

3891
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 3.85 oz. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 5/64” tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Kenneth C. Gerhardt of Ardsley, NY. Finished in March 1960.

3892 – possibly the last rod personally worked on by Paul H. Young (although see rod #3923, which has PHY’s writing on the shaft)
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 3.80 oz. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. 5/64” tip top. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for William H. Truetner. Finished in March 1960.

3893
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 2.69 oz. Finish date: May 11, 1960.

3894
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 3.91 oz. Finish date: May 11, 1960.

3895
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2 A Paul H Young Co. Rod “Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz. H.E.H.” Finish date: May 24, 1960. Sold May 2007 on eBay by Hoagy B. Carmichael, bought by Art Czabaniuk. “…number 3895, three numbers after Young stopped working at the shop (#3892 according to M. Keane), which was a month before he died.” Summers’ handwriting in gold ink. Aluminum ferrules.

3896
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 2.67 oz. Finish date: May 31, 1960.

3897
“Texas General” model fly rod, 4.88 oz. / 5.07 oz. Finish date: June 6, 1960.

3898
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 3.05 oz. Screwlock reel seat. Finish date: June 10, 1960.

3899
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Finish date: June 16, 1960. Listed in the Lang’s October 24/25th, 2020 Auction. From the catalog:

DESCRIPTION
This popular 2/2 model is in very good original condition. It features Young’s famous mottled flaming, black anodized aluminum ferrules, cinnamon colored wraps, an abbreviated 4” handle, and a cork reel seat with two matching black anodized sliding bands. There is moderate soiling of the cork, and slight roughness where the upper ring has anchored a reel foot on the top of the seat. All the guides, including the stripper, are light wire bronze colored models. The inscriptions are all done with gold ink, and on the butt it reads: “Bill …. , ‘Midge’, 6’3” 1 3/4oz., HEH, A Paul H. Young Co. Rod”. Each section also bears serial #3899, in gold ink. Both tips were made 1/4” short and they have light fishing sets. The ferrules seat fully and this rod is ready for more fishing. This model is known for its strong parabolic action. It has the original green/brown bag and a plain tube.

38XX
1959 Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Grip has thumbprint rest. Tan/beige wraps, Super-Z ferrules, was refinished by Bob Summers. Original bag & tube. MJK catalog 65 (1994).

38XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  4-weight line. Described in an offering from 1998 posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly by the Paul H. Young Co. located at 535 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI; believe may have been posted by Todd Young. Rod described as “in near mint condition with nickel silver ferrules, dual aluminum slide band mortised reel seat, blunt cigar grip and bronze wraps.”

3900
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3901
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3902
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3903
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3904
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3905
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3906
“Midge” model fly rod, note: “not varnished” (oil finish?) 6’3″,

3907
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3908
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3909
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3910
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3911
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.70 oz., dual band reel seat over cork, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, built for George O. Terlinden of Cincinnati, OH. Finish date: June 25, 1960. In 2010, Mr. Terlinden’s son, George S. Terlinden, told me that George O. Terlinden was 96 yrs old, having stopped fly fishing when he was 89.

3912
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.74 oz., dual band reel seat over cork, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, built for “Withers,” Dallas, TX. Finish date: June 25, 1960. (Despite a difference in the marked weight, either #3911 or #3912 must be the Driggs rod described by Carmine Lisella as follows: “very low serial number 39XX,” appears to be Summers’ writing (Carmine Lisella, #28, Spring 2007. 2.67 oz. cigar grip w/ thumb impression, cork dual ring seat, Super-Z’s, 1960-61?, asked $3200.)

3913
Valley Special. 7’0″ (note: 82-3/4″ assembled). 2/1 when seen, originally built with two tips with 5/64″ tip tops. Varnished cane, gold wraps (holland 319), cigar grip with single thumb indent (soiled) with a hoop hookkeeper. Black downlock over aluminum threading, morticed cork seat and stamped and pocketed black butt cap. Female ferrule a replacement, butt section is short measuring 41″ while the tip measures 42 1/2″. Rod was marked with the infamous gold ink, all of which has flaked off leaving the varnish around the script. Marked in Jack Young’s handwriting on two flats:  Valley Special 7′ 3oz Size? (unable to see clearly in photos)/   A Paul H. Young Co. Rod.  Replacement green bag. Originally built for Pete Monohan of Detroit, MI. Finish date: July 5, 1960. Sold for $375.00 on eBay November 2019.

3914
Musky Master.
7’6″. Finish date: July 14, 1960.

3915
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3916
Musky Master.
7’6″. Finish date: July 19, 1960.

3917
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3918
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3919
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3920
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”

3921
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”

3922
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″

3923 (see also #2002 and #2007)
Spin-Master, Spinning Rod, one of a set of three spinning rods built by PHY over a period of four years (1956 – 1960) for Ryan P. Williams. As a set, the three rods handle line weights from 4 lb. to 15 lb. test. Each rod is in excellent condition. Lettering includes this text in PHY’s handwriting on two flats, First Flat: made by Paul H. Young Co. Detroit for RYAN P. WILLIAMS  Second Flat: “SPIN-MASTER” 7 1/2′ – 17/64 Fer. (?)/64 Tip Top  The rod is also labeled #3923. An authentic rod built by Paul Young, and the lettering on the flat near the grip is definitely PHY’s handwriting, though it would seem that Paul Young did not live long enough to make rods serial numbered in the 3900’s. Perhaps Young or someone else misnumbered it. Or maybe the rod was ready for Williams for a long time, and the serial number was then added, after Young’s death, when Williams picked it up. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, October 2010.

3924
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 4.15 oz.

3925
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″,

3926
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, built with 2″ extension butt,

3927
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 2/2, 6 oz., built with 4-1/2″ removable extension butt (present), Super-Z ferrules, half Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, has owner’s name (Ken Gerhardt) and 1960 date in ink, bag and tube. Built for Kenneth Gerhardt of Ardsley, NY. Finish date: Agst 31, 1960. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #266, sold for $1500 plus 10% buyer’s premium.

3928
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

3929
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

3930
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3931
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3932
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz., 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, both tips have 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Known from published description for Lot 418, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. Flamed cane, bronze wraps, 4-1/2” grip with thumb indentation. Dual black anodized aluminum sliding bands over cork reel seat. Black anodized aluminum ferrules are described as “a little loose. They should be tightened in the near future but the rod is fishable as is.” Inscriptions written in gold ink include the original owner’s name (J.R. LaRouche) followed by, “Sept. 1960, 1 3/4 oz., HEH, a Paul H. Young Co. Rod”, and “Detroit.” All sections full length and straight, all marked with serial #3932. “Non-reflective satin varnish” (oil finish) with glossy varnish over the wraps. Some wraps described as dry and needing new varnish, plus a thin 1” long sliver of bamboo is missing from the middle of one tip. Original maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. Built for J.R. LaRouche of Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: September 23, 1960.

3933
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3934
Spinmaster, “West’s Pet” model spinning rod,
8’0″,

3935
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3936
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″,

3937
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”,

3938
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2  3.18 oz. Dated October 1960. Bright, pocketed butt cap (unmarked; no “Detroit” stamp) and ring, raised knurling, front and back edges. Cork reel seat, tapered cigar cork grip. Inked in black ink in Jack Young’s handwriting on four flats, First flat: Richard Rounds  Oct. 1960  Second flat: Perfectionist” 7 1/2 ft. 3.18 oz.  Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Fourth flat: Detroit  Serial number #3938 inked on all sections. Overcoat varnish by Bob Summers. Tan-bronze wraps. Size 13 Super-Z ferrules. Hookkeeper. Maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. When offered for sale in April 2016, Bob Summers wrote on his web site, “The rod was built for a career military man. I remember working on many rods for him while at the Paul Young company. He did a lot of corresponding with Paul Young about rods and fishing… This rod has the lightest tips we made… A copy of a letter to the owner by Paul Young signed by him dated 4/7/60 will go with the sale. Mr. Young died 4/28/60. This is one of the last rods that Paul Young would have worked on. The writing on the rod is by Jack Young. I was away at Air Force basic training in Texas at the time this rod was delivered.” Thanks to Stuart Hayden for original info and Bob Summers for more info plus photos. The rod was delivered to Norfolk, VA. Finish date: October 29, 1960 (See also #2239, a Para 15 built for Richard Rounds).

3939
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3940
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3941
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3942
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/3,  2.78 oz. Built with two original tips, plus a later tip. Original tips terminated at 4/64 tip tops; one is full length, the other is 3″ short at the tip, with a tip top and rewrapped snake guide added. Inked on three flats, First flat: “Perfectionist” 7 1/2 ft. 2.78 oz.  HEH  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod – Detroit  Third flat: Glen Sander  Serial number #3942 inked on butt just below stripper guide and at base of two tips. Varnished flamed cane, dual rings over cigar cork grip, black anondized aluminum 14/64″ ferrules, brown wraps (Holland 319) on bronze snakes and tip tops (later tip has bright guides rather than bronze guides), bent-wire hookkeeper, original bag and tube. Offered by Jim Adams, Adams Angling, $3200, February 2010. Built for Glen Sander of Sacramento, CA. Finish date: November 29, 1960.

3943
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″, 2.78 oz., 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, two tips with 4/64″ tip tops, thread wraps are Holland 319. Built for George Beall (finish date: November 29, 1960). George Beall was an expatriate American and member of Charles Ritz’s International Fario Club, who lived in southern France, married a French artist and had many children, fished in the Pyrenees and northern Spain, and authored magazine articles about the early fly fishing history of Spain. Beall also owned PHY Para 16 #1961 and PHY Martha Marie #4020. See the listing for #4020 to read detailed information about the life of George Beall. Thanks to “Joxe” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for information; he received this Perfectionist from George Beall shortly before his death.

3944
“Perfectionist” model fly rod.

3945
“Martha Marie” model fly rod.

3946
“Perfectionist” model fly rod.

3947
Spinning Rod, 7’6″, 2/2 (original spinning rod tip plus a later fly rod tip built by Bob Summers). Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings, marked with Detroit die-stamp, over long, straight cork grip. Simple loop hookkeeper. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First Flat: John W. Chew Second Flat: 7’6″ 14/64 FER. 8/64 tip top 4.22 oz Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Mich. Both tips are serial numbered. Built for John Chew of Chester, PA. Finish date: December 22, 1960. Offered on eBay by “thomaswoodward,” October 2009.

3948
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  1.75 oz. Varnished flamed cane, 3X3 node arrangement. Black anodized aluminum ferrules, black dual rings over cork, diminutive Ritz-shape grip is built from nine half-inch corks. Inking by Bob Summers. Marked on two successive flats: Midge  6’3″  1.75 oz. / A Paul H. Young Rod. Another flat is marked with owner’s name: Clifton Grow. All sections marked #3948. Snake guide instead of a stripping guide. Golden-brown wraps (Holland 319) closely match cane colors. Built for Clifton Grow of Cincinnati, OH. Finish date: January 4, 1961. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site July 2020 for $3,500.00.

3949
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,  1.74 oz. Varnished flamed cane, 3X3 node arrangement. Black 12/64″ anodized aluminum ferrules, black dual rings over cork, diminutive Ritz-shape grip is built from nine half-inch corks. Inking by Bob Summers. Marked on two successive flats: Midge  6’3″  1.74 oz. / A Paul H. Young Rod. Another flat is marked with owner’s name: K.E. Grow. All sections marked #3949. Snake guide instead of a stripping guide. Golden-brown wraps closely match cane colors. Reported by Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle, who says that Karl E. Grow of West Virginia handed down the rod to his son-in-law Ronald Howsmon. Original maroon bag in excellent condition (not often the case), Champion-style tube. Finish date: January 13, 1961.

3950
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/3, 2.60 oz. Built with three original tips, serial number on butt and all three tips. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: A Paul H. Young Fly Rod Second flat: Glenn Snider Jan 20 1961 Third flat: Perfectionist 71/2 ft. 2.20 oz. Varnished flamed cane, dual rings over cork, 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, gold wraps (Holland 319), original bag and tube. Built for Glenn Snider of Priest River, Idaho. Finish date: January 20, 1961. Codella web site Nov. 2007. Owned by mosquito of Classic Fly Rod Forum.

3951
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″

3952
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″

3953
Spin-Master, spinning rod. 7’2″, 2/1. Varnished flamed cane, inked on two flats, First flat: Spin Master 7’2″ 3.35 oz. Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Det. Mich. Dual black rings over cork, both rings marked with “Detroit” stamp, copper brown wraps, bag and tube. Built for John Chew of Chester, PA. Finish date: February 3, 1961. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, December 2008.

3954
Spin-Master, Midge Spinmaster spinning rod. 5’6″, 2/1.

3955
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”, 2/2, 1.74 oz, dual black aluminum bands over cork reel seat, 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, thread wraps: Holland 319, lettering by Bob Summers. Built for Marshall Hoffman of Marblehead, Massachusetts on February 4, 1961. On that same date, Para 15 #3956 was also completed for Hoffman. PHY Midge 3955:

3956
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 3.95 oz, cap and ring over cork reel seat, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips, one with 4-1/2/64″ tip top and one with 5/64” tip top, thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Marshall Hoffman of Marblehead, Massachusetts on February 4, 1961. On that same date, Midge #3955 was also completed for Hoffman.

3957
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3958
“Midge” model fly rod,

3959
“Musky Master,”
7’6″,

3960
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,

3961
“Driggs” model fly rod,

3962
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 3.83 oz., Summers’ handwriting. Oil finished, flamed cane. Wet & dry tips. Cigar grip with single thumb indentation. Black pocketed cap and screwlock with Detroit stamp, grey metal screw threading (some corrosion) and cork seat. Butt marked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats, first flat: C.J. Sekely  Second flat: Parabolic 15  8′  3.83 oz.  Third flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Butt also marked #3962 near stripping guide. Wet tip (5/64″ tip top) marked #3962. Dry tip (4-1/2/64″ tip top) marked #3962 DRY TIP, also has red thread markings (solid, not spiral, at ferrule and tiptop) to indicate, at a glance, the dry tip. Gold-brown wraps (Holland 319) are nearly the cane color. Marked 15/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Built for C.J. Sekely of Salem, OH. Finish date: March 15, 1961. Offered on eBay, March 2011.

3963
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3964
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3965
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,

3966
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3967
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3968
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,

3969
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 3.41 oz. Flamed cane, Wells grip, sliding band cork seat. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Rod was rewrapped due to “ghosting” of original thread wraps. MJK catalog 64 and 65 (1994). Built for John E. Williams of Cleveland Heights, OH. Finish date: May 3, 1961.

3970
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.88 oz. 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Both tips with 4/64″ tip tops.Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Robert Eanaut of Elko, NV . Finish date: May 10, 1961.

3971
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″,

3972
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod,  8’0”,

3973
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod,  8’0”,

3974
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″,

3975
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,

3976
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  2.73 oz. Dual black aluminum rings with knurled edges over cork, long cigar/Ritz grip, black 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules, gold/tan wraps (Holland 319). Appears to be inked in Jack Young’s handwriting. First flat: Brenton M. Hamil  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7 1/2 ft. 2.73 oz. Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Serial number #3976 on butt near stripping guide and on each tip. Maroon bag with brown trim, and Champion tube. Original report by Fred Jeans. Shown to me in Sept. 2014 by Bill Kaplin at Catskill Rod Gathering. Built for Brenton M. Hamil of Salt Lake City, Utah. Finish date: May 23, 1961.

3976 Perfectionist

3977
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,

3978
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  2.67 oz.  14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules.Thread wraps: Holland 319. One tip appears to be about 4 inches short. Inked in Jack Young’s handwriting. First flat: E.H. Beck  Second flat: “Perfectionist”  Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Also marked 7 1/2 ft.  2.67 oz.  Serial number #3978 on butt near stripping guide and on each tip. Satin bag and tube. Original report by Bill Smith. Built for E.H. Beck. Finish date: May 25, 1961.

3979
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod,  8’0”,

3980
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,

3981
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,

3982
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod,  8’0”,

3983
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″,

3984
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″,

3985
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″,

3986
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.03 oz. (but recorded as 3.85 oz. in a different report) Varnished, flamed cane, gold/copper wraps (Holland 319), chrome guides, half Wells grip, very lightly soiled, silver knurled sliding band over cork seat, black painted and stamped cap; pocketed. Darkly blued 15/64” Super Z ferrules. Butt marked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats:  Paul H. Young Co.  /  Parabolic 15  8′  3.85 oz.  H.D H Butt also marked #3986 near the stripping guide. One tip (5/64″ tip top) marked on two flats above the ferrule: Wet Tip /  #3986. Dry tip may be marked, but is not visible in the photographs. The dry tip (4-1/2/64″ tip top) does not sport a red spiral wrap at the ferrule, but does have a red spiral wrap at the tip top. Varnish appears heavy on many wraps, with thick varnish and adhesion issues apparent in other photographs along the cane. Suggestive of having received an overcoat of varnish or a refinish. The lack of the red spiral wrap on the dry tip ferrule also suggestive of repairs and/or refinish. Period red satin bag and brass collar Champion tube (shows wear) with cap. Listed as ‘Coming Soon’ on the Spinoza Rods web site October 2018. A gift rod (to whom?) from Robert Hansen of Franklin Lakes, NJ. Finish date: June 13, 1961.

TWO RECORDS FROM THE SAME SOURCE EXIST FOR ROD #3987 – A “BOAT ROD” FLY ROD AND A “DRIGGS” FLY ROD. I THINK IT IS LIKELY THAT THE SAME SERIAL NUMBER WAS USED FOR THE FOLLOWING TWO RODS:

3987 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,  8’0″, 2/2, 4.41 oz., screwlock reel seat, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips each with 5/64″ tip top, thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for J.W. Garside of Kalamazoo, MI. Finish date: June 16, 1961.

3987 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Driggs” model fly rod,  7’2″, 2/2, 2.75 oz., dual rings over cork reel seat, 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top, thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Thomas W. Lawless of Boston, MA. Finish date: June 19, 1961.

3988
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.67 oz., dual rings over cork reel seat, 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top, thread wraps: Holland 319. Garrison-style grip w/thumb flat, “reportedly built by Paul himself, but finished just after his death by the talented hands of Bob Summers at the Young company…” (MJK) No documentation for this claim. Built for Dr. Robert J. Rowe of Dallas, TX. Finish date: June 19, 1961. MJK catalog 62 (1993), and also offered in MJK catalog 74 (1998).

3989
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3990
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

3991
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3992
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3993
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3994
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3995
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″,

3996
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

3997
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

3998
“Boat Rod” model fly rod,  8’0″ 2/2  4.47 oz. Dated on the rod as July 6, 1961, but the recorded finish date is July 31, 1961. Wet (5/64″ tip top) and dry (4-1/2/64″ tip top) tips. Flamed cane, black screwlock seat over cork, very gently curved half Wells grip, tan wraps, hookkeeper, blued Super-Z ferrules, dry fly tip has distinct resourcinol glue lines at edges, unlike wet tip and butt. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: William Manierre July 6, 1961  Second flat: “Boat Rod”  8′  4.47 oz.  Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Butt is inked #3998 near stripping guide. One tip is inked #3998. The other tip is labeled #3998 DRY TIP. Original khaki bag with triangular flap and Champion-style tube. Built for William Manierre of Grosse Pointe Park. MJK catalog 59 (1992) and 60 (1992). Offered for sale on Rick’s Rods web site, January 2011. Offered for sale on Bob Summers’ web site, August 2015.

3999
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

39XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Flamed, tan/gold wraps, sliding band cork seat. MJK catalog no. 47 (1987).

4000
“Midge” model fly rod, built for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. I have a report that it was only six feet long, not the usual Midge length of 6’3″. But there is another record of the rod as measuring the usual 6’3″ length. 1.76 oz., dual bands over cork reel seat, 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps. Finish date: August 16, 1961. PHY greatly admired President Eisenhower, and considered naming the Midge Rods “Little Ikes.”

4001
“Midge” model fly rod. Built for G.M. Aiken of Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: August 16, 1961.

4002
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. 8’0″, 2/2, 3.90oz. Copper/gold wraps (Holland 319) over varnished and flamed cane. Horseshoe hookkeeper, cigar grip (lightly soiled), replacement green aluminum seat with black screwlock and pocketed cap (was originally skeleton reel seat #1 as seen in the PHY catalog). Wet (5/64″ tip top) and Dry (4-1/2/64” tip top) marked tips. Inked in Jack Young’s hand on three flats: C.M. Hemenway  /  ‘Parabolic 15′ 8FT 3.90oz  /  a Paul H. Young Co. rod.  Period red satin bag, proper Champion style tube. Found in a recently sold home. Hilton Head S.C. 2019. C.M. Hemenway lived in Chicago, IL. Finish date: August 21, 1961.

4003
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4004
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4005
Spin-Master, combination Fly Rod / Spinning Rod,
built for Harry Bedford. 8’0″, 2/1. Varnished and flamed. Long cork handled is flared at the ends. Black down lock over cork, pocketed end cap with Detroit stamp, dual bands to hold fly reel. Grip is soiled. No-foul guides, gold anodized ferrules. Inked on three flats in Jack Young’s writing: Harry Bedford / “Spinmaster” / a Paul H. Young Co. rod. This rod and Para 17 number 3881 were found in the basement of a recently purchased home (August 2018). Harry Bedford lived in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Finish date: September 20, 1961.

4006
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4007
Spin-Master,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod,

4008
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.76 oz. 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, Holland 319 thread wraps, 2-band cork seat,

4009
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.79 oz.  14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Holland 319 thread wraps, Cigar/Ritz grip, 2-band cork seat, original owner’s name (Gene Anderegg) in ink, one tip though intact has a repairable fracture 6 inches from tip top, bag and tube. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #262, sold for $1500 plus 10% buyer’s premium. Built for Gene Anderegg of Ridgewood, NJ. Finish date: November 20, 1961.

4010
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. 8’0”, 2/2, 4.02 oz.

4011
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.88 oz.

4012
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.83 oz.

4013
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 3.29 oz.

4014
“Driggs” model fly rod. 7’2″, 2/2, 3.22 oz.

4015
“Midge” model fly rod. 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.

4016
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. As of 2014, new half Wells cork grip and reel seat (dual black rings over cork) by Bob Summers. Black aluminum ferrules. Brown wraps. Lettered in gold ink, probably by Jack Young. On butt above grip: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  On butt near stripping guide: 4016  Original maroon satin bag, original Champion-style tube. Built for Jerry Wozniak, Detroit, MI. Finish date: January 4, 1962. Offered on R.W. Summers web site, April 2014.

4017
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.45 oz. Flamed varnished cane, black screwlock cork seat, 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, both tips have 6/64” tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps, original bag & tube. Built for Daniel H. Beekman of Somerville, NJ. Finish date: January 16, 1962. Lot #15, R.W. Oliver’s Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, sold for $900. plus 10% buyers premium.

4018
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2 (wet and dry tips), 4.12 oz.

4019
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2 (two dry tips), 4.03 oz.

