An E.F. Payne Salmon “Special” bamboo fly rod, 10'6", 3-piece, 2-tip, and built for what feels like a #8. The rod weighs 9.2 ounces. Medium action. This rod has seen some use, but is in all original condition with moderate wear to the snake guides. There is some cosmetic cracking to the ferrule wraps and some cosmetic cracking to the wraps on the two tips. There is a little varnish roughness from the bag here and there, but overall it is still very good. The agate stripper has two cracks but I cannot feel any roughness and they are to the side, not the top and bottom. I would date this rod to the early 1950’s. The cane is flamed and oven tempered. The main wraps are brown with pale green edges on all. The keeper and male ferrules have an extra band of yellow and purple. The step ferrules fit well and retain about 90% of the original oxidation. The cigar-shaped grip is 9 1/2" long with a hidden pocket cap for the polished aluminum up-lock seat. The nut is stamped “Payne” in a cartouche and “reg. U.S. pat. off.” A short aluminum butt extension of 1 3/4" adds to the seat length as well as the 1/2" long red rubber button. The olive color poplin bag is original and retains the hang tags for the tips and mid. A canvas overbag holds the rod tube and butt. There is a ferrule plug for the butt but not the mid.