Index of Reel Makers: A - L

This page lists reel maker names alphabetically, along with a brief history and a few pictures of the different reels they made. We are always looking to add information and pictures. Contact the ORCA Webmaster if you have something to add.

A

ABU

This Swedish Company is the manufacturer of the famous Record and Ambassadeur casting reels, the Cardinal Spinning reels and much other tackle. ABU was founded in Svangsta, Sweden, at the Mörrum River in 1921. Initially a watch factory, the company’s expertise was redirected toward the development of precision fishing reels in the late 1930s by the founder’s son, Göte Borgstrom. The generation of world famous Ambassadeur reels got its start in the early 50’s. The Cardinal spinning reel was introduced in 1965.

ABU GARCIA

ABU Garcia -the company came out with a movie about its history on July,10 2013. Here is a link to check out a lot of ABU information www.abugarcia.com

AIREX

AIREX in 1947 Airex was the first U.S. Company to develop into the manufacture of the “new” fixed spool, or spinning, reels. The initial force behind spinning reels in the U.S. was famous sportsman Bache Brown, who had been importing fixed spool reels from Europe in the 1930s. The first spinning reel manufactured in this country was an American version of the French Luxor, which evolved into the Bache Brown Mastereel in 1947. In the late 1940s, Airex was purchased by the famous toy train manufacturer, the Lionel Corporation, of Long Island City, NY and they were soon the major manufacturer of spinning reels in the U.S. As competition became more intense in the U.S. sales of Airex reels declined. In 1964 the company was sold to Fuerer Bros. Of White Plains, NY. Photo Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

AEROCAST PRODUCTS

AEROCAST PRODUCTS (Chicago) maker of Aerocast reels which are tri-knobbed reels with red plastic side plates. The July 2018 issue of the Reel News features an article on these reels written by Colby Sorrells (pages 17-18). (Photos courtesy of Colby Sorrells)

ALCEDO

ALCEDO, manufacturer of high quality spinning reels, located in Torino, Italy. The company was founded by Dr. Rolondi in 1945. Their reels were imported into this country by Firearms International in the late 1940s and 50s, and are still highly sought after today. The Alcedo Micron was perfection in an ultra lite spinning reel when introduced around 1950. It was imported to the US by Continental Arms Corporation of New York, and the company was bought by Coptes in 1975. (Research provided by Ben Wright, picture courtesy of Jim Madden).

ALLCOCK & CO

ALLCOCK & Co, (Redditch, England) This large British fishing tackle company started up shortly after 1800 and manufactured all kinds of tackle for almost 200 years. They manufactured many reels in brass, hard rubber, combination of metals and rubber. Their Aerial reels, classic British type reels invented in 1896 by champion caster H. Coxon, are works of art. Aerials were a light weight single action reel used for casting. The U.S. “Indiana Style” reels were similar, but lacking the quality. These reels were manufactured by Allcock’s until the 1960s. Allcock also produced fly reels, multipliers and Nottingham style wooden reels. Allcock was gobbled up by those conglomerates in the 1960s and at one time was owned by Shakespeare. Photo Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

ALUMINUM & PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO.

ALUMINUM & PLASTICS PRODUCTS CO. – (2050 N. Mississippi – Portland, OR.) They manufactured Simplicity reels. They were an electronics components manufacturer from the early fifties and for only a few years. The reels were well known for their purple handle knobs that were originally used on electronic hand wheels. Today the building is located underneath an overpass. They made single action reels that were mostly machined from solid pieces of aluminum. There were three styles: the plain back ( a smooth back), the target back which had a series of circles machined into the back and was the most common style, and the elusive super-rare black reel. The clicks on these reels were poorly designed and usually were worn beyond use very quickly. They had a bullet shaped smooth steel pin that dropped into indentations in the end of the aluminum spool. The reel was equipped with a thumb activated brake on the right end plate. This was a spring-loaded button with a “C” shaped piece on the end which was lined with leather. When pressure was applied the leather made contact with a diameter machined on the end of the spool. The reel also had a free spool which was engage when the handle was pulled out. If the handle shaft is ever removed there is a small spring inside that can reach super-sonic speeds when freed. Don Champion

ALVEY

Alvey manufactured a variety of quality casting reels starting with the name Alvey is the first reel that most Queenslanders would think of when fishing is mentioned. I used a side cast Alvey reel when fishing from the southern bank of the Brisbane River in the latter part of the 1960’s not knowing that this iconic reel was first made from the opposite bank in 1920. Charles Alvey began making reels from a backyard shed at his St. Lucia residence, just a few good surf casts distance from the City center of Brisbane.
The first trade reels were made using Silky Oak for both spool and back (USA refer to as Lacewood) with a hand-filed, gunmetal cast star shaped piece fitted to the back and line guide. Charles’ son Ken, a qualified pattern maker joined the company in 1923 and together they decided to promote the Alvey brand, cease making trade reels and introduce an all metal back.1936 saw some spools made of Bakelite as well as an all alloy Game reel. (a radical change from Alvey’s standard) WW2 years 1939-1945 stopped production while the machinery went into use to help with the war effort . Charles Alvey passed away in 1945. In 1946 Jack, Charles’ grandson who was a fitter and turner joined his father Ken to boost production.
The use of Camphor Laurel timber for spools stopped in favour of Red Cedar. Output rose to over 30, 000 units by 1956 and they were Queensland’s largest reel manufacturer, although sales were poor in other Australian states. That changed in 1957 when a Queensland fishing team with members mostly using Alveys cleaned up the competition held in the neighbouring State of New South Wales, where overhead reels were used by other State teams as well as a New Zealand representative team.
The1960’s were tough times because of the drop in import tariffs allowing a flood of competition. Alveys now had an all stainless steel back.
1973 saw the passing of Ken Alvey and in 1974 the Brisbane River flooded . Alvey spools switched to fibreglass after 50 plus years of wood. Jack’s elder son Bruce joins the company after the completion of an engineering course.
1978 ushered in a change of business location along with different methods of production. In 1988 Jack’s younger son Glenn adept in computer and management entered the company .Time passed with spools being made with an Injection moulding process, metal backs gave way to graphite moulding, star drags became lever drags and Alvey’s 75th anniversary saw them still a family business. In 2001 Jack Alvey passed away.
It’s now 2013 and the reels are now light and strong with vented spools and backs with many different models to suit varieties of fish and the way you need to fish. A long way from the original materials but an evolutional progress of the basic design. Bruce Alvey now manages the daily running along with his brother Glenn and after more than 90 years, Alvey is still a wonderful Family business fast approaching a century of continuous service to all who love to fish.
Research by Ray Hodges from Australia. This is Alvey’s website. http://www.alvey.com.au

AMERICA COMPANY

America Company (different than America Reel Co.) located in Rockford, IL was a mfg. from 1904 to about 1908 Manufactured a variety of quality casting reels starting with the patented quick take-down, ball bearing reel of William Sutton. Reels were made in German silver, aluminum, and nickel plated brass in a variety of sizes. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

AMERICA-MEEK

AMERICA-MEEK reels were manufactured by the American Company under the supervision of Sylvanus Meek, son of B.F. Meek. According to antique reel authority, Ron Gast, it is not known if Meek made these reels himself, or just supervised the production. These models are marked America-Meek. These reels are quite scarce.

AMERICA REEL CO.

America Reel Co. (different than America Co.) Indianapolis, Indiana. In the early1880s, the company produced a New York style ball handle reel. It was unique in that it had a 10:1 gear ratio. It had a 4-gear train and was marked with the company name. This reel was patented on Jan 31,1882, which was one of the marked dates on the reel. The other was a November 14, 1871, a patent for a Terry designed reel foot. Ohaver and O’Bannon, a pair of investors, are credited with some of the early designs. The America Reel Company reels were available with the Richardson Level Winder. These reels are scarce. (For in-depth information, see Steve Vernon’s article in Fishing Collectibles Magazine from which this information came). http://www.fishingcollectiblesmagazine.com/art/1009.pdf_

Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

AMERICAN CLASSIC SALES LLC

American Classic Sales LLC of Salt Lake City, Utah manufactured a rugged, no frills anti-reverse fly reel. In 1996 they also manufactured and sold, the Spotech Classic IV open face spinning reel, and in 1997 changed the reel’s name to American Classic IV. Both the Sportec & American came in a Locked anti-reverse model (no switch button) and a standard selectable (with a button) model. They are similar to the ABU & Zebco Cardinal. They went out of business in 2012. Information & Photo provided are credited to Tom Delong.