4020
1962 Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 First flat: George Beall Feb. 21, 1962 Second flat: Martha Marie Model 7 1/2′ 3.40 oz.Third flat: Paul H. Young Co. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Built for George Beall, an expatriate American and member of Charles Ritz’s International Fario Club, who lived in southern France, married a French artist and had many children, fished in the Pyrenees and northern Spain, and authored magazine articles about the early fly fishing history of Spain. Described by “cwfly” as a minor executive with an oil company in 1940, Beall suddenly appears as a professor at Biarritz American University in southern France at the end of World War II. I suspect but cannot prove that he was involved in covert operations during World War II. Regarding PHY Martha Marie #4020: Detroit stamp butt cap. Black ink. Butt 2X2 node spacing, one tip 2X2, one tip 3X3. Rod is known to have been refinished at least three times: once by Lyle Dickerson, and twice (in 1990 and 2009) by Bob Summers, who added a replacement cork grip during the most recent refinish (the cork reel seat is original). Owned since 1990 by “quashnet” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Thanks to “baetisrodhani,” who translated Jean Paul Pequegnot’s obituary of George Beall from French to English; excerpts follow: “A tremendous fisherman, George Beall has passed away… at the age of 87… He fished with passion for over fifty years… He was a member of the Angler’s Club and of the Fly Fisher’s Club. He owned an extraordinary collection of beautiful split bamboo rods including a Garrison, a Gillum, several Dickersons and above all a line-up of Paul Youngs, who was his favorite maker, and a friend.” In a 1977 letter to Pennsylvania Angler magazine, written from his home (which he called “Dumbarton” – see below) in Anglet, France, George Beall said that he had known Paul and Martha Marie Young since the 1930s, and described his variation on the “Tricolor” fly pattern, which he tied and fished as a midge pattern. George Beall stayed in touch with Martha Marie Young and visited her from France after Paul Young’s death. Thanks to “cwfly,” from whom I learned that “Beall’s family was from Maryland – old Maryland – where his ancestor Beall had the original patent on what is now Georgetown. The patent was called by Col. Ninian Beall, “The Rock of Dumbarton” after his Scottish roots. Not surprisingly, George Beall attended Georgetown and later named his home in France Dumbarton.” George Beall’s father was F.F. Beall, vice-president in charge of manufacturing at the Packard Motor Car Co. in Detroit, who in 1921 joined with F.L. Klingensmith (former general manager of the Ford Motor Co.) to form the Gray Motor Corp. to make a four-cylinder car called the “Gray.” F.F. Beall’s primary contribution was development of the Gray’s engine. Other rods owned by George Beall that are listed in this database are #1961 (Para 16) and #3943 (Perfectionist). PHY Martha Marie 4020, including a photo of George Beall from an article he wrote for the Anglers Club of New York:

4021
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4022
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4023
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4024
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”,

4025
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4026
Spin-Master,
“Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 2/1, 3.35 oz.

4027
Spin-Master,
“Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 2/1, 3.60 oz.

4028
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4029
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4030
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, Dual bands over cork reel seat, 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule, two tips each with 4/64″ tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps. Marked 1-3/4 oz., recorded as 1.82 oz., and “rod weighs 2 oz. on our digital scale” (Rick’s Rods)! Original bag & tube. Built for Jesse F. Harold, MD of Lansing, MI. Finish date: April 13, 1962. Rick’s Rods web site, 2007.

4031
Spin-Master,
“J.C. Salyer” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 2/1, 3.29 oz.

4032 (see also 4395)
“Parabolic 15″ fly rod #4032 is known to me solely from a tip section. It is 4″ short. The existence of this tip was noted in 2009, as a third tip accompanying rod #4395 (which see), when sold at auction. Sold as Lot 47 for $2300 at Lang’s auction on April 7, 2009, coming from the collection of the late Martin J. Keane (MJK). Rod #4395  was sold as a three-tip rod because it included the third tip (the short 4” tip marked with serial number 4032). This tip originally came from “Parabolic 15″ model fly rod #4032, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.96 oz., screwlock reel seat, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, wet tip (5/64″ tip top) and dry tip (4-1/2/64” tip top), Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for Arthur J. Hobson of San Francisco, CA. Finish date: April 14, 1962…. In MJK catalog No. 89 (2005), Martin Keane offered for sale a rod with serial number given as 403X. It seems possible that it was this rod.

4033
Spin-Master,
“Lightweight Spin” spinning rod, 7’2″, 2/1, 3.75 oz. Built for James T. Yersky of Bloomfield, NJ. Finish date: April 16, 1962.

4034
Spin-Master,
Spin / Fly Combo Rod, 8’0, was 2/1, now 2/2 with extra tip built by Bob Summers, 5.22 oz. Flamed varnished cane, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 8/64″ tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps, spinning guides, all original. Inked on two flats, First flat: “Spin-Master” 8 FT 5.22 oz. Second flat: a Paul H. Young Co. rod Bob Summers estimates that no more than ten of these combination rods were made (see rod #2112 for another combo rod). For spinning, up to 8 lb line; for fly fishing, a DT6 fly line. Non-original bag. The adjustable-length tube may be original. Tubes of this type were sold at the Paul H. Young Co during the 1960’s. Built for John W. Chew of Arm Lynne, PA. Finish date: April 16, 1962. Offered for $875 on Bob Summers’ web site, December 2008. For Scott Davis, the purchaser, Bob Summers built an additional tip. Unlike the original tip (which is described as casting a fly line well, in spite of the spinning guides), the new tip was fitted with snake guides, and was signed and dated as a new tip by Summers. Offered for $1200, August 2009, Bill McRoy’s tackle catalog. Offered for $1400, September 2009, Bob Summers’ web site. Rod #4034 Spin/Fly:

4035
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.09 oz. Built for William Zeman of Cicero, IL. Finish date: April 23, 1962. Notes from original owner: “Note this rod was purchased by me on April 24, 1962. I know that because I had the screw cap for the rod tube engraved , “W___ Z___ Apr 24, 1962.” I was 21 years old when I purchased this rod and I drove from Chicago to Detroit to pick it up and drove back the same day. I can still remember meeting Mrs. Young and Jack Young when I went to the store and got the rod. 2pc-2tips, one tip 5/64 and the second tip is 41/2/64. The rod is signed on the 8′-4.09 oz. It has a downlocking screw lock reel seat which is stamped P H Young on the cap. Very fine original condition without any set in the butt or the tips. Original varnish is very good condition with original brown silk bag and original aluminum rod tube.”

4036
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.78 oz., built for R.H. Hollister. Dual aluminum rings over cork reel seat. Cigar grip. 13-12/64″ anodized aluminum step-down ferrules. Two tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Chestnut brown wraps (Holland 319). Butt inked on three flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: R.H. Hollister  Second flat: Perfectionist  7 1/2 FT  2.78 oz.  Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Owned by Philip Anderson, Madison, WI. Repairs to one tip. Butt 2X2 spacing, both tips 3X2X1 (each tip has one segment displaced relative to its mates). Built for R.H. Hollister of Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: April 23, 1962.

4037
Spin-Master,
“Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 2/1, 3.49 oz.

4038
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 2.24 oz. Cap and ring reel seat.

4039
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.84 oz. Dual rings over cork reel seat.

4040
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.87 oz. Dual rings over cork reel seat.

4041
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.82 oz. Varnished flamed cane, dual black bands over cork reel seat, cigar grip, bronze wraps (Holland 319), hookkeeper, 14/64″ black aluminum ferrules, two tips with 4/64″ tip tops, inked in Jack Young’s handwriting on two flats. First flat: “Perfectionist”  7 1/2 FT.  2.82 oz.  Second flat: Paul H. Young Co. Rod.  Maroon bag, Champion-style tube. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, quickly on hold at $4000., late May 2013.

4042
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.87 oz. Dual rings over cork reel seat.

4043
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 3.95 oz.

4044
Spin-Master, “Midge Spinmaster” model spinning rod, 5’5″, 2/1, 2.08 oz.

4045
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.63 oz.

4046
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.72 oz.

4047
“Parabolic 16″ model fly rod,  8’6”, 2/2, 5.44 oz. Described as “404X” by Martin J. Keane in an antique fishing tackle catalog listing. Flamed cane, dark olive/bronze wraps (Holland 319), 16/64″ Super-Z ferrules, both tips with 6/64″ tip tops, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, built with removal extension butt, however the extension butt was missing when seen by MJK, original bag, replacement tube. Built for R.A. Emmett of Birmingham, MI. Finish date: June 22, 1962. MJK catalog No. 80 (2000). MJK stated there were less than twenty Para 16’s listed in the original PHY records.

4048
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.84 oz.

4049
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.73 oz.

4050
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.21 oz.

4051
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.69 oz.

TWO RECORDS FROM THE SAME SOURCE EXIST FOR ROD #4052 – A “MIDGE” FLY ROD AND A “PERFECTIONIST” FLY ROD, FINISHED ON THE SAME DAY. I THINK IT IS CERTAIN THAT THE TWO RODS WERE LYING SIDE-BY-SIDE ON THE WORK BENCH, AND THE SAME SERIAL NUMBER WAS WRITTEN ON BOTH RODS:

4052 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.86 oz.

4052 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.80 oz.

4053
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.82 oz.

4054
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.08 oz.

4055
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 3.90 oz.

4056
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.87 oz.

4057
Spin-Master,
“Barney Fisher” model spinning rod, 6’4″, 2/1, 3.42 oz.

4058
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.78 oz.

4059
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.13 oz.

4060
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.79 oz.

4061
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.51 oz.

4062
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.57 oz.

4063
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.76 oz.

4064
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.74 oz. 14/64″ featherweight ferrule. Both tips have 4/64″ tip tops. Holland 319 thread wraps originally, but now revarnished so could be different. Original bag, tube. Built for Clifton Grow of Cleveland, OH. Finish date: September 25, 1962. Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction catalog.

4065
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  3.62 oz. One tip is broken. Varnished flamed cane, cap and ring over cork, 6” long Ritz/cigar grip with steep increase in diameter from back to front of grip. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Solid gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319). Butt inked in Jack Young’s handwriting on three flats. First flat: A.D. Ruedemann  Second flat: “M.M.Y. Model”   7 1/2’ FT.   3.62 oz.  Third flat: a Paul H. Young Co. rod  Inked 4065 on butt and tips. Satin bag. Built for A.D. Ruedemann of Detroit, MI. Finish date: September 27, 1962. Seen November 2020 on eBay.

4066
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.75 oz.

4067
“Parabolic 16″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.37 oz.

4068
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″  2/2  3.27 oz., built for C.E. Bernard of Birmingham, MI, believed to have been a Detroit auto executive, rod is unusually heavy due to additional half-ounce weight of a black screwlock reel seat; however, the rod also was equipped with lightweight aluminum ferrules. Unusual but examined by Marc Aroner and Per Brandin, and believed original. Pristine condition. Varnished, flamed cane. Black screwlock cork reel seat, solid half Wells cork grip, solid golden-tan wraps (Holland 319), black 14/13 aluminum ferrules, hookkeeper, inked in Jack Young’s handwriting. C.E. Bernard’s name is on the rod, plus on one flat “Perfectionist” 7’6″ 3.27 oz.  and on the next flat  A Paul Young Rod Co. rod  Each tip inked: #4068. Maroon satin bag with very little wear. Aluminum tube with gold anodized collar and aluminum top. Finish date: October 13, 1962.

4069
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.73 oz.

4070
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 3.96 oz.

4071
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.65 oz. or 2.70 oz. (?)

4072
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.08 oz.

4073
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  3.72 oz.

4074
“Standard Dry” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 3.89 oz.

4075
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.05 oz.

4076
Custom Casting rod using “Barney Fisher” spinning rod blanks,
3.53 oz.

4077
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, cut down to 8’6″ length, built with 2″ extension butt, 2/2, 5.85 oz.

4078
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  3.55 oz.

4079
Spin-Master,
“West’s Pet” model spinning rod, modified (to a fly/spin configuration?), 5.48 oz.

4080
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.16 oz., walnut spacer in reel seat instead of the usual cork,

4081
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.29 oz.

4082
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.35 oz.

4083
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3.74 oz. First flat: Richard Drukker Second flat: Martha Marie 7 1/2′ 3.74 oz. Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Lightly flamed, black screwlock cork seat, 14/64″ Super-Z blued ferrules, both tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, antique gold thread (Holland 319). Reel seat length is 3-5/8″. Length of the cork grip alone is 6-3/8″. Miked and found to have a regressive taper and smooth but distinctly parabolic action. Built for Richard Drukker of Passaic, NJ. Finish date: March 1, 1963. Owned at one time by Scott Davis of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4084
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.61 oz. Built for Howard Fetters of Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: March 1, 1963.

4085
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.13 oz. Built for Howard Fetters of Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: March 15, 1963.

4086
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.20 oz. Finish date: March 15, 1963. Owned by W___ Z___. Owner’s notes: “This rod was purchased by me the following year, 1963, after I purchased the first rod, the Para 15 [see #4035]. 2pc-2tips and both tips are 4-1/2/64. The rod is signed 7′-2″, 3.2 oz. It has a downlocking screwlocking reelseat which is stamped P H Young on the cap. Rod is essentially in mint condition. No sets and beautiful original varnish with original brown silk bag and original aluminum rod tube.” 

4087
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.36 oz. with dry tip, 5.52 oz. with wet tip. Finish date: March 15, 1963. Owned by W___ Z___. Owner’s notes: “This rod and the Driggs [see #4086] were purchased by me the following year, 1963, after I purchased the first rod, the Para 15 [see #4035]. Note the consecutive serial numbers on both rods. 2pc-2tips, one tip is a wet tip@6/64 and the second tip is 5/64 and is for dry fly work. The rod is signed 81/2′-5.36oz. It has a downlocking reelseat which is stamped P H Young on the cap. This rod is in essentially mint condition. No sets and beautiful original varnish with original brown silk bag and original aluminum rod tube.”

4088
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.68 oz. Dual black rings over cork. Mint condition with original cork ferrule plug, bag, tube. Lot #9, R.W. Oliver’s Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989.

4089
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.94 oz.

4090
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.78 oz.

4091
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.84 oz.

4092
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.83 oz.

4093
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.82 oz.

4094
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.77 oz.

4095
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 1.84 oz.

4096
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2.80 oz.

4097
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.19 oz., K.T. Keller model. Wet (5/64″ tip top) and dry (4-1/2/64″ tip top) tips. Flamed cane, gold ink writing. Black anodized Super-Z- type Alu-ferrules 17/64 th (? – should be 15/64″ Super-Zs). Black anodized screwlock reel seat. Built for and belonged to the late rodmaker and fly tier Preben Torp Jacobsen, of Aalborg, Denmark. Finish date: June 6, 1963. Reported by Wolfram Schott, rodmaker, from Germany.

4098
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.12 oz. Flamed cane, black ink writing. First line: “Parabolic 15” 8 FT. 4.12 oz. Second line: a Paul H. Young Co. rod Definitely not Summers’ writing; believe it is by Jack Young. Black anodized screwlock reel seat, cork spacer. Half wells grip. Gold wraps. Orig. bag & tube. Built for Norm Thompson (dealer), Portland, OR. Finish date: June 10, 1963. Seen at the Corsetti booth, Lang’s tackle show in Boxborough, MA, Nov. 2007. Also offered in Bob Corsetti’s catalog #44 (Fall 2007) for $2750. Also offered in Bill McRoy’s catalog (Fall 2008, Chelsea, MI) for $3095, then offered in Bill McRoy’s catalog (April 2009) for $2950.

4099
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2 2.78 oz. Dual black rings over a lightly soiled half wells grip. Varnished and flamed cane, gold wraps, 14/64″ black aluminum ferrules. One tip short by 3 inches at the tip top and sporting a few replaced wraps in brown and yellow. Inked in Bob Summers’ script on two flats:  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Perfectionist”  7 1/2  2.78 oz. Each tipped inked #4099 above the ferrule. Proper Champion style aluminum tube with replacement grey sock (3″ short). Built for Norm Thompson (dealer), Portland, OR. Finish date: June 10, 1963. Listed July 2020 on the Spinoza Rods web page for $1950.00

40XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2.75 oz. Gold/tan wraps, sliding band cork seat “has been inletted a bit deeper than usual, easily corrected” (?). MJK catalog no. 47 (1987).

TWO RECORDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES EXIST FOR ROD #4100 – A “BARNEY FISHER” SPINNING ROD AND A “MIDGE” FLY ROD:

4100 (duplicate number with rod below)
Spin-Master, “Barney Fisher” model spinning rod,
6’4″, 2/1, 3.54 oz., dual bands over cork, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, 6/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for F.G. Wright of Detroit, MI. Finish date: June 12, 1963.

4100 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  1-3/4 oz. Described as follows by Martin J. Keane in MJK Spring/Summer 1983 list: “Paul Young Midge 6’3″, 2/2,  1 3/4 oz. for #4 line, tan w/gold wraps, cork seat, 2nd tip has 2 1/2″ invisible wrap over impossible to detect imperfection. Exquisite rich dark tone cane, varnish is 99% perfect. A very rare and fine Midge. Serial No. 4100. $490.” Thanks to Steve Williams, “slw” of Classic Fly Rod Forum, for this information.

4101
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.76 oz. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips have 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. 

4102
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.72 oz.  Varnished, deeply-flamed cane. Black, pocketed cap with Detroit stamp and black screwlock reel seat over cork. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, tips have 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Ritz-style cork grip, tapering smoothly to greatest diameter at front of grip. Hookkeeper. Inked handwriting by Jack Young. First flat: Dave Jardine  Second flat: M.M.Y. Model  7 1/2 FT.  3.72 oz.  Third flat: A Paul H. Young Co. rod.  Butt and each tip also inked #4102. Gold/bronze wraps (Holland 319). Said to be original bag and tube. Built for Dave Jardine of Detroit, MI. Finish date: June 15, 1963. Listed in Adams Angling catalog 32 (1998). Offered on eBay, February 2016.

4103
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  1.89 oz.

4104
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2  1.89 oz. Black anodized 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules, black dual rings over cork, Wells grip, two tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Marked: “Midge 6’3” 1-3/4 oz. / A Paul H. Young Co. Rod on two flats. Holland 319 thread wraps. Original bag, tube. Built for Norm Thompson (dealer), Portland, OR. Finish date: June 27, 1963. I have seen this rod offered for public sale three times. R.W. Oliver, first High Rollers auction February 26, 1988, Marlborough, MA, lot 152; Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction catalog, lot 173 (sold for $2200 including buyer’s premium) ; offered in Adams Angling catalog 51 (2004).

4105
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.79 oz.

4106
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.75 oz.

4107
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2, 1.95 oz. 12/64″ ferrule, 4/64″ tip tops. Built for Edward Curcio, Bronx, NY. Finish date: August 15, 1963. One tip 7-1/2″ short, replacement all-metal cap & ring reel seat, when seen at Lang’s April 13, 2002 auction. Tired-looking rod sold for $400.

4108
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.78 oz.

4109
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4.51 oz.

4110
“Spin-Master,” spinning rod, 7’6″, 2/1, 6.97 oz.

4111
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.30 oz.

4112
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2, 1.80 oz.

4113
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.75 oz.

4114
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.75 oz.  Dual black rings over cork. Gold wraps (Holland 319) over flamed and varnished cane. Marked on four flats: Donald L. Shope / A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 3/4oz / Dec. 1963.  Built for Donald L. Shope of Marietta, PA. Finish date: December 5, 1963. Listed as partially restored with a new grip by Bob Summers. Original tube and red satin bag. Thanks to Vintage Fly Tackle June 2018. Listed for $2950.00.  In November 2018 a Perfectionist marked as being made in December 1963 was listed on Yahoo Japan for $3960.00. It is marked on three flats:  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 .75oz / Dec. 1963 and reportedly came in an original unmarked Champion tube with brass collar and red satin bag. I believe this rod is probably PHY Perfectionist #4114. Photos from Yahoo Japan:

4115
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, screwlock reel seat,

4116
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz., varnished flamed cane, black dual rings over cork seat, lightweight aluminum ferrules, probably original bag and tube. Built by Bob Summers, inked in his handwriting. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1.75 oz. The name of the first owner, Dwayne Wood (deceased), is also inked on the rod in Bob’s hand. Mr. Wood was from Beaverton, MI and purchased the rod directly from the Young shop. Reported by Jim Bresko of Coldwater Collectibles. (I have another record of Midge #4116 being built for O.S. Wood of Ann Arbor, MI with a finish date of December 7, 1963).

4117
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.10 oz.

4118
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.03 oz.

4119
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.07 oz.

4120
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.05 oz.,

4121
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.75 oz., Marked: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Martha Marie” / 7’6″ 3 ¾ oz. Lettering by Bob Summers. Black aluminum screwlock cork seat into stamped cap. Half-wells grip. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Gold silk (Holland 319), bronzed snakes. Deeply-flamed cane. Built for H.J. Kennedy. Finish date: December 10, 1963.

4122
“Driggs” model fly rod,  7’2″, 2/2, records show 3.05 oz. weight due to screwlock reel seat, but this does not match the present description. Was the rod reworked by Bob Summers?  Varnished, flamed cane. Cap and ring over cork reel seat (round, non-pocketed cap with diagonal knurling, scribed line, and “Detroit” stamp; ring knurled on both edges). Very subtle half Wells grip, so slightly shaped that it is nearly a straight grip. Inked by Bob Summers on two flats, First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Driggs 7’2″  2 7/8 oz.  Also inked #4122 on butt and each tip. Hookkeeper. satin bag and tube. Seen on eBay August 2011. Originally built for “Patterson,” Big Creek Lodge. Finish date: December 10, 1963.

4123
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.16 oz.,

4124
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  3.55 oz. Wells grip, sliding band cork seat, oil finish, flamed cane, two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top, orig. nylon bag & tube. Originally built for J.H. Bietenduefel, Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: December 10, 1963. MJK Catalog No. 59 (1992) and No. 66 (1994).

4125
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2,

4126
“Martha Marie” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,

4127
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2.75 oz. Finish date: December 24, 1963. Purchased 1964. Owned by W___ Z___. Owner’s notes: “This rod was purchased by me in 1964. 2pc-2tips I do not know the size of the tips, however they are whatever the standard size was for this rod. Aluminum ferrules and the reel seat is a featherweight all cork with two sliding bands. Very good condition without any sets and has beautiful original varnish. Original brown silk bag and original aluminum rod tube. Some wear on the cork handle because I have fished this rod quit a bit during the summer months.”

4128
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.08 oz.. Finish date: December 24, 1963. Purchased 1964. Owned by W___ Z___. Owner’s notes: “This rod was purchased by me, along with the Perfectionist [#4127] in 1964. Again note the consecutive serial numbers on these last two rods [see #4086 and #4087]. 2pc-2tips, one wet tip at 5/64 and the other is a dry tip at 41/2/64. The rod is signed 8′-4.08 oz. Downlocking reelseat stamped P H Young. Essentially mint condition. This rod has never been fished, although it has been cast on the lawn a few times.”

4129
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2, 1.83 oz.

4130
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2, 1.83 oz.

4131
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4 oz. Wet (5/64″ tip top) and dry (4-1/2/64″ tip top) tips. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Half Wells grip, blk. screwlock over cork seat, tan wraps, previous owner’s name (Eugene C. “Gene” Anderegg) in ink, bag and tube. Built for Gene Anderegg, NY. Finish date: January 12, 1964. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #263, sold for $2000 plus 10% buyer’s premium.

4132
“Parabolic 17” model fly rod,  8’6″, 2/2. Built for Gene Anderegg, NY. Finish date: January 12, 1964.

4133
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,

TWO RECORDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES EXIST FOR ROD #4134 – A “MARTHA MARIE” FLY ROD AND A “PERFECTIONIST” FLY ROD:

4134 (duplicate number with rod below)
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 4/2 four-piece pack rod format, built 1964, 7’6″, 4.02 oz., 0.327″ butt, oil finish, screwlock cork reel seat, Ritz grip, inscribed for first owner “Donald F. Valley,” a banker. Bought by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm from Art Neumann of Wanigas Rods on April 2, 1970; received by Mac from Art on April 9. Mac bought the Martha Marie for his wife – “our first Paul Young rod,” he told me – and was quite impressed by it (he must have been, as he went on to own about 25 Young rods over the years). Mac later met Donald Valley by accident at a sportsmen’s show, and was quite put off by the fact that Valley barely even remembered the rod.

4134 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/2,  3 oz. (2.80 oz. in another record).  Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat, half Wells grip, solid golden-tan wraps, inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Inking on two flats can be seen in photos. First flat: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  Second flat:  Perfectionist  7’6″  3 oz.  Butt and Additional photo very clearly shows that one tip is inked: #4134 and the other tip is inked: 4134. Was owned by Harmon Leonard, DVM. (In another record, originally built for Dr. James Wygal of Louisville, KY; finish date: March 24, 1964). Rod is described in Jeff Hatton’s book Rod Crafting (2005 edition).

