For the sportsman who may not have everything... but you're not sure what he wants - a William Mills & Son Gift Certificate. An ideal present, redeemable at our store or by mail for any merchandise in our catalogue. Certificates, handsomely engraved and bearing the donor's name. Art for your den, study, office, fishing lodge or club. One of the most exciting recent additions to the Mills store is our new art collection, featuring a wide selection of handsome, original works of art by such famous sportsmen-artists as Francis W. Davis, Richard Grossenbach, and Tom Orlando. Add a new note of elegance to any room with one or more of these fine oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, and pen-and-ink drawings. All works are matted and tastefully framed. See our complete collection, or write for i nformation about specific subjects you would be interested in purchasing.
February 1, 1968 William Mills & Son, Inc. 21 Park Place New York, New York 10007 (212) BArclay 7-6636 Dear Fellow Sportsmen: 1967 was a good year. Both my staff and I hope that your fishing and shooting was as successful as ours. Bill Buckley enjoyed many hours on local streams such as the Amawalk, Schoharie and Esopus. In September he fished the Miramichi for salmon and during the hunting season he shot a mixed bag of duck, woodcock, grouse and deer. While en route to Montana this fall I fished with some friends at their club in Michigan. The weather was beautiful the condition of the stream was perfect, but the big fish came in a week after I left. No matter, I did manage to catch a few to warm me up for Montana. There another friend and I fished the Yellowstone, Gallatin and several of the meadow and spring creeks that offer such good dry fly fishing at that time of year. The highlights of the hunting season were trips to Canada for woodcock and grouse, and a lovely week-end with friends shooting chukars and quail in Ohio. Buddy Frasca, who many of you met here, is now in the Army and one of our new salesmen, Sam Guttman, just returned from a skiing honeymoon. In recent years we have been doing something we have found to be both rewarding and unique. From time to time we hear that one of our customers is very ill. When we do we send him one of his favorite flies, together with our sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery. If you know a fly fisherman who needs our "Get Well Fly" send us his or her name and address. We'll do the rest. I' m glad to say that delivery of Leonard rods will be much better this year and we trust that by next year all rods will be shipped from stock. Two of the most exciting new products for the dry fly fisherman will be found on page 39. "Up" and "Fly-Dry" were developed by Don DuBois and I can't emphasize enough the usefulness and effectiveness. "Up" is a pure silicone dry fly preparation and "Fly-Dry" is a powder which completely dries and makes like new a wet and matted dry fly. Once you have used these you will wonder how you got along without them. Later on this year you will receive from us a letter outlining the new gun legislation. We will do everything we can to help you understand just what can be done and what can not. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call or write. If we don't know the answer we'll find out. Wishing you the best in the season ahead, I remain, Very truly yours, Stephen W. Mills WILLIAM MILLS & SON, INC. (c) William Mills & Son, Inc. 1968
What is the Magic of the Leonard Rod? 1 Leonard rod in the rough. Production Chief Harold Reynolds selects a piece of bamboo cane-and 45 years of rod-building experience backs up his judgment. In background are lengths of bamboo that have already been split. Anyone can make a great fishing rod. All he needs is a handfull of wood, metal, silk, and cork. And most of all, years of experience under the guidance of an accomplished master. Here, for example, is how the Leonard people do it. First comes the selection of wood-pre-war Tonkin cane from the mountain reaches of northern China. Leonard's own stock of Tonkin, like fine wine, is aged and seasoned for over 20 years. When the time comes to fashion this cane into rod, it is first split into 6 triangular strips. Next comes the critical step of tapering and finishing