AQUA SPORTSMAN, INC.

AQUA SPORTSMAN, INC, Cincinnati, Ohio. This was an unusual casting reel with a “wand” that extended from the upper part of the reel forming a “Aqua Automatic Reel Control” that worked with the level wind to prevent backlashes.

ARJON

ARJON (pronounced Arion) -Sweden. The company was known as Arjonfabriken for its first seven years. It was founded by Arvid Jonsson in 1942. Eventually, the name Arjon came about as a combination of Arvid’s first and last name. The company depended upon rod sales in the early years but began making high quality casting reels in the 1950’s. The first reel was the Champion #180. It would later become the Commander and then the Fighter. The reels were known for their high quality and innovative designs. Eventually, a fly reel (the Clever) and several closed face spinning reels were added. Many of the spincasters were created from parts bought from the bankrupt Victory Produkter company in 1964. The Fighter was imported to the US in 1958 by Walter Stutz Inc. of New York City at a price of $55.00. The Arjon Fighter had an innovative line guide, an aerodynamic brake, star drag and easy take down. The reel failed in this country due to its high price and poor marketing. See Reel News back issue Summer 1998 for more information. Some of the information above came from Vintage Fishing Reels of Sweden by Dan Skupien. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

ATKINSON, WILLIAM L. CO,

ATKINSON, WILLIAM L. Co, William was born c1865 in Michigan. Around 1895 Atkinson’s father died and his mother, Caroline, moved the family to Seattle. The reasons for the family resettlement are unknown. The family included William and his brother Frederick. William’s was living in Fairhaven, Washington, 88 miles north of Seattle when his reel was invented. At that time Fairhaven was a thriving seaport, but the town has now been swallowed up by Bellingham.
The Atkinson reel was a spring driven, automatic, multiplying reel. The drive spring was a long coil spring contained in the rod handle. To wind the spring initially, there was a folding crank placed at the end of the handle. Unlike many automatic reels
of the period, Atkinson’s reel was able to be put into a free spool mode to allow ease of casting. The spool was in the style of a casting reel with a spool that was wide and small in diameter, but the line fed through a guide in the side of the handle. In the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s many inventors attempted to combine fishing reels into rod handles. There were many applications for these angling implements to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during the time of the United States industrial revolution. Among these efforts was the patent of William L. Atkinson in 1903. His patent, No. 769,142 was granted on September 1904. Although the concept was popular in the patent office, it appears that never became so with fishermen. Very few examples of these early built in reels have been found by today’s collectors and apparently no examples of Atkinson’s invention exist, if it ever was manufactured commercially. It really seems a bit unusual that a freshwater reel design like that of Aktinson’s would be developed in a Washington seaport. William L. Atkinson died sometime after 1915.

ATWOOD PATENT REEL CO.,

ATWOOD PATENT REEL CO., Mr. Atwood was a prolific patent applier with a long list including elevators, bottle openers, and airplane flaps long before he invented any reel. Between 1885 and 1920, among all the other items, there were 5 reel patents, some probably never making it to production. One, a rod and reel combination with a hollow rod for the line to tun through, is on display in Maine State Museum. Another has a complicated hinge feature that allows for easier oiling, and one more called for glass plates. It has been estimated that fewer than 500 reels actually made it to production. The 2 models marketed in 1908 were called the Atwood Patent Variable Tension Reels. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction. More information can be found In The American Fly Fisher magazine in an article (from which the information above has come) by Gradon R. Hilyard called “Tracking Atwood.” http://www.amff.com/assets/images/on-page/The-Journal/Hilyard%20Atwood.pdf

B

B & H TOOL CO.

B & H TOOL CO. See MARC Reel, below.

BARTELS, ROBERT H.

Bartels, Robert H. Somerset, Kentucky 1895-? (Write up needed)

BATE, THOMAS H., & CO.

Bate, Thomas H., & CO., Bate, T.H. & Co. of New York, NY was a manufacturer from 1853 to 1875 New York City fishing tackle retailer. The company was formed by Thomas and James Bate of Redditch, England in the 1820s. Thomas Bate immigrated to the U.S. in 1828, where he was involved in the sales of hooks only. In the 1850s the company became an importer and retailer of all kinds of fishing tackle. The company evolved into William Mills & Son [see entry] in 1873. Mills was the son-in-law of Bate, and had been active in the company for years. Photos Jim Schottenham (Trout Reel) and Lang’s Auction (Ball Handle Reels)

BENSON-VAILE CO.

Benson-Vaile Co. (Kokomo, IN – 1920) This was the maker of the first Benson Indiana reel. The patent was assigned to Lawrence Benson. Later a patent was assigned to John Bendon (1946) for a variation made by Kaufman Mfg. Co. of Manitowic, Wisconsin. Information from Steve Vernon’s Questions about Antique Fishing Reels site. Picture contributed by Jim Schottenham.

BENJAMIN-SELLER MFG. CO.

Benjamin-Seller Mfg. Co. This company received the patent for the Thumbezy Reel. Photo Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

BETTS & BODDEUS

Betts & Boddeus 1601 Howard St. Detroit Mich. made a reel called a Smooth Caster No.600 an all aluminum cast reel with a strange spool that has a non moving LW. Most likely post war being that it was made of scrap alloy, with some Chrysler steel bearings! Photo Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

BILLINGHURST, WILLIAM

Billinghurst, William, (1807-1880). Rochester, N.Y. gunsmith who invented and patented a ventilated, horizontal fly reel on August 9, 1859. Check out this site for some great info on the Billinghurst www.sidemountreels.com Research and Photos By Jim Schottenham

BIVANS, ARNOLD D MFG

Bivans, Arnold D Mfg, Los Angeles, California, 1050’s. The paperwork says this well made fly reel is the “aristocrat of fly reels.” It is unusual because some models have conical-shaped side plates and may have a drag system by which added pressure may be applied by turning the handle back 1/4th turn as a fish makes a strong run. See the owners manual and picture at: http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12565

BLUE GRASS REEL WORKS,

Blue Grass Reel Works, Louisville, Kentucky 1899-1903. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

BOGAN, STANLEY E.

Bogan, Stanley E., a machinist from Nashua, New Hampshire who designed a fly reel for Atlantic salmon fishing. The reels are machined from aluminum and anodized black or gold. Most have a 2:1 retrieve ratio and phosphor bronze brakes. Bogdan reels come in seven sizes. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

BOYER

Boyer, (Winona reel maker)

BRETTON,

Bretton, a French made spinning reel introduced in 1952. They were imported from Ocean City for a time. The company became Bretton International when they took production to Japan and Taiwan.

BRADFORD & ANTHONY

Bradford & Anthony Boston, Massachusetts 1856-1881 (Write up needed )

BRISTOL MFG. CO.

Bristol Mfg. Co., Known first for it’s metal rods and Kingfisher line, the company entered the top-of-the-line reel industry with the purchase of B.F.Meek & Sons business in 1916. Operations were moved from Louisville, Kentucky, to Bristol, CT, and the reels were made all the way into the 1940’s. The Blue Grass line was the mid-grade, and Simplex was their economy grade. Horton also produced an even more economical line of Bristol bait casting and fly reels in addition to the Meek and Bluegrass line of reels.

BROOKLINE

Brookline (Write up needed)

BRONSON REEL CO.

Bronson Reel Co. For Bronson’s and the Bronson trade reels you can go right to this website and see some of the reels Bronson made and read information on them. https://www.orcaonline.org/bronson-reel-photos-home-page/

Bronson was well known to make reels by the thousands. Pictured are Bronson trade reels, The one on the left says Tournament Wellworth Casting Reel Star Reel Co., same as a Bronson Lyon No.1800 made of their Duraluminum. Next is “Defiance” another that is the same as the Bronson Biltwell No.2800, and another Biltwell similar reel with a bakelite head plate! There are stories out there that these are “rats,” Star spelled backwards. R.E. Buccaneer and Green Hornet photos courtesy of Jim Madden.

