Harold S.Pinky Gillum, a carpenter by occupation, was an infantry veteran of World War I. He entered the service July 26, 1917, at Syracuse, N.Y. and was a chemical warfare specialist with the 158th regiment, stationed at Willoughsby, Ohio. He was discharged Dec. 22, 1918.

History wants H.S.Pinky Gillum introduced to the craft by Eustis Edward (who left the Leonard & Co in 1890). Harold S. Pinky Gillum was a contemporary and friend of Jim Payne and Everett Garrison from whom some say got inspired.Influences from the Payne rods in his rod making craft are suggested. But it is known that Gillum experimented a lot with the taper design during his life.

He Lived all his life in Ridgefield, CT, and started making bamboo rods and flies from his home. Both were made and sold worldwide with the help of his wife, Winnie (deceased in 2004). Winnie was also an avid fly angler and a former Orvis employee in Vermont where they met and married in 1946 and then bought land in Ridgefield to build their home at Stonecrest Road 2.

In a 1991 interview Winnie remembered "the fishing rods had become a paying hobby and people like Benny Goodman and Philip Pillsbury bought them," she said. "The eight foot bamboo rods became collectors' items and might sell for $2,000."

Gillum worked for Orvis as a rod building teacher for about 5 years.

The Gillum Fly Rod company lasted well after his death. His wife kept the company until 1991?.

Harold Steele "Pinkie" Gillum, 70,died suddenly on the night, May 5, 1966 at his residence.

It also said that Gillum was friend with Jim Payne.

(Jack Sanders of http://www.ridgefieldhistory.com/ helped me substantially in writing this webpage)

From a Lang's auction 2007 catalogue:

8' 3" Gillum Trout Rod made for Elsie Darbee. Having been
fished by Elsie, this 3/2 rod is in good condition but with a few
nicks and bag marks in the varnish and a click in one ferrule.
Gillum flamed the cane for this rod, giving it a rich caramel color.
The wraps are bronze, finely tipped with black and the stripping
guide has a dark red agate insert. One tip has brown wraps with
no tipping. The screw up locking reel seat has a curly mahogany
spacer. The Darbees were world famous fly tyers in their own
right and Gillum made this lighter than normal rod for Elsie
because, as she is quoted "The others he made for me were too
damn stiff ". It is accompanied by a letter of provenance from
Harry Darbee. "Gillum's DeLuxe" is lightly inked on the shaft.
Black cloth bag and tube included. ($4,200-$4,500)

Fabulous 7' Gillum DeLuxe Trout Rod. H.S. "Pinky" Gillum rods
are rare to begin with, but a 7', 2/2 rod in excellent shape is
extremely rare. This totally original rod has caramel colored cane,
orange wraps tipped with black, cork reel seat with sliding band
and cap and Gillum's signature on the butt. The bluing on the cap
and ring is a little worn but that only enhances the character of
this fine rod. The sections are full and straight and the varnish is
excellent. It is a 'pre-resorcinol glue' rod with Halstead style ferrules.
The bag and tube are original. A highly desirable rod for the
Gillum collector. ($6,000-$6,500)

Unused 8' Gillum Trout Rod. Rarely seen in this condition, this
2/2 rod shows no signs of ever being used. It features medium
flamed cane which is lighter on the butt than the tips, resorcinol
glue, bronze wraps and an aluminum screw up locking reel seat
with "H. S. Gillum Maker" stamping. Each section carries serial
#I-887. This rod was reportedly made for Gillum's sister-in-law,
Alice, and never fished. Complete with the original bag and
labeled tube. ($4,500-$5,000)

From Harold.S.Pinky Gillum back to main old bamboo rods webpage