4135
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, when I learned of it the rod was 2/1 (status of second original tip unknown), but as of June 2012 Bob Summers was building two new tips, the work was completed in October 2012, and the refinished rod was delivered to its owner in the UK as a 2/3 rod with the existing original tip about 1-1/4″ short, and two new tips, light and heavy, taking #5 and #6 lines, as built by Bob Summers. The last two owners of rod #4135 have been English; the rod has been fished on the chalk streams of Salisbury. Varnished, flamed cane, cigar grip, originally Bob Summers’ handwriting was inked on one flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, plus the original owner’s name: J.R. Prado. The rod was finished in late March 1964 and sent to Prado in France. The original owner’s name was removed in the refinish. The rod is now additionally lettered as follows: Refinished by R.W. Summers Oct. 2012 / M.M. Model 7’6″ 3.60 oz. One tip is labeled #4135 Heavy Tip; the others are each labeled #4135. Reel seat is cap and ring over cork. The cap is the round cap which seems to be less often seen than the pocketed cap in which the pocket is shaped to hold the reel foot. This round cap has a decorative knurled edge all the way around, the typical “Detroit” stamp, and a single inscribed line around the cap between the “Detroit” stamp and the base of the cap. The ring has raised, diagonally-knurled edges front and back. Status of original bag and tube unknown, but now the refinished rod is in a Paul Young Champion-style tube. On June 26, 2012 I watched Bob Summers making the two new tips in his shop in Traverse City, MI. PHY Martha Marie #4135, after refinishing:

4136
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 3.16 oz. 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Two tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for M.S. Palazzolo of Nixon, NJ. Finish date: March 30, 1964.

4137
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.27 oz. A heavyweight version marked “4.27 oz.” reportedly built with a .020″ thicker butt than usual. Special deluxe wraps, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, wet (5/64″ tip top) and dry (4-1/2/64″ tip top) tips, black screwlock cork reel seat, orig. brown nylon bag & tube. Built for M.S. Palazzolo of Nixon, NJ. Finish date: March 30, 1964. MJK Catalog no. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).

4138
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.90 oz.

4139
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.50 oz.

4140
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.75 oz. Built for Hazel Johnson of Detroit, MI, who for many years tied flies for the Paul H. Young Co. Varnished, mottle-flamed cane. Black, pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp. Black aluminum screwlock seat over cork. Half Wells grip. Gold wraps (Holland 319). Marked on three flats of butt section. First flat: Hazel Johnson  Second flat:  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat: “M.M.Y. Model” 7 1/2′  3.50 oz.  Also inked as #4140 on butt and each tip section. Lettering by Bob Summers. Maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. Finish date: April 3, 1964. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle.

4141
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2, Donald A. Lisenby

4142
“Valley Special” model fly rod,  7’0″, 2/2, 3.50 oz.

4143
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 3.55 oz.

4144
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.90 oz.

4145
“Driggs” model fly rod,  7’2″, 2/2, 3.19 oz.

4146
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.97 oz.

4147
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.84 oz.

4148
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 3.28 oz.

4149
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,  8’0″, 2/2, 4.21 oz.

4150
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.80 oz.

4151
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.70 oz.  Varnished and mottle-flamed cane. Black, pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp. Black aluminum screw-lock seat over cork. Half Wells grip. Gold wraps (Holland 319). 14/64″ blued ferrules. Two tips each with 5/64″ tip top. Rod appears unused or rarely so. Marked on two flats by Bob Summers: Martha Marie Model 7’6″   /  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod . Proper Champion tube with brass collar, red satin bag. Sold through V.L. & A., New York, NY. Finish date: October 16, 1964. Listed on Bob Summers’ website November 2018 for $4,000.00.

4152
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 2.75 oz. Dual bands over cork. 14/64″ featherweight ferrule, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for A.J. “Al” McClane, fishing editor of Field & Stream and noted angling author. McClane made his living by fishing, and was paid to try out every rod on the market. This Perfectionist was his favorite fishing rod of them all. Finished October 16, 1964.

4153
“Bob Doerr” model fly rod, 9’0″, 2/2

4154
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.58 oz.

4155
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.90 oz. Butt and one full length tip are of dark flamed cane. Second tip is 3-1/2″ short and is lighter cane. Cork seat with dual bands, cork grip, maroon wraps (re-wrapped? should be Holland 319), bronzed ferrules. Inked on three flats, First flat: “Tony Payson” Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Third flat: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz  Built for Anthony Payson. Finish date: November 25, 1964. Sold by Hoagy B. Carmichael years ago to the present owner, “JimP” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4156
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual bands over cork,

4157
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.68 oz.

4158
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.70 oz.

4159
Spin-Master, spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.30 oz.

4160
Spin-Master, spinning rod, 6’4″, 3.10 oz.

4161
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.93 oz.

4162
“Driggs” model fly rod,  7’2″, 2/2, screwlock reel seat

4163
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.90 oz., all sections extremely and heavily damaged when seen June 2012. Butt is missing all hardware and the butt end is torn away; originally the reel seat would have been dual rings over cork. Both tips are unusable; part of one tip is missing and the other tip has an extraordinarily clumsy “repair” gob of epoxy. Varnished flamed cane, mortised cork seat, cigar cork grip, black 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz   Red satin bag with holes in end. No tube seen. Originally built for Dr. Waterfall, Columbia, Indiana. Finish date: January 13, 1965.

4164
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.90 oz., varnished flamed cane, black dual rings over cork seat, 5-1/2″ cork grip, 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules, orig. bag, tube. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Originally built for Henry Ledyard of Detroit, MI. Finish date: January 13, 1965. Purchased by Dave Lyons of the Classic Fly Rod Forum from Bob Summers.

4165
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.57 oz.

4166
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.60 oz.

4167
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.72 oz.

4168
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.55 oz.

4169
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.50 oz.

4170
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.75 oz.

4171
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.68 oz.

4172
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4173
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.09 oz.

4174
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,  Varnished, flamed cane. Cap and ring over cork. 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Half Wells grip. Thread wraps: Holland 319. Built for Charles R. Albert. Finished February 18, 1965. Thanks to Ron Barch.

4175
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.05 oz.

4176
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 4.60 oz. Varnished flamed cane, black screwlock seat over cork, half Wells grip, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Two tips each with 5/64″ tip top, gold/bronze wraps (Holland 319). Lettered in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Boat Rod 8′ 4 1/2 oz. Butt and both tips are also lettered #4176.

4177
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2., dual bands over cork. 12/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps. One tip has a 3″ repair wrap near the tip top. Built for Walter Johnson. Thanks to Jeff Knapp.

4178
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,  2/2,  2.90 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip, solid golden-tan wraps (Holland 319), 14/64″ black aluminum ferrules. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: Gordon E. Gable  Second flat: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  Third flat: “Perfectionist” 7 1/2′  2.90 oz.  Butt and each tip inked: #4178. Maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. Built for Gordon E. Gable. Finish date: March 10, 1965. Offered by Vintage Fly Tackle, May 2016. #4178 Perfectionist:

4179
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Eugene Petruski.

4180
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, 4.10 oz.

4181
“Driggs” model fly rod,  7’2″,  2/2, 2.90 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork spacer. Subtly-shaped half Wells grip. Marked 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Golden-tan wraps (Holland 319). Inked by Bob Summers on three flats, First flat: Emily Ann Craig  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat: “Driggs” 7’2″  3.15 oz.  Also inked #4181 on butt and each tip. Hookkeeper, maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. Built for Emily Ann Craig, at that time of Kokomo, Indiana. Finish date: March 23, 1965. I corresponded with Emily Ann Craig in 2024; she wrote, “I graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a degree in medical illustration in 1976.  I worked as a medical illustrator for the Hughston Orthopaedic Clinic and Sports Medicine Foundation in Columbus Georgia until 1991. Then I sold my house and most of what I owned to go back to school where in 1994 I earned a Ph.D. in forensic anthropology at the infamous “Body Farm” in Knoxville, TN. I immediately a job as Kentucky’s forensic anthropologist, and just a few years later, I sold my rod to help get out from under what seemed like a mountain of student debt.”

4182
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.68 oz.

4183
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/2,  2.72 oz.

4184
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/2,  2.75 oz.

4185
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/2,  2.75 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip, solid golden-tan wraps (Holland 319), 14/64″ featherweight black aluminum ferrules, inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats. First flat: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7’6″ 2.75 oz.  Each tip has a 4-1/2/64″ tip top and is inked: #4185. Built for Castner Denton of Cresview, PA. Finish date: April 1, 1965. Shown to me by Bob Summers, June 2012. PHY Perfectionist #4185:

4186
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/2,  2.52 oz.

4187
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 2.87 oz. Screwlock reel seat. 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Each tip has a 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for C.V. David of Southgate, MI. Finish date: April 15, 1965. Owned by “lmcevers”, Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4188
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  3.14 oz.

4189
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, 3.65 oz. Screwlock reel seat.

4190
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,

4191
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.80 oz.

4192
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  2.75 oz. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black anodized aluminum reel seat rings over long cork reel seat that should accommodate older reels. End cork button is rounded. Cigar grip, made from eleven half-inch corks. Hookkeeper. Black 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules. Light brown (Holland 319) thread wraps are very close to cane color. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, second flat: “Perfectionist” 7’6″. Inked #4192 on butt and on each tip. Original condition with original, optional leather tube. Built for Harry Barad, New York, NY. Finish date: May 12, 1965. Shown to me by Fred Kretchman at SuperBoo 2016 in Fairfield, Maine.

4193
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4194
Serial number was intended for a “Perfectionist” model fly rod which may have never been built. It has not been added to the total number of rods in this list.

4195
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/3 (two original tips – one 3″ short – and a third, recently-made tip, all by Bob Summers). 2.62 oz. Built in June 1965 for Walter Bromley, who also owned PHY Midge #2106 (built 1956 by PHY). Varnished, flamed cane. Dual dark rings over sharply-mortised cork reel seat with cork button on end. Cigar/Ritz grip. Hookkeeper. 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules. Original tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Lettering that can be seen in photos includes the flat on which the hookkeeper is set, marked: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, and then the next flat includes the word: “Perfectionist”. Walter Bromley’s name is also inked on the rod. Bromley had a fishing camp on the Au Sable River in Michigan. All three tips are inked:  #4192. Offered for sale on Bob Summers’ web site, July 2016. Rod built in June 1965; Summers wrote (2016): “It is now fifty-one years later and I am working on a rod I worked on when I was twenty six years old.”

4196
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1.93 oz.

4197
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  2.93 oz.

4198
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  2.60 oz.

4199
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2,  2.75 oz. Dual rings over cork reel seat, 14/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrules, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, Holland 319 thread wraps. Records indicate only “KELLER”. Certainly this means that the rod was built for PHY patron K.T. Keller (27 November 1885 – 21 January 1966), President of Chrysler Corporation (1935-1950) and Chairman of the Board (1950-1956). Finished in June 1965.

41XX – not sure which Martha Marie rod this is.
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2  3.56 oz. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, half Wells grip with some age roughness, bronze wraps, name of the original owner inked on shaft. One tip has scarf repair that replaced four inches missing from that tip. Original bag and aluminum case. The grip has some slight age roughness, but is perfectly serviceable. Offered on Len Codella’s web site, seen February 2010.

4200
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.70 oz. Marked: A Paul H Young Rod / “Martha Marie” Model 7’6″ 3.70 oz. plus CK Lively‘ written on 4th flat in Lively’s handwriting. Originally built for angling author Chauncy Lively. A Dymo label still on the tube has a Grayling, MI address where Chauncy and Marion Lively had a house and would fish with Paul and Martha Marie Young. Another Dymo label on the cap reads “7 1/2’ M.M.” Now owned by Spruce Grouse of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, Holland 319 thread wraps. (All indications are that rod #4200 was built for Chauncy Lively, and yet there is a record indicating it was built for Dr. Cook of Rainier, OR; finished July 1965).

4201
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3.35 oz.,

4202
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 2.95 oz.,

4203
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 2.85 oz., varnished, flamed cane, maroon wraps (the result of a refinish? Was Holland 319 originally), black screwlock cork seat, half-Wells grip, hookkeeper, 13/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, cane inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, second flat: “Perfectionist” 7’6″. Inked #4203 on butt and on each tip. Also inked, From Rip to Bill, Dec. 1984. Originally owned by T.W. “Rip” Van Winkle, who gave it to William L. McCullough II M.D., thus the inscription. Now owned by McCullough’s son, James.

4204
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2, screwlock reel seat,

4205
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, 1.95 oz.

4206
“Texas General” (?) / “Special” (?) model fly rod, 8’6″ 2/2, 5.40 oz.

4207
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″ or possibly 8’0″ (?), 2/2, 4.20 oz., screwlock reel seat,

4208
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3.65 oz., screwlock reel seat,

4209
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″ 2/2, 2.85 oz., screwlock reel seat,

4210
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2, 4.68 oz., screwlock reel seat,

4211
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0” 2/2, 4.10 oz., screwlock reel seat,

4212
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4213
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz., dual bands over cork reel seat,

4214
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, dual black rings over mortised cork reel seat, half Wells grip unusual for this model and very attractive, solid golden-tan wraps (Holland 319), hookkeeper, inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7’6″ 3 oz.  Each tip inked: #4214. Built for P.D. Sams (?) of Midland, TX. Finish date: November 10, 1965. Thanks to Yamasemi T. of Japan.

4215
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.

4216
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.

4217
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.

4218
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.

4219
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.

4220
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, 3 oz.

4221
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4222
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2, screwlock reel seat (!),

4223
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2. For many years all I knew about this rod, courtesy of the late Richard Shelton, was that it was a Perfectionist. Additional info from a sales listing with photos on Marc Aroner’s web site: Varnished flamed cane, node arrangement is apparently 3X3, dual black rings over cork reel seat with enlarged cork button at ends to keep rings from sliding off, half Wells grip, hookkeeper, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Inked in Bob Summers’s handwriting, inking on two flats can be seen in photos. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7’6″ 3 oz. Built for Dr. F. Wreggelsworth of Milwaukee, WI. Finish date: December 1, 1965.

4224
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″ 2/2 (light dry fly rod with one tip with 4/64″ tip top, and one tip with 4-1/2/64” tip top).

4225
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 11/64″ featherweight aluminum ferrule,

4226
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 12/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, tan wraps (Holland 319), cigar grip, cork dual band reel seat, appears from photo to be varnished, flamed cane and to have original bag & probably original tube. Built for I.H. Bishop of Santa Barbara, CA. Finish date: December 10, 1965. Seen September 2008 on North West Classic Tackle web site, offered for $4450.

4227
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Butt measurement: 0.245″ Varnished, dual band reel seat, 12/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Holland 319 thread wraps. Build date: December 10, 1965, for Martin Emory of New York. Purchased from Martin J. Keane for $150 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm on June 29, 1971, received July 6, 1971. Mac sent the rod to the PHY Co. shop for ferrule straightening. It was returned to Mac with his name inscribed – no charge for the work. Mac first fished the rod on September 11, 1971 and got three trout on a #16 Wonder Bug. In July 1975 Mac installed a hookkeeper on the rod, worked on the female ferrule, and also carved a thumb indentation in the grip. Mac sold this Midge on September 20, 2000 for $2200.

4228
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, Col. Henry Siegel.

4229
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2

4230
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2

4231
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, built with two dry fly tips (4-1/2/64″ tip tops). 15/64” Super-Z ferrule. Screwlock reel seat. Holland 319 thread wraps. Built for Forest Ellis (?) of Detroit, MI. Finish date: January 12, 1966. Thanks to Carl Heuter of Wanigas Rod Co. for information.

4232
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2

4233
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2

4234
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, two dry fly tips each with 4-1/2/64” tip top,

4235
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4236
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2, screwlock reel seat (!)

4237
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3 oz., near mint condition, dark mottled cane, dual rings over cork reel seat, marked 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips each with 4/64″ tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: James Higgins  Second flat: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  Third flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ 3 oz. (weighs exactly 3 oz.) Original bag and tube.  Built for James Higgins of Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: January 15, 1966. Thanks to Charles F. Vaden.

4238
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Flamed cane, black dual bands over cork reel seat, tapered cork grip, golden-brown wraps (Holland 319), nickel silver 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Two tips each with 4/64″ tip top. Handwriting by Bob Summers on one flat can be seen: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, also the serial numbers are in Summers’ handwriting. Original reddish bag, probably original tube. Offered for $3895 on Bob Selb’s tackle web site, February 2010. Built for Arnold Salud (?), Illinois. Finish date: January 21, 1966.

4239
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, Norm Miller.

4240
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″,  2/2. Ritz grip, black downlocking screwlock seat, cork spacer. 15/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64” tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps. Hookkeeper. Summers’ handwriting. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: “Parabolic 15”  8′  4 oz. Butt is marked #4240 near stripping guide. Each tip is marked #4240 near male ferrule. Built for Ed Collins of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Finish date: January 26, 1966. Offered Sept. 2011 for $3500 on Bob Summers’ web site.

4241
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, Dr. Reuben Craig

4242
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 8’6”, 2/2, 5.50 oz.

4243
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod. 8’6″, 2/2, built for David R. Steward of Hinsdale, IL. Varnished flamed cane, pocketed butt cap, black screwlock mechanism over cork reel seat, removable extension butt. 17/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Two tips each with 6/64” tip top. Solid, half Wells cork grip. Solid gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319). Lettering is by Bob Summers. Butt is marked on three flats. First flat: ”David R. Steward”  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat: “Parabolic 17″  8’6”  5.50 oz  Rod is also marked #4243. Brown bag with hood flap and lighter-colored edging. Champion-style tube. Finish date: February 16, 1966. David R. Steward (1933-1998) lived almost his entire life in Hinsdale, Illinois. A veteran of the Korean War, Steward served in the Air Force. He worked in sales for Central Steel and Wire in Chicago. Steward was an avid fly fisher, who owned many fishing rods, reels and other tackle. Much of his vacation time was spent on fly-in trips to Canada, and fishing in Michigan. He was also a skilled woodworker, with his own well-equipped wood shop. His nephew, Jim Preen, recalls that his Uncle Dave once built a boat in his basement, and had to remove a door frame to get it outside. Although he built some fly rods, Steward mostly concentrated on fine quality wood projects. He bought a 1965 Ford Mustang, and owned it for the rest of his life. Thanks to Jim Preen for this information about his uncle, David R. Steward.

4244
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod. Built February 1966. 8’0”, 2/2, built for David R. Steward. Varnished flamed cane, pocketed butt cap, black screwlock mechanism over cork reel seat. Solid, half Wells cork grip. Solid gold-bronze wraps. Lettering is by Bob Summers. Rod is marked #4244. Brown bag with hood flap and lighter-colored edging. Champion-style tube. Finish date: February 16, 1966.  David R. Steward (1933-1998) lived almost his entire life in Hinsdale, Illinois. A veteran of the Korean War, Steward served in the Air Force. He worked in sales for Central Steel and Wire in Chicago. Steward was an avid fly fisher, who owned many fishing rods, reels and other tackle. Much of his vacation time was spent on fly-in trips to Canada, and fishing in Michigan. He was also a skilled woodworker, with his own well-equipped wood shop. His nephew, Jim Preen, recalls that his Uncle Dave once built a boat in his basement, and had to remove a door frame to get it outside. Although he built some fly rods, Steward mostly concentrated on fine quality wood projects. He bought a 1965 Ford Mustang, and owned it for the rest of his life. Thanks to Jim Preen for this information about his uncle, David R. Steward.

4245
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.50 oz.  Flamed cane of exceptional appearance, black screwlock cork reel seat with black butt cap and with small, removable fighting butt, half Wells grip, golden-bronze wraps (Holland 319) similar to cane color, gold anodized surface on 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips each with 6/64” tip top, bright silver tip top guides. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Parabolic 17  8’6″ 5.50 oz.  Butt is marked #4245 near stripping guide. Each tip is marked #4245 near base of male ferrules. Champion-style tube, blueish-beige bag with brown piping. Tube cap has orange circular sticker applied, with following inking (by an owner named Catlett?): P.H. YOUNG Co.  “PARA 17”  8 1/2′ – 2 PC – 2 TIPS  5 1/2 OZ – LW 9.  SN.-4245  CATLETT. Sold to Greg Bin (?), May 10, 1966. Was offered in MJK Catalog No. 55 (1990) for $1800. Detailed info from web offering, Gary Siemer’s “Vintage Fly Tackle” site, July 2013, offered for $1950. In 2014, offered by Wanigas Rod Co., thank you to Carl Heuter for photos. In 2016, offered by Bill McRoy for $2150.

4246
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, 5.50 oz.  Built in February 1966.  Reported that in the PHY ledger book this rod is listed as follows: Weight 5.50 oz, fer 17/64, thread 319, tip top 6/64, made for Walter Johnson, Seattle, built Feb 1966. (However, Walter Johnson’s name is crossed out and Clifton Grow’s name, of Ohio, appears to have been substituted in pencil. It does look like Grow received the rod). Flamed cane, black screwlock reel seat over cork, black butt cap is pocketed type with “Detroit” stamp, half Wells grip, Holland 319 thread wraps, marked 17/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips each with 6/64″ tip top, rod inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, butt is inked on two flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: Parabolic 17  8’6″  5 1/2 oz.  Butt is marked #4246 near stripping guide. Each tip is marked #4246 near base of male ferrules. Bag may not be original. Cortland aluminum tube is not original. Seen on eBay January-February 2011, sold for $2275.

4247
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, Dr. Rich Goodkind.

4248
“Princess” model fly rod, 7’0″, 2/2, 2.79 oz.

4249
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 3.72 oz.

4250
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4251
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black aluminum rings over cork reel seat. Cork grip has a long taper in front much like an Orvis Superfine grip. Thread wraps (Holland 319) slightly darker than cane color. Truncated 12/64″ Super-Z-type ferrules. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Inked on three flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: “Erwin S. Edelman”  Second flat: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  Third flat: Midge  6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  Butt inked #4251 near stripping guide. Each tip is inked #4251 near the male ferrule slides. Replacement bag, original dented Champion-style tube. Built for Erwin S. Edelman of New York, NY. Finish date: March 18, 1966. Offered for $3575, Spring 2016, by Bill McRoy. Offered for $2995 on Jim Bresko’s Coldwater Collectibles site, late 2016.

4252
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Solid cigar grip, made from ten-and-a-half 1/2″ cork rings, tapers much more steeply toward the front that is usual on a Young rod (almost like an Orvis Superfine grip). Solid golden-tan (Holland 319) wraps. Marked, truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two non-adjacent flats: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  and  Midge  6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  Butt inked #4252 near stripping guide. Each tip is inked #4252 near the male ferrule slides. Maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. Built for Castner Denton of Ohio. Finish date: March 18, 1966. Shown to me by Bob Summers, June 2012. Late in 2013, PHY Midge #4252 was offered through Gary Siemer’s Vintage Tackle web site. Gary reported that the rod weighs 2.05 oz. on his scale. Photos courtesy of Gary Siemer of Vintage Fly Tackle. PHY Midge #4252:

4253
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4254
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4255
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Solid, slender cigar grip. 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Holland 319 thread wraps. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two adjacent flats: A Paul Young Rod Co. Rod  and  Midge  6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  Maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube with well-preserved Young paper label still on tube near cap. Built for Dr. David Grow of Kingston (?), PA. Offered December 2015 through Bob Selb’s Classic Fly Fisherman web site.

4256
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,  2/2. Dr. C.S. O’Brien.

4257
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,  2/2. Mrs. C.A. Siebert.

4258
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4259
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4260
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4261
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″,  2/2. Screwlock reel seat.

4262
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,  2/2. Dr. C.S. O’Brien.

4263
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2, 1-3/4 oz.

4264
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/3, 3 oz.  Three tips. Two are original (one short 4″), the third tip apparently made at a later date. Refinished. Varnish over brown wraps (some of the original gold wraps remain on guides of the short tip). 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Script by Bob Summers remains intact on the butt. One tip still bears the serial number inked by Summers. Inked on two flats of the butt: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  /  Perfectionist 3OZ 7’6″  .Unusual flared half wells grip with single knurled aluminum ring over cork seat (does not look original). Garrison style hookkeeper. Proper Champion tube/cap with a later white and blue plaid bag. Originally built for Jeffrey Goodman of Port Chester, NY. Finish date: April 11, 1966. Listed on the website VintageFlyTackle.com September 2019 for $2,495.00. PHY Perfectionist #4264:

4265
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 3 oz.

4266
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″, 2/2, 3 oz.

