MILWARDS FLOATCRAFT
Milwards FloatCraft split cane fishing rod information and details on the features and characteristics of this sort-after piece of fishing tackle.
History and Features
As the name suggests, the FloatCraft is designed to cast lines rigged with floats rather than lures or flies, although it also excels at 'bottom' fishing. There were a few different rods in the 'Float' series, distinguished by their different lengths. The FloatCraft was the longest of the range, with a length of 12ft. That made it suitable for most river applications, as well as still water and even tidal environments.
As with any quality Milwards rod, the materials used in the manufacture were of a high quality and included silver, bronze, brass, agate, silk and Tonkin cane. And, also as per usual, a nice cloth bag with compartments to match the sections protected the rod while in storage and while traveling. The butt section was constructed of whole cane, however both the mid and tip sections were made out of split cane. The handle was the usual durable cork.
Vintage Rod Restoration
With antique and vintage rods in pristine condition hard to come by, an alternative is to restore a rod that has been through the wars. However, not all rods are suitable for restoration, so it is important to examine if irreparable damage has been caused before outlaying time and money. The most important factor in a Milwards split cane fishing rod is the bamboo. If the cane has been severely damaged, then it is not worth trying to restore the rod. Any splits, holes, crushing or deep dents can compromise the integrity of the rod's strength, flexibility and action, and make it useless as a quality piece of fishing tackle.
If the damage is limited to the fittings, however, you may be in luck. The cork handle is probably quite difficult to repair or replace, but apart from that, guides, tip rings, butt ends, ferrules, silk threads and reel rings can all be restored or replaced. The first step is to locate an expert cane rod restorer in your area, which can usually be done via the Internet, phone directory or your local fishing club. It may take time to organize the replacement parts and to also find materials that match the original Milwards equipment. However, if the basic rod is sound, restoration will be well worth the expense!
Support our site by placing a link to us on your website! Simply copy and paste the html code below in an appropriate place on your homepage or other relevant page of your website. Thanks a lot!