For sale here is an Omar H. Needham "Needham's Special" 8'6" 2/2 7-8wt bamboo rod. Serial no. 55746. Made in 1972. Omar H. Needham was head of the Orvis rod building shop in the late 30's before leaving to build his own rods in Rangeley, Maine. The rod is in excellent condition. All sections are full length and straight. Moderately tempered cane. Matte oil finish. Chestnut brown silks with oxblood wraps at the winding check, ferrules, and tip-tops. The script remains clean and bold. U-shaped hook-keeper. The western-style grip is soiled but in otherwise fine shape. Bronze colored aluminum up-locking reel seat with a walnut spacer. The hard rubber fighting butt remains free of cracks and other defects.

The ferrules are size 15/64 with a great fit. Includes original ferrule plug. The rod weighs 5.70 oz. The action is quite authoritative, on the faster side of medium-fast. It would make for a terrific streamer rod or a light bass setup. Though the rod is labeled for a 7-8 weight line I think the sweet spot is a WF7.

It is estimated that Needham built less than 400 rods so they are somewhat rare. Comes with original bag and tube with the label still intact, though the label is largely unreadable. There is a small tear at the bottom of the butt section sleeve of the bag.