4267
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,  2/3.  Three tips. Two are original, the third is a “wet” tip. Original owner Joe Lehner of Denver, CO sent the rod back to Jack Young to make the wet tip. Writing on the wet tip: 4267 wet . The number 4 is open – not like the originals that are a closed 4 triangle. The wet tip is not mirrored to the original tips with regard to guide position. Butt and all tips are 2×2 node spacing. Lettered in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: Joe Lehner Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod   Third flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 1/2 oz.  Butt and both tips are also lettered #4267. Black anodized 14/64″ Super Z ferrules. Tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Blued guides, dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip. Gold wraps. Original tube. Finish date: April 18, 1966. Reported by CT Trout of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4268
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4269
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4270
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4271
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4272
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4273
“Perfectionist” model fly rod,  7’6″,  2/2.  Varnished, flamed cane. 14/64″ Super Z ferrules, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip. Gold wraps (Holland 319). Lettering in Bob Summers’ handwriting can be seen on one flat. “Perfectionist” 7’6″ 3 oz.  Butt and both tips are also lettered #4273. Maroon satin bag and original tube. Built for William Lee Waters of Southfield, MI. Finished: May 1966. Offered for $3700 on Bob Summers’ web site, April 2010.

4274
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4275
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,  2/2,

4276
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2. Wet (5/64″ tip top) and dry (5/64” tip top) tips, built for L.R. Aufderheide of Northville, MI. Finished May 12, 1966. Here is Mr. Aufderheide’s description of the rod: “I’m the original owner of a Parabolic 15, built summer, 1966 at the Young shop on Eight Mile Road in Detroit. Jack Young walked me through the process, made recommendations, etc., and Bob Summers built the rod. The flats are inscribed as follows:  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod —  “Parabolic 15”  8′ 4 oz. — “L.R. Aufderheide”  The serial number, 4276, is written just below the stripping guide. There are two tips, one dry, one wet, and the serial number is repeated above the ferrule on both. In addition, the dry tip is marked as such. The rod presents oiled, flamed cane, half-wells grip, cork reel seat, brown guide wraps. Varnish covers inscriptions as listed above. It resides in the original maroon satin sleeve and aluminum tube with machined cap. The tube has minor dents and scratches. The rod had a humble beginning, used for bluegills in SE Michigan lakes before I took it to the North Branch of the Ausable, where I fished it for about 40 years. The one exception led to a minor disaster the year after it was built. On the Upper Peninsula’s Fox River (which Ernest Hemingway called the Big Two-Hearted in his fishing story) I stupidly bent the tip in the wrong way while rubbing with a rag and the cane partially split. On returning to Detroit, I took it to the Young shop and Summers, with a look of obvious disgust that I can still see today, repaired it. So, the dry tip has 1 3/4 inches of matching brown wrap just below the tip top wrap. I’ve fished it without problems since 1967. In 2008, I visited Summers in northern Michigan and he appraised it, in writing, at $3000.”

4277
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4278
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4279
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4280
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4281
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”, 2/2,
4282
“Parabolic 15” model fly rod,
4283
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″
4284
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip tapering toward front, gold-bronze wraps (Holland 319), truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Female ferrule is fitted with a protective cork plug. Butt section inked on at least two flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Midge”  6’3”  1 3/4 oz.  Each tip is marked #4284  Maroon satin rod bag and Champion-style tube. Built for Alford Clements of Old Chatham, NY. Finish date: October 18, 1966.
4285
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4286
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4287
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,

4288
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2 Handwriting on two flats; First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second Flat: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz. Serial number 4288 is on the flat just below the stripper guide, and on each of the two tips, just above the male ferrule. 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Holland 319 thread wraps. Original bag and tube. Built for J. Lapp of Minneapolis, MN. Finish date: October 19, 1966. “Perry” wrote: “This was my first bamboo rod. The guy I got it from said he bought it at the Young shop in Detroit, he thought in the 60’s, and then he never used it. I bought it (I would be embarrassed to name the price I paid) in 1982.” Reported by “Perry”, Classic Fly Rod Forum, December 2006.

4289
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,

4290
“Midge”model fly rod, 6’3”, 2/3  Three tips: one original full length tip marked #4290, one original tip short about 5 inches and also marked #4290, and one unnumbered tip made later as a replacement for the broken tip. The original owner wrote the following description: “My first bamboo and thereby first PHY, purchased in 1966 with much inspiration from Arnold Gingrich’s chapter ‘Paul Young and the Midge’ in his 1965 book The Well-Tempered Angler. The price I believe was $100-110. In 1968, my awkward cast nicked the tip about 5 inches from the top, eerily reminiscent of Gingrich’s breakage of both tips of his Midge. I remember speaking with Jack Young to learn what might be done about the broken tip and he told me to just send it in to him and he would see what might be done, which I did in late 1968 along with an order for a Perfectionist. Bob Summers, I believe, retipped my broken tip, just as had been done with Gingrich’s tips, and it was returned to me with a new unnumbered tip and a bill for $20, hence the three tips listed above. For these and other personal reasons, this is my most cherished PHY.” The writer also owned #4469 Perfectionist, #4523 Para 15, and #4587 Martha Marie, 4-piece pack rod format. Built for Jerome Eaton of New Jersey. Finish date: October 27, 1966.

4291
“Parabolic 15″model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2.

4292
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4293
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4294
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4295
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4296
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4297
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”,
4298
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3”, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Varnished flamed cane. Truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops, Holland 319 thread wraps, cigar grip, dual black rings over cork reel seat. Handwriting on two flats, First Flat: Paul H. Young Co. Midge Second Flat: 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz.  HEH  Described as having only been fished on Michigan’s Pere Marquette River by its one owner. Maroon satin bag & Champion-style tube, probably original. Built for E.J. Collins of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Finish date: November 17, 1966. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, June 2011, offered for $4000.

4299
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

42XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 3 oz. (heavier than usual), varnished, flamed cane, golden-tan wraps, cork sliding band seat, cigar grip, Super-Z ferrules, orig. bag & tube. MJK Catalog No. 44 (1986). A rod of the same description, which may be this same rod, was listed in MJK Catalog No. 58 (1991).

42XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 with 0.275″ diameter butt, varnished, flamed cane, bronze wraps with hi-arc guides, cork dual band seat, Wells grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, incorrect bag, orig. tube. Consecutively numbered with next rod. MJK Catalog No. 78 (1999).

42XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/1 with 0.275″ diameter butt, varnished, flamed cane, bronze wraps with hi-arc guides, cork dual band seat, Wells grip, blued Super-Z ferrules, replaced bag, Young tube is 2″ too long. Consecutively numbered with previous rod, of which it is an exact duplicate, except that there is one tip, not two. Has tiny repair to cork butt. MJK Catalog No. 78 (1999).

4300
“Parabolic 15″model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2.

4301
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″,

4302
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4303
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4304
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4305
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4306
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4307
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4308
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, tan wraps, cigar grip, dual black rings over cork reel seat, truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops,  original maroon satin bag & Champion tube. Lettered on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Midge  6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  Built for Fred Walker of Cleveland, OH. Finish date: November 29, 1966. Last known owner was a Classic Fly Rod Forum board member.

4309
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2

4310
“Texas General” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2

4311
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4312
“Parabolic 15″model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2.

4313
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″,

4314
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, gold wraps (Holland 319), cigar grip, dual black rings over cork reel seat, truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips each with 4/64″ tip tops, original maroon satin bag & Champion tube. Lettered on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Midge  6’3″  1 3/4 oz.  Built for J. Zolnoski in Connecticut. Finish date: December 7, 1966. Listed on Jeff Wagner’s site in 2018: “ferrules still snug, varnish good, some wraps a little dry, slight cork ridging, rod is straight and tight overall with just the slightest fishing set(?) in one tip. $3900.  PHY Midge #4314:

4315
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″,

4316
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″

4317
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2. Marked: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Martha Marie” Model 7’6″ 3 5/8 oz. Lettering by Bob Summers. Blk. Alum. Screwlock cork seat into stamped cap. Half-wells grip. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules, two tips each with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Gold silk (Holland 319), bronzed snakes. Deeply-flamed varnished cane. Built for Ken Slocum of Glens Falls, NY. Finish date: December 8, 1966. Adams Angling cat. 32 (1998).

4318
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4319
“Powerhouse” model fly rod. 9’6″, 2/2. Varnished and lightly flamed cane, gold/copper color wraps (possibly Holland 317?), loop hookkeeper. Half Wells grip with black anodized downlock over cork seat, bright finish cap is pocketed. Bulbous 3″ extension butt appears original. Cork shows faint soiling. ‘No foul’ guides on the tips. Bright nickel silver 19/64″ ferrules. North tips with 7/64″ tip tops. Inked in Bob Summers’ script on three flats (the first flat not visible):  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  /  “Powerhouse” 9’6″ 7 1/4 oz. 19/64 Fer.  Built for Hugo J. Wichmann of Rugby, TN. Finish date: December 9, 1966.  Period aluminum Champion tube in brush finish with brass collar. Green canvas bag. Listed November 2018 on Bob Summers’ web site for $2,500.00. Caption on listing states “Built 1966 there were only six powerhouse model’s made. Paul Young developed this rod when he was fishing Florida 1940 to mid 1950’s. He made the blanks and I did final assemble in 1966“. The rod appears in lightly used condition.

4320
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4321
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4322
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz., built in December 1966 for W.M. Walker III of Grosse Pointe, MI.  Varnished, flamed cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, ring edges are knurled front and back, cigar grip that tapers toward the front end somewhat like an Orvis superfine grip, truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, both tips have 4/64″ tip top, gold-tan wraps (Holland 319). Summers’ handwriting on two flats, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz.  Also marked #4322 on butt near stripping guide. Maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. Accompanied by the original bill of sale written out by Martha Marie Young, and signed with her mark, an encircled-M. Walker paid $110, plus $4.40 tax. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site, September 2015.

4323
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4324
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4325
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, W.K. McLeod, Jr.

4326
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, W.K. McLeod, Jr.

4327
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2″, 1-3/4 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane, dual black rings over cork reel seat, cigar grip, truncated 12/64″ Super-Z ferrules, both tips have 4/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. Summers’ handwriting on two flats, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz.  Also marked #4327 on butt and each tip. Described as replacement bag & original tube in earlier listing, original Young bag and Champion tube in eBay listing. Built for Robert Priel of Kearney, NJ. Finish date: January 3, 1967. Was listed on Bud Frasca’s Northwest Tackle web site. August 2007: listed on Rick Sorenson’s West Slope Classic Fly tackle site, initially asked $4250., sold for $3800. Sold for $2976. on eBay through Hoagy Carmichael, November 2011.

4328
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 2-3/4 oz. Fast-tapered cigar grip, 5-3/4″ long. Overall grip and reel seat just shy of 8’3/4″ in total length. 14/64″ Super-Z ferrules, both tips have 4/64″ tip top, Holland 319 thread wraps. Originally built for Robert Conner of Utica, NY. Finish date: January 3, 1967. Purchased used from Thomas & Thomas for $395 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm in July 1978. Mac sanded the forward edge of the reel seat to get a Hardy reel foot squeezed into place. Rod was sold by Mac on April 30, 1982 for $600.

 

4329
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Marked: First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second Flat: Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. #4329 lettered near stripper guide on butt, and at base of male ferrule on each tip. Summers’ handwriting. Gold wraps. Photos seen at a Yahoo! Japan site: blogs.yahoo.co.jp/captainbamboo.

4330
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Listed on Bud Frasca’s Northwest Tackle web site, September 2007, offered for $4550. Flamed cane, dual ring cork seat, bag and tube.

4331
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, gold/bronze wraps, blued aluminum ferrules, black dual-bands over cork seat, cigar grip tapers to the cane in front,. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second Flat: Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. The serial number #4331 is lettered near stripper guide on butt, and at base of male ferrule on each tip. Cloth bag with darker piping, Champion-style tube. Offered for $4800 on Bob Summers’ web site, October 2009.

4332
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4333
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4334
Perfectionist 7’6″, 2/2, 2 3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, gold wraps, black anodized aluminum ferrules, black dual-bands over cork seat tapers to a half wells grip. The rod shows minimal wear with light soiling to the grip. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 3/4 oz. The serial number #4334 is lettered near the stripper guide on butt, and at base of the male ferrule on each tip. Proper red satin bag and brass collared Champion tube. Listed on eBay December 2018 for $3,200.00 BIN with a period PHY catalog.

4335
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4336
Para 17, marked as 8’6″ but actually built as an 8’9″ rod; the butt section is three inches longer than both tips. The cork grip is also unusually long (8.5″) and unusually shaped, tapering toward the front. Owner’s name R. Angelo inked on butt; perhaps he ordered the rod’s special features. Also inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second Flat: Parabolic 17  8’6″  5.40 oz. The serial number #4336 is lettered on butt, and at base of male ferrule on each tip.  Varnished, flamed cane, gold/bronze wraps, gold coated base of male ferrules, black screwlock cork seat. Cloth bag with darker piping, probably original. Tube with cap attached by chain, possibly not original, or possibly obtained specially for this unusual-length rod.

4337
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4338
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4339
Perfectionist. Original owner was Bob Church, in 1966 or 1967 (see rod #4378). Bob Church was the real estate agent who found the commercial property that the Paul H. Young Co. moved into when the company moved from the Detroit area to Traverse City, MI. Bob Church also wrote a book titled Fly Fishing the Manistee (undated, I have seen the publication date cited as 1976) in which Church talks about Bob Summers and Paul Young. Present owner received rod #4339 from Bob Church in 1969 or 1970. Bob Summers rebuilt #4339 to original specs in 1980. Varnished cane. Half Wells grip, dual rings over cork, Super-Z ferrules. First flat: A Paul H.Young Co. Rod Second flat – Perfectionist 7′ 6” 2 1/2 oz HEH

4340
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Cigar grip, downlocking screwlock seat, cork spacer. Wet & dry tips, each separately marked, original bag and tube (with no cap). Lot #12, R.W. Oliver’s Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, sold for $1100. plus 10% buyers premium.

4341
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4342
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4343
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4344
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4345
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4346
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4347
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4348
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4349
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2,

4350
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4351
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Cigar grip, downlocking screwlock seat, cork spacer. Wet & dry tips. Dry tip has red spiral wrap at ferrule and tip. Summers’ handwriting. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz. eBay March 2007. In 2008, seen at http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/captainbamboo/folder/545358.html, a Japanese site.

4352
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, screwlock reel seat, 15/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips with 5/64″ tip top (wet parabolic tip) and 4-1/2/64” (dry fly) tip top. Built for William Gray of Yakima, WA. Finish date: June 10, 1967.

4353
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual bands over cork, 14/64″ Super-Z ferrule, two tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Built for Neil Goodrich of Ann Arbor, MI. Finish date: March 15, 1967.

435X
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Consecutive serial number to Perfectionist below; don’t know order. Dark, flamed cane, gold/bronze wraps, blued lightweight ferrules, dual-band cork seat, cigar grip, 1-3/4 oz. MJK catalog no. 72 (1997).

435X
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Consecutive serial number to Midge above; don’t know order. Dark, flamed cane, tan/bronze wraps, blued lightweight ferrules, 0.275″ butt measurement, tips 1″ and 2-3/4″ short. MJK catalog no. 72 (1997).

4354
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane. Dual black bands over cork reel seat with cork button on end. Cigar shape cork grip flows smoothly from cork reel seat. Brown solid wraps on butt and one tip; golden-bronze wraps on other tip, which is 3″ short. Super-Z ferrules. Butt is inked on three flats (by Todd Young?): First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Perfectionist Model  Third flat: 7’6″  2 1/2 oz.  eBay seller wrote that the rod was sent back to the PHY Co. shop to have guides replaced, and Bob Summers did the work. The tip that is 3″ short is inked #4354 in Bob Summers’ handwriting, while the other, full-length tip is inked #4354 in the same handwriting as seen on the butt. Replacement maroon bag, original Champion-style tube with part of the paper PHY shop label still attached. Seen on eBay December 2013.

4357
1966? Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Golden-bronze wraps, black aluminum ferrules, 5″ cigar grip, dual black bands over mortised cork seat, hookkeeper. Inked on two flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: Midge  6’3″  1 3/4 oz. Listed in MJK No. 62 (1993). Owned by Kaneman1 of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4360
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4361
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4362
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4363

Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Built 1967. Shop log build date: April 15, 1967, built for Tom Ciemiega of Detroit, Michigan. Butt measurement: 0.307″. Rod was originally varnished cane, sliding ring. Bought used by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm for $155, in September 1972 from Len Codella. On May 10, 1973 (first date Mac fished it?), North Branch of the Au Sable, first fish a 10-1/2″ brown trout on a #14 Muskrat nymph. A new ventilated half Wells grip and an oil finish were put on the rod. A ferrule repair was made by Bob Summers. On August 31, 1975 a thumb indentation was added to the grip. This rod was sold for Mac by Hoagy Carmichael in 1984; Mac received $668. This rod is also known from a listing in MJK Catalog No. 59 (1992). Noted attributes were 3-1/2 oz. weight, oil finish, flamed cane, ventilated wells grip w/thumbprint, screwlock cork seat, orig. nylon bag & tube.

4364
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4365
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4366
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4367
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4368
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2. Butt and each tip are all numbered 4368. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Black screw lock reel seat over cork. Seen at a Michigan auction. Thanks to brooksriver of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for this report.

4369
Para 15 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, 15 ferrule, built for Henry Coe, NY (a location on Long Island?). From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4370
1967 date. Midge 6’3″, reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule 12, tiptop 4-1/2, thread 319, built for Harry Murray, Edinburg, VA, almost certainly the fly fishing author. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4371
1967 date. Para 15 8’0″ 2/2, original maroon bag and tube. Summers’ inked writing. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 8 FT 4 oz. Offered by Bob Summers August 2007 for $3500. Offered on eBay by Hoagy B. Carmichael (“lordfly”) July 2008. Black screwlock cork seat, ferrule 15, thread 319, built for A.J. Crielo (?) who also bought #4397, a Perfectionist. Info about original owner from PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4372
1967 date. Martha Marie 7’6″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 14, thread 319, original owner was from Rochester, NY. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” This must be the rod listed as “437X” in two MJK catalogs: first, MJK catalog 51 (1989), Martha Marie 7-1/2′ 2/2 3-3/4 oz. “2nd tip custom matched by Todd Young,” Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, tan-green wraps, black fittings, blued guides, original tube, replacement bag – and then MJK catalog 80 (2000) which says of this “darkly flamed rod” that the “second tip is orig. Young replacement by company due to damage in shipping, its bronze-like wraps are slightly darker.”

4373
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Super-Z ferrules, size 14; cigar grip, 2-band cork seat, tan wraps (from the ledger, the thread was #319), about mint in bag and tube. Catalog of R.W. Oliver, Second High Roller Auction, held February 24, 1989. Rod was lot #261, sold for $3500 plus 10% buyer’s premium. On the PHY Co. ledger page #36 (courtesy “thorney”), this rod is shown as originally built for Ken Thomas of Yorktown, NY. A Perfectionist listed in MJK catalog 86 (2003) as Perfectionist #437X, 7-1/2′ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. 0.275″ butt Sold August 1967, Super-Z ferrules, cigar grip, 2-band cork seat, varnished, flamed, original bag & tube must be either #4373 or #4377.

4374
Midge 6’3″, 2/2, 1 3/4oz. Varnished and flamed cane, gold wraps, blued and truncated ferrules, lightly soiled cigar grip, dual black anodized and chased rings over a morticed cork seat. Built for Dr. C. B. Hall of Los Angeles, CA. Original Champion style tube with cap and period brown satin bag.

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4375
Para 15 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 15, tiptop 5/64, built for Howard Goldberg, NY, NY. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4376
Midge 6’3″, reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule 12, tiptop 4-1/2, built for Dr. Cryan (?). From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4377
1967 date: Perfectionist 7’6″, reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule 14, built for Frank M. Stoll, California. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” Seen March 2012 on North West Classic Tackle web site, offered for $4500, with satin bag, champion-style tube, in appearance like a Perfectionist listed in MJK catalog 86 (2003) as Perfectionist #437X, 7-1/2′ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. 0.275″ butt, sold August 1967, Super-Z ferrules, cigar grip, 2-band cork seat, varnished, flamed, original bag & tube, must have been either #4373 or #4377.

4378
1967 date. Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Inked on three flats, first flat: Malcolm B. Seaholm Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Third flat: Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Butt and both tips are all inked: #4378. Built by Bob Summers, finish date from ledger is September 20, 1967. Built for Bob Church of Mancelona, Michigan, who was the real estate agent who found the commercial property that the Paul H. Young Co. moved into when the company moved from the Detroit area to Traverse City, MI. Bob Church also wrote a book titled Fly Fishing the Manistee (undated, I have seen the publication date cited as 1976) in which Church talks about Bob Summers and Paul Young. Rod was then owned by Malcolm B. (“Mac”) Seaholm, whose name is now inked on the rod. On July 1, 1974, Mac acquired the rod in trade for a PHY Boat Rod and an Orvis Madison (Mac said he “detested” the Orvis, so he felt that he got a good deal). The rod tube was damaged, so Mac got a new tube. The rod has a replacement bag, in Royal Stewart plaid fabric. Since he did not like the brown satin Young bags of that time, Mac had rod bags specially made. Each model of Young rod was put in a different Tartan plaid bag. All Mac’s Para 15 rods were put in Royal Stewart bags. Mac’s first fish caught on this rod was a “pretty” twelve-inch brown trout from the Main Branch of the Au Sable, taken on a caddis dry fly. On July 5, 1974, Mac caught ten trout, including brown trout of 15″ and 17″, and rainbow trout of 14″ and 16″. In July 1974, Bob Summers put the oil finish, new guides, and attended to the ferrules on this rod. There was flaking on the ferrule; it was varnished. Summers probably also removed Bob Church’s name from the rod and put Mac Seaholm’s name on it at that time. On March 22, 1976, Bob Summers repaired the ferrule by removal, making a new disk, soldering the disk in place, and replacing ferrule. This cost $9.50. Rod #4378 is now owned by Bob Golder (“quashnet” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum). Ventilated half Wells grip, originally a varnished rod but now oil finish, ferrule 15/64, two “wet” parabolic tips each has a 5/64 tiptop, black screwlock cork seat. Bob Summers told me that this rod was built for night fishing for big brown trout on the Manistee River, Michigan. Interestingly, the PHY shop ledger lists the reel seat of #4378 as “2-band” but it is a screwlock seat! Seat looks original, but it could have been changed on request of or by its second owner, “Mac” Seaholm, who made similar modifications to many of his rods. However, the ledger entry may be incorrect, because a contemporary of Bob Church, who fished with him and who cast this rod many years ago, told me that the screwlock cork seat is indeed original. Bob Church died in 1980. Parabolic 15 #4378 with a Maine brook trout:

4379
1967 date. Midge 6’3″, reel seat: dual band. Ferrule 12, built for Stan Erusoek (?), Michigan. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4380
1967 date. Boat Rod 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, built for M.P___(?), Alabama, 9/20/67.

4381
1967 date. Martha Marie 7’6″, reel seat: screwlock, built for F. Carter, Jr. of Florida, 9/20/67.

4382
1967 date. Para 15 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, tiptop measurement not in records, built for Charles Claxton, Philadelphia, PA

4383
1967 date. Martha Marie 7’6″, reel seat: screwlock, no original owner name shown on the PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4384

1967 date. Midge 6’3″, reel seat: dual band, ferrule 12, built for Edward C____, looks like Bronx, NY for an address. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” Midge #4384 was offered at Lang’s April 13, 2002 fishing tackle auction, at that time described as having a reset female Super-Z ferrule, a repair to one tip, and some varnish & writing off the butt end.

4385
1967 date. Perfectionist 7’6″, reel seat: 2 band, ferrule 14, thread: 319, built for Ralph Dougherty, M_________, PA. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4386
1967 date. Perfectionist 7’6″, reel seat: 2 band, ferrule: 14, thread: 319, built for F.A. Bearsley, PA (?).From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4387 (see 4389)
Midge 6’3″, reel seat: 2 band, ferrule: 12, thread: 319, built for Tim Monaghan (no address). The PHY Co. ledger shows that Midge #4387 was sold to a Tim Monaghan and Midge #4389 to a Joe Monaghan (brothers? father and son?). A Midge that has been legitimately offered on eBay by “thorney” has the butt section of #4389 and both tips of #4387. Status of the #4387 butt and #4389 tips is unknown.

