Changes

The Phillipson Rod Company made high quality fiberglass flyrods fly rods from the early 1950s 1950 to the early mid 1970s. There were 4 four distinct fiberglass production eras in the company history:

began selling fiberglass rods in 1950. The early rods were made with conventional techniques using Hexcel phenolic impregnated fiberglass. This gave a dark brown rod blank with a strongly figured strong woven pattern to the woven fiberglass. This time period included quite a few The first rods with different nameswere labeled P76, but a similar look (Chieftaintwo-piece rod 7'6" long and P86, PowerKast, and Scout)a two-piece rod 8'6" long. The model number for these These rods included a letter code were fitted with the Phillipson <i>Hammer Handle</i> grip and the length in feet and inches, i.e., TS76unique Phillipson No-Rock reelseat. The line ratings are given by line diameterIn 1953, HDH or HCH. Occasionally, these the the less expensive S-series rods have painted blanks, but most are clear finishedwere marketed. The rod grips are usually full wells and the reel seats are standard Phillipson aluminun design in a wide range of colors. All Phillipson These rods that I have seen from this era had nickel silver ferrulesa typical round full Wells grip.

This time period included quite a few rods with different names, but a similar look (Chieftain, PowerKast, and Scout). The model number for these rods included a letter code and the length in feet and inches, i.e., TS76. The line ratings are given by line diameter, HDH or HCH. Some rods had painted blanks, but most are clear finished. The rod grips are usually full wells and the reel seats are standard Phillipson aluminum design in a wide range of colors. All Phillipson rods that I have seen from this era had nickel silver ferrules. Around 1955, Phillipson developed the Eponite rod blank. During heat curing of the Hexcel phenolic impregnated fiberglass, the rod blank was put under high pressure to prevent the formation of voids in the rod blank walls. The Eponite rod blanks have a peculiar butterscotch color and distict distinct pattern . The rods were always labeled EPONITE. The first Eponite rods were given the letter code "X". Later rods were simply marked with the EPONITE symbol. In early 1960 the Phillipson Rod and Tackle plant suffered a serious fire. After repairing the damage, Phillipson began to the materialuse 3M Scotchply epoxy impregnated fiberglass.