Samuel & Solon Phillippe

Samuel Phillippe  1801 - 1877

Solon Phillippe 1842 - 1925

Pennsylvania born Samuel Phillippe, a highly skilled gunsmith, violin maker and avid fisherman, believed that the imported rods from Great Britain were overly cumbersome and unwieldy, thus launching his quest to perfect the split bamboo rod. James Henshall would write in his Book of the Black Bass (1881), “Old Sam Phillippe knew just what a trout fly rod should be…” Thaddeus Norris the “Izaak Walton of America”, as well as “Uncle Thad”, was, besides a fishing friend, a noted tackle maker and rod maker as well. One can only imagine their compelling collaborations. An original Samuel Phillippe rod (none known to exist) is considered the “Holy Grail” to many collectors. Samuel’s son, Solon, joined the company a few years before Samuel’s death in 1877. Collectors have argued that Solan’s magnificent fly rods, adorned with elaborately carved grips, ferrules, rod seats and butts, and exceptionally crafted reels, have exceeded the artistry of his father.