BUNYAN, PAUL

Bunyan, Paul, Bait Co. Minneapolis, MN. They made and sold fishing tackle. Bronson made them two 100 yd. casting reels, one a No.66 and a No.100, not to common, always desired. To view these reels look in this site and look under Bronson Made Trade Reels.

BURLINGTON METAL PRODUCTS

Burlington Metal Products, 110 Main St., Burlington, VT. Dec 6, 1945 -July 31, 1951. Connected to reel maker Lawson Machine Works in Montreal via common owner/president Holger Lawson. Refer to article “The Reel Connection Between Lawson Machine Works and Burlington Metal Products” in The Reel News, March 2017.

BUTLER, HERB, ENGINEERING

Butler, Herb, Engineering, (Spokane, Washington) This was a short-lived run of a unique fly reel developed by Mr. Butler in the 1970’s. The reel has an offset handle with the click actually mounted on the crank itself and a star type drag underneath. It came with two spools and it had a “free wheeling” capacity for paying out line. The spools may be found in black or white, and a version is seen in natural aluminum while another seems blued in color. (For more information, see Hal Schlegel’s article in the Winter, 1998 back issue of ORCA’s Reel News.

Herb Butler loved to fish. He grew up tying flies for spending money before he was thirteen. At that age he went to work repairing reels and wrapping rods. By 21 he was working as a tool and die maker and going to law school at night. He managed to squeeze some fly fishing into that busy schedule whenever he had a spare moment.Butler went to work as a design engineer for several major lighting companies and was able to travel throughout the United States and his fly rod accompanied him on his journeys. After several years of working for other companies he started his own lighting manufacturing firm and then had a bit more time for his major interest in life- fishing.In the (late 1960s???) Butler sold his company and set off on a journey that took him to the United Kingdom, most of Europe, Africa, Australia, and South America – fishing all the way. A variety of fresh and salt water species succumbed to Herb’s offerings, from Lapland rainbow trout to Nile Perch. The largest fish taken was a 212 pound Striped Marlin. All were caught on his fly rod.(1)The Herb Butler “Fish” fly reel has several unusual features. Most noticeable is the unbalanced crank set at the six o’clock position. The crank is located in this position because the reel is geared to a two to one retrieve. This handle also contains a drag assembly and click mechanism. Also unique to a fly reel of the period is that the reel was also intended to be used for trolling. It was common for fly reels of the late 1800s and early 1900s to be used in this fashion, but most 20th century reels were quite specialized.The “Fish” reel housing is made from aluminum, and has nylon gearing. The crank side, or head plate is solid, with the foot, pillars, and tailplate ring permanently attached. The plate is 3¾ inches in diameter, and the spool is 1 inch wide. The headplate is brightly polished and gives the reel a very handsome look. You could have your name, or a personalized message, engraved on the faceplate for no cost. This polished headplate apparently was not appealing to all fishermen for the reel has also been found in a subtle blued finish.The “Fish” reel crank, however, can hardly be called stylish. It is strictly utilitarian. The crank knob is aluminum and cone shaped. The reel would have had a more attractive appearance with a shaped knob made of plastic, or anodized
aluminum.The interior of the reel is quite simple, with the gears being the only moving parts, The drive gear is located on a stud cast into the inside of the faceplate. There is an extra stud cast for conversion to left hand use. The reel was not capable of conversion from right to left hand use, however, without changes in the handle assembly. An angler who preferred to reel with his left hand had to purchase a left hand retrieve reel from Butler for $5.00 additional cost.
The reel was sold with two spools, which were available in aluminum or nylon during different periods of production. The anodized black spool in the polished bright frame was quite attractive.
As mentioned previously, the heart of the reel was the crank. Under the cone shaped crank nut is a coil spring and two washers. One washer is made of thin neoprene and is flat. The other is serrated on one side and made of metal. There are matching serrations milled into the crank handle. The drag is adjustable to any of four different types of drag settings, from very light to heavy, by placement of the washers. Complete instructions for these settings came in the reel brochure. Tightening the nut against the spring refined the adjustment within each washer setting.
A smaller cone shaped button is located alongside the crank nut. This one controls the click and anti-reverse. This button is attached to a spring laden pin that rides in a milled out portion of the face plate. When the crank is turned for the retrieve, the pin provides a slow click .. click, similar to that of the Pflueger Medalist, which was the aim of Butler according to his brochures. When reeled backward, the pin comes against the stops and provides an anti-reverse. This function can be deactivated by lifting the click button and giving it a quarter turn.
Herb Butler’s “Fish” reel came with one extra spool, and additional spools were available for $2.00 each. The spool would hold 50 yards of backing behind any fly line. The brochure stated that the reel would hold 100 yards of 18 pound test lead core line, and/or 300 yards of braided Dacron line, if you intended to use the reel for trolling.An undated brochure lists the reel at $25.00 including shipping direct from the factory. A dealer price sheet dated January 3, 1979 states that “our planned retail price for the coming year is $30.00 for the Right Hand reel and $35.00 the Left Hand version.” The reel was available to dealers for $20.00 with an order of ten reels; $15 each in quantities of 50; or $12.50 each if you ordered 100 reels.Butler also offered his concept to other manufacturers, stating “other manufacturers may incorporate this designs and engineering advances in their product for a very nominal royalty. The royalty for copying the design and/or engineering is 2%. The royalty paid to Herb Butler Engineering will be used to improve fishing in those various parts of the country where the reels are sold”. Apparently this offer was not accepted by any other manufacturers, for we are unaware of any other reels of similar design.Two brochures list different addresses for Herb Butler Engineering. One shows the address to be W. 821½ Riverside Avenue, and the other lists S. 2112 Manito Blvd. Both addresses were in Spokane, Washington. The former address was a shop where the reels were manufactured, and the later address was apparently his residence at the time. The Herb Butler “Fish” reel was only manufactured for a few years and no references to the reel are found in the 1980s.Herb Butler believed in his reel. Each one carried a printed guarantee – I guarantee the “Fish” Fly Reel for as long as I live. If you are not satisfied regardless of reason – return the reel and I will refund your money in full. Yours for good fishing, Herb Butler. By Phil White.

C

CARPONE AND PONS CO.

Carpone and Pons Co. (C.A.P) Herb Butler from Spokane, Washington, was a maker of a multiplying fly reel called the “Fish” Fly Reel. C.A.P. Carpano and Pons Co., France, 1937-1950s. Manufactured popular spinning reels. Manufacturer of reels with the C.A.P. logo, as well as the popular Mitchell spinning reels.

CARGEM

CARGEM, Gemonio, Italy, 1950s-1960s. Manufacturer of quality spinning reels, with the ultra light Mignon reel being a rival of the better known Alcedo Micron. As early as 1895, a Meccanica di Precisione Company was founded in Germanio. Although a manufacturer of parts unrelated to reels for years, in the late 1930’s they would make the Cigno, their first open faced spinning reel. It wasn’t until 1946 when the name was changed to CarGem referring to the of Carevalli (the founder) and Gemonio (the town). Later, Mr. Carevelli’s son Emilio would take over the company until the end in 1984. Other reel names were Pesci, Stella, Marvel, Falcon, Lancer, Mignon, Majestic, Super, Mariner, Sea, Stealhead, Silverfish, Junior, Empereur, and Mistral. (Information courtesy of Ben Wright)

CARLTON REELS

CARLTON REELS, CARLTON REELS. Carlton Manufacturing Co., Rochester, New York, 1903-1908. The Carlton Manufacturing Company was founded by Harvey Carlton in 1903. The reels produced by Carlton were very innovative and mostly original in design. Some aspects of his fly reels seem to be borrowed from other successful designs. The 9X multiplier was patented by Carlton on October 27, 1903, along with an extendible crank handle. In 1905 Carlton patented a free spool clutch and a rim mounted drag and click, operated by sliding plates on the tailplate rim. In 1908 the Carlton Manufacturing Company was reorganized as the Rochester Reel Company. A year later, Carlton sold the business to Herbert Frost, and some reels have the Frost address stamped on the plate. He went on to open commercial garages completely apart from the fishing industry. He died in 1924. His reels show many variations, a sign of constant experimentation. He had a horizontal bass automatic and a smaller vertical trout automatic. Also made was a vertical and horizontal skeleton style fly reel. Some of his notable baitcasters were the Four, Nine, Superior, and Professional. For detailed information on the reels see ORCA back issue of Reel News, Fall and Winter of 1998, Spring and Summer of 1999. Photo is courtesy of Jim Schottenham