4388
Para 15 8’0″ reel seat: screwlock, ferrule: 15, thread 319, no original owner name or address is listed. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4389 (see 4387)
Midge 6’3″ reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule: 12, thread: 319, built for Joe Monaghan (no address). Midge ferrules appear to be aluminum. The PHY Co. ledger shows that Midge #4387 was sold to a Tim Monaghan and Midge #4389 to a Joe Monaghan (brothers? father and son?). A Midge that has been legitimately offered on eBay in 2008 by “thorney”has the butt section of #4389 and both tips of #4387. Status of the #4387 butt and #4389 tips is unknown. Fake eBay auctions for #4389 appeared April 2007 and October 2007.

4390
Martha Marie, 7’6″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 14, thread: 319, built for Sam Simor___(?), “Sag. Mich.” (Saginaw, MI?). From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4391
1967 date. Para 15, 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 15, thread: 319, built for Torrance Parker (?), “Cal.” (California?). From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4392
1967 date. Midge 6’3″ reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule: 12, thread: 319, built for Charles Peters of Massachusetts. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4393
1967 date. Martha Marie, 7’6″, reel seat: screwlock, thread: 319, built for Dr. Rob. Millan, Middleton, Ohio (?).From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” Photos provided in 2014 by Rick’s Rods. Photos show varnished, beautifully flamed cane; the black pocketed butt cap has the “Detroit” stamp, plus black screwlock assembly over cork, mildly shaped half Wells grip, hookkeeper, butt is inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Martha Marie Model  Third flat: 7’6″ 3.65 oz.  Butt is inked #4393 near stripping guide and each tip is inked #4393 near male ferrule.

4394
1967 date. Para 15, 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 15, thread: 319, built for Gus Goetz (?), Michigan. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4395 (see also 4032)
1967 date. Para 15, 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 15, thread: 319, built for Dr. Lar. M____(?), Buffalo, NY. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” Rod #4395 is also known from its sale for $2300 as Lot 47 at Lang’s auction on April 7, 2009, coming from the collection of the late Martin J. Keane (MJK). Rod was sold as a three-tip rod. It included a third tip (short 4″ if made for an eight-foot rod) marked with serial number 4032 (which see). Flamed cane, blued ferrules, one of the two original tips is marked Dry Tip and has spiral red thread at base of male ferrule, black screwlock cork seat, half Wells grip, reportedly marked A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, ‘Parabolic 15′, 8’, 4 oz.

4396
1967 date. Midge 6’3″ reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule: 12, thread: 319, built for Wm. Adams, Rutherford, NJ(?).From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

4397
1967 date. Perfectionist 7’6″ reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule: 14, thread: 319, originally built for A.J. Crielo(?) of Downers Grove, IL, who also bought #4371, a Para 15. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Varnished, flamed cane; 5-3/8″ cigar grip, black dual rings over cork reel seat, gold/tan wraps, measures 0.276″ at butt wrap over varnish, orig. bag and tube. Inked handwriting is by Bob Summers, in two lines. First: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second: Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 ½ oz. Owned by Dave Lyons of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4398
1967 date. Perfectionist 7’6″ reel seat: “2 band,” ferrule: 14, thread: 319, built for ___ ___ of Herkimer, NY. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.” Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Non-ventilated grip, varnished finish. Bought from Thomas & Thomas, July 1978. Price was $395. Cimarron Red from Classic Fly Fishing Forum.

4399
1967 date. Para 15 8’0″, reel seat: screwlock, ferrule 15, thread: 319, built for Paul F. _____. From PHY Co. ledger page, courtesy “thorney.”

43XX
1966 Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Varnished, flamed cane; Wells grip, blk. finished screwlock cork seat, blued Super-Z ferrules, tan/gold wraps. Sold 12/8/66 (December 8, 1966). MJK catalog No. 63 (1993).

43XX

1967 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Super-Z ferrules, tan wraps, cigar grip, cork dual band reel seat, orig. bag & tube. Sold 1/3/67 (January 3, 1967). MJK Catalog No. 63 (1993).

43XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, bronze/tan wraps, cigar grip, cork sliding band reel seat, blued Super-Z ferrules, orig. bag & tube. MJK Catalog No. 65 (1994) and No. 66 (1994). Descriptions are not quite the same in the two catalogs, but still I think it is the same rod. Rod photo in catalog 65.

43XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Varnished flamed cane; ventilated grip with thumbprint flat, dual ring cork seat, golden bronze wraps. MJK catalog No. 49 (1988). This may be the same #43XX Perfectionist with similar characteristics but no weight given, described as a “Deluxe” rod with very darkly flamed cane and “silver blued ferrules” with “slightly more powerful tips for #5 line,” listed in MJK catalog No. 52 (1989).

43XX
1967 Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Oil finish, flamed cane; ventilated Wells grip with thumbprint flat, sliding band cork seat. Sold 4/15/67 (April 15, 1967). MJK catalog No. 63 (1993).

43XX
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Wet and dry tips. Original bag and tube. “Vintage Tackle” catalog printed by Frederick E. Grafeld, Secaucus, NJ, Spring 1988.

4400
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, tan/bronze wraps, cigar grip with single thumb depression, dual-bands (dark) over cork seat. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge (can’t see the rest of the line in photo provided). Reported by Chris Moore.
#4400

4401
Martha Marie  7’6″  2/2   Flamed cane, black pocketed cap, black screwlock reel seat with cork spacer, cigar grip appears to be 6-1/2″ long and built from 13 1/2″-wide corks, gold-bronze wraps, butt inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod; second flat: Martha Marie Model. Each tip is marked #4401. Rod was owned by Pier Clifford. Thanks to his son Andrew Clifford for photos and information about his late father’s rod. Paul Clifford traveled to the Yellowstone area each summer beginning in the 1950s.

44XX
1968 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, tan/bronze wraps, cigar grip, sliding band cork seat. Sold 2/20/68 (February 20, 1968). MJK Catalog No. 63 (1993).

44XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Varnished med.-dark flamed cane, original special-design truncated Super-Z ferrules, olive/tan wraps, cigar grip, sliding band cork seat (described as “2 tiny black bands”), 2X2 node placement, bag & tube. MJK Catalog No. 82 (2001).

44XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Varnished, very dark flamed cane, blued Super-Z ferrules, gold-bronze wraps, cigar grip is described as “good sized,” cork seat is described as “the ususal 2-band cork seat.” MJK Catalog No. 67 (1995).

44XX
1968 Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, tan/bronze wraps. Sold 2/20/68 (February 20, 1968). One of the two tips is 3-1/2″ short. MJK Catalog No. 64 (1994).

44XX
Circa 1968 Para 15 8′ 2/2 4 oz. flamed cane, gold wraps, cigar grip, screwlock seat, Detroit die-stamp, Super-Z ferrules, “inscriptions clear and absolute” but unfortunately not recorded, “has seen much fishing on the DeBruce club water” (private trout club on the Willewemoc River, New York). Carmine Lisella’s Jordan-Mills Rod Co. catalog no. 24 (Spring 2005).

4410

1968 Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 A Paul H Young Co. Rod Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Offered June 2007 on eBay. Dark flamed cane, wet and dry tip, screwlock cork seat, brown wraps, resourcinol glue on all sections. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. In 2008, was restored to as new condition by Bob Summers.

4411
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2  2 7/8 oz.  Varnished flamed cane. Cap and ring over cork reel seat. Judging from photos, cap may not have the “Detroit” stamp; ring is knurled on front and rear edges, both are bright metal either originally or the blacking is worn away. 13/64″ Super-Z ferrule. Hookkeeper. Inking on two flats, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat:  “Driggs Model” 7’2″  2 7/8 oz.  Butt and each tip are labeled: #4411. Bag and Champion-style tube. Built in 1968 for H.N. MacKellar of Lakeview, CA. Seen in May 2011 with a crack in one tip between tip top and first snake guide, and a loose thread wrap (gold) on butt section at stripping guide. Offered on Classic Fly Rod Forum for $3600, November 2024. PHY Driggs 4411:

4412
Para 15. Original owner was from PA. Present owner traded rod with Len Codella, Anglers Den in New Jersey, 1971 or 1972. Varnished cane, dual rings over cork, wet and dry tips (5/64 & 4 1/2 tiptops), Super-Z ferrules. After a complete rebuild in 1973, “ventilated” half-Wells grip, screwlock wood reel seat, non-hooded cap, wood exposed. First flat, present owner’s name – ”Chuck Gregwer” Second flat ‘‘A Paul H. Young Rod Co. Rod” – Rebuild 1973 RW Summers Co. – 3rd Flat – Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz .

4413
Para 15, built 1968. Refinished by Bob Summers with new cork in reel seat and new half Wells grip (original grip was a small cigar grip). Varnished flamed cane, black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, amber wraps, black screwlock seat, inked on butt on two flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: Parabolic 15  8′  #5 line. Offered November 2014 on Bob Summers’ web site.

4414
Midge 6’3″ 2/2, 2.1 oz. Varnished, dark flamed cane, blued Super-Z ferrules, gold-bronze wraps, cigar grip, dual black rings over cork seat with button end. Inked in Bob Summer’s hand on four flats: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4oz / #4 / A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / J.G. Paules, Jr.  Original tube and red satin bag. Thanks to Vintage Fly Tackle June 2018. Listed in ‘excellent original condition” for $3500.00

4417
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/3, one tip listed as 1/2″ short from a tip-top reset. Varnished flamed cane, dual black bands over cork reel seat, cigar grip, gold colored wraps, appears to sport Super-Z ferrules. Bag and tube not pictured but stated as included per the listing wit Len Codella on his website February 2019. Priced at $1950.00. Finish and inscriptions are listed as original (on all three tips). The listing does not state whether the bag is for two or three tips.

4420
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2, one tip appears to be short about 3-1/2″. Varnished flamed cane, dual black bands over cork reel seat, cigar grip, golden-tan wraps, appears to be Super-Z ferrule, has a Payne-like ferrule plug. Maroon satin bag may be original. Aluminum tube inside custom-made cowhide leather tube, maker unknown. Apparently in Japan. Thanks to Chris Moore for this report and photos.

4423
Driggs, 7’2″, 2/2, varnished, flamed cane. Cigar grip, black screwlock cork seat, “Detroit” stamp on cap. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on three lines. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Driggs Model” Third Flat: 7’2″ 2 7/8 oz . Truncated Super-Z ferrules. Orig. tube, bag. Mint condition. Offered by Rick Sorensen on West Slope Classic Fly Tackle web site, February 2009.

443X
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Special truncated blued Super-Z ferrules. Varnished flamed cane, tan/bronze wraps, cigar grip, sliding band cork seat. MJK catalog No. 79 (1999).

4432
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Built 1968. Oil finished flamed cane, varnished only over inked butt segment, between cork grip and a brown wrap. Truncated Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps, cigar grip, dual black rings over cork reel seat. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two flats, First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second Flat: Midge  6’3″ 1 3/4 oz.  The serial number #4432 is lettered near stripper guide on butt.  Maroon satin bag & Champion-style tube, probably original. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, June 2011, offered for $4000.

4434
Driggs, 7’2″, 2/2, varnished, heavily flamed cane. 5-1/4″ cigar grip, black dual rings over cork seat. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Truncated Super-Z ferrules. Orig. tube, bag. New and unfished condition, bought from an estate by Dave Lyons of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.
Rod #4434, Driggs

4438
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2, built 1968, varnished, flamed cane, cigar grip, gold/tan wraps, truncated Super-Z ferrules, black screwlock cork seat, writing on cane in Bob Summers handwriting on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Driggs” 7’2″ 2 7/8 oz. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, January 2011.

4440
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  3 oz. Butt inked on two flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting, First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ 3 oz.  Serial number #4440 inked at base of each tip near male ferrule and on butt section near stripping guide. Varnished flamed cane, dual black rings over cigar cork grip, gold/bronze wraps, bent-wire hookkeeper, original copper-brown satin bag, Champion-style tube. Condition was nearly pristine when offered for sale on eBay in December 2019 for $3,000.00.

4448  (duplicate number with rod above)
Driggs 7’2″ 2/3 (three tips; one tip is short. All tips marked
#4448). Varnished, flamed cane, cigar grip with single thumb indentation, black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock cork seat, brown wraps, writing on cane in Bob Summers handwriting on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: “Driggs” 7’2″ 2 7/8 oz. Thanks to Chris Moore for report.

Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Purchased from Bill McRoy’s catalog by nccavalier of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Sold as a one-owner rod refinished in 1988 by Bob Summers and unfished since.

4449
1968 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Offered by Bob Summers’ web site, May 2007. Short ferrules.

4450 (duplicate number with very similar Midge rod below)
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, dual black rings over cork, cigar grip with pronounced long front taper, truncated Super-Z ferrules, solid golden brown wraps throughout. Original maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. Offered for $4000 by John Pickard, when seen at Lang’s tackle show, Nov. 2007. Offered June 2016 on Gary Siemer’s Vintage Fly Tackle site.

4450 (duplicate number with very similar Midge rod above)
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, dual black rings over cork, cigar grip with pronounced long front taper, truncated Super-Z ferrules, solid golden brown wraps throughout. Original maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube with red labels, white lettering, indicating early or original ownership by C.W. Fritz of Brisban Street, in Harrisburg, PA. Thanks to Paul Kearney.

4460
Texan 8’6″ 2/2 Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “The Texan” 8’6″ 4.85 oz. Varnished flamed cane, screwlock cork seat, cigar grip, bag & tube. Offered on eBay October 2007. Bought by “mosquito” of Classic Fly Rod Forum.

446X
Para 15 8′ 2/2 Dry and wet tips. Built for Gene Anderegg (a founding member of FFF) with his name inked on rod. Screwlock cork seat, bronze-tan wraps, Super-Z ferrules. MJK catalogs No. 68 (1995) and No. 69 (1996). Anderegg also owned a Para 17, built 1964, serial number unknown (XXXX).

4462
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 varnished, flamed cane, cigar grip, gold/tan wraps, truncated Super-Z ferrules, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap, writing on cane in Bob Summers handwriting, two lines: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Driggs” 7’2″ 2 7/8 oz. Owned by Dave Lyons of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

PHY Driggs #4462

4463
Year 1968 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Butt measurement: 0.248″ Varnished, dual band reel seat. Built in 1968, PHY shop log noted rod built for Dr. Ralph Dougherty of McKeesport, PA. On July 7, 1971, rod was bought used for $150 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm. Mac put his wife’s name – B.A. Seaholm – on the rod, May 20, 1972. In 1975 Mac installed a hookkeeper on the rod, and varnished it. Mac sold this Midge on April 18, 1984, for $600 to Denis Mitchell. Denis Mitchell still owns the rod as of October 2011, and provided photos of #4463.

4469
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  Butt marked on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Perfectionist  7’6″  2 5/8 oz.  Butt also marked: #4469. Two tips, full length, each marked #4469. The original owner wrote the following description: “Ordered in late 1968 along with  the broken Midge tip and received in 1969… 44 years of ownership but only four seasons of fishing, as I always seemed to reach for the Midge in those days.” The writer, who ordered this rod when he arranged for repair and replacement of tips on his PHY Midge rod, also owned #4290 Midge, #4523 Para 15, and #4587 Martha Marie, 4-piece pack rod format.

4470
Perfectionist. Known solely from one existing tip section, shortened and modified to serve as a Driggs tip. This is a tip that was loose in the bag of Driggs #4661; see listing for rod #4661. Apparently the rest of the rod has been lost. Gold wraps. Tip owned by ctkenc of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. According to Bob Summers, this was originally a Perfectionist tip he made, that was cut down, re-ferruled to fit the Driggs, and the bottom two snake guides placed in the same relative position as on a Driggs tip. A new bag is being made for rod #4461 to hold all three tips plus the butt of the rod.

4472
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Lettered on two flats; First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Martha Marie Mod. 7’6″ 3 1/2 oz. Inked near stripping guide: 4472. Cigar grip, black screwlock cork seat, brown wraps. This rod was shown to me in mid-October 2008 by Bob Summers.

4492
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 A Paul H Young Co. Rod “Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz.” Summers’ handwriting. Short style Super-Z ferrules. Two rings over cork.

4500
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-7/8 oz. Flamed, Super-Z ferrules, Screwlock cork seat, tan/bronze wraps, in new condition when listed in MJK catalog, Fall 1984.

45XX
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-7/8 oz. Ritz-style grip, sliding band cork seat, blued tiptop & guides, reporeted to be in brand-new unused cond., MJK catalog no. 47 (1987).

45XX (see rod #4512)
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Varnished dark flamed cane. Truncated (short-slide), blued Super-Z ferrules. Cigar grip, “two-band cork seat,” tan/gold wraps w/lt. wire guides, orig. bag and tube. Said to be a rod bought for a fisherman’s wife “who apparently lawn-cast it only w/one of its tips.” Offered for $2300, MJK catalog no. 65 (1994). This may be PHY rod #4512, seen on web site of Bob Selb, tackle dealer, March 2008, offered for $3600.

4503
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Ferrule size 14, cigar grip with skeleton reel seat and dual slide bands. Inked on butt: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / ‘Perfectionist’ 7’6″ 2 1/2 oz. Bamboo rod maker Per Brandin reported that he has been familiar with PHY rod #4503 “since just after I started fly fishing; it belonged to Clem Fullerton who was also active in the Croton Watershed Chapter of TU in the late 60’s and into the 80’s. Clem showed the rod to me many years ago and I measured it with a micrometer in the 1970’s and it became the basic starting point for my own quad parabolic designs. Clem bought the rod in the 1960’s after reading Al McClane’s articles where he extolled the virtues of a particular un-named rod; Clem wrote to McClane and was told the rod in question was a Paul Young Perfectionist… While it will cast a #4 line, it is better with a #5.”

4507
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2  4 oz. cigar grip, black screwlock cork seat, Super-Z ferrules. Seen at two public auctions: Lot #11, R.W. Oliver’s Fifth Annual Summer Auction, July 8, 1989, sold for $1000. plus 10% buyers premium, and Lot #121B at R.W. Oliver’s Seventh Annual Summer Fishing Tackle Auction, Kennebunk, ME, July 1991, sold for $1800. plus 10% buyers premium.

4508
Perfectionist  7’6″ 2-1/2 oz. Built for John Stephens; marked built for Jack Stephens. Reported by narcodog of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4509
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat is blank. Third flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz. Butt marked near stripping guide: #4509.  DRY TIP #4509 is marked on two flats of tip with red spiral wrap near male ferrule. WET TIP #4509 is marked on the other tip. Varnished, flamed cane, cigar grip with black screwlock down-lock seat over cork. Original bag but no tube.

4512
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Varnished flamed cane, all sections marked with #4512. Blued nickel silver Super-Z ferrules; look like truncated ferrules as seen in available photo. Looks like Bob Summers’ handwriting on the cane but can’t be completely sure due to photo quality. Cigar grip, dual black rings over cork seat, light tan wraps, orig. maroon bag and aluminum tube. From web site of Bob Selb, tackle dealer, March 2008, offered for $3600.

4516
Built April 1, 1970, Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 0.280″ butt diameter. Varnished, cigar grip, slip ring. Shop log date, April 1, 1970, sold to Bob Julius of Lansing, MI. Sold by Bob Julius on November 28, 1973 to Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm for $175, and received by Mac on December 4, 1973. Mac first fished this Perfectionist on May 18, 1974 at Green Springs, taking a 10″ brown trout with a #22 Adams on 6X tippet. On August 27, 1974, Mac added a thumbprint indentation to the grip. Mac replaced the original bag with a “Black Watch” tartan bag. Mac sold the rod on February 4, 1990 to Francis Horner for $1700.

4517
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  Varnished, deeply flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork seat. Solid, cigar cork grip. Truncated nickel silver, blued Super-Z ferrules. Handwritten on shaft in Bob Summers’ script: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  On another non-adjacent flat, inked: Perfectionist  7’6″  2 1/2 oz.  Inked #4517 on butt and each tip. Offered on eBay, October 2013.

4519
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Solid (non-ventilated) cork grip, dual black rings over cork seat. Truncated nickel silver, blued Super-Z ferrules. Handwritten on shaft in Bob Summers’ script: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod On another flat, the weight of 2 ½ oz. is given. Serial number 4519 is inked on the butt and both tips. Reported by rod maker Wolfram Schott, who cast this rod at a conclave in Germany, September 2009.

4520
1971 date. Para 15  8’0″ 2/2  Built for noted author Tom McGuane by Bob Summers. Both tips are dry tips and so marked, one with  #4520 DRY TIP written on a flat and a red spiral wrap at base of male ferrule, and the other tip with #4520 DRY TIP written near the same location, but no red spiral wrap. Varnished, flamed cane. Black screwlock downlocking seat over cork. Black pocketed butt cap has “Detroit” marking.  Half Wells solid cork grip. Butt section marked in black ink in Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: “Parabolic 15:  8′  4 oz.  Original ruddy-red nylon bag and tube. Offered on Bob Summers web site, April 2014 for $4000.

452X
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 3-1/2 oz. Flamed cane, gold/tan wraps, Super-Z ferrules, screwlock cork seat. MJK Catalog No. 90 (2005).

4523
Para 15  8’0″ 2/2  Wet and dry tips. Butt marked on first flat:  J.F. Eaton  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat: “Parabolic 15”  8′  4 oz.  Butt also marked: #4523. Two tips, full length, marked Dry Tip #4523 andWet Tip #4523.  The original owner wrote the following description: “Ordered in late 1969 or early 1970 and received in 1970. Fished very, very little as the streams I fished in those days whispered for the Midge and occasionally the Perfectionist.” The writer also owned #4290 Midge, #4469 Perfectionist, and #4587 Martha Marie, 4-piece pack rod format.

4529
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4530
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2,

4531
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4532
Perfectionist 7’6″  2/2  Built 1970. Flamed, varnished cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Brown wraps. Slim cigar grip. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two lines, First line: Paul H. Young Co.  Second line: Perfectionist  7’6″  2 1/2 oz.  Butt section was refinished by Bob Summers due to a problem with bug repellent, so this lettering may or may not be original. #4532 inked on butt and both tips. Hookkeeper. Bag and tube. Offered on Bob Summers’ web site August 2011 for $3500.

4533
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4534
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4535
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4536 – or Para 15
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2″ 2.8 oz. One tip is snapped at tip-top. eBay Feb 2007

4537
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4538
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4539
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on one flat o fthe butt: Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Wet and dry tips, the dry tip with decorative spiral red wrap at base of male ferrule on the tip tip, half wells grip (lightly soiled), black screw-lock cork seat. The screw locking mechanism with indications of magic marker ‘touch-up’. Period Champion style tube and replacement red/white plaid bag. The rod appears refinished, likely by Bob Summers with his characteristic transparent brown silks. The common markings of ‘A Paul H. Young Co. Rod’ missing from the butt and the serial numbers missing from the tips. The flaming and cane color of the tips appears to match the butt. Listed on Spinoza Rods web page April 2020 for $3,450.00.

4540
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Wet and dry tips. Seller states inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. Flamed cane, tan-bronze wraps, half Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat. Bag and tube. Offered on eBay, October 2011.

4541
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4542
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4543
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Wet and dry tips, and butt, all marked #4543. Varnished flamed cane, tan-bronze wraps with decorative spiral red wrap at base of male ferrule on dry tip, cigar grip, black screw-lock cork seat.  Period bag and tube. Offered on eBay 2010.

4544
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4545
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4546
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2,

4547
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4548
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz.  Varnished and flamed cane, gold/copper wraps, half wells grip, black slide band over cork seat, black stamped pocketed cap. Two dry tips and butt all marked #4548. Each inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting. The butt marked on two flats: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Burgundy satin bag and Champion style tube with brass collar. Offered Bob Summer’s website December 2018 for $3500.00.

