William Mills & Son - Standard 8' 3/2 Bamboo Rod

For sale here is an 8' 3-piece / 2-tip "Mill's Standard" bamboo rod in very good restored condition. Made by H.L. Leonard, the Mills Standard rods were essentially lower grade rods built on similar tapers to the standard Leonard lineup. This one features dark guides and pale-yellow windings. 15/64 & 10/64 ferrules fit perfectly, and all sections are straight & full length. Swelled butt with strap & ring hook keeper and 5" cork grip (soiled with light ridging). Pocketed cap & ring reel seat over wood spacer. The butt cap is stamped "Standard - Mills & Son Makers NY". The rod is completely restored and in nice shape with one exception: there is a small chip in the cane between the 2nd and 3rd snake guides on one tip. This would merit an invisible wrap before taking this tip out on the water. At 8' and a hair over 4oz, this would be a Model 208 by my old W. Mills catalogs. Medium action, best with a DT5. William Mills produced these rods when they had a controlling stake in the Leonard Rod company and advertised "If you do not wish to go to the expense of an H.L. Leonard Rod, buy a Standard, for you can get no better". It's likely the Standard rods were produced in far lower numbers than true Leonards, and they are somewhat scarce on the secondary market. Sold in the original bag and tube.