** Please note that this rod and reel are being sold together as a combined set **

A nice Darryl Whitehead bamboo fly rod, 7'3", 2-piece, 2-tip, and built for a #5 line. Medium fast. Used lightly, with some modest grip soiling. The rod weighs 4.4 ounces on my scale. There are some tiny cracks from casting at the ferrule wraps. Serial # 51B (1982) and intended to pair with a Saracione reel with the same serial number. Flamed cane in a spiral node pattern. Superb varnish. Brown main wraps with black edges on all, a band of apricot and black at the keeper and male ferrules. Agate stripper and black snake guides appear to have been made by Darryl himself. The Swiss style ferrules are polished and are engraved by Paolo Barbetti. A nickel silver and bone ferrule plug keeps the female ferrule clean. The grip is 5 3/4" long, formed to a western profile. The seat features an eye-catching and perfectly varnished walnut spacer. The nickel silver downlocking screwlock is made of opposed pocket caps which are also engraved by Paolo Barbetti. The bottom of the cap is engraved "D.L. Whitehead, Maker, Ser # 51B, 1982." The rod packs into a aed cloth bag and Arnie Mason leather tube with aluminum insert and brass collar/tops. The brass top in all of this has also been engraved by Paolo Barbetti.

A superb Saracione Deluxe fly reel, 3" diameter and set up for RHW. Serial #51B. The reel weighs 5.1 ounces on my scale. Good used condition with normal cosmetic wear throughout but no major issues. There is some light rim rash in a few places, some mounting marks on the foot, and a few scuffs on the sideplates. This reel is intended to pair up with the Darryl Whitehead rod described above and which bears the same serial number. Polished hard rubber side plates. The rim bands are nickel silver while the foot, spool, and serpentine handle are aluminum. The screws and pillars are stainless steel. The reel comes in a handsome Arne Mason leather box.

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