4549
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4550
“Boat Rod” model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2,

4551
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4552
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4553
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4554
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4555
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4556
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2,

4559
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  Originally built by Bob Summers for Frank Brown of Little Rock, Arkansas during April 1972 with lightweight dual aluminum rings over cork for the reel seat. It appears that at a later date Summers modified the rod for a second owner, Tom Patton, by replacing the ferrules, adding a screwlock reel seat, adding a custom ferrule plug, removing Brown’s name, and adding Patton’s name. Varnished, flamed cane. Solid, half Wells cork grip. Handwritten on shaft in Bob Summers’ script, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Perfectionist  7’6″  2 1/2 oz.  On another non-adjacent flat, inked: ”Tom Patton”  Inked #4559 on shaft. Reported by Ken Phillips of Yellowstone Angler.

4565
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Varnished, heavily flamed rod. Screwlock cork reel seat. Bronze wraps. Listed in John T. Scott Vintage Tackle catalog, Fall 1992.

4566
Perfectionist 7’6″  2/2  2.5 oz. Flamed cane with tung oil finish. Dual bands. Ventilated cork grip. Dated “1972” on tube. Thanks to “creakycane” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4567
Parabolic 15. 8’0″ 2/2, wet and dry tips. 4oz. Gold/copper wraps, flamed and varnished cane. Inked on three flats: Richard V. Rounds 5/30/72  /  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Parabolic 15 8′ 4oz. Thanks to Vintage Fly Tackle June 2018. Listed in excellent+ condition for $2,950.00.

4568
Perfectionist, built with three tips. Thanks to Carl Heuter of Wanigas Rod Co. for this information.

4569
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4570
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4571
Midge 6’3″ 2/2, built for P. John Hagan, M.D. Varnished, flamed cane. Dual dark rings over cork. End cork button is neatly and attractively beveled. Cigar grip tapers neatly down to the cane at front of grip. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers on three flats. The original owner name, P. John Hagan, M.D., is inked on a flat that is non-adjacent to the other two inked flats, which are: First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz. Shown to me by Fred Kretchmann at SuperBoo 2016 in Fairfield, Maine.

4572
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4573
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4574
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4575
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4576
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4577
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4578
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Wet and dry tips each marked #4578. Varnished dark cane, brown wraps, cigar/Ritz grip, screwlock cork seat, Detroit die-stamp on cap. Original bag, and a tube (original?). Seen on Bob Selb’s site.

4579
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting, first flat: Gus A. Nevros  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod   Third flat: Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. Wet and dry tips, and butt, all marked #4579. Varnished flamed cane, tan-bronze wraps with decorative spiral red wrap at base of male ferrule on dry tip, half Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat. Bag and tube. Seen on a web site, late 2011, cannot otherwise confirm but it looks authentic. Gus Nevros was a bamboo fly rod builder.

4580
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4581
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4582
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4583
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,

4584
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4585
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4586
Year date 1973 Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 Butt measurement: 0.261″ Oil finish, slip ring on reel seat, 5-1/2″ ventilated grip. Ordered February 24, 1972 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm. Received April 6, 1973. The rod was ordered from the PHY Company, and cost $195. new. First fish on this rod: Mac caught a 12″ brown trout on a Dorothea nymph, at the “Horse Pasture,” Falling Springs, May 19, 1973. Mac caught ten fish that day, on nymphs and dry flies. Seaholm put a thumb indentation in the grip on August 27, 1974. The rod has a replacement bag, in Buchanan Plaid fabric. Since he did not like the brown satin Young bags of that time, Mac had rod bags specially made. Each model of Young rod was put in a different Tartan plaid bag. All Mac’s Driggs rods were put in Buchanan Plaid bags. The rod was sold for $2000. on September 20, 2000.

4587
Martha Marie, 4/2, 4-piece pack rod format. Date: April 6, 1973. 3-1/2 oz. Butt marked on first flat:  J.F. Eaton  4.6.73  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat: Martha Marie Model  Fourth flat: 7’6″  3-1/2 oz.  Two tips, each marked #4587.  The original owner wrote the following description in 2013: “Ordered in late 1972 and received in April 1973 just two months before relocating to overseas assignments where trout were not to be found and left behind with my three other PHY’s in stateside storage, not to see the light of day until my retirement in 2004. Needless to say, this marvelous rod has never been fished and was recently sold to an overseas collector.” The writer also owned #4290 Midge, #4469 Perfectionist, and #4523 Para 1587.

4590
Perfectionist 0.265 butt, 2-1/2 oz. according to owner “”rdsphoto”” from Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4596
Para 17, 8’6″, 2/2. Varnished flamed cane, half Wells grip, black screwlock cork seat, reportedly marked “A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Parabolic 17, 8’6″, 5-1/2 oz.” Original bag and tube. Inaccurately described in Oliver catalog as a three-piece rod; photo shows otherwise (Richard W. Oliver Auction Gallery, catalog of First High Rollers Tackle Auction, held February 26, 1988, Marlborough, MA). This rod was also Lot #862 at the Lang’s Sporting Advertising and Sportsman’s Auction, Boxborough, MA, July 28, 1996 and correctly described as a two-piece rod.

459X
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, Wells grip, two-band cork seat, dk. choc. brown wraps, G. silver shouldered blued ferrules, orig. owners name on shaft. MJK catalog No. 79 (1999)

4600
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 3 oz. Varnished, dual rings over cork reel seat, dark brown wraps. Listed as “4600 serial #” which could possibly mean either #4600, or one of a hundred rods in the 46XX range. But since this rod list includes another Young rod and gives the exact number of that rod, it seems likely that this Perfectionst is truly #4600. Offered for $750. in the Hearthside News, Vol. 4, No. 2; December 1984, published by Thomas & Thomas, Turners Falls, MA.

4601
Martha Marie, built 1974. 7’6″ 2/2 Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. One flat can be seen in photos: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Two other flats are lettered, one starts: Martha Marie… Varnished, flamed cane. Black screwlock cork seat, “Detroit” stamp on pocketed butt cap, brown wraps. Half Wells grip. Maroon satin bag, Champion-style tube. Built for Ned Jewett, long-time Young customer who appears in the cover photo of the mid-1950s PHY catalog (red cover) holding an Atlantic salmon. Rod offered for $3950 on Summers’ web site, January 2012.

46XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Built with ventilated grip, 1/8″ space between corks, dark flamed cane with oil finish, German silver ferrules. MJK catalog No. 49 (1988)

46XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Reel seat not described. Cigar grip, dark flamed, dark brown/bronze wraps, “Blued lt. wire guides & tip tops, G. silver ferrules” (not aluminum). Bag, tube not described. MJK catalog No. 50 (1988)

46XX
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Reel seat not described. “Longer ventilated grip.” Brown wraps. Bag, tube described as “not original.” Bob Corsetti catalog no. 11 (Summer 1993).

46XX
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-7/8 oz. Varnished cane, “very dark,” Wells grip, 2-band cork seat, blued ferrules, dark bronze wraps. MJK Catalog No. 63 (1993).

46XX
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-7/8 oz. Varnished dark flamed cane, Half-Wells grip, blk. finish screwlock cork seat, blued ferrules, brown wraps. MJK Catalog No. 66 (1994) and No. 67 (1995).

46XX
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-7/8 oz. Varnished dark flamed cane, Wells grip, blk. finish screwlock cork seat, blued Halstead-type ferrules, burgundy wraps with blued guides, appeared unused, orig. burgundy nylon bag and orig. aluminum tube. MJK Catalog No. 82 (2001).

46XX
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Wet and dry tips. Varnished dark cane, blued Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps, Wells grip, cork sliding band seat, “rod used by fisherman’s wife twice for a short time,” MJK Catalogs No. 65 and 66 (1994).

4604
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Slight crack near node on butt. Original bag, tube. Lang’s Jan. 3, 2004 auction catalog.

4605
Para 15 8′ 2/2. 4oz.  Flamed cane, varnished, gold wraps. Black slide-band over a cork seat, half wells grip (shows little use). Inked by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz. One tip fractured vertically above the first guide (from the ferrule), both tips inked above the blued ferrules with the serial number. Proper burgundy satin bag and Champion style tube in brushed aluminum with brass collar.  Listed on www.riverfreak.jp web site June 2019 for 180,000 yen ($1,662.00 US dollars).

4614
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz. Dry fly and wet fly tips. Dry tip has red spiral wrap, marked #4614 Dry Tip; wet tip marked #4614 Wet Tip. Owned by mosquito of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Also seen listed September 2006 on Rick Sorenson’s West Slope Classic Fly tackle site, sold for $3450.

4616
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Martha Marie Mod. 7’6″ 3 3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane; brown wraps. Half wells grip with screwlock seat, cork spacer, die-stamp marking on cap. Seen for sale at “Denver Dave’s” web site, Dec. 2007.

4622
Year date 1974 Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 Butt measurement: 0.265″ Shop log build date: April 10, 1974 Ordered September 24, 1973 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm. Received April 23, 1974. The rod was ordered from the PHY Company, and Mac considered this turn-around time a “miracle”. There was an error, the rod was delivered varnished; Mac had asked for his preferred oil finish. First fish on this rod: Mac caught a rainbow trout, May 19, 1974 at Falling Springs. Jack Young oil finished and installed hookkeeper in winter 1974-75. Seaholm put a thumb indentation in the grip. The rod has a replacement bag, in Buchanan Plaid fabric. Since he did not like the brown satin Young bags of that time, Mac had rod bags specially made. Each model of Young rod was put in a different Tartan plaid bag. All Mac’s Driggs rods were put in Buchanan Plaid bags. Bob Summers later sold this rod as agent for Mac. Mac received $2240.

4623
Driggs. 7′ 2″, 2/2. Oil finish, brown/dark red wraps, ventilated grip with a thumb indent. Inked on two flats in Bob Summers’ hand: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod.  /  Driggs 7’2″ 2 7/8 oz. Built in 1974. Blued ferrules.  Listed on Bob Summers’ website November 2018 for $4,500.00.

4624
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7′ 6″, 2/2, 13/64″ ferrule.

4625
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 12/64″ ferrule.

4626
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 14/64″ ferrule.

4627
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Flamed cane, all sections full length, wet and dry tips, cigar grip, black screwlock downlocking seat over cork, brown wraps. Bag and tube. Sold for $2300 as Lot 256 at Lang’s November 3, 2006 auction.

4628
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7′ 6″, 2/2, 13/64″ ferrule.

4629
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, cigar grip. Dual black rings over cork. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First Flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. Serial numbers on both tips just above male ferrule slides. Not aluminum ferrules; looks like Super-Zs. Original bag and tube. On eBay March 2007. Also offered on eBay September 2008.

4630
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 15/64” ferrule.

4631
1974 Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz. Butt marked near stripping guide: #4631 #4631 DRY is marked on tip with red spiral wrap near male ferrule. #4631 WET is marked on the other tip. Owner Gordon Cox wrote to me: “I took delivery of this rod in June 1974. The description of this rod is as follows: Dry fly and wet fly tips. Beautiful dark flamed cane with dark brown wraps. Modified half wells grip with screw down-lock seat. Wonderful cork. Cork spacer with black anodized reel seat fittings. Oxidized dark Super Z ferrules. Carbaloy stripper and black guides. All original rod, bag and case. Condition: Mint.”

4632
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 14/64″ ferrule.

4633
“Little Giant” model fly rod, 6’6″, 2/2, 14/64″ ferrule.

4634
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 15/64” ferrule.

4635  (see 2125)
Little Giant. 6’6″ 2/2 Reported by Richard Shelton, whose rod has a butt and one tip marked #2125, and a second tip marked #4635. I have recorded another rod made up of parts from two rods (see listings for #4387 and #4389), but never with such widely different serial numbers.

4636
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers on butt, another maker (Jack Young?) on tips. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15  8′  4 oz.  Available photos do not show serial number in typical location on butt near stripping guide. Tips are both dry fly tips and each is simply marked: #4636. Varnished, flamed cane; brown wraps. Solid half wells grip has a single thumb depression. Dark pocketed cap, with no die-stamp marking, and ring seat, cork spacer. Hookkeeper. Super Z ferrules. Described as having “green cloth bag and brown aluminum tube,” which does not seem likely to be original. Sold through J.D. Wagner, Rodmaker web site.

4637
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz. Butt marked near stripping guide: #4637.  #4637 DRY is marked on one tip. #4637 WET is marked on the other tip. Dry fly and wet fly tips. Varnished, flamed cane; brown wraps. Half wells grip with cap and ring seat, cork spacer. Cap has no die-stamp marking on it but looks authentic. Super Z ferrules.

4638
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Martha Marie Mod. 7’6″ 3 1/2 oz. Varnished, flamed cane; brown wraps. Half wells grip with cap and ring seat, cork spacer. Cap has no die-stamp marking on it but looks authentic. Offered for $4000 by John Pickard, seen at Lang’s tackle show, Nov. 2007.

4639
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 15/64” Super-Z ferrule.

4640
Bob Doerr 9’0″ 2/2, 6oz. Varnished and flamed cane, half wells grip, lightly soiled with screw-lock seat over cork. Pocketed cap is stamped, all seat hardware in black finish. Brown/dark red wraps. Serial marked on each tip above the ferrule. Marked on three flats in Bob Summers’ hand: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Bob Doerr Model / 9’ 6 oz. Leonard style aluminum tube with brass collar and domed cap. Brown satin bag. Thanks to Ward Tonsfeldt.

4641
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 15/64” Super-Z ferrule.

4642
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0″, 2/2, 15/64” Super-Z ferrule.

4643
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 17/64” Super-Z ferrule.

4644
Midge 6’3″ 2/2  2 oz. Varnished flamed cane, cigar grip. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Hookkeeper. Not aluminum ferrules; looks like Super-Zs. Seen on Len Codella’s web site, May 2011.

4645
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, 12/64″ ferrule.

4646
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 17/64” Super-Z ferrule.

4647
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 13/64″ ferrule.

4648
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, 14/64″ ferrule.

4649
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. Double black rings over cork. Cigar grip. Brown wraps. Thanks to Ron Barch.

4650
Midge 6’3″ 2/2  Varnished, flamed cane. Dual black rings over cork. Cigar grip. Brown wraps. Thanks to Ron Barch.

4651
Perfectionist 7’6″, 2/2, 2 1/2 oz.  Varnished, flamed cane. Double black rings over cork, blunt nose cigar grip (appears new, unused or cleaned). Brown/cinnamon semi-transparent colored wraps. Each tip inked in Bob Summer’s hand above the ferrule:  #4651.  The butt inscribed in Bob’s script on two flats:  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  /  Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 1/2 oz.  Listed on Bob Selb’s Classicflyfisherman website February 2019 for $3995.00. Includes a fine labelled aluminum tube add claret colored satin bag.

4652
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4653
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4654
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4655
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8.0”, 2/2, hood and band over cork reel seat,

4656
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4657
Perfectionist 7’6″, 2/2, 2.95 oz., marked on butt in black ink in Bob Summers’ handwriting as follows: Peter G. Corey / A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Perfectionist 7’6”  2 1/2 oz.

4658
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Belonged to author Gene Hill. Flamed cane, Super-Z ferrules, black finish cap and screwlock fittings. MJK catalog #56 (1991).

4659
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4660
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4661
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2, plus a third tip, originally from a Perfectionist but shortened and modified to serve as a Driggs tip and marked 4470. See rod #4470 in this list. Rod is inked on four flats as follows: First: Vin Ringrose Second: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third: Driggs Mod. 2 3/4oz 7’2″ Fourth: #4661 Brown wraps (Gudebrod 541), cigar grip, dual rings over cork reel seat. Built for Vin Ringrose of New Britain, CT. Finish date: March 8, 1975. Rod owned by ctkenc of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Offered August 2009 for $5250 for two-tip original rod, West Slope Classic Tackle web site.

4662
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4663
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2, 2 1/2oz. Varnished, flamed cane, brown wraps, Cigar grip with dual slide bands in black. Varnish on the reel seat, flared cork butt and nose of the cork. Some soiling to the grip. Inked on two flats in Bob Summers hand: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  /  Perfectionist 7’6″ 2 1/2oz. Both tips numbered above the blued ferrules. Green satin bag and proper Champion tube. Listed on the web site www.riverfreak.jp June 2019 for 260,000 yen ($2,400.00 US dollars).

4664
Built 1975, Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Oil finish, ventilated grip, dual rings. Shop log date, March 17, 1975. Received March 26, 1975 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm. Mac first fished this Perfectionist on August 22, 1975 at Yellow Creek, taking a 9″ brown trout and then a 13″ brown, using an orange beetle pattern on 6X tippet. Ten fish were landed that day; all brown trout. On August 30, 1975, Mac added a thumbprint indentation to the grip. Mac turned down the grip in 1981. Hoagy Carmichael sold the rod in 1984; Mac received $650.

4665
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4666
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual bands over cork reel seat,

4667
Para 15 8′ A Paul H Young Co. Rod Parabolic 15 8′ 4 oz. “Tips marked ‘4667 WET’ and ‘4667 DRY’. Belonged to Bill Willers, author of “Trout Biology.”

TWO RECORDS FROM THE SAME SOURCE EXIST FOR ROD #4668 – A “MARTHA MARIE” FLY ROD AND A “PERFECTIONIST” FLY ROD. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH OF THEM WERE BUILT AND CARRY THE SAME SERIAL NUMBER:

4668 (duplicate number with rod below)
Martha Marie, 7’6″ 2/2, built for Dale C. Weisenstein of Pittsburgh, PA. Finished March 31, 1975 by Bob Summers. Inked in Summers’ handwriting, two flats visible in eBay photos, First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Martha Marie Mod. 7’6” 3 3/4 oz. Oil finish, flamed cane. Black screwlock cork seat, “Detroit” pocketed butt cap, reddish-brown wraps. Half Wells grip. Bag and tube not seen. Offered for sale on eBay, July 2023.

4668 (duplicate number with rod above)
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″ 2/2. Built for Vaughn A. Terrinoni of Clark Summit, PA. Finish date: April 7, 1975.

4676
Para 15 8’0″, varnished mottle-flamed cane, hooded butt cap and knurled ring over mortised cork reel seat. There is no “Detroit” stamp on the cap. Half Wells grip, brown wraps, blued ferrules. Hookkeeper. Marked on two flats in Bob Summers’ handwriting. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Parabolic 15  8′  4 oz. Butt is marked #4676near stripping guide. Each tip is marked #4676, plus one tip is also marked “wet tip.” Excellent (apparently unrestored) condition. Dark brown rayon-like bag trimmed lighter brown. Hand-tooled leather case with clear plastic interior tube. Purchased by current owner about 1997 from Wisconsin rod builder Don Schroeder, who had received it from a doctor in Milwaukee, WI.

4677
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  2-1/2 oz. Finish date: May 19, 1975. Varnished, flamed cane. Dark, dual rings over cork reel seat. Cigar-shaped grip, about 5-1/2″ long, appears built from eleven half-inch corks. Solid, chestnut brown wraps. Hookkeeper. Butt inked by Robert W. Summers on three flats. First flat: George J. Demchik  May 19, 1975  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat, not adjacent to the first two flats, the flat to which the hookkeeper is attached: Perfectionist – 7’6″ – 2 1/2 oz.  Butt marked near stripping guide: #4677 Each tip is also marked #4677 near the male ferrule. Beige bag, Champion-style tube.

4678
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-3/4 oz. Flamed cane, oil finish, ventilated grip, dual rings over cork reel seat, blued ferrules, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog no. 57 (1991).

4680
Midge 6’3” 2/3  Built 1974. Refinished November 2014 by Bob Summers. A third tip was built for this rod by Bob Summers in 2015.

4683
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2  4oz. Wet and dry tips. Dry tip measures 0.068″ below tip top wraps, has spiral decorative red wraps at ferrule (needs replacement) and tip top. Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed cap and ring over cork reel seat; cork transitions to solid half Wells grip. Bluing worn away on cap and ring, some varnish defects. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: “Parabolic 15” 8′ 4 oz.  Original nylon bag and Champion-style tube. Offered for $3150 on Per Brandin’s web site, March 2011.

4684
1975 Texas General 8’6″, 2/2. Varnished flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat, Detroit die stamp on butt cap, cigar grip, brown wraps, bag & tube. Serial number hard to see in photo but appears to be 4684. Writing appears to be by Bob Summers. Seen on Bob Summers’ web site, June 2008.

4686
“Texan” model fly rod, 8’6″, 2/2, 4-7/8 oz. fly rod, no model name on rod when seen in 2014. Varnished flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat, black pocketed butt cap, 6″-long half Wells grip is made from 12 half-inch corks, brown wraps (Gudebrod 541). Butt inked by Bob Summers on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: 8’6″  4 7/8 oz. Thanks to Bill Kaplin for showing me this rod at the 2014 Catskill Rod Gathering at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

4687
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-1/2 oz. Marked with original owner’s name “Keith Spalding”. Two identical dry fly tips. The second tip top has been replaced with a chrome one – otherwise all original. Unique feature: reel seat – it is aluminum downlocking with white plastic insert. “The reelseat looks original to the rod. It fits perfectly to the cork grip – typical Young cigar shape. It has all the right patina to it. Just one of those quirky things.” – Chris Bogart, Shenandoah Rods.

4688
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, screwlock reel seat,

4689
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 3-5/8 oz. Cap and ring reel seat. Bag and tube. Item 151A listed in separate Addendum sheet (NOT in printed catalog) for the Premiere (First) High Rollers Auction, R.W. Oliver Gallery auction at Marlborough, MA on February 26, 1988.

4690
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2,

4691
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2,

4692
Perfectionist 7’6″, 2/2, 2 1/2oz, varnished, dual ring over cork seat, cigar grip. Semi-transparent brown wraps. Built 1975 by Bob Summers. Listed July 2018 for $3500 on Bob Summers website.

4693
“Martha Marie” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, cap and ring reel seat,

4694
1975 Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 Ventilated grip, oil finish. Ordered March 1975, was received July 22, 1975 from Jack Young. Price was $195. Info from “Cimarron Red” of the Classic Fly Fishing Forum. This rod was described as 3 oz., flamed, oil finish, Halstead-type ferrules, Garrison-type tapered grip, screwlock cork seat, in MJK catalog No. 54 (1990).

4695
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual rings over cork reel seat,

4696
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual rings over cork reel seat,

4697
“Parabolic 17″ model fly rod, 8’6”, 2/2, screwlock reel seat,

4698
1975 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Ventilated grip, oil finish. Received from Jack Young, August 1975. Price was $190. Reported by Cimarron Red from Classic Fly Fishing Forum.

4699
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″. Screwlock reel seat. 14/64″ ferrule. Two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Gudebrod 541 thread wraps. Built for Michael D. Copeland of Bozeman, MT. Finish date: August 16, 1975

4700
“Martha Marie” model fly rod. 7’6″. Cap and ring reel seat. 14/64″ ferrule. Possibly only one tip, with 4-1/2/64″ tip top. Gudebrod 541 thread wraps. Built for Col. W.J. Poad of Springfield, VA. Finish date: August 20, 1975

4701
“Perfectionist” model fly rod. 7’6″. Dual bands over cork reel seat. 13/64″ ferrule. Two tips with 4/64″ tip tops. Gudebrod 541 thread wraps. Built for Vic Prislipsky of Pittsburgh, PA. Finish date: August 22, 1975

4702
There is a blank space in the records – no rod description. A rod may not have been built; therefore, this serial number does not count toward the total number of rods in the database.

4703
“Driggs” model fly rod, 7’2″, 2/2, screwlock reel seat,

4704
Year date 1975 Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 6″ ventilated grip. Received August 25, 1975 by Malcolm B. “Mac” Seaholm. Inscribed “Barbara A. Seaholm” (wife). Mac added a thumb indentation on August 30, 1975. Rod was sold for $625.

