A superb Sam Carlson Thomas "Four" quad fly rod, 7'6", 2-piece, 2-tips, built for what feels like a #5 line. Serial number 6317-4752. 4.1 ounces. Superb near mint, likely lawn cast only condition. There are no cracks at the ferrule wraps, just a hint of brassing to the HSS snake guides. Medium fast to fast action. This was the 17th rod produced by Sam in 1963. "CW 'Sam' Carlson - Maker" is inked on the wrap flat. Four strip construction and superb Cosmo spar varnish. Maroon wraps with black edges done by Sam's wife Verna. Carbide stripper and black HSS snake guides. The Western-style grip is 6 1/2" if we include the tenite front cork check. The grip is squared to meet the check. The flatted cork seat shows faint traces of a reel foot. The slide band is beautifully styled by Sam with a delicate knurling. A full pocket cap is glued and pinned over tenite. The ferrule fits are perfect and the rod is straight. Original bag but the tube may be a replacement. A Carlson rod of this quality by a true "old master" is an extreme rarity these days.

This rod comes from the collection of Dr. Earl Fleegler, a passionate angler and well-known collector in the fly fishing community as well as a renowned hand surgeon. Dr. Fleegler was close friends with a number of angling luminaries including Tom Maxwell, Vince Marinaro, and Stan Bogdan (among others) and devoted considerable effort to collecting some of the finest tackle available from masters of the craft.