with a beveler. There are faster, cheaper ways to shape cane, but only beveling produces a perfect, pre-determined taper without cutting harshly through the grain. Of today's major rod manufacturers, only Leonard uses this costlier method. After the cane is beveled, it's ready for drying, a delicate process that is carried out under the most tightly controlled conditions. Leonard cane is dried under tremendous pressure - 250 pounds per square inch - in a special heat chamber where temperatures are regulated to laboratory exactness. A 5 deviation is noteworthy; a greater one hasn't occurred in 32 years. Once dry, the strips of cane are carefully matched for color, grain, and uniformity of power. Then they're fitted together, power fibers on the outside, and permanently bonded into the familiar hexagonal shape with an extraordinarily durable, waterproof cement that is one of Leonard's few real "secret" formulas. At this stage, the semi-finished Leonard rod, or "rod blank" as it is called, is still seven inches longer than its eventual length. This permits Chief rod builder, Harold Reynolds, to determine the point of optimum taper and power, and trim the rod blank accordingly-for example, by taking one inch off the top and six inches off the bottom-until it is down to its final size. Depending upon where Mr. Reynolds trims off the spare seven inches, he can produce every conceivable shading of rod-action, from fast, powerful dry-fly to sensitive, whippy nymph. Now the rod blank is mounted into the reel-seat and the handle is formed over it. Leonard's handles are individually turned and shaped from prime Spanish cork, evenly grained with pinpoint pores and free of all rough spots. Next comes the ferrules, the heart of every jointed rod. These are hand drawn of costly nickel silver, an extremely hard, rust-resistant alloy. Ferrules are made individually, to fit an individual rod. A Leonard ferrule always fits perfectly. If it is off by even a thousandth of an inch, it is buffed with jeweler's rouge until the flaw has been eliminated. Now, with the rod nearly finished, traditional snake guides, tip guide, stripping guide and fly-keeper ring are wound on with the finest American silk and shellacked to seal out any moisture. Then the rod itself gets the four coats of varnish that give it a durable, mirrorlike brilliance. And there you have it-a new Leonard rod. It's easy when you know how. And Leonard rod makers learn their craft through long, arduous years of apprenticeship under the critical eyes of master rod builders-including, for a couple of the old-timers, Hiram Leonard himself. Of today's craftsmen at the Leonard works, the juniormost has 25 years experience; the most senior, over twice as long. There are fewer and fewer places where such an artisan tradition persists. Leonard is one of these few. Naturally, a product made with such consumate skill and meticulous selection of materials is bound to be costly. But you pay for a Leonard rod only once... when you buy it. For the rest of its long life, a Leonard will repay you with the dividends of pride and satisfaction that only a rod this fine can do. 6 Elsewhere in the factory, ferrules are, machined from carefully extruded nickel silver, then given the final touch on a smoothturning lathe. Precision instruments help but practiced hands are the real "magic' ingredient in this operation.
on 2 I nto the glueing-binding machine go six of matched strips of bamboo; from it emerges ng a single hexagonal rod blank. Having al- ; k- ready been bevelled, these strips now fit ve perfectly against one another and always will. 3 All bamboo is covered with a resinous, enamel-like surface that must be scraped off before the wood will accept varnish. It's a hand operation, and a slow one. 4 Next, a completed rod blank is selected from the storage bin. This blank will be permanently imbedded into the rough reelseat assembly. 5 The important reel-seat and handle assembly is formed over the butt end of the rod blank. After the cork discs of the handle have been cemented together, they are shaped and sanded on a high-speed lathe. 7 With the rod nearing completion, guides, keeper ring and other necessary "hardware" are wound on with selected silk thread. Behind every turn of those smoothl ying windings are 35 years of experience. 