4705
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″  2/2  Flamed, varnished cane. Dual black rings over cork reel seat. Brown wraps (541 Gudebrod). 13/64″ ferrule. Two tips with 4-1/2/64″ tip tops. Inked in Bob Summers’ handwriting on two lines, First line: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second line: Perfectionist  7’6″  2 1/2 oz. #4705 inked on butt and both tips. Original bag and tube. Offered on Bob Selb’s web site for $3595, March 2010. Offered on Nate Stansfield’s web site for $4000, December 2024. PHY Perfectionist #4705:

4706
Perfectionist 7’6″ Was originally 2/2, is now 2/3 with a later, additional tip built by Bob Summers, with his signature. Summers’ invoice for the new tip indicates that he touched up the rod and built the new tip. The old tips have male ferrules with a band/notch that differs from the new tip’s ferrule. One old tip is perfect, the other old tip is short by 5 inches. Rod now owned by “arthurk” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Flamed cane, cigar grip, sliding band over cork reel seat, original bag and aluminum tube.

4707
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual rings over cork reel seat,

4708
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2, hood and band reel seat,

4709
Midge 6’3″ 2/1 It is not known whether there originally was a second tip. Flamed cane, cigar grip, dual rings over cork seat, brown wraps, blued nickel silver ferrules, maroon satin bag, tube. Inked on butt, A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, Midge 6’3″, 1 3/4 oz#4709 inked on butt and tip. Lang’s auction, Spring 2010.

4710
Perfectionist. Bob Summer’s handwriting. Made for Dan Bean. Reported by “bearbutt” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Rod #4710 was listed and described in MJK catalog No. 64 (1994): “…even has orig. outer paper bag over perfect tube…,” varnished, flamed, Garrison-style grip, dual band cork seat, brown wraps.

4711
“Perfectionist” model fly rod, 7’6″, 2/2, dual rings over cork reel seat,

4712
“Midge” model fly rod, 6’3″, 2/2, dual rings over cork reel seat,

4713
“Parabolic 15″ model fly rod, 8’0”, 2/2,  4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane. Pocketed cap and ring over cork reel seat; cigar grip. Inked handwriting by Bob Summers. First flat: Joseph Lauver Dec. 25, 75  Second flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Third flat: Parabolic 15  8′  4 oz.  Original bag, tube, and cardboard mailing tube with label showing Traverse City address. Offered on Bob Selb’s web site, December 2021. There is a blank space in the records – no rod description, as was true or rod #4702. And yet, this rod was built.

4714
There is a blank space in the records – no rod description. A rod may not have been built; therefore, this serial number does not count toward the total number of rods in the database.

4715
“Midge” model fly rod,  6’3″, 2/2.  Finished on May 25, 1976. Appears to have been built for a client (Hatth?) in South Australia.

Bob Summers stopped working for the Paul H. Young Company. We cannot verify that any PHY rod was built by Bob Summers after PHY Midge #4715.

47XX
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2.5 oz. Ventilated grip, oil finish on flamed cane, dual band cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog no. 49 (1988).

47XX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-3/4 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, 100% black finish on fittings, possibly unused, “silver ferrules,” original bag and tube. MJK catalog no. 52 (1989).

47XX
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 3.5 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, burgundy wraps, screwlock cork seat, “natural colored” Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, blued guides & tops, bag, tube. MJK catalog no. 49 (1988).

47XX
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4 oz. Flamed cane, wet and dry tips, “Detroit” stamp on butt cap, original nylon bag and tube. MJK catalog no. 47 (1987).

47XX
Boat Rod 8’0″ 2/2 4.55 oz. Varnished, flamed cane, bronze wraps, screwlock cork seat, blued Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, blued guides & tops, bag & tube. MJK catalog no. 49 (1988).

4722
1978 Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Two flats were seen in web photos: First flat: Perfectionist 7’6″ 2-1/2 oz. Second flat shows owner’s name and creation date, name hard to read in photos, probably: Louis S. Hegedus Nov. 1978. Second tip 6″” short. On Rick’s rods web site 2006, on Bob Selb’s web site, early 2007. See also Para 15 rod #4726 also built for Louis Hegedus.

4724
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Half Wells grip, black screwlock seat with cork spacer, “Detroit” stamp on cap, chestnut brown wraps, Super-Z ferrules, khaki bag and tube. Inked writing is not by Bob Summers, is probably by Jack Young. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 – 8′ – 4 oz. Both tips and butt are also marked #4724. In photo, tips appear to be separate “wet” and “dry” tips. On one tip, seven small cuts appear to have been made in the varnish. Seen on a Japanese web site, January 2011.

4726
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Half Wells grip, black pocketed butt cap with worn ring over cork spacer, chestnut brown wraps, Super-Z ferrules. Inked writing by Todd Young. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 – 8′ – 4 oz.  Third flat: Louis Hegedus May 1978. See also Perfectionist rod #4722 also built for Louis Hegedus. It is not known why rod #4722 is dated November 1978 while rod #4726 is dated May 1978.

4731
1978 Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Ventilated grip, oil finish. Ordered Dec. 1974, received from Jack Young, July 1978. Price was $235. Cimarron Red from Classic Fly Fishing Forum.

4733
1979 Perfectionist: 7’6″, 2/2, 2 3/4 oz. Inked handwriting by Jack Young. First flat marked: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Perfectionist – 7’6″ – 2 3/4 oz. Third flat: #4733 Owner Gordon Cox wrote to me: “I took delivery of this rod in March 1979. The description of this rod is as follows: Beautiful dark flamed cane with dark brown wraps. Modified cigar grip with two slide band down-lock lock reel seat over cork spacer. Wonderful cork. Black anodized reel seat fittings Oxidized Super Z ferrules. Carbaloy stripper and black guides. All original rod, bag and case. Condition: Mint.”

4736
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2. Varnished, flamed cane. Non-pocketed cap with Detroit stamp, ring with diagonal knurling front and rear edges. Much blueing missing from cap, all blueing missing from ring. Neatly mortised cork reel seat. Half Wells grip made from twelve half-inch corks. Hookkeeper. Marked Super-Z ferrule. Brown wraps. Butt is inked on two flats in handwriting that I don’t recognize. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Parabolic 15.  8′  4 oz.  Butt is inked #4736; the tip that I saw has #4736 followed by a capital W that looks like it is in different handwriting. Shown to me by Fred Kretchmann at SuperBoo 2016 in Fairfield, Maine.

4752
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Second tip has an invisible wrap 1 inch long, located 9″ from tiptop. Dual band cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, varnished, orig. bag & tube. MJK catalog No. 55 (1990).

4755
Midge, possibly 6’1″, 2/2.  Known from limited views in owner photos. Half Wells grip appears to have three solid corks at front of grip, but may be ventilated toward the reel seat. Nickel silver ferrules, probably Super-Z ferrule. Two lines of inked lettering, possibly in Jack Young’s handwriting, can be seen on butt section: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Midge – 6’1″  1 3/4 oz. (there is additionally lettering, appears to read: 2nd. I speculate that this is a rod that didn’t turn out to be the usual 6’3″ in length, perhaps due to manufacturing error or in-shop breakage, and so it was sold as a shop “second.” Tube in photo has PHY Company paper collar still in place. Reported by Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle.

4757
1980 Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Ventilated grip, oil finish, screwlock reel seat. Received from Jack Young, May 1980. Price was $335. Cimarron Red from Classic Fly Fishing Forum.

4762
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-3/4 oz. Super-Z ferrules, “almost nonexistent (?) half-Wells grip,” brown silks, “…a tad more parabolic & a bit more powerful than usually found…” description in MJK catalog No. 54 (1990). Also listed in MJK catalog No. 74 (1998), which adds that the reel seat is a screwlock seat, 98% blueing on seat fittings and ferrules.

4765
Boat Rod 8’0″ 2/2 Flamed cane, black screwlock cork seat, half Wells grip, offered in new, never fished condition on North West Classic Tackle web site, July 2008.

4767
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Wet and dry tips. Varnished, flamed cane; brown translucent wraps. Half Wells grip. Black screwlock seat over cork. Black pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp. Inked handwriting is not by Bob Summers, may be by Todd Young. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 – 8′ – 4 oz. Butt marked near stripping guide: #4767 Each tip is also marked #4767. Super Z ferrules. Seen on eBay March 2013. Also seen on eBay January 2015; photos show dark glue lines on tips. Male ferrules show wear, but rod has a glossy varnish coat that appears new. Offered on eBay, December 2015.

4768
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 2-3/4 oz. Dark cane, black pocketed cap and black screwlocking reel seat over cork, half Wells grip built from twelve half-inch corks. Butt inked, apparently by Todd Young, on two flats visible in photos. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Perfectionist – 7’6″ – 2 3/4 oz.  Butt marked near stripping guide: #4768 Each tip is also marked #4768. Owned by Danish rod builder Jens Ryhl. Rod was purchased in 1986 by Ken Milton, a friend of Jens Ryhl. Information and photos supplied by “Morten” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

477X
Para 15 8’0″ 2/1 (note) Dry tip good, wet tip broken; ferrules and fittings remain. Wells grip, screwlock cork seat. MJK catalog 75 (1998).

4773
1981 Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 Ventilated grip, oil finish. Received from Jack Young, March 1981. Price was $335. Cimarron Red from Classic Fly Fishing Forum.

4776
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2  Varnished flamed cane, solid long slender cigar grip, black pocketed cap with “Detroit” stamp, black screwlock cork seat appears unfished (reportedly was not fished by either its first or second owner; current owner “rickv” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum fished it; his first catch was a 15″ rainbow trout on the Au Sable River. Solid brown thread wraps. 0.275″ butt measurement. Butt is inked on two flats, first flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Perfectionist Model, 7′ 6″- 2.75 oz. Also inscribed by Bob Summers with names of the first and second owners, Dave Hall and Dr. Tom Doerr. Beige bag with lighter beige piping, Champion-style tube. Seen March 2014, offered for $4000 on Bob Summers’ web site. Owner “rickv” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum subsequently reported more information, including some info gained from communications with Todd Young. Rod #4776 was made for Dave Hall, a Traverse City, MI businessman (CEO of now-defunct Reef Petroleum). Hall gave the rod to his friend, Dr. Tom Doerr.

478X
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1 3/4 oz., 5″ cigar grip, gold/tan wraps, black ferrules, dual-band cork seat, appears unused orig. cond. MJK #71 (1996). This rod could be #4781 Midge.

4781  (duplicate number with rod below)
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1 3/4 oz., 5″ cigar grip, gold/tan wraps, MJK #52 (1989).

4781 (duplicate number with rod above)

Texan, built with three tips. Thanks to Carl Otto of Wanigas Rod Co. for this information.

4782
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2  Wet and dry tips. Wet tip has been fished about three hours, dry tip not at all. Information from owner.

4783
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Half Wells grip, cap and ring, cork spacer, brown wraps, Super-Z ferrules, original bag and tube. Inked writing by Jack Young. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Parabolic 15 – 8′ – 4 oz. Both tips are the same; not known if both are “wet” or “dry” tips. Corsetti catalog No. 44 (2007). Owned by dshx of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4787
Martha Marie 7’6″  2/2  3-1/2 oz. Varnished, deeply flamed cane, brown wraps, cigar grip, black screwlock over cork reel seat. Appears from photo to be Super-Z ferrules, outer color is bronze. Inked in three lines: First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Martha Marie Model  7‘6″ 3 1/2 oz  Third flat: William K. Feisler, Jr. Handwriting is not by Bob Summers. Jack Young? Beige hooded bag, Champion-style tube. Offered for $3460 on Bob Selb’s web site, February 2013.

4794
Texan “8’6″” 2/2″ 4.85 oz. One tip is snapped at tip-top. eBay Feb 2007

4795
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4oz. Heavy tips, each with 5/64” tip top. Varnished, flamed cane; reddish-brown wraps. Half Wells grip. Cap and ring over mortised cork reel seat. Bright non-pocketed butt cap with “Detroit” stamp. Inked handwriting believed to be by Todd Young. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: Parabolic 15 – 8 – DG – 4 oz. Each tip marked #4795. Unmarked Super Z ferrule style. Owner reported that he ordered rod in late 1970s and took delivery around 1980.

48XX
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Wet and dry tips. Flamed cane, sliding band cork seat, maroon wraps, Super-Z ferrules. 2-inch scratch was noted in varnish, middle of butt section. MJK catalog No. 51 (1989).

48XX
Texan 8’6″ 2/2 4.85 oz. Screwlock cork seat, maroon wraps, Western grip. MJK catalog No. 51 (1989).

4814
Perfectionist, 7’6″, 2/1 (built with only one tip, in 1981): Reported by Bob Ryan: “I had Jack Young build a rod for my then infant son, who was three years old at the time. I presented the rod to my son on his 16th birthday. It is a Paul Young 71/2 ft. Perfectionist serial # 4814. The rod has only one tip as I couldn’t afford two at the time! My son is now 31 and living in Bozeman, Montana. His Paul Young Perfectionist has never been fished. I knew Jack, as my in-laws had a cottage in Traverse City near his shop in Bower’s Harbor. I visited Jack at the shop frequently and always enjoyed his unique personality and fabulous workmanship.”

4818
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2  Varnished flamed cane. Wet and dry tips. Downlocking aluminum reel seat with walnut spacer, half-Wells grip. Inked on two flats, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Second flat: Parabolic 15  8’0″  4 oz.  Inked as #4818 on all three sections. Reported by owner David Constable who wrote to me: “This rod was returned to me in 1990 by Todd Young.  It was to replace another earlier Para 15 which I had sent to him with a total varnish failure and delamination due to my neglect.  Although the serial #’s on both rods (4818) was the same, I don’t believe they were the same rod.  The original Para 15 was purchased from the PHY Co. in Sept 1983 for $525.” Since the rod looks a bit like Todd Young’s later “Pinnacle Series,” I think it’s quite possible that this rod #4818 could be a full replacement for an earlier rod #4818 built in 1983.

4819
Para 15  8’0″, 2/2.  Known from limited views in owner photos. Reel seat not shown. Front of grip shown; grip is probably solid cork, half Wells shape. Nickel silver ferrules, probably Super-Z ferrule. Solid brown wraps. Two lines of inked lettering can be seen on butt section: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Parabolic 15  8′  4 oz.  The handwriting is very similar to handwriting on rods owned by Chauncy Lively and his family (for example, see photos of Chauncy Lively’s Para 15 in the NNN list). The tips are marked: 4819 with an additional mark in front of the numbers. Photos are too blurred to tell whether this is a # or some other mark. Reported by Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle.

4835
Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. Flamed cane, brown wraps, cigar grip tapers almost like an Orvis Superfine grip, dual black rings over cork reel seat, has a thin metal disk covering base of cork butt. Super-Z ferrules, outer color is bronze. Inked in three lines: First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge Model  6’3″ 1 3/4 oz  Third flat: William K. Feisler, Jr.  Also inked #4835 on each tip. Handwriting is not by Bob Summers. Jack Young? Original maroon bag, original tube. Offered for $3775 on Bob Selb’s web site, February 2013.

4836
Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. Flamed cane, brown wraps, cigar grip tapers almost like an Orvis Superfine grip, dual black rings over cork reel seat, has a thin metal disk covering base of cork butt. Super-Z ferrules, outer color is bronze. Inked in three lines: First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second flat: Midge Model Third flat: 6’3″ 1 3/4 oz Also inked #4836 on butt and each tip. Handwriting is not by Bob Summers. Jack Young? Original maroon bag, original tube. Offered for $3500 on Bob Selb’s web site, November 2008.

4842
Driggs 7’2″, 2/2, received new May 6, 1983 (info thanks to Denis Mitchell). Oil finished cane. Dual black aluminum rings over mortised cork reel seat; cork button on end prevents rings from sliding off. Ventilated cigar-shaped cork grip with single thumb indentation. Butt is inked on three flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second Flat: Driggs Model —(more lettering cannot be read due to glare in photo). Third flat: (original owner’s name): Denis Mitchell.  #4842 is inked on each tip near the base of the male ferrule, and on the butt near the stripping guide. Buchanan plaid bag, as well as original maroon satin bag and tube. Offered January 2016 on eBay.

4843
Perfectionist 7’6″, 2/2, received new May 19, 1983 (info thanks to Denis Mitchell). Oil finished cane. Dual black aluminum rings over mortised cork reel seat; cork button on end prevents rings from sliding off. Ventilated cigar-shaped cork grip with single thumb indentation. Butt is inked on three flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod Second Flat: Perfectionist Model. Third flat: (original owner’s name): 7’6″  2 1/2 oz.  #4843 is inked on each tip near the base of the male ferrule, and on the butt near the stripping guide. Blackwatch plaid bag, as well as original maroon satin bag and Champion-style tube. Offered January 2016 on eBay.

4849
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Flamed cane, ventilated grip, bright ferrules, screwlock cork seat. Inked on butt, A Paul H. Young Co. Rod, Perfectionist Model, 7′ 6″, 2 ½ oz. (MJK indicated this rod actually weighs 3.30 oz. in a note attached to the tube.) Original bag, replacement tube. Formerly belonging to MJK, auctioned by Lang’s in April 2009.

485X
1980 Para 17 8’6″ 2/2 5-1/2 oz. Built 1980. (ordered Dec. 22, 1975). Wet and dry tips. Original bag & tube. RicksRods.com.

4852
Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz., Super-Z ferrules, 2-band cork seat, one tip has 3/4″” repair wrap 6″” from top. MJK catalog 75 (1998).

4854
Para 15  8’0″, 2/3.  Three original tips, two are dry fly tips and one is a “wet” parabolic tip. Flamed cane, bright cap and ring over mortised cork, half Wells grip, chestnut brown wraps. Beige bag with darker piping, Champion-style tube. Seen May 2013, offered for $4350 on North West Classic Tackle site.

4857
Midge. 6’3″, 2/2. Flamed cane, dark aluminum rings over cork, each ring is knurled both front and back. Gold-plated ferrules. Solid, cigar-shaped cork grip transitions into the cork reel seat. Solid chestnut brown wraps with decorative spiral wrap at front of the grip and at tip tops. Lettering on the cane by unknown writer, possibly Todd Young. Butt is marked: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod / Midge Model 63 1.75 oz. (Per Brandin says actual measured weight is 2.1 oz.). Each tip and the butt are marked #4857. Beige bag with brown piping. Champion style tube has Marty Keane’s sticker with Ashley Falls, Massachusetts address. Two short repair wraps on one tip noted when Per Brandin offered Midge #4857 for sale in May 2021

4874
Martha Marie 7’6″, 4/2 (four-piece format), received new May 11, 1984. Cap and ring. Half Wells grip. Thanks to Denis Mitchell.

4890
Driggs  7’2″.  Known from limited views in owner photos, only one tip, with #4890 inked on it, is shown in photos. Reel seat not shown. Front of grip shown; grip is probably solid cork, cigar shape. Nickel silver ferrules, probably Super-Z ferrule. Chestnut brown wraps with dark tipping. Two lines of inked lettering can be seen on butt section: Paul H. Young Co. Rod / “Driggs”  7’2″ – 2 1/2 oz. Possibly built by Todd Young. Reported by Gary Siemer, Vintage Fly Tackle.

4892
Midge 6’3″ 1-3/4 oz. Dark flamed cane, chocolate brown wraps, dual black rings over cork reel seat. Reported by “warrick” on the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4895
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2 2-1/4 oz. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Second flat: “Driggs” 7′-2″ 2 ¼ oz. Serial number 4895 is written on the butt and the ferrule end of the two tips. Believe built by Todd Young. Bought on eBay by nccavalier of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

49XX
Princess 7’0″ 2/2 2-3/4 oz. Varnished flamed cane, blued Super-Z ferrules, dual-band cork seat. MJK catalog no. 73 (1997).

4903
“Power Pack” 7’3″  4/2  3-7/8 oz.  Four piece fly rod for 5-weight line. Owner’s name marked on rod: Gene “Tex” Pavitt. Thanks to Gene.

4904
Princess 7’0″ 2/2  2-1/2 oz.  Flamed cane. Dual rings over cork reel seat. Cork button at butt end of reel seat has decorative bright metal ring. Cigar grip. In photos, two flats can be seen to be inked on butt: First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: “Princess” 7’0″  2 1/2 oz. Rod also marked #4904 on butt near stripping guide and also on each tip. Chestnut brown wraps, tipped black. Silver tube seen in photos, has gold cap. Thanks to Gary Siemer of Vintage Tackle.

4906
Midge 6’3″ 2/2  Flamed cane, Ritz grip tapering to a conical point, cap and ring over wooden reel seat, orange/red wraps tipped black. Hookkeeper. Butt section is marked on three flats. First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat:“Midge” 6′ 2″ ~ 2 oz.  Third flat: Pinnacle Series  Tips (near male ferrules) and butt (near stripping guide) are all marked: #4906  Reddish bag with black edging. Leather tube. Sold on eBay for $2225, December 2010.

491X
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 3-1/2 oz. Oil finish, flamed cane, burgundy/brown wraps, sliding band cork seat, Super-Z ferrules, Wells grip, original bag, Leonard-style tube. MJK catalog no. 81 (2000).

4912
Princess 7’0″ 2/2  Dual-band cork seat. “Bag and tube appear to be original,” as reported by Bill McRoy, Fall 2013 mailed tackle flier. Asking price, $2900.

4916
Para 14  7’9″  2/2  3-3/4 oz.  Takes a 5-wt line. Described by owner as a late 1980s Todd Young-era rod in excellent condition. flamed cane. Cap and ring over cork, half Wells cork grip. Cap stamped with Detroit identification. Chocolate brown wraps, additional black tipping in front of grip, w/hookkeeper. Super-Z type ferrules wrapped in black. Butt inked on two flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: “Parabolic 14”  3 3/4 oz.  Butt and each tip marked #4916. Thanks to Stuart Hayden.

4923
Martha Marie 7’6″ 3-1/2 oz. Inked in black ink on butt on two flats. First flat: A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  Second flat: “Martha Marie 7’6” – 3 1/2 oz. Inked in black ink near stripping guide: #4923. Thanks to Steven Sanders.

4928
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Pinnacle Series. 5 wt. Nickel silver reel seat with bamboo insert. Latigo leather rod tube. Built by Todd Young in late 1980s. Original owner’s name is on the rod.

4929
Perfectionist (Pinnacle Series)  7’6″  2/2  2.5 oz.  4-weight line. Owner’s name marked on rod: Gene “Tex” Pavitt. Thanks to Gene.

4935
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Flamed cane, cigar grip, cap and ring over zebra wood (NO “Detroit” die stamp on cap), brown wraps tipped red, bright ferrules, in a George Lawrence leather tube (this tube is marked The George Lawrence Co. Portland, Oregon). Rods #4935 and #4936 were simultaneously purchased by two brothers. Butt section is marked Paul H Young Co. / “Perfectionist” 7′ 6″ ~ 4 wt. / “Pinnacle Series” Tips are both marked: #4935 Thanks to Carmine Lisella for the serial number and “JimP” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum for inked data. Rod was offered for $2500 in Lisella’s Jordan-Mills Rod Co. Catalog no. 31 (Fall 2008). Rod offered for $3000 on eBay, March 2011.

4936
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Flamed cane, cigar grip, cap and ring over zebra wood (NO “Detroit” die stamp on cap), brown wraps tipped red, bright ferrules, in a George Lawrence leather tube (this tube is embossed with the Paul H. Young Co. logo). Rods #4935 and #4936 were simultaneously purchased by two brothers. Thanks to Carmine Lisella for the serial number; rod offered for $2500 in Lisella’s Jordan-Mills Rod Co. Catalog no. 31 (Fall 2008).

494X
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/1 “A Paul H. Young Co. Rod” “Perfectionist 7’6″ 2.5 oz” Only one tip present. Two black rings over cork seat. Black ink. eBay Feb 2007

494X

Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Varnished flamed cane, wet and dry tips, Wells grip, wooden reel seat, blk. finished screwlock fittings, brown wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules. Bag, tube and fine green canvas outer bag. MJK Catalog No. 71 (1996).

4942
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2  4.35 oz. Wet and dry tips. Varnished, flamed cane. Black screwlock reel seat with zebra wood insert. Half-Wells grip. Blued Super-Z-type ferrules. Butt is inked on three flats. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: “Parabolic 15”  8′ – 4.35 oz.  Third flat: Gary M. Schwietser  Plaid rod bag with green piping. Champion-style tube has brown PHY Co. label on it. Offered in MJK catalog No. 54 (1990). Offered on Bob Selb’s web site, October 2016.

