Leonard Fly Rod

6-strip Calcutta bamboo
Leonard opened his Bangor, Maine, rod shop in 1871; this rod is believed to have been among his first 6-strip models, which came to dominate American rodmaking for almost 50 years. This presentation rod, with cedar inlays in the grip, was built by Hiram Leonard for Bangor attorney H.H. Howells, who did patent work for Leonard.

The American Museum of Fly Fishing Collection
Gift of Samuel Johnson