Goodwin Granger(Michigan, USA, 1899 - Denver, Colorado, USA 1931)
(November 2009)Speaking now about Goodwin Granger, after reviewing the New York's state Catskill footstep region, the Detroit area and California we move now on to another monumental bamboo rod crafting area of the USA: Colorado The most authoritative source of information for colorado cane rods collectors is agreed to be the book Colorado Classic Cane: A History of the Colorado Bamboo Rod Makers The South Creek Ltd website, based in Lyons, Colorado is most probably, as far as I know, the most useful contemporary presence, along the book, to speak about Goodwin Granger. It is not only a self-taught rod maker's website (Mr Michael D. Clark) and very beautifully done, but also carry a very important Goodwin Granger rods registry: the listing of all registered rods which prove and date an original registered Granger bamboo rod (the book is more complete and goes further in cataloguing basically all Granger's rods). ------- (November 2009)Here are some more interesting facts about Goodwin Granger thanks to Mr Michael Sinclair himself who very kindly accepted my interview. Thank you Mr Sinclair! What kind of character was Goodwin Granger? We don't know a lot about Granger's personality, though Bill Phillipson described him as "the finest of men". We do know that he had good business acumen, was very precise and kept his company growing rapidly. He was also a devoted family man with a wife and daughter. He was fond of participating in casting tournaments around the country, especially in Chicago and Denver. When did he make his first rod? His Period of activity? Granger started making rods in about 1918. He was self-taught as a rod maker and never worked for another rodmaker or rod making company. He did not work alone, however, as his company initially employed about four individuals and eventually employed about forty people. He outgrew two leased factories and finally constructed a new factory dedicated to the making of rods in about 1928. Any important moment(s) in his rod making life? He was very, very proud of his new factory which began operating in about 1928. E.g., any important patent or idea in rod making? Goodwin Granger was the originator of the use of ammonia and steam to produce brown-toned rods, a practice later adopted by many other rod making concerns, especially Heddon. Granger used this process from the very beginning of his rod making career. He holds no patents though in 1938 after he died, the company received a patent for its famous up-locking reel seat which was designed by a Granger metal smith. Which value can reach granger rods in an auction in your experience? Is the interest growing? First, it is important to know that Granger referred to the different named rods as "grades". The taper of the rod was referred to as the "model". At the peak of production, there were eight "grades" and there were twelve tapers, or "models". For example, a rod might be called an 8642 "Victory". That meant that the model was 8642: an 8 foot, 6 inch rod weighing 4 and a half ounces, in the "Victory" grade. Granger rods have always been popular with collectors who fish with their collectible rods. They seem to have broad appeal and have steadily increased in value. Just as when they were new, the many "grades" of Granger rods provide a wide range of prices. Today, the more numerous "grades" often cost less to purchase than a good quality graphite rod. A good Granger rod for fishing can be bought for about $300.00. The rarest of the Granger rods, the "Granger Registered" rod, can bring several thousand dollars at auction. The "Granger Registered" was only made for a few years. Less than 400 "Registered" rods were made. Mike Clark and Kathy Jensen are the creators and custodians of the "Granger Registry" where all known examples of this rod are, indeed, "registered". I know you are familiar with their web site and that registry. The seven other Granger grades were made in quite large numbers - perhaps as many as 30 thousand total rods per year in the 1930's. The lowest grade Granger was called the "Champion" and is very common, especially in nine-foot configurations. The next most common models are the "Victory" and the "Special". Much less common are the "Aristocrat", "Favorite", "DeLuxe" and "Premier" models. Please read the following of my interview with Mr Sinclair where he speaks of himself, his books and the next one is going to write exactly about Goodwin Granger!
From a Lang's auction 2007 catalogue 7' Wright & McGill Granger Aristocrat Trout Rod. This highly
8 1/2' Goodwin Granger DeLuxe Trout Rod. This popular 3/2 7' Wright & McGill Granger Aristocrat Trout Rod. This highly
---------- From Mr M.W.Reynold online tackle catalogue (October 2009) Granger (Lacey) 7030 Registered, 7 ft., 2/2, 4 wt, Goodwin Granger marked nickel silver slide band reel seat, bright nickel silver ferrules, original black and white silk wraps, hook keeper, winding check, serial numbered, the best rod in the line, you may not ever be able to acquire an original 7030 Registered but this is the next best thing. Comes in a custom black rod tube with an engraved identification plate and a custom monogrammed sock. Brand new.($2995) Goodwin Granger Champion 9050, 9 ft., 3/2, 6 wt, Goodwin Granger nickel silver slide band reel seat, fully restored with new and correct red wilk wraps tipped in black and new varnish, original rod lettering intact, bright nickel silver ferrules, perfect lettering on the rod "Granger Champion", all correct and unfished since the restoration, one family owned. The fiber tube has long been lost and replaced with a T&T aluminum and brass tube with T&T bag.($450)
Source: http://www.southcreekltd.com/granger/
From Goodwin granger back to the main old bamboo rods webpage
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by Dick Spurr and Michael Sinclair (the later is also the author of the 
). 