4944
Smidgen (Pinnacle Series)  6’0″  2/2  1.5 oz.  3-weight line. Owner’s name marked on rod: Gene “Tex” Pavitt. Thanks to Gene.

4950
Perfectionist 7’6″ Inked in two lines, Paul H. Young Rod Co. / 7’6″ 4 wt. Serial number 4950 is written on the butt just below the stripping guide. Info from Marvin Roberson.

4955
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Pinnacle Series. Varnished flamed cane. Black screwlock seat with wooden spacer, half-Wells-shaped grip. Inked on three flats, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Second flat: “Parabolic 15″  8’0” – 5 wt.  Third flat: Pinnacle Series  Both tips are inked #4955. Offered October 2011 by West Slope Classic Tackle. Rod was previously sold by West Slope Classic Tackle in 2004.

4957
Para 15 8’0″ 2/2. Varnished flamed cane. Black slideband over cork, subtle half-Wells-shaped grip. Inked on two flats, first flat: Paul H. Young Co. Second flat: “Parabolic 15″  8’0” – 5 wt.  Both tips are inked #4957. Appears unused. Brown anodized aluminum tube with brown/yellow shop label and domed brass cap. Light khaki bag with brown piping. Listed on Bob Selb’s ClassicFlyFisherman.com site, March 2019 for $3495.00.

4962
Nymph Junior  7’6″  2/2  2-7/8 oz.  Flamed varnished cane, dark wraps with red tipping, Half Wells grip, black screwlock reel seat over cork with unusual choice of round, black, non-pocketed cap, which has Detroit die-stamp. Inking on two flats of the butt section can be seen. First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Second flat: “Nymph Jr.”  7’6” – 2 7/8 oz.  The butt and both tips are also inked #4962. Listed on Bob Summers’ web site May 2020 for $3,000.00.

4965
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 Varnished, flamed cane, cap and ring over cork reel seat, cap has diagonal coin-edge knurling and Detroit stamp. Inked on two flats. First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: Martha Marie 7’6″ 3.40 oz. Serial number is marked #4965 on butt and each tip. Super-Z ferrules, brown wraps. Beige bag with brown piping, tube. eBay auction July 2010.

4966 (duplicate number with rod below)
1993 Princess 7’0″ 2/2 “Princess” 7’0″ 2.90 oz. / P.H.Y. Chapter T.U. / Spring 1993 Built by Todd Young, Spring 1993, for Paul H. Young Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Cap and ring over wood (bamboo); thumb indent in cork. Offered August 2007, Rick Sorensen, West Slope Tackle.

4966 (duplicate number with rod above)
Martha Marie, reported March 2009 by Gregg Santori of Tustin, CA, after he saw the Princess #4966 listed above.

4969
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2 Flamed cane, Ritz grip tapering to a conical point, dual gray rings over all-cork mortised reel seat, maroon/brown wraps tipped black at guides and hookkeeper, amber wraps tipped black at ferrules. Butt section is marked Paul H Young Co. / “Perfectionist” 7′ 6″ ~ 2 3/4 oz. Tips and butt are all marked: #4969

4973
Princess 7’0″ 2/2. Darkly varnished and flamed cane, burgundy wraps, nickel silver non-pocketed cap and slide band, both with knurled edges. Cigar grip, mortised cork seat with white filler near the cap and in two spots on the upper grip. Butt section is marked on two flats: Paul H Young Co. / “Princess” 7′ 0″ – 4wt. Tips marked: #4973. Creme colored bag with brown piping, black powder-coated tube with tarnished brass cap. Yahoo Japan April 2019.

4974
Driggs 7’2″ 2/2  Varnished flamed cane, black cap and ring over mortised cork reel seat, a thin dark disk separates cork reel seat from cork grip, Ritz grip tapering to a conical point, maroon wraps, hookkeeper. Butt section is marked Paul H Young Co. / “Driggs River” 7′ 2″ ~ 4 & 5 wt. Tips and butt are all marked: #4974. Thanks to Dave Jankowski.

4975
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2. Varnished, flamed cane. Black cap and ring over wooden reel seat, dark maroon wraps tipped red. Oxidized fittings. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7′ 6″ ... and then something else, most likely in weight in ouncesSerial number on each tip above the male ferrule. Appears to be original sock and black oxidized tube with brass ends. Offered for $3000 on Bob Summers’ web site, September 2012.

4977
Princess 7’0”  2/2  Varnished flamed cane. Black cap and ring over mortised cork. A thin dark disk separates cork reel seat from cork grip. Ritz grip tapering to a conical point. Reddish brown wraps. Butt inked on two flats in Todd Young’s handwriting. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: “Princess” 7’0” – 4 wt.  Narrow thread wrap follows inked lettering. Tips and butt are all marked: #4977. Thanks to Dave Jankowski for photos.

4980
Bob Doerr  9’0″ 2/2. Varnished cane. Small extension butt, wooden reel seat, black screwlock reel seat. Half Wells grip. Dark, solid wraps. Hookkeeper. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: “Bobby Doerr” 9′ 0″ ~ 7 – 8 wt.  Serial number 4980 on butt near female ferrule, and on each tip above the male ferrule. Thanks to Dave Jankowski for photos.

4981
Tailwaters 8’6″ 2/2, 4-1/2 oz. The “Tailwaters” model is unknown to me except for this example. Varnished cane. Wood reel seat, black screwlock reel seat with downlocking ring. Appears to be Super-z-type ferrule. Dark, solid wraps. Hookkeeper. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: “Tailwaters” 8′ 6″ ~ 4 1/2 oz. ~ 6 wt.  Serial number 4981 on butt near female ferrule, and on each tip above the male ferrule. Beige rod bag with brown piping and black oxidized tube with brass ends. Reported by Rob Rebant. Thanks to Dave Jankowski for photos.

4982
Midge 6’3″ Varnished flamed cane. Reddish brown wraps. Butt inked on two flats in Todd Young’s handwriting. First flat: Paul H. Young Co.Second flat: “Midge” – 6’3” – 1 ¾ oz. – 4 wt. Owned by “canebum” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4985
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2. Varnished flamed cane, dark wooden reel seat, dark oxidized cap and ring, dark maroon wraps tipped black, except ferrule wraps which are black, tipped maroon. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7′ 6″ ~ 2 1/2 oz. ~ 4 wt.  Serial number #4985 marked on each tip above the male ferrule. Light beige sock with brown piping, black oxidized tube with brass ends. Reported by “pete from mass” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

4992
Driggs. Thanks to Carl Otto of Wanigas Rod Co. for this information.

5000
Driggs, built by Todd Young. Reported by Gregg Santori of Tustin, CA.

5010
Para 15  8’0″  Rod is 2/1 as seen in photos.  Cork reel seat, appears to be uplocking screwlock reel seat. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H. Young Co.  Second flat: “Parabolic 15″ 8′ 0” ~ 4 oz.  Serial number #5010on tip above the male ferrule. Reported by Lee Slikkers.

5013
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/2, dates to 1997. Dark figured wood reel seat, screwlock reel seat downlocking ring is knurled on each end, butt cap is knurled at the receiving end, dark maroon wraps tipped red. Oxidized fittings. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: “Perfectionist” 7′ 6″ ~ 2.50 oz.  Serial number on each tip above the male ferrule. Original sock and black oxidized tube with brass ends. With note to original owner John White of Bethlehem, PA, from Todd Young, dated November 19, 1997. Reported by rod’s second owner “azbamboo” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, who also owns PHY rod #4705.

5018
Smidgen 6’0″ 2/2 1.75 oz. Built by Todd Young. Marked: First flat: Paul H. Young Co. Second flat: Smidgen – 6’0″ – 1.75 oz. Third flat: 2 wt. Prototype #1 Flamed varnished cane, dual rings over cork reel seat. Owned by “canebum” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, who says he has never cast a sweeter two-weight rod. Owner was told by Todd Young that the blank was one of a number of prototype blanks made by Paul Young, of which Todd Young had two that he finished, a 2wt (this rod) and a 3wt built later. Owner cannot confirm that PHY built the blank but says, “Whatever the story is behind it I would not sell it just because it casts so good.”

5024
Para 16 8’6″ 2/2 4.6 oz. Built by Todd Young. Flamed cane, wet and dry tips, chocolate brown wraps, modified Wells, screwlock downlocking cork seat with glossy black fittings differs somewhat from older style, blued ferrules. Butt is marked Paul H. Young Co. second line: Parabolic 16 8’6″ third line: Joe Lehner Tips are marked DRY TIP #5024 and WET TIP #5024. Offered by Carmine Lisella in his Jordan-Mills Rod Co. catalog #30 (Spring 2008). Sold to dshx of the Classic Fly Rod Forum.

5025
Smidgen 6’0″ 2/2  1.5 oz.  Dark wood reel seat, cap and ring reel seat. Oxidized fittings. Maroon wraps tipped red and dark blue wraps at the base of the female and male ferrules. Tips differentiated by an extra thread wrap on one tip. Butt section is marked on two flats: First flat: Paul H Young Co.  Second flat: “Smidgen”  6′ 0″  1.5 oz.  Serial number marked on each section. Original sock and black oxidized tube with brass ends. Purchased new by original owner John White of Bethlehem, PA from Todd Young, and later sold to “azbamboo” of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, who describes it as “a miniature version of #5013 that was also purchased by Mr. White from Todd Young.”

XXXX – July 1955
1955 Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 Wet and dry tips. Flamed, varnished cane. Cigar handle, screwlock cork seat, deluxe wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, built by PHY. MJK Catalog No. 66 (1994).

XXXX – October 31, 1955
1955 Bobby Doerr 9’0″ 2/2 Two different weight tips. Size 17 ferrule. Rod is 5.6 oz. with one tip, 5.73 oz. with the other. Flamed, varnished cane. 2X2 node placement. Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, dark brown wraps w/burgundy tint, oxidized Super-Z ferrules, built by PHY, sold on October 31, 1955. MJK Catalog No. 88 (2004).

XXXX – 1956
1956 date, Texas General, 8’6″, 2/2, 5.25 oz., dated 1956. Varnished, flamed cane, ventilated grip, black screwlock seat, bronze wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules. MJK Catalog No. 56 (1991). Almost certainly the same rod is described seven years later as item #76 in MJK Catalog No. 74 (1998) – all information is the same, plus the rod is described as having a dry fly tip and a heavier bug tip.

XXXX – May 1956
1956 Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 4.15 oz. Built with two dry tips, shaft marked “May 1956,” also marked with original owner’s name. Flamed, varnished cane. Cigar handle with thumbprint, blk. screwlock cork seat, gold/tan wraps, Super-Z ferrules, orig. bag & tube. MJK Catalogs No. 59 (1992) and 60 (1992).

XXXX – May 1956 – Parabolic 15

XXXX – J.C. Salyer spinning rod

XXXX – Para 17 – cast by Ted Williams on a visit with its owner to George Lake

All belonging to one customer who also owned #3765 Midge, the custom “Floor Tile Special” (see listing for #3765).

XXXX – June 1956 – built for Ted Williams
1956 Para 15 8’0″ 2/3 4.08 oz. Built with three tips, flamed cane, low-res photo seems to show black screwlock cork seat, cigar grip, gold/tan wraps, shaft marked on at least two flats that are visible in photo, in PHY’s handwriting, first flat: Ted Williams – June ’56  Second flat: “Parabolic 15”  8′ – 4.09 oz. Sold as Lot. No. 535 at Hunt Auctions special auction of Ted Williams memorabilia at Fenway Park, May 2012, for $3200.

XXXX – 1957 – built for Carl Sekley of Salem, Ohio (though not marked)
1957 date, Boat Rod  8’0″  2/2  4.61 oz. Refinished by John Pickard, original lettering is gone including serial number, which is unknown. Rod had been lettered with original owner’s name and address, Carl Sekley of Salem, Ohio, although that information was also left off the refinished rod.  Dark flamed cane, dark chestnut brown wraps, new-looking blued marked Super-Z ferrules, black snake guides and stripper guide also look like new replacements, hookkeeper, bright screwlock over cork reel seat, bright pocketed cap, cannot see from photos whether cap is marked with the PHY “Detroit” stamp, screw barrel shows some corrosion, half Wells grip not cleaned and looks original, inked on two flats by Pickard, first flat: Boat Rod  8′  4.61 oz.  HCH  April 57′   Second flat: ‘Paul H. Young Detroit – Maker’. Information from current owner.

XXXX – 1958
1958, a unique 7’6″ PHY Princess that Paul H. Young built for himself in 1958, with two different tips, one tapered to 4/64 and the other to a 4-1/2/64 tip top. Slender cigar grip, reverse sliding band reel seat. Schwiebert acquired the Princess rod after Young’s death. Schwiebert wrote: “John Waller Hills observed that once in his life each fly-fisher encounters a rod so perfectly suited to his personality and temperament and physical skills that it becomes a part of him. Thus far in my fishing odyssey, the seven-and-a-half-foot Princess passed on to me from the collection of its master is that rod – it is that exquisitely poetic balance of delicacy and power that comes alive in the hands.”

XXXX – 1958

Boat Rod, for Dr. Witherspoon, a friend of Chauncy K. Lively’s, rod was probably serial numbered. Known solely from a letter written by PHY to Chauncy K. Lively, dated October 23, 1958: “Thanks to you, I have a rod tagged for your friend Dr. Witherspoon, awaiting his reply. He stated he wanted a rod with dry fly action, and I believe the ‘Boat Rod’ will do it.”

XXXX – February 18, 1959
1959 Para 15 8’0″ 2/2 K.T. Keller lighter-weight model. Built by Bob Summers. Presentation rod marked “To my Fishing Buddy Al McFarland From Bob Summers Feb. 18, 1959” Also marked: “8′ 3 3/4 oz.” Flamed cane. Wells grip w/ thumbprint, screwlock cork seat, special black wraps with beige tipping, Super-Z ferrules. Since this is a presentation rod, it may be unnumbered. MJK Catalog No. 53 (1989), and MJK Catalog No. 67 (1995).

XXXX – May 1959

PHY Special (?), 8’6″, 2/2, 4.65 oz. Known from published description for Lot 422, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. No serial number provided. I assume it has one, but it could be a shop rod or a gift rod which might not have a serial number. Dark flamed cane, bronze wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules, loop hookkeeper, black cap and ring over cork reel seat (“Detroit” stamp on cap), cigar grip. One tip for HCH line, the other for HCF line. One tip has a slight left curve. Inscriptions include the original owner’s name (unfortunately not given by Lang’s), plus “May ’59, 8’6″, 4.65 oz., HCH-HCF, Paul H. Young Special”, all in gold ink. Photos show that the rod does not resemble the “Special”-grade Young rods of the late 1940’s, but looks much more like a typical “Para” rod of the late 1950’s. Original beige bag with dark brown piping, and B-24 tube.

XXXX – December 10, 1959
1959 Princess 7’0″ 2/2 Was offered for $6500, MJK catalog No. 55 (1990). Was offered for $5850, MJK catalog No. 85 (2002). Rod weighs 3.16 oz. Screwlock cork seat w/aluminum colored threaded screwlock section. Flamed varnished cane, gold-bronze wraps, Super-Z ferrules, all sections have 2X2 node placement, orig. bag & tube.

XXXX – December 1959
1959 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 1-3/4 oz. Rod reportedly marked “A Paul Young Rod – Midge 6’3″, 1 3/4 oz. HEH – Arnold Gingrich, Dec. 1959” Serial number not reported. Sold as Lot 219, R.W. Oliver’s 3rd Annual High Rollers Public Auction of Fine Fishing Tackle & Accessories, Marlborough, MA, on February 23, 1990. In his book The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich wrote that he was able to buy rods from Jack Young, “…since Paul’s death, every bit as good as those I got when his father was alive. Still, I was glad that I had got two more Midges and a Martha Marie, as a Christmas 1959 present from my wife, just a few months before he died.” This rod is undoubtedly one of the two Midges. Also known from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated December 8, 1959: “Gingrich has ordered two more Midges, and two more M.M.Y., the last for salmon fishing.”

XXXX – December 1959
1959 Midge 6’3″ Known to me from Arnold Gingrich’s book The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich wrote that he was able to buy rods from Jack Young, “…since Paul’s death, every bit as good as those I got when his father was alive. Still, I was glad that I had got two more Midges and a Martha Marie, as a Christmas 1959 present from my wife, just a few months before he died.” Whereabouts unknown to me, this rod would be the other one of the two Midges. Also known from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated December 8, 1959: “Gingrich has ordered two more Midges, and two more M.M.Y., the last for salmon fishing.”

XXXX – Ten Midge rods belonging to Arnold Gingrich, part of a group reported by Charles K. Fox

In This Wonderful World of Trout (1963, 1971 revised edition), Charles K. Fox wrote concerning midge rods, “Those who own them love them. One ardent and skilled angler, Arnold Gingrich, publisher of Esquire, has 13 6-footers constructed by the same rodbuilder.” (page 43). Fox also referenced “…the powerful influence of two American anglers, Lee Wulff and Paul Young, ‘the fathers of the midge'” (page 44). I believe that the quite precise number thirteen indicates that Fox had specific knowledge of the actual number of Midges Gingrich owned, at least at the time of their conversation. I also note that Gingrich wrote in his books of owning multiple PHY Midge rods. Since I have specific records of three Midges owned by Gingrich (#2036, and the two Midges ordered from PHY just a few months before PHY’s death, serial numbers unknown), I deduce that there were ten other Midges owned by Gingrich, at least some of which may someday be more specifically identified and described.

XXXX – December 1959
1959 Martha Marie 7’6″ Known to me from Arnold Gingrich’s book The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), Gingrich wrote that he was able to buy rods from Jack Young, “…since Paul’s death, every bit as good as those I got when his father was alive. Still, I was glad that I had got two more Midges and a Martha Marie, as a Christmas 1959 present from my wife, just a few months before he died.” Whereabouts unknown to me, this Martha Marie model rod was built for Jane Gingrich. Also known from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated December 8, 1959: “Gingrich has ordered two more Midges, and two more M.M.Y., the last for salmon fishing.”

XXXX – December 1959
1959 Martha Marie 7’6″ Known to me from a letter written by PHY to his friend Chauncy K. Lively, dated December 8, 1959: “Gingrich has ordered two more Midges, and two more M.M.Y., the last for salmon fishing.”

Although Arnold Gingrich wrote in his book The Well-Tempered Angler (1965), “..I was glad that I had got two more Midges and a Martha Marie, as a Christmas 1959 present from my wife, just a few months before he died,” I am crediting PHY’s account of two Martha Marie rods being ordered, perhaps one for Jane and one for Arnold Gingrich. Whereabouts of this rod unknown to me.

XXXX – August 1964                                                                                                        Para 15, 8’0”, 2/2, 4 oz, HDH line. Known from published description for Lot 421, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. No serial number provided. I assume it has one, but it could be a shop rod or a gift rod which might not have a serial number. Flamed cane, cigar grip with thumb indentation, no hookkeeper (built that way), translucent cinnamon-color wraps over chrome guides, Super-Z ferrules with much wear to bluing, black screwlock seat over cork. “Detroit” stamp on black cap. Inscriptions include the original owner’s name (unfortunately not given by Lang’s), plus build date: August, 1964. Original bag and Champion-style tube.

XXXX – 1964
1964 Para 17 8’6″ 2/2 Wells grip, screwlock cork seat, gold/bronze wraps, Super-Z ferrules, 5.10 oz., originally built 1964 for Gene Anderegg ( a founding member of FFF). MJK wrote, “tips although 1/4″ short are clearly correct.”Seen in MJK catalogs No. 68, 69, 71 (1996) and 72 (1997). Anderegg also owned a Para 15, serial number 446X.

XXXX – January 1965                                                                                                      Bob Doerr salmon rod 9’0″, 2/2, 6 oz. Known from published description for Lot 423, Lang’s November 6, 2010 online auction. No serial number provided. I assume it has one, but it could be a shop rod or a gift rod that might not have a serial number. Flamed but lightly-mottled cane, dark brown wraps over chrome guides, blued ferrules, black screwlock seat over cork, (“Detroit” stamp on cap), cigar/Ritz/”torpedo” grip with thumb indentation. Inscriptions in black ink include the original owner’s name (unfortunately not given by Lang’s), plus: ” Jan. 1965, ‘Bob Doerr’, 9′- 6 oz.- GAF, A Paul H. Young Co. Rod”. Reportedly differently-tapered tips, although they are not marked differently. Original bag and Champion-style tube.

XXXX – August 21, 1965
1965 Midge 6’3″ 2/2 Dated August 21, 1965. Orig. brown wraps w/black tipping, additional wraps, satin oil finish, featherweight ferrules, cigar grip. MJK catalog No. 71 (1966).

XXXX – seen in Spring Special 1974 issue of Fly Fisherman magazine

Driggs 7’2″ Only one tip shown in photo. Flamed cane, half Wells grip, black screwlock reel seat over cork, very dark (black?) wraps, can see “Driggs Model….” in Bob Summers’ handwriting written on shaft, plus a four-digit serial number near stripper guide, but the number cannot be read. One of nine custom rods by various makers shown in double-page photo spread, pages 18-19, article by Don Zahner titled “The Bamboo Renaissance,” Fly Fisherman, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Spring Special 1974).

XXXX – 1990
1990 Nymph Jr. 7’6″, 2/2, 2-7/8 oz. Dark flamed cane, special Hi-Arc blued guides, screwlock seat, Wells grip, Super-Z ferrules, built for Martin J. Keane by Todd Young in 1990. MJK catalogs no. 76 (1998) and 77 (1999).

XXXX – June 2, 1990
Bob Doerr Model, seen at teammates forever.com, photo shows rod with paper tag attached that reads “Bob Doerr” Model 9′ – 6 oz.  A Paul H. Young Co. Rod  to Bob Doerr 6-2-90 from the Oregon Sashweight Society – 2 Tips. Photographed on beige rod bag, rod is 2/2, heavily flamed, looks like it may be oil finish, black butt cap, black screwlock reel seat mechanism over wood spacer, half Wells grip, brown solid thread wraps.

XXXX – built for Martha Marie Young 
Martha Marie 7’6″ 2/2 3-5/8 oz. Reportedly marked “A Paul H. Young Co. Rod for Mrs. Paul H. Young – Martha Marie, 7 ft. 6 in., 3 5/8 oz.” Reported that “The rod was made by the company, just prior to going out of business, for Mrs. Young (Martha Marie) at her request. This 7 1/2 ft., 2 piece, 2 tip rod is near mint in original bag and tube.” Serial number not reported. Sold as Lot 218, R.W. Oliver’s 3rd Annual High Rollers Public Auction of Fine Fishing Tackle & Accessories, Marlborough, MA, on February 23, 1990.

XXXX
Perfectionist 7’6″ 2/1 with major modifications and repairs. Offered on Len Codella’s Sporting Collectibles web site, January 2010, described as “…an original 1950’s Young rod that has been reworked… original cork filled dual ring reel seat has been replaced with a 1960’s aluminum reel seat and the rod was re-wrapped… All the shaft ID’s were lost then. The original Young 2-up node pattern, half Wells grip and the late 1950’s black anodized aluminum rod ferrules… remain. The tip-top was snapped off… a tip section scarfed to the original by Wes Cooper to restore the rod to its original full length and action…. Replacement cloth bag and brass capped rod case.”

XXXX 
Para 15 8’0″, 2/2. Dry and wet tips. Wells grip, wooden reel seat, brown wraps, blued Super-Z ferrules.

XXXX 
PHY Princess, 7’0″. 2/2. Likely early 1960’s as it bears the rare gold ink (script). Varnished and flamed cane, gold wraps, ventilated grip with two thumb indents, dual black (knurled) rings over cork. Blued ferrules. Inked on two flats in gold ink. One flat appears to be the hand of Paul H. Young and is marked: “Princess” – 7′ – 2.71oz. The second flat, also in gold ink is Bob Summers’ script: Paul H. Young Co. Detroit Maker . Original Champion tube and red satin bag (that was also common in the early 1960’s). Listed on Bob Summers’ website November 2018 for $5,000.00. The description: “I refinished . this rod about twenty years ago. The handle spaced cork with two . thumb rest is the original by Paul Young. The rod has not been fished since refinishing.”