CASTMASTER FISHING REEL CORP

Castmaster Fishing Reel CORP, Sometimes a reel becomes more famous than the company that makes it. The Lash Master, like other unusual-looking reels, is certainly one of those. It was another attempt to develop a reel that would not backlash. The company was incorporated on January 27, 1947, by the two shareholders named Willie R. Crawford and Jasper R. Dell Hull (R.D. Hull). There were five versions of this anti-backlash reel. The first version was “The Texan” pictured below. The second version was called the King Caster, but R.D. Hull did not like the name, so it was abruptly changed to Lash Master. There were three version of the Lash Master, but all of them had two fatal flaws: they were very noisy and would only cast about twenty feet. On top of that, when the reel was taken to a Chicago sports show, it was discovered that another company had already patented and produced a similar reel which did perform with out the Lash Master flaws. So, the Lash Master never fully went to market and went out of business in a few years. However, R.D. Hull was not to be discouraged. He soon took his backlash-free enthusiasm and ideas to a company where he eventually perfected the first closed face spincast reel. That company would be known as Zebco, and their spincaster was the mighty #33. (Thanks go to Danny Wolf and Dick Braun for offering information. Pictures are courtesy of Danny Wolf.)

CENATAURE

Cenataure, “The French Water Pipes Company” of Paris, France made spinning reels from 1947-1971. The Pacific is a well-known model name from the company. The reel was imported by Booth Export and Imports of California. For more information, see Ben Wright’s Spinning Reel Reference.

CHAMBERLIN CARTRIDGE & TARGET REEL CO.

Chamberlin Cartridge & Target Reel Co. was a mfg. located in Cleveland, Ohio, with a patent date stamped on the reel of May 19, ’03. The first models had an anti-backlash bar and a thumb activated free spool bar. The spools were bakelite, and a quick take-down feature was present. (Information courtesy of Ron Gast). For detailed information see: https://luresnreels.com/chamb.html

CHAMPION SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Champion Sports Equipment – (1031 Tharpe St, Chicago 22) This company was the maker of Fly Champ fly reel. The aluminum reel was available in black or green and sported a manual retrieve “trigger” that allowed you to work the fly in with one finger. The trigger folds out of the way for storage. (Information from box papers.)

CHAPMAN & SON

Chapman & Son – Sold through the Chapman catalogs, a single action trout reel made by Silas Terry reel with “Pat Nov14, 1871” stamped foot. Stamped on the face “Chapman & Son – Theresa, NY”. Photo Courtesy of Lang’s

CHUBB, THOMAS H. CO.

Chubb, Thomas H. Co. Post Falls, Vermont, 1869-1991. Thomas Chubb endured several disastrous fires and sold out to Montague Rod Co. in 1891. Montague rebuilt the factory and continued production under the Chubb name and logo into the 1920s. Most famous as a mass manufacturer of bamboo rods, Chubb produced a number of unmarked fly reels, or reels marked with retailer names. (Picture of single action reel marked Chubb courtesy of Paul Manuel). However, the Thomas Chubb Co. did produce one notable reel in the Henshall-Van Antwerp reel. This reel was produced in three versions in the 1880s and 1890s. This reel is highly collectible and commands a premium price. [see also Henshall – Van Antwerp Reel].

CLARK, HORROCKS & CO.

Clark, Horrocks & Co., (See Horrocks-Ibbotson)

CLARKSON COMPANY

Clarkson Company, Belmont, California was the maker of the Castey reel. It was a NLW 150 yd. black anodized aluminum reel.

CLERK, ANDREW & COMPANY

Clerk, Andrew & Company New York, New York 1864-1875 (need a write up)

CLERK & BURKE

Clerk & Burke, New York, New York, 1863 (need a write up)

CLERK, BURKE & BAKER

Clerk, Burke & Baker, Brooklyn, New York 1861-1862

CLERK, GREEN & BAKER

Clerk, Green & Baker New York, New York 1859-1860 (need a write up)

CLINTON, CHARLES M.

Charles M.Clinton [1834-1909] in Ithaca, New York. Charles Clinton manufactured the horizontal “Clinton” fly reel. It was patented on October 29, 1889. It is an obvious metal copy of the Fowler hard rubber “Gem” The Clinton reel was manufactured in both German silver and aluminum. This reel lasted until the early 1900’s before taking its place as one of the sought after collectibles. The reel is rare. (Photos Courtesy of Jim Schottenham)

COATES

COATES, this reel was manufactured by Abraham Coates of Watertown, New York. On March 20, 1888 Coates received a patent for a rod and reel combination and another one for the reel alone. The reel is a small, horizontal fly reel with a crank that can be unscrewed and attached either to the spool axle as a normal single action reel, or can be moved to attach to a gear stem that make the reel a multiplier. Made of nickel plated brass, it features a twist style click switch on the bottom plate next to the foot. (Information and Photos courtesy of Jim Schottenham)

COLGROVE TACKLE CO.

Colgrove Tackle Co. (Vancouver, Washington). The company made an unusual pop-up side cast reel manufactured in the early 1950s. Bob Colgrove of Vancouver made his first prototype of the Colgrove reel in the late 1940’s by converting a Keen Kaster reel into a pivoting spinning reel. After much experimentation the reel evolved into one similar to that shown to below. The reel was patented and the Colgrove became a favorite of Northwest steelhead fishermen. After Colgrove’s death in 1983 the patent and production rights were sold to Bob Rudd of Reeder Rods, the boxes are found marked Northwest Cast Metal Products of Portland, OR. and Colgrove Reel of Beaverton, OR. By Phil White.

COMPAC,

Compac, a Japanese Co. Japan had a few major reels makers, some others are Roddy and Olympic.

CONROY
J. CONROY MAKER
J. & J.C. CONROY
CONROYS MAKERS
J.C. CONROY & CO
CONROY & BISSETT
CONROY, BISSETT & MALLESON
THOMAS J. CONROY

Conroy – John Conroy was working as a machinist on Fulton St., NYC, at least as early as 1830 (the date claimed as his company’s founding), and possibly as early as 1824. He was making reels by the late 1830s (roughly the same time as the Meeks began to make reels). The early reels were marked “J. Conroy/Maker.”

John C. Conroy joined the firm in the late 1830s, and the company was renamed “J. & J.C. Conroy” about 1843. The reel markings were changed to “Conroys/Makers.”

The founder retired, and J. & J.C. Conroy was dissolved in 1864. A new partnership of J.C. Conroy, Thomas Bissett, and Francis Allen was organized and named “J.C. Conroy & Co.” Their reels were marked with the company name.

In 1875, a new partnership consisting of Bissett, Frederick Malleson, and Thomas J. Conroy was formed and named “Conroy, Bissett & Malleson,” and their reels were so marked. Malleson left the firm in 1881, and the name was changed to “Conroy & Bissett.”

The company was renamed “Thomas J. Conroy” in 1883. By this time, it had become a general sporting-goods store, and probably was no longer manufacturing its own reels, though it continued close business associations with Malleson, who was making reels on his own. (Timeline provided by Steve Vernon.)

Pictures of reels marked Conroys Makers and J.C. Conroy & Co. (modified with clamp foot) courtesy Paul Manuel

COSGROVE TACKLE COMPANY

Cosgrove Tackle Company

COXE, J.A.

Coxe, J.A., There are two facets to J. A. Coxe Reels. First was the wonderful hand made big game reels manufactured by Coxe in his California workshop, and second were those mass produced reels manufactured by Bronson Reel Co. of Bronson, Michigan. Who bought out J.A. Coxe. Bronson needed a salt water designer to help them get into the SW reel market. They were 10 years behind in this market. Companies like Ocean City and Pflueger were way ahead of Bronson. Joseph A. Coxe stayed on with Bronson for years designing some of the best salt and fresh water reels ever made. Check out the “Bronson Reel” section of our website to see some of the J. A. Coxe and Bronson made J.A. Coxe reels.

