- 1). Locate the South Bend name on the rod. On older bamboo rods you may see "South Bend a Name Famous In Fishing."
- 2). Identify the South Bend name stamped into the cork on the fly rod. The handle is made out of cork and a stamped logo is sometimes visible on well-preserved models.
- 3). Look for the South Bend Sporting Goods, Inc. brand name on newer models. This name may appear multiple times on the rod and reel on models produced after 1980.
- 4). Inspect the rod case if available. The original rod case was made of wood, typically red in color with the South Bend brand name visible on the case. The rod slid into a separate canvas sleeve which was then inserted into the case.
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