A very rare and unusual HL Leonard salmon rod, 9', 4-piece, 2-tip built for a #8/9 line. Serial #840, which suggests a 1969 or 1970 manufacture date. The rod sections measure out to 27 1/2" which helps it packs up into a very transportable size. On the faster side of most Leonard actions. The overall condition is very good and fishable. No varnish issues and good ferrule fits. Blonde cane in three up node pattern construction. Wrapped in a honey tan color with a chrome stripper and chrome snake guides. Bright ferrules. The serial #840 is lettered 1 flat left and the keeper is 1 flat right. The grip is a slim cigar profile of 13 corks, 6 1/2" in length. The reel seat is an all nickel silver down lock screw lock construction of the double knurl type. A pocket cap is soldered on at the bottom and is stamped "H.L.L., H.L.Leonard rod co, Makers" in the cartouche. As stated ferrule fits are good and the rod is straight. A nickel silver plug pulls out of the seat bottom to allow a fighting butt  (stored in the canvass outer bag) to plug in. The rod bag for the tips and mids goes into a brass topped tube with the previous owner's card (Douglas Chester of Spring Mills Pa.) and a long explanation of some of the places (Africa) the rod has traveled to.  The tube stores into the canvas over bag along with the butt and the fighting butt. A very rare and highly unusual Leonard rod here, one that will be of interest to the Leonard aficionado or lover of the Catskill tradition of rodbuilding.