Affectionately referred to as "Uncle Thad", and known in his time as "the dean of American Anglers", Mr. Norris may also lay claim to "the father of American Flyfishing". By appearance this is a very simple yet elegant fly rod circa 1870 by one of America's most notable anglers, authors, and rodmakers. Scarcely half dozen marked Norris rods are known to exist, making this a true exemplar of the rarest of the rare. Built to specifications outlined in his groundbreaking 1864 publication "The American Angler's Book", this is history itself. The reel seat is turned maple, which has been deftly spliced to the greenheart butt section. The reel seat itself is nickel silver, with a mortised flat in the maple to accommodate the foot of a reel. Sliding band and butt cap are seamed, and the side opposite the mortise is impressed with the name "NORRIS". Wraps are brown silk, with hanging ring guides and seamed, non-welted ferrules lacking moisture caps. The butt measures 51", both mids are full length, and the three tips measure 48". Two tips are comprised of greenheart spliced to 4 strip bamboo, and the third is ironwood spliced to bamboo, with all sections having small brass splice loop at the ferrule (missing on one tip). One mid and two tips have been professionally restored. The long visible wraps are not repairs but the actual splice joints. Tip tops are double coiled-ring English tops. This is a must for any serious collector. Original form fitted case in non-original bag. The rod is pictured in the Thomas Kerr book on pages 203-205. From the Thomas C. Kerr collection of Historic 19th century fishing rods.