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Phillipson Rod Co.
Phillipson Rods
Bill Phillipson had been a protégé of Goodwin Granger and then supervisor
of the rod shop for the Goodwin Granger Co. up until the time it closed down shortly before World War II. In 1945 he tried
to purchase the Granger operation but when that failed he started his own company, the Phillipson Rod and Tackle Co., and
produced his first catalog of bamboo rods in 1946. Phillipson was an innovator in the truest sense, he was constantly making
changes and improvements in his bamboo rods, and later during the 1950's and 60's was one of the pioneers in development of
fiberglass rods. Many of the outstanding features of the Granger rods were actually developed during Bill's tenure as production
manager; including the Registered series of rods, the elliptical cork grip, that also later appeared on some Phillipson models,
and the patented nickel silver internal up locking reel seat.
Bill has often been cussed for the obvious glue lines
that appear on all Phillipson rods. The glue lines are the result of the Penacolite glue Phillipson used, rather than any
flaw or lack of tolerances in the milling process. Bill always valued function over appearance and refused to use what he
felt were inferior glues simply because they dried clear leaving no glue lines. Penacolite was the most water repellent of
any glue available, even more so than Resorcinol. The disadvantage was the dark purple color that shows as distinct glue lines
between strips of bamboo; similar to, but more distinct than the glue lines evident in most Garrison and Gillum rods.
The
most common fly rod models produced by Phillipson include his original series of the Pacemaker, Power Pakt, Paramount and
Premium; and the Paragon added a year later. During the later years he introduced a line of impregnated models that included
the Preferred and Peerless series. Each of these models was available in a variety of lengths and line weights. Other less
common Phillipson models include the Smuggler, a four-piece travel rod produced only during 1952, and the Peerless Dry Fly
Special. Other rods produced by Phillipson that never carry the Phillipson name, but were private-label rods for specific
sporting goods outlets include the Haywood Zephyr and the Ed M. Hunter Approved.
The Phillipson era ended when Bill
sold his company in 1972 to 3M Corporation, and they produced 300 impregnated Peerless rods at the Phillipson plant in Denver
before moving the equipment to Minnesota. These rods are distinguishable by the wooden spacers in the aluminum reel seats.
Paragon
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $315
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $250
Pacemaker
8' 3-pc., 2 tip 4 1/4 oz. $475
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $315
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip Dry Fly
5 1/2 oz. $325
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $275
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 oz. $260
9 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 1/4
oz. $250
Pow'r Pak't
7' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 oz. $600
7 1/2 ' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 3/4 oz. $550
8' 3-pc., 2 tip 4 1/4 oz. $475
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $325
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip Dry Fly 5 1/2
oz. $340
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $275
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 oz. $275
9 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 1/4 oz.
$260
Paramount
7' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 oz. $600
7 1/2 ' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 3/4 oz. $550
8'
3-pc., 2 tip 4 1/4 oz. $500
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $350
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip Dry Fly 5 1/2 oz. $350
9'
3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $275
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 oz. $275
9 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 1/4 oz. $260
Premium
7' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 oz. $625
7 1/2' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 3/4 oz. $575
8' 3-pc., 2 tip 4 1/4 oz. $550
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $375
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip Dry Fly 5 1/2 oz. $400
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8
oz. $325
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 oz. $300
9 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 1/4 oz. $300
Dry Fly Special
8
1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 1/2 oz. $475
with extra grip to make 6'2" Midge rod
Smuggler
7'8"'
4-pc., 1 tip 4 3/4 oz. $650
Haywood Zephyr
7' 2-pc., 1 tip 4 oz. $475
Ed M.
Hunter, Approved
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $375
Preferred (Impregnated)
7'
2-pc., 2 tip 3 oz. $625
7 1/2 ' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 3/4 oz. $600
8' 3-pc., 2 tip 4 1/4 oz. $600
8 1/2 '
3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $400
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip Dry Fly 5 1/2 oz. $400
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $300
9'
3-pc., 2 tip 6 oz. $300
Peerless (Impregnated)
7' 2-pc., 2 tip 3 oz. $650
7 1/2 '
2-pc., 2 tip 3 3/4 oz. $625
8' 3-pc., 2 tip 4 1/4 oz. $600
8 1/2 ' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $400
8 1/2 '
3-pc., 2 tip Dry Fly 5 1/2 oz. $400
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5-5/8 oz. $325
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 6 oz. $300
Colorado
Topflyte
8 1/2 ' 3--pc., 2 tip 5 oz. $300
9' 3-pc., 2 tip 5 1/2 oz. $250
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