For sale here is a Hardy 9'6" 8wt 2 pc. graphite rod from the Wathne Collection. Serial no. 116. The Wathne Collection of rods and reels was commissioned to Hardy by U.S. luxury bag makers Wathne. They also feature clothing and other accoutrement aimed at the fly fisherman. The rod is in excellent++ condition with plastic still on the grip and fighting butt. There is a bit of discoloration on the green blank where it appears a bit lighter in areas and some minor handling wear. The rod features dark, forrest green wraps to match the blank with bright red tipping throughout. Bright guides and ceramic stripping guides and tip-top. U-style hook-keeper. Full wells grip with plastic shrinkwrap still in place as mentioned above. Nickel silver up-locking reel seat and a beautiful rosewood spacer. Cork fishing butt with plastic still in place with hard plastic fighting butt. The rod features spigot ferrules and a ferrule plug made of cork with a cast metal top. The ferrule fit is perfect. The rod has a nice fast action well suited for shooting line at distance. 

The original bag and tube were chiefly designed by Wathne - the bag is their signature cotton tattersall with an inside pocket at the top flap to store the ferrule plug also with hangtag. The tube is of a heavy-weight cotton, resin finished for durability which gives it the tradition look of oil cloth but will not crock (rub off). The hardware is custom-molded in solid brass, each piece individually hallmarked. The tube is trimmed in aniline leather with a brass fish shaped logo plaque on the top. The interior tube is made of a shock resistant pvc. The tube also features a fine leather and brass trimmed heavy cotton strap. 

This is an indeed very fine graphite rod that would perform quite well salmon or steelhead fishing or even big bass or carp. Rod weighs 4 1/2 oz.