COZZONE CORP.

Cozzone Corp., (John A Cozzone & Co in 1922 and 1923). Newark, NJ. 1924-31. This company mainly manufactured a line of quality salt water reels. However, they also manufactured a quality fly reel. All are sought after by collectors today. The company was owned by John A. Cozzone, a Newark machinist and friend of the Meisselbach brothers and Pliny Catucci. John’s father came to Newark in 1890 and became a U.S. Citizen. The two-year-old John and his mother would follow a year later. John showed some ability in mechanics and became a machinist. He set up shop in 1917 , but none of the products were reels. It wasn’t until the early 1920’s that John and his friend Pliny Catucci decided to make a go at reels. They created different companies but agreed that Pliny would produce freshwater casting reels while John would try his hand at larger trolling saltwater reels. Surprisingly, fly reels appeared by both companies as well. Here is a great site with pictures and info on the Cozzone’s and other brand salt water reels. http://myfishingreels.weebly.com/cozzone-reels.html Research by Brian Purrone and Phil White. The picture below is the Cozzone fly reel from the KC Show. The camera flash really brings out the color in the marbleized Bakelite. According to Phil White’s book, the Ogden St. address was the earliest and the reels were made between 1922 and 1924. Also see more Meisselbach reels below! These were some of the most beautiful reels made! For more information on specific reels, see Phil White’s article in ORCA’s Reel News back issue Winter of 1998.

Photos/information obtained with permission from Ron Gast’s website… https://luresnreels.com/cozzone.html

CRACK

CRACK (France) No fewer than five names would be involved with the manufacture and sales of Crack reels through the years until 1999. The trademark was established in 1967.

CREEK CHUBB BAIT CO.

Creek Chubb Bait Co. mostly sold fishing lures and some tackle. Creek Chub Wawasee reel. Jim Schottenham

CROOK, J. B. & CO.

Crook, J. B. & Co., (New York, NY) Jabez B. Crook was an English immigrant who opened a machine shop in the 1830’s that would become a part of huge tackle center on Fulton Street before 1900. Eventually, John Conroy would set up a shop virtually next door with names like Thomas Pritchard, J.J. Brown, and Alfred Woodham all selling tackle on the avenue as well. After a partnership in 1940, the company name was changed to Jabez B. Crook & Co. As the company expanded James Berry was added in 1846, and master rodbuilder Jerry Falvey came aboard as well in 1848. The company thrived for a time earning several awards for its offerings of fishing tackle. After a line of partners came and went ( some very quickly at times), the company was able to survive (barely at times) all the way to 1920. Relatives of both J.B Crook and James Berry kept the business in the family. It was a great legacy for a small machine shop that opened over eighty years earlier. As for Crook reels, historian Steve Vernon doubts they were made at all in their shop after 1875. Many of the later marked Crook reels have characteristics of other companies. However, Mr. Vernon attests that Jabez Crook deserves the honor of being “one of the earliest Identifiable reelmakers in the U.S.” When looking closely at Crook reels, there are a number of general identifying features that Mr. Vernon has shared (although there is much more diversity in the earliest reels):

-He made brass and German silver reels with ball-handles with S cranks.
-Most were multipliers, some single-action.
-The top surfaces of the curved, cast, one-piece reel feet usually were lower than the flat cross-bridges.
-The feet sometimes had arrays of dots underneath.
-The nuts securing he pillars to the headplate usually had two flat sides.
-The reels usually had a spring brake controlled by a sliding lever that extended through the headcap rim.
-The grasps often were unusually long, compared to the grasps used by other contemporary makers.
-He produced some German silver quick-takedown reels, and he appears to have experimented with a freespool clutch in at least one of them. -Some of his reels included housings or bridges over the pinions, and these had bearings for the spool journal.
(The above information is courtesy of Steve Vernon. For pictures and much more information, see Steve’s two articles in the January, 2009, issue of the ORCA Reel News magazine.)

CYCLOID CORPORATION

Cycloid Corporation This company created a I00 yd. casting reel made of aluminum that was considered an odd ball reel! postwar. here is a great example of one like new in the box. Pictures are courtesy of Pat Thoma.

D

DAME, STODDARD & KENDALL

Dame, Stoddard & Kendall, Boston Mass. 1881-1901 ( Move to Distributor Page- needs a write up )

DAME, STODDARD & COMPANY

Dame, Stoddard & Company, Boston, Mass. 1901- ? ( Move to Distributor Page- needs a write up )

D.A.M.

D.A.M. (QUICK) Germany, Deutsche Angelgerate Manufaktur, 1875, Berlin Germany. The company was established by brothers Oskar and Fritz Zeigenspeck who opened a hardware store. The company was known for ability to set standards and champion new trends. The site listed here is presented by Roland Lindenbergh from The Netherlands. It is interesting and informative and has links to other foreign reel sites. http://home.kpn.nl/roland.lindenberh/index.html
See also Merman Versijveren’s article in the Reel News, Winter, 1997.

DEALLY JAMES & CO.

Deally James & Co. of Louisville, KY was a mfg. from 1895 to about 1900 Kentucky reels. Research courtesy of Ron Gast – Photos Courtesy of Lang’s https://luresnreels.com/deally.html

KENTUCKY CASTING REEL

Kentucky Casting Reel, Jim Schottenham

DEWITT

Dewitt

DIAMOND

Diamond, (Japan) Spin Master Series sold by US distributor.

DOPERR

Doeperr, Albert Factory / Mecanique Halieutique Co.(1941-1951) The Doperr reel, patented made in France by a Mr. Dodu, has an Art-Deco style appearance. It is an aluminum bodies spinning reel with artistic ridges on the housing complemented by a fluted knob and graceful anti-reverse trigger. It was made in a plant owned by Albert Dubert in 1946. There are two versions, the second coming ten years after the first. The MH Company, founded by Mr. Dubert, made the second version, and the company was also manufacturing Ru reels. (For pictures of the Dopper, see the Hans Brinkel article in the ORCA Reel News back issue March 2001, and/or Wright’s Spinning Reference Guide, page 141 for model descriptions.)

DREISER

Dreiser, John, Rod/reel Combination. This patent, number 283084, was granted on August 14, 1883, to John Dreiser of New York. He produced a unique reel built into a rod handle with very ornate nickel plated brass hardware having a floral pattern that accepted the wooden rod handle and fore grip. Dreiser also produced a few other side-mounted reels such as the one patented on April 28, 1903, number 726655.
(Photo Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.)

DUNCAN BRIGGS

Duncan Briggs, from Providence, RI, this company made some very beautiful reels, one example is pictured below, its their Ambassador Mod. No.L 322, reel is machined jeweled even on the inner plates. (Trade reels?)

DUPONT

Dupont Plastics – makers of the NY-O-LITE reel- These will glow in the dark after being charged up by any light.

E

EDWARDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

EDWARDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, (Chicago) They made aluminum fly reels, #30 and #40 to name a couple. Very inexpensive.

