Category Archives: Classic Reels

I have borrowed this reel from a friend, who has it loaded with monofilament (?). It is a disc drag reel, more complex than the simple click pawl reels that I make. These are my notes for a possible future … Continue reading →

A friend recently bought this reel. It was missing 3 screws, two for the foot and one on the backplate. The foot was held on by two “rivets’ made from nails. I had to disassemble in order to get at … Continue reading →

Local guide Sam collects and fishes Meek reels. This is model 55. It is 3 1/8 diameter and somewhat more than 1 inch wide. I believe that this is what is called a “leaded” finish. A latch bar pivots to … Continue reading →

I met Chris of Shenandoah Rods at the recent Grayrock gathering. After he saw pictures of the 1 weight reel that I recently made, he sent me these photos of a small reel in his possession. Unfortunately, we don’t know … Continue reading →

This reel belongs to a friend who has long had a cabin in the North Branch, but well downstream of where I live. He put it in my hands because the click had become weak. I found that the spring … Continue reading →

Alan is a member of my Select Advisory Panel on Reel Aesthetics, and he owns this Bougle. It is not an antique, but it is certainly a classic. Legends engraved on the winding plate are: * Made in England by … Continue reading →

Below is a used book that I recently purchased. It concerns multipler reels, which are typically intended for baitcasting. It was published in 1985 by Stackpole Books. The book is full of photos and patent drawings; here is a typical … Continue reading →