Parker-Hawes Fly Rods

[Bruce Day]

Sante', thanks for refreshing my recollection about Merritt Hawes. I too have seen or been offered original Hiram Hawes rods, wonderful craftsmanship by the way, but the Parker-Hawes rods by Merritt Hawes seem to be even more uncommon, or at least I have yet to find one that is or might be available. But the enjoyment is often in the journey, so maybe some day. Do you see any difference in craftsmanship between the Hiram and Merritt Hawes rods?

Do I understand correctly that Hiram H. worked for Leonard? Did Merritt also?

[October Woods]

Hiram Hawes, and his brother Loman worked for Hiram Leonard, Loman was the genius behind the Leonard beveler (and later as part of the team of Thomas, Edwards & Hawes after breaking from Leonard) and Hiram Hawes the genius behind the tapers, his influence was from the tournament style casting perspective. The Hawes boys were nephews of Leonard all very capable rod smiths.

Hiram married Cora Leonard (Hiram Leonard's daughter who held many tournament casting titles on her own) and after Leonard died Cora, Hiram and Mrs Leonard all moved to Canterbury CT, I don't believe young Merritt worked at Leonard but he obviously learned at the hands of a master in his father. The numbers kind of equal out, i.e. there were probably around the same amount of rods made by Hiram as there were by Merritt according to the writings of Martin J. Keane and not a lot realistically.