Collecting Old Fishing Gear
 by David French

This month I wish to discuss collecting old fly reels and mention some of the history behind them. In addition to enjoying the beauty and quality of old cane rods the fly reel can also be an item of fantastic craftsmanship. Some of  the earliest reels where made in the 1600šs using metals of brass and iron. Most of were made in England. These reels were clamped or tied to the fishing rod. 

English makers continued to be the largest producers and exporters of the fishing wench (reel). English reels are collectable too. Hardy, Malloch, J.W. Young, Nottingham wooden, are some of the makers. In the 1800šs America started producing and inventing different types of reels. About 1815 George Snyder of Paris Kentucky made the earliest known examples. John Conroy of New York City also is credited with many early examples. Most of the reel manufacturing was in New York City and the east coast. 

The Vom Hofes, Frederick with his two sonšs Julius and Edward were very instrumental in the production and marketing of early fishing reels. Their business was located in Brooklyn New York in the 1850šs. Vom Hofe reels are famous among collectors. These early Kentucky and New York reels are some of the most desirable, collectable and expensive reels ever manufactured. Kentucky reels are mostly the level wind bait casting type and designed for bass fishing. New York reels were both ball handle bait/surf casting and flysalmon reels. 

Some early unusual designs were the wire basket or birdcage type. Billinghurst patented his birdcage reel in 1859. Many great fly reels came out of New York and the east coast areas. Some of the best American makers were: Vom Hofes, Conroy, Snyder, Meek, Milam, Leonard, Zwarg, Walker, Thomas, Bogdan, Hawks & Ogilvy, Orvis (1877) and many others. More common makers up to present day would be Pflueger, South Bend, Shakespeare, Meisselbach, Montague and several others. 

Reels made of German Silver were the most expensive and still are today. Commonly found reels were made of brass or nickel plated brass. Hard rubber was used in reel making about 1860. The purpose was to reduce the reelšs weight. This new hard rubber was easy to turn on a lathe and very durable. Many high quality reels were made using hard rubber and German Silver. Values for reels vary. Some are affordable say around $10.00 while the rarer reels go for thousands of dollars. The early Kentucky reels are very expensive $100.00 to $10.000+. Vom Hofe and similar fly/salmon reels will run from $300.00 to $5,000.00+ I will have some of these early reels at the February BUFF show. Please stop by my table to view them along with other great old fishing gear. 

If you would like to read more on the history of old fishing reels then I would recommend A.J. Campbellšs book Classic and Antique fly-Fishing Tackle. Another good reference price guide is Lawsonšs Price Guide to Old Fishing Reels 3rd edition by George S. Lawson, Jr.. Two times a year there is a fishing collectables show at the Kings Island Holiday Inn. The next show is April 11-13. The national club ORCA (Old Reel Collectors Club) web site is: http://www.orcaonline.org . 

If you have any questions please feel free to david@david-french.com 

 

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The Buckeye United Fly Fishers, Inc is a non-profit corporation organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, incorporated in the State of Ohio for the preservation, conservation and wise use of our fishing waters and game fish; and to assist in the protection and improvement of our natural resources