Heddon Pal Pro Weight #8381 Fiberglass 7', 2pc, 3.0oz, 5wt Fly Rod, Sock, Tube

  

Besides a couble of scratches on the male ferrule this rod appears to have never been fished, given the condition of the cork grip and reel seat as well as the rest of the rod. The Pro Weight product line was introduced in 1963 and was marketed as 1/3 lighter than other Heddons, weighing 3.0 ounces. (see product literature in last photos) This model, with it's "monel coil" snake guides, and characteristic bronze colored aluminum reel seat and extra select cork grip is likely a 1967 model finished with the natural brown fiberglass blank, bronze and black wraps and bronze colored ferrules. Some models had yellow colored blanks as well but are no nearly as striking visually as this fly rod. It's a medium light powered 5 weight rod that feels great in your hand, and ideal for casting dry flies, nymphs, and streamers to both trout, bass, and other species on both lakes and streams.

My first fly rod was a similar Mark IV model and I still think these are some of the most distinctive fly-rods ever made in the post-bamboo era. The rod is all original with no re-finishing, no repairs or other modifications, the sock and tube are Heddon correct as well. The purple and has gold piping and two sets of yellow colored ties is in excellent condition. The modern Heddon aluminum reel seat shows no use but may have had a reel mounted on it once or twice. The cork grip is in excellent condition with no signs of wear.

All guides, hook keeper, and ferrules including black rubber Size-matic O-ring on male ferrule are like new, as are the windings and varnish/coating from tip to bottom of rod. This is a great example of a 1967 vintage rod that has been carefully stored and cared for. I did some test casting with the this rod using a WF5F line. The rod is the most delicate Heddon fiberglass rod I have cast, and was equally capable close in and out to 60 or 70 feet. Of the five or six 7' to 7 1/2' fiberglass rods I've tested this summer, I'd take this one with me anywhere on smaller streams, ponds, and lakes tight up on the lily pads.

Over the past year or so, I have seen plenty of Heddon fiberglass rods, but never a Pro Weight 7 footer. I'm pretty sure these rods, in this pristine condition, must be coveted by their owners. This rod has a great quality signature about it and it will make an "outstanding" gift that can be fished immediately or be added to any vintage fishing tackle collection.

(Many thanks to "wrong88" on Fiberglassflyrodders website for the excellent Heddon fiberglass fly rod catalog listings which are a tremendous resource for all enthusiasts). MacRae - Vintage Rods and Reels in 2021 include. Heddon #10 Blue Waters Bamboo Fly Rod - 8 1/2', 3/2pc, 2F, Sock, Tube.

Shakespeare #1358 Bamboo Fly Rod - 8 1/2', 3/2 Pc, 7Wt, w/Sock & Tube. Bamboo Fly Rod 9', 3/2Pc, 5-6wt, w/Sock, Tube.

Heddon #125 Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/2pc, 2 3/4F, GBG or C, Sock, Tube. Unknown Maker Bamboo Fly Rod - 8', 3/2 Pc, 4-5wt, w/Sock & Tube.

Heddon #20 Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/1pc, 2 1/2F, HCH or D, Sock, Tube. Heddon #14 Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/2pc, 2 3/4F, HCH or D, Sock, Tube.

Heddon #115 Bamboo Fly Rod - 8 1/2', 3/1pc, 2F, HDH or E, Sock, Tube. Montague Rapidian 7 1/2', 2/2 Bamboo Fly Rod, Sock, Tube. Unknown Maker Bamboo Fly Rod - 8 1/2', 3/2 Pc, 7Wt, w/Sock & Tube. Heddon #10 Blue Waters Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/2pc, 2 1/2F, Sock, Tube.

Abbey & Imbrie Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/2 Pc, 5wt, w/Orig Sock & Tube. South Bend #47 Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/2 Pc, 7Wt, w/Orig Sock & Tube.

Unknown Maker Bamboo Fly Rod - 9', 3/1 Pc, 7Wt, w/Sock & Tube. Early Heddon #35 Bamboo Fly Rod, 9', 3/2pc w/Sock & Heddon Tube. Heddon Pal #8403 Mark III Fiberglass 7 1/2', 2pc, 6wt Fly Rod, Sock, Tube.

Heddon Pal #8453 Mark IV Fiberglass 7 1/2', 2pc, 6wt Fly Rod w/Sock, Tube. Lamiglas Custom Fiberglass Fly Rod - 7' 3, 2pc, 3.5oz, 3-5wt, Sock, Tube. Conolon Falcon 407 Fiberglass Fly Rod 9' 2pc, Sock, Bass Action. Heddon Pal #7404 6' 9" Rod Sack/Tube - 2 1/2"D x 55"L, + 33" tip section. Heddon Pal #8353 Mark II Fiberglass 7' 6 6wt Fly Rod w/Sock & Tube.

Heddon Pal #8459 Mark IV Fiberglass 9' 9wt Fly Rod w/Sock, Tube, & Flies. Heddon Pal #8387 Pro Weight Fiberglass 8' 6 8wt Fly Rod w/Sock. Heddon Pal #8383 Pro Weight Fiberglass 7' 6 5wt Fly Rod w/Sock & Tube. St Croix Avid SCIII Graphite Casting Rod-AC66MLF, 6' 6, 1 Pc, Med-lite, Fast.

Mid-1990s Vintage Orvis HLS Graphite Fly Rod 9', 5wt, 2 Pc, Original Sock & Tube. St Croix Avid SCIII Graphite Casting Rod-AC60MF, 6', 1 Pc, Med Power, Fast Action. Early 1980's Vintage Fenwick HMG Custom 8' 6, 7wt, 2 Pc Fly Rod, Sock, Tube. Fenwick TechnaAV AV9010 w/Fighting Butt, 9', 10wt, 2 Pc Fly Rod, Sock, Tube.

Vintage Cortland GRF 1000 Graphite 5/6 Fly 7'6 Rod, Original Sock. The item "Heddon Pal Pro Weight #8381 Fiberglass 7', 2pc, 3.0oz, 5wt Fly Rod, Sock, Tube" is in sale since Friday, September 24, 2021. This item is in the category "Sporting Goods\Fishing\Rods & Poles". The seller is "jimmymac448" and is located in Denver, Colorado. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.

• Line Weight: 5 wt
• Number of Pieces: 2
• Fish Species: All Freshwater
• Color: Bronze
• Number of Guides: 6
• Material: Fiberglass
• Rod Handle Material: Cork
• Rear Grips Length: Standard
• Item Length: 7 ft
• Rod Action: Controlled Flex Action
• Brand: Heddon
• Rod Type: Fly Fishing Rod
• Fishing Type: Freshwater Fishing
• Grip Style: Full
• Model: Heddon Pal Pro Weight #8381
• Foregrip Length: None
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Rod Reel Seat: Heddon down locking bronze
• Item Weight: 3.0 oz
• Rod Power: Light
• Lure Weight: unknown
• Product Line: Fiberglass Fly Rod