8 Not one but four coats of varnish seal every pore in a Leonard rod. The operation is performed in a dust-free room that is kept at about 90 heat for fast, even drying. 9 Just about completed, a rod gets a final once-over from Mr. Reynolds, shown here checking the fit of a ferrule. Thirty-eight separate inspections like this insure that every Leonard is as perfect as craftsmanship and precision machines can make it. 10 The end of the line, in one sense-but just the beginning, in another. Next stop... the showroom at William Mills & Son. After that? The Beaverkill, AuSable, Firehole, Test-anywhere the trout are rising. STORY AND PHOTOS BY NOEL J. HOLLAND
M 92 69 70
The H. L. Leonard Salmon Fly Rods H. L. Leonard Two-Handed Salmon Rods Leonard designed these rods specifically for early season fishing of large, heavy water, where the salmon weigh up to sixty pounds. Some of the popular areas where these extra-powerful rods are almost a necessity are the Restigouche and Grand Cascapedia in Canada, and the larger rivers of England, Scotland, Norway and Sweden. All rods come with two tips and are packed in an aluminum case and heavy canvas bag. (f) $295.00 ;' $255.00* M'/2-3 piece, 121/2 ft., 16'/2 to 17'/2 oz. The H. L. Leonard "Greased Line" Salmon Rods These are two-handed salmon rods made for fishing the larger rivers when the water is very low. This style of fishing is known as "Greased Line", and was developed by the late Mr. A. H. E. Wood. "Greased line" fishing is done by casting small, very sparsely tied low water flies great distances. This particular rod pattern is lightweight and amply limber to use this technique most effectively. All rods come with two tips and are packed in an aluminum case and heavy canvas bag. (f) 92-3 piece, 11 ft., 12 1/4 to 12 5/8 oz. $295.00 / $255.00 The H. L. Leonard "Hunt" Pattern Salmon Rods A powerful salmon rod for fishing big waters with flies as large as a #2 double hook. Of the various 101/2 foot rods we offer, this is the most popular. The bamboo is darkened and the mountings oxidized for a rich, reflection-proof finish. The rod has a large reel seat to accommodate big capacity reels. Two tips, middle, butt, and extension grip with rubber button are packed in a cloth bag and aluminum case. (f) 69H-3 piece, 101/2 ft., 101/2 to 11'/2 oz. $250.00 / $210.00* The H. L. Leonard Light Salmon Rods In keeping with today's trend towards lighter salmon tackle, Leonard offers several new patterns. These light rods 'combine the power necessary to cast dry flies accurately with the limber action required for proper wet fly fishing. Balance these rods with proper line and reel and you can enjoy hours of easy casting, both l ong and short lines, without fatigue. For the salt water fly fishermen, all H. L. Leonard light salmon rods are available with stainless steel guides and tops for minimal maintenance in your bonefish, tarpon, snook or striped bass fishing. All models packed in cloth bag and aluminum case with extra tip and detachable extension butt. (f) $250.00 / $210.00* 40991/2-3 piece, 81/2 ft., 5 3/4 to 6 oz. 51-3 piece, 9 ft., 6 5/8 to 7 oz. 52-3 piece, 9'/2 ft., 7 1/4 to 7 3/4 oz. 88-3 piece, 10 ft., 8 to 9 oz. 69-3 piece, 101/2 ft., 9 3/8 to 9 5 /8 oz. Not every transaction here at Mills is "routine," as we learned long ago. That's why, to satisfy the exacting standards o f our clientele, we offer special services to cover those non-routine situations that arise so frequently. For example, when you order a rod by mail, we send you several of the same size and weight, so that you can make your own selection from the subtle differences of feel and action between rods. If you are unable to find among our many models a rod that is perfect for you, we will happily build one to your individual specifications. Knowing, too, how fine bamboo rods periodically require refinishing and reconditioning, the services of the H. L. Leonard factory are always at your disposal for this purpose. Estimates on request. As a matter of fact, when it comes to fishing tackle, technique or accessories, there's hardly a personalized service you could think o f that isn't available here at Mills. Why not write or visit us soon to discuss your problems? *One tip only.
