A very nice Gary Howells fly rod, 8'6", 2-piece, 2 tips, built for a #6 line. "G. H. Howells" and "8 1/2' 4 1/4 oz #4517" lettered on the shaft. The serial number denotes a 1979 manufacture date. Medium full flexing action. Near mint condition with some light soiling to the grip and a few faint marks on the reel seat. The ferrule fits are good and the tips have a very mild right handed set, easily corrected. Medium wheatstraw colored cane and the nodes are distributed in a three up node pattern. The varnish is excellent. The wraps are the usual Howells brown with yellow tipping and the ferrules have the Winston-inspired overwrap, also in brown. Chrome tip tops. The grip is 12 corks long and 6" in length, done in a half wells profile. The reel seat is an aluminum uplocking slide band with a pocket cap, done over Gary's trademark zebrawood spacer. The rod packs in a bright orange cloth bag and the original aluminum tube with brass hardware and the Howells data sticker intact.