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 →

This is another one of Steve’s reels. It has rubber sideplates and nickel silver rings. It is small, only 2.5 inch ring diameter and 0.88 between rings. He has it fitted with a WF3F but no backing, and says that … Continue reading →

Here is a Philbrook and Payne salmon reel that was recently on Ebay auction. Bidding went over $11K, but “reserve not met”. The listing called it “Phillbrook and Paine” and this may have caused some doubts about authenticity. Reelmaker “Holireels” … Continue reading →