52 381/2 38L 50DF
The H. L. Leonard Trout Fly Rods Three Piece Leonard Fly Rods The special needs of the nymph and wet fly fisherman inspired these extremely light, medium action fly rods. Rods weighing less than three ounces test the angler's skill, but are a delight to use for delicate nymphing with tippets to 8x. All rods come with extra tip, aluminum case, and cloth bag (e) $195.00 / $165.00* 381/2-3 piece, 71/2 ft., 31/8 to 35 /8 oz. The H. L. Leonard Baby Catskill Rods Leonard's Baby Catskill rods, fast becoming the most popular pattern we offer, are designed to deliver the greatest thrills imaginable. The #38H, for examiple, i s seven feet and weighs as little as 2 3/8 oz.-yet it will cast a dry fly effortlessly forty-five to fifty feet. We do not believe that these light rods are ideal under all conditions. But when the spring freshets have receded and the early season winds have become summer zephyrs, there is no greater pleasure than that which will be obtained from these Leonard rods; even a medium-sized trout played on one is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. All Baby Catskill rods come with two tips aluminum case, and reinforced cloth bag. (e) 38H-2 piece, 7 ft., 2 3/8 to 2 3 /4 oz. $225.00 / $170.0(* 38ACM-2 piece, 7 ft., 21/8 to 23/8 oz. $250.00 / $195.00* The H. L. Leonard "Hunt" Pattern Dry Fly Rod This rod is another variation of the popular #50DF, this one with a slightly heavier butt for faster action. The bamboo has been darkened and the mountings oxidized to minimize light reflection. Two tips, aluminum case and cloth bag. (e) $195.00 / $165.00* 50 Hunt-3 piece, 8 ft., 4 1/2 to 4 7/8 oz. H. L. Leonard Two Piece Rods For the Fly Fisherman who wants a two piece rod, Leonard offers a wide selection. All rods packed with extra tip in an aluminum case and cloth bag. Choice of screw lock mountings, or cork reel seat. (e) $195.00 / $150.00* 65-2 piece, 7 1/2 ft., 3 1/2 to 41/4 oz. I 66-2 piece, 8 ft., 37/8 to 41/4 oz. 65L-2 piece, 71/2 ft., 31/s to 35/8 oz. 66L-2 piece, 8 ft., 31/2 to 33/4 oz. For the expert fly fisherman who desires the lightest tackle available, Leonard offers these three delightful rods: (e) $250.00 / $195.00* 37L-2 piece, 6 ft., 1 oz. 37H-2 piece, 6 ft., 17/8 to 21/s oz. 37ACM-2 piece, 6 ft., 11/2 to 1 5/8 oz. The H. L. Leonard Dry Fly Rods These are still the all time favorites for trout, salmon-for anything, in fact, that will rise to a dry fly. Built with plenty of backbone for the long cast, they are still more than sensitive enough to enjoy the pleasures of playing even the smaller fish we sometimes catch. Mr. Arthur Mills, for example, has had a #50DF since 1915. This superb rod has seen heavy service from Canada to Cuba, and to this day does not show the slightest sign of wear, nor has it lost any of its original power. All rods come with two tips, aluminum case, and cloth bag. (e) $195.00 / $165.00* 49DF-3 piece, 71/2 ft., 3 3/4 to 4 oz. 50DF-3 piece, 8 ft., 37/8 to 41/2 oz. 501/2DF-3 piece, 8 1/2 ft., 41/4 to 5 oz. 51DF-3 piece, 9 ft., 4 3/4 to 51/2 oz. More powerful rods for heavier fishing: 4099-3 piece', 8 ft., 4 1 /2 to 5 oz. 40991/2-3 piece, 8'/2 ft., 4 3/4 to 51/4 oz. Woolrich Chamois Shirt This 100% cotton suede is the perfect shirt for you hunters and fishermen. Doublefaced, long tail, two patch pockets you will find this garment attractive as well as warm. Regular sizes 14-17 (including 1/2 sizes) Gold, Blue, or Green. $7.95 The Teton Hunters Vest This downinsulated vest is the ideal garment to insure warmth on those hunting or early season fishing excursions. Unlike man-made insulations, down retains its buoyancy even when compressed... traps and holds air to create a natural barrier that keeps body heat inside, cold air out. The vest is conveniently zipper-fronted with Helanca stretch knit collar, muff pockets, kidney warmer back. Ripstop expedition nylon lining. Tan or Hunter's Red. Sizes 36-48. Retail $22.50 *One tip only.