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The Earliest Known Dickerson: 1931 8'6" Three Piece

Below:  1931 Dickerson 862 made for Mr. Oliver J. LaLonde ~ Detroit

 The ledger entry for rod 862 is as follows: April 15, 1931~ Oliver J. LaLonde ~ 12408 Berwood ~ $38 ~ 862- 8 ½ Dry Fly 

(below-original ledger 1931 entry) 

Rod 862 appears in the ledger as the seventh rod Dickerson made in 1931, his first year of production. 862  is both the model and the serial number in this particular case.  During Dickerson's first four months of production, he marked the rods by using the length, in this case "8'6", and then the sequential production number for the rod's length; 2, being representative of the second rod made in the 8'6" length, thus 862.  

As found, the rod had incorrect wraps and rough finish. It has since received new wraps and varnish while preserving the rod’s original script; Dickerson #862.

O.J. LaLonde Detroit

                                O.J. LaLonde Detroit

  • Above:  The reel seat, commonly referred to as the “Hardy locking seat” in most writings about Dickerson rods, can actually be traced back to Cross-South Bend origins. It is not known if the seat was made at South Bend or manufactured for them. However, it was available in their catalogs for retail sale. Note the end screw accommodation in the butt cap.

Rod 862 appears in the ledger as the seventh rod Dickerson made in his first year of production, 1931.  "862" is both the model and the serial number in this particular case.  During Dickerson's first few months of production, he marked the rods by using the length, in this case "8'6", and then the sequential production number of the rod model; "2" being representative of the second rod made in the 8'6" length, thus 862.  


The tube is commercially made rather than Dickerson’s later in-house brass cap and collar tube.  The cap and collar are nickel plated brass with the nickel mostly worn away.  An old embossed letter plastic label with the original owners initials, J.O.L. is affixed to the top of the cap.  There is a strong possibility the tube is original to the rod, however, we would need to see a couple of rods from the same period to confirm. The original bag is also unique in that it does not have the fold-over tie down flap Dickerson bags were known for.  There is a small write-up on the bag in the Rod Bags & Tubes  section of this site.  Other unique features of the rod include the grip shape and early grip check. 

    This rod is a treasure now preserved as an outstanding example representing Dickerson’s very earliest work. It would have been hand planed by Dickerson on his earliest planing jig; what appears to be an excruciating to use jig for which the strips had to be pulled through by hand.

    Above:  Dickerson's early hand planing jig, used from 1931 until around 1933/34

      Thank you for visiting the site. I would be interested in hearing of other pre-1935 Dickerson rods. 

      -Marc Bourgea, Oct, 2022

      -revised May 2025

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