ELECTRIC REEL COMPANY

ELECTRIC REEL COMPANY The Coit electric reels were made in Mendota, CA in the early 1950’s. Dr. Todd Larson has a great article about these reels, here is the link , make sure that you scroll all the way down to get all the history. http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2010/03/bright-idea-brief-history-of-electric.html The electric version is the Mod.E a 250 yd. NLW, they came in some great anodized colors, they also made a NLW Mod.C which was not electric. Now all these reels had a different clicker on them, as soon as you were to push the sliding click button in and then cranked, it would kick out, the clicker pawl was designed that way, that way you would not be able to cast or we should say drop down, while the clicker was on to prevent wear to the pawl. They were designed for bottom fishing! I think that this was a major problem for them, having to send back these reels that the common person thought was broke. If you find one where the clicker works, that means someone has already ruined its originality, by grinding a groove in the clicker pawl. You will find these mostly unused in the box. The author has bought and sold many over the years, sometimes selling for well over a $100.00 and then sometimes only gathering $30.00 to $40.00. You know this hobby is also a form of gambling! The Mod.C is much harder to find than the Mod.E. By Robert Ellis. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

ENGINEERED PRODUCTS AND RESEARCH CO

ENGINEERED PRODUCTS AND RESEARCH CO (Springfield, MA)

ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURING COMPANY ( FOUR BROTHERS, PFLUEGER)

ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, this company was the manufacturer of the famous Pflueger, Four Brothers, and Portage lines of fishing reels. Akron, Ohio. It is generally accepted that this famous name in fishing reel manufacturing had its beginnings in 1881 when once grocer, then harness maker, E.F. Pflueger formed a company apparently first named Enterprise Works, being so listed in the 1883 Akron Directory. The same year he started his company he purchased the American Fishhook Company and subsequently claimed its date of origin, 1864, as that of his own company. He incorporated his business in 1886 as the Enterprise Manufacturing Company.
With the exception of a simple wooden device that doubled as a line dryer Mr. Pflueger had patented in 1896, Enterprise did not manufacture reels until at least 1900. The earliest reference to reels offered by them is 1902. Most of those early models bore the Pflueger name which had became trademarked by 1908.
By 1914 reels were offered by Enterprise under three trademarks: Pflueger Bulldog, Four Brothers (named for the four sons of E. F. Pflueger), and Portage, a trademark previously used by one of those brothers, E.A. Pflueger and used by him during a brief period beginning in 1906 when he resigned from Enterprise and formed his own E.A. Pflueger Company.
Enterprise remained a leader in reel manufacturing into the 1960s, offering a great variety of models over the years, ranging from tiny fly reels to large saltwater models and including some of the most popular casting reels ever made. In 1965 the company name was changed to The Pflueger Corporation. The following year it was purchased by The Shakespeare Company. Pflueger reels are still manufactured by the Pflueger Sporting Goods Division of Shakespeare. By Robert Miller.

Pflueger Altapac pics courtesy Paul Manuel

EPPINGER

EPPINGER, LOU J. Lou was a reel designer, who made his own versions that were mainly a Shakespeare design and known for adding free spool devices to Shakespeare reels mostly, yet advertised that he would install his device on or we should say in other reels of its type! (Move to Distributors?)

F

FASOLDT, CHARLES

FASOLDT, CHARLES, moved to Rome, NY from Dresden, Germany in 1845, and then to Albany, NY in 1860, where he set up shop as a watch maker. Known best for his patents involving the intricate workings of fine pocket watches, clocks and microscopes, he earned his reputation as the premier clock maker in New York. It is estimated that production of his watches was limited to between 300 and 400.
Production of his “Patent Applied For” reel is far, far less. His wide spool reel is unique in that it rests on a gear driven level wind housing. It is unclear by the “Pat Apl’d For” marking if this was ever submitted to the patent office, as no patent has been found for this mechanism. The first known patent for a level wind device on a reel was granted on Feb. 28, 1860 to Mark S. Palmer of New Bedford, Mass.
Fasoldt’s design differed greatly from Palmer’s, with an oscillating level wind system that was driven by a gear in the head plate. With an outgoing click that activated a “twitching” head plate mounted indicator, and twist knob drag, this is a marvel of engineering for its time.
Photo Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

FALCH/FENNER, CHICAGO ,IL.

Falch/Fenner, Chicago ,IL. (Need a write up)

FARLOW

FARLOW, C (1840 – London) Later changed to C. Farlow & Co.LTD. Pictures and information courtesy of Ron Gast. https://luresnreels.com/farlow.html

FERRIS LINDGREN

FERRIS LINDGREN, New York reel company, seen mostly green anodized side plates and cast aluminum frame 100 yd. casting reels.

FEURER BROS.

FEURER BROS. http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-little-history-of-feurer-brothers.html (See Todd Larson’s Fishing History blog)

FIHE ENTERPRISES

FIHE ENTERPRISES (1949-1950. Burbank, California) Makers of the “Telecast Side Casting” swivelling, spinning reel that can sit atop or below the rod.

FIN-NOR / TYCOON

FIN-NOR / TYCOON (Miami) Florida based company known for making high quality SW reels and Big Game reels but also made spinning reels. The spinning reels, designed by Gar Wood Jr., were introduced in 1958 with a die-cast body and crank and a black anodized finish. It had a unique stainless steel fixed-finger automatic line pickup. The cup and spool were gold anodized and made from aluminum bar stock. The early reels came in two sizes, numbers 3 and 4.The Fin-Nor name is though to have come from a combination of the names Finley and Norwood, the name of their machine shop. Their interest in fly reels became a new interest in 1970, and many high quality reels were made, pretty much taking the place of spinning reels. The company was sold to a Japanese interest in 1993. (information courtesy of Ben Wright). Fin-Nor Double Handled 15/0 reel photo courtesy of Brian Perrone.

FIX

FIX (Need info)

FLINT REEL CO.

FLINT REEL CO. Maker of C H. Wisner fishing reels, the “Michigan Reels.” https://luresnreels.com/flint.html (Information and pictures courtesy of Ron Gast)

FLIP IT SPINNING REEL COMPANY

FLIP IT SPINNING REEL COMPANY (Muskegon, Michigan) This 4 and 1/2 oz. aluminum reel can stop a lure mid-air by the flip of a bail. It can be made to retrieve left or right-handed. It has a round body and a line guide and looks more like a spincaster with a propeller. (Pictures courtesy of Jon Kring.)

FLOLINE

FLOLINE, If you looked too quickly at this reel you would swear it was a pencil sharpener. The swivelling reel was made by Lou Meyer Co. of Kenosha, WI. and was sold in the 1940’s.

FOLLETT

FOLLETT. Photo courtesy of Jim Schottenham. See more at http://www.sidemountreels.com/follett.html

FOUR BROTHERS

FOUR BROTHERS, (See the Enterprise Manufacturing Co.)

FOSS, AL FISHING TACKLE

FOSS, AL FISHING TACKLE (Cleveland, Ohio), The company, mostly know for its lures and pork rinds, did also sell reels. Al Foss was a dedicated tournament caster who often modified reels from other companies to suit his own purposes. The company went through several buyouts after Mr. Foss’s retirement in 1929. To see the timeline of the progression of Al Foss Company, American Fork and Hoe, True Temper, American Tackle and Equipment and Weber refer to Joe Yates’ page on Al Foss History

FOWLER

FOWLER REEL, (Also known as the Fowler Gem) Manufactured by Alonzo H. Fowler [1825-1903] from Ithaca, NY. Fowler was an Ithaca New York dentist, and used the molding skills he possessed to create what may Patented on June 18th, 1872, and was soon improved by the addition of a click, as circa 1875 ads show. The reel is found in two sizes, a 40 yard small size and a larger 60 yard model. Because of the extreme frail nature of old hard rubber, few examples of Fowler reels are known, and are considered rare. Photos Contributed by Jim Schottenham.

FOX, A. H. GUN

FOX, A. H. GUN, a gun maker from Philadelphia est. 1906, maker of some fine shotguns, who also made or had made some reels, normally there is always one on eBay for sale, so check there until we can get some pictures here! They always seemed to square off their designs, like a tear drop shaped reel that also has flat areas around it!

FRANKLIN

FRASER-KILLIAN

FRASER-KILLIAN, Neo caster reel.

FULLILOVE

FULLILOVE, FRANK & Co. of Owenton, KY was a mfg. from 1903 to ?. Kentucky reels. https://luresnreels.com/fullil.html Information courtesy of Ron Gast, photos courtesy of Lang’s Auction.

G

GARCIA, CHARLES & CO.

GARCIA, CHARLES & CO. (NY)

GATES, GEORGE

GATES, GEORGE, clutch trout reel, 1885 pat. German Silver & Hard Rubber construction. There are only 4 known examples of this reel. (Photos courtesy of Lang’s)

GATEWAY,

GATEWAY

GAYLE

GAYLE, Geo. W. & Son of Frankfort, KY were manufacturers from 1848 to 1948

GENTLEMAN STREAMLINER

GENTLEMAN STREAMLINER, (See Streamliner below)

GOITE

GOITE, makers of some fine Indiana style reels.

GOOD-ALL MFG. CO

GOOD-ALL MFG. CO. Good-All reels were introduced in early 1950 and were very similar in design to other “Denver-style” sidewinder spinning reels of the period. These were, however, produced in Ogallala, Nebraska by the Good-All Mfg. Co. Numerous styles, sizes and applications were produced, with at least 10 different models known to exist. The “Good-All Spinning Combination” (a single unit rod & reel combo) was apparently built in very limited numbers and is quite rare today. Like many of the other Denver-style reels, the Good-Alls were gone by the mid 1950’s. Research by Mark Williams.

GRAHAM REEL CO.

GRAHAM REEL CO., No-Lash Indiana style reel.

GREAT LAKES PRODUCTS

GREAT LAKES PRODUCTS, (Detroit, MI and Windsor, ON) reel maker from Lexington, Michigan, made their brand and also many trade reels! Pictured below is a Great Lakes reel that was made for Gambles Auto Supply and branded with their name brand Hiawatha. This style of reel was made in several different colors, we have seen them in green, yellow, red, blue, white and black as seen here. Lakesman was a reel trade name.

GULF REEL CO.

GULF REEL CO., (See Standard Manufacturing Company)

GYRATORY REEL CO.

GYRATORY REEL CO. This unusual reel was patented and first produced by Henry Crandall of Milwaukee, WI in the early 1900s, The Gyratory reel was patented on 1/7/1908 by Henry F. Crandall of Milwaukee. This was patent #875,694. It was an odd contraption with an eccentric oscillating spool. The reel was also able to free spool for casting. In 1908 Crandall patented (#892,137) another version of the reel integrated into a rod. The Crandall versions of this unusual reel are very rare.

The reel was apparently revised and renamed c1916-17 by the GUY-RA-TORY REEL CO. of 316 Fifth Street in Racine, Wisconsin. This version was widely advertised in the leading outdoor magazines of the time. An ad from the May 1917 issue of Outers shown below. When the reel was reviewed by O. W. Smith, Fishing Editor of Outdoor Life in the October 1916 issue he commented:

“The gyratory reel was brought to my home by the traveling representative of a certain hardware house, as ‘special’ he was then pushing. We tried it out on the street to the great amusement of a crowd which soon gathered, and they were not all fishermen either. The illustration gives a good idea of the reel, its rather odd name referring to the eccentric action of the spool, wobbling from left to right like the lodge goat with each revolution, laying the line from end to end of the spool. The lever, shown in the illustration, frees the spool from the crankshaft, so it is a free spool. It will be noticed that it is built in the handle of the rod – is a part of the rod. The crank is of a peculiar shape. All in all, I consider it one of the strangest creations ever produced for winding a line or casting. It certainly would handle a line in a manner to surprise the doubting Thomases who saw it perform, but a man would need to be possessed of more than a little courage to take the arrangement out in company on a bass lake.”

This type of review, along with the onset of World War 1, undoubtedly hastened the demise of the Gyratory reel and contributed to its rarity. By Phil White. (For more information, see Reel News back issue Spring 1996.) Reel Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

H

HARDY

HARDY (England)- Makers of the famous Hardy Perfect. Pictured is a variety of Hardy reels including an 1897 brass faced Perfect with early check (top right), a Silex bearing the “D” mark indicating it was made by (or under the supervision of) the famous Walter Dingley (top center), a circa 2012 Cascapedia designed by Hardy in the UK but manufactured in Korea (bottom center). Image courtesy of ORCA member Paul Manuel.

HARRIS REEL

HARRIS REEL. Manufactured by William J. Harris [1849-?]of Gloversville, NY. Harris, along with Gloversville jeweler Henry Case, was granted a patent for his unusual built in rod/reel on Sept. 22nd, 1903. Harris, a well known business man, ran a barber shop before changing his listing in the city directory to a Reel Maker in 1904. Listed as a reel maker for 4 short years, it appears the reel was not a big success. No advertising has been found to date for his invention, which indicates sales were by word of mouth only, making the Harris reel a scarce and unique item for the reel collector. Information contributed by Jim Schottenham. Picture courtesy of Brian Purrone.

HASTINGS,

HASTINGS

HATCH, ANSON

Patented June 19th, 1866, Anson Hatch of New Haven, Connecticut was awarded patent number #55,653 for his “Improvement In Fishing Reels”. Photo Courtesy of Jim Schottenham

HAWKS & OGILVY

HAWKS & OGILVY New York, Ball handled reels marked with the company name will be pre-1895. Most reels sold by the company were made by the Vom Hofe family of reel makers. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

HAWTHORNE

HAWTHORNE,

HAYWOOD, JAMES

HAYWOOD, JAMES (c. 1776-1829), was a Birmingham brass founder, and is generally acknowledged as one of the few early English reel makers who signed his reels. Haywood’s business operated from approximately 1800 to at least 1858 – almost three decades after his death.
In his book “A Treasury of Reels,” ORCA member and author Jim Brown writes that Haywood first appears in Chapman’s Birmingham Directory in 1800 as a brass founder and manufacturer of brass lamps and chandeliers at Morris’ Court, Hill Street. Andrew Race, owner of Reuben Heaton Ltd. in England and an authority on British reels, says Haywood started the foundry business in 1797 at 102 Hill Street, Birmingham.
According to Brown, Haywood “is first mentioned as a fishing reel manufacturer in Wrightson’s New Triennial Director of Birmingham (1815),
where he is described as a maker of brass fishing reels, ferrules for angle rods, walking sticks, etc. “His last appearance is in Pigot and Co.’s National Commercial Directory for 1828-9 (1829),’’ Brown writes. Mary Haywood, James’s widow, ran the business from 1829 to 1839, after his death. Mary lived from 1763 to 1846.
Haywood reels are found stamped either Haywood Maker or Haywood H [star] R. In most cases the stamping is on the front plate of the reel but in at least one case, included in my exhibit, Haywood Maker is stamped on the rear plate of a large salmon fly reel, photos of which are included with
this article. Reels are generally stamped Birm’m, for Birmingham, England. Although no documents or advertisements have surfaced to clear up the mystery about the H [star] R stamping, both Jim Brown and British fishing tackle historian and author Graham Turner theorize the letters came about when Mary Haywood and William Henry Ryder formed a business partnership. Brown writes, “Ryder appears to be the successor to Haywood. He began operations at the old Haywood address and advertised himself as a reelmaker, remaining in business at least until 1900 (joined by his sons about this time).”
Brown points out problems with that theory about the business relationship. Many of the H [star] R reels do not appear old enough to be
products made before Mary Haywood’s death in 1846. In his book “Fishing Tackle, A Collector’s Guide,” Graham Turner lists the Haywood firm operating from 1801 to 1839.Like Brown, Turner writes that Haywood’s business is first listed as operating on High Street, Birmingham but by 1803 he had moved to 71 Hill Street, which is when he was first listed as a reelmaker.
Writes Turner, “He made clamp foot winches in the early years, and later, ones with the modern type straight bar feet. He was one of the few early makers to stamp his name on winches, many of which must have been exported as they often turn up in America. “In 1823 he was trading from No. 102 Hill St. and extended his activities to making brass ferrules and walking sticks.”
After James died, Mary ran the business and was listed as a fishing reelmaker at 101 Hill St. By 1839 she was selling reels and brass ferrules
from a new address at Bath Row, Turner writes. She died Sept. 26, 1846, at the age of 83. Graham Turner makes no mention of Ryder or the possible Haywood and Ryder “H [star] R” connection in his book, published in 1989. However, Andrew Race says the H [star] R stamp dates a Haywood reel to between 1855 and 1858 in terms of sale at least.
According to Race, after James died in 1829, Mary continued as the reel maker at the same premises until around 1839 when she moved to 137 Bath Row and again in 1855 to 13 Wrottesley Street, Birmingham. Between 1855 and 1858 William Henry Ryder appears in business with Mary,
the company still at the Wrottesley Street premises and now listed as Haywood and Ryder (H & R). By 1862 Ryder is listed as a reel and tackle maker on his own. Ryder continued until 1903 when his sons are also listed as being in the tackle business. Information Provide by Richard Lodge. (For more information, see the July, 2014 issue of ORCA’s Reel News)LARGE & MEDIUM Versions are pictured below.

HAYWOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY (ALSO SEE HUMPHREY’S)

HAYWOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY (Makers of the Humphreys stationary spool spinning reel, 1947-1955). Denver reel designer Ira B. Humphreys was issued patent #2,584,020 on Jan.29, 1952 for the Humphreys Model 3A, which had been selling since it was first introduced in 1947. It would be the first in a long line of “Colorado” sidewinder spinning reels produced by a number of Denver-area companies. The Model 3A, along with the larger Model 4A, was actually manufactured by Haywood Mfg. Co. of Denver, a company involved with wholesale sporting goods since 1892. The Humphreys reels were short-lived, victims of the growing spinning reel explosion that offered much more practical (and multiplying) reels of all shapes and sizes. Promoted as a stainless steel (rust-free, for salt water) reel that could be used for “every” kind of fishing, it proved to be 5.too loud and cumbersome for the “ultra-light” craze sweeping the country. Both models were discontinued in 1955. (Research by Mark Williams.)

HEARD & WILSON

HEARD & WILSON, Vancouver, British Columbia. Made 3 models of trolling / mooching reels with plastic side-plates (not bakelite) circa 1945. Images courtesy of Paul Manuel.

HEDDON

HEDDON, James Heddon’s Sons of Dowagiac, Michigan was one of the most venerable and successful tackle makers in the history of this country. They entered the reel business around 1911, selling at least a partial line of B.F. Meek & Sons casting reels.
The first reels to carry the “Heddon” name were the No.1 and No.2 “HEDDON’S DOWAGIAC” casting reels, supplied from 1912-1914 by A.F. Meisselbach & Bro. of Newark, N.J. The No.1 was identical to Meisselbach’s No.580 “Tripart”, with the single grip, while the No.2 was the same as the double-gripped No.582 “Tripart”.
In 1916 Heddon made a major decision to create their own reel making operation, hiring former B.F. Meek & Sons co-owner William Carter in 1917. He would help design a series of four precision Kentucky-style reels bearing Heddon’s name. They were the No.30, No.35, No.40 and No.45, which were only offered from 1918-1919. In 1919 Heddon hired Jack Welch to run the reel department. He had also worked for B.F. Meek & Sons, as well as W.H. Talbot. His collaboration with Heddon over the next 12 years would result in the creation of some of the finest reels ever built. They were the No.3-15 (built from 1920-1927), No.3-24 (1920-1924), No.3-30 (1920-1924), No.4-15 (1922), No.4-18 (1923-1925), No.3-35 (1922-1926) and the
No.3-25 (1926-1930).
Around 1926, Heddon again dabbled with selling reels supplied by other makers. The No.31AB “Waltonian” model would be supplied by Meisselbach-Catucci Mfg. Co., also of Newark, N.J. and the No.3 & 3AB “Indian Chief” models built by the Bronson Reel Co. of Bronson, Mich. These reels were never well-received by fishermen, much less James Heddon’s Sons and were discontinued after the 1928 season. It should be noted that two model fly reels, the No.26 “Little Rivers” and the No.125 “Imperial”were also available around this time. The No.26 would be short-lived, but the Imperial would sell for another 25 years. The famous No.105 and No.108 “Winona” trolling reels were also developed during this period, with both selling into the 1960’s.
Heddon would sign one of their most important contracts in 1929 with the Shakespeare Company, who would supply Heddon with virtually all their reels continuously until WWII. Among the popular Shakespeare-built Heddon models were the No.4 “Chief Dowagiac”, the No.215 “White House Angler” and the No.206 “Lone-Eagle”. During the 1930’s Heddon also unveiled three models of Automatic fly reels and the No.30 “Great Lakes” trolling reel (which would only last until the war).
After WWII, Heddon would again be supplied by Bronson, this time with the No.P41 “Pal” casting reel, which was offered in several standard and tournament variations. It was a big seller and would be joined in 1952 by the P51 “Dowagiac”, which our own Robert Ellis has determined to be a reel outsourced to Japan for manufacture. These were followed in the 1960’s by the No.25 and No.26 Heddon Pal “Pro-Weight” casting reels, also built and supplied by Bronson and which have become very sought-after by collectors. Heddon would go on to offer a line of nice quality salt water reels, among them Heritage series in four different models, with most being outsourced to either Japan or Sweden.
Starting with the No.240 and 250 “SpinPal” models in the early 1950’s, Heddon would offer a wide range of quality spinning reels for the next couple of decades. They are much too numerous to mention here! (Research by Mark Williams.) Images of Heddon 3-35 courtesy Paul Manuel.

HENDRICK, AUGUSTUS D.

HENDRICK, AUGUSTUS D. “Manufacturers of Fishing Reels and Guides”
Augustus D. Hendrick and his brother, George W. Hendrick, opened Whiting & Hendrick Brothers in 1884 in New Haven, Connecticut, as partners of Henry B. Whiting, an established rod maker. When Whiting left the firm about a year later, it was renamed Hendrick Brothers. “A.D. Hendrick, Manufacturer of Fishing Reels and Guides,” carried on alone after George left by 1887. A local businessman, Isaac J. Boothe, acquired the business and moved it to Birmingham by 1890, renaming it Star Reel Works. Hendrick remained an employee there until it was sold around 1898 and moved to Waterbury. He continued to work for his new employers until his death in 1901.
Hendrick specialized in reels made for the mass market, and his products competed with those of Andrew B. Hendryx, the better-known tackle manufacturer in New Haven. His single patented reel even lacked a spool. Its one moving part was a just a rod (arbor) on which the line was wound. Nevertheless, his reels were featured in the catalogs of such giants as Sears, Roebuck Co. and Montgomery Ward & Co.
Although some early Hendrick reels were marked “Whiting & Hendrick Bros.,” most of the reels made after Whiting left were probably unmarked. However, some or all had arrow-shaped levers on the tailplate to operate the click and brake. Soon after his brother left the partnership, Hendrick created the Mascot brand for his fishing reels. The name was trademarked by Isaac Boothe, but not until 1890.
Hendrick and his two sons were employed by Boothe at his Star Reel Works in Birmingham. Charles F. Loomis, a machinist at a nearby shop, patented a reel with a perforated, well-ventilated spool in 1890. In 1892, Hendrick received his only patent for what may qualify as the cheapest reel ever made in a factory. Star Reel Works manufactured reels employing both patents, a line of “Mascot” reels, and a variety of other reels. The company advertised regularly in national sporting magazines. See also Star Works Company.
(Information from Fishing Collectibles Magazine, Vol. 4, No. 2, Fall, 1992, pp. 4-13) Courtesy of Steve Vernon.

HENDRYX, ANDREW B. CO.

HENDRYX, ANDREW B. CO. was founded to manufacture bird cages in 1875. Hendryx reels first appeared on the scene in 1887, and they were to remain one of the largest manufacturers of fishing reels and metal baits, in the U.S. until October 1919, when the company was sold to the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. (add link here!) MORE Hendryx produced tremendous number of reels in a great many models. In 1900 Hendryx advertised that they had produced 2 million reels in only 13 years of production. That’s gettin’ with it! The majority of Hendryx reels were inexpensive models, however some of their reels were of high quality construction, and/or limited production and that makes these models valuable. Reels to look for are: the horizontal bird cage fly reel that is a near duplicate of the Follett, the Virginia automatic reel, the Kettletown, the ring clamp reels, and the early pull pin drag reels. There are quite a few “generic” Hendryx reels out there, but most of them were probably manufactured by Winchester. The only “known” generic name used by Hendryx was the “Sterling” brand, with and without a pound sign. By Don Champion.

HERMANN, PAUL

Hermann, Paul – Maine

Regarding Dr. Paul Hermann’s reels, it is unfortunate that there are many who will never have the opportunity to see or handle one in person since there really aren’t that many total that were made. Reel making was not Paul’s livelihood but rather as he best put it “a labor of love”.

His shop was located on his and wife Kathy’s homestead property in the beautiful and historic town of Castine Maine. Paul started working on the design for his first Salmon reels in the early 1980s when he was unable to locate a Bogdan reel for his own use for Atlantic Salmon fishing. He spent several years on his design and on trying to come up with a unique drag system. He came to the conclusion that there was no salmon drag better than the Bogdan drum and shoe mechanism. Instead of using what he thought would be an inferior design, he decided to use the drum and shoe drag concept, similar to a Bogdan. Over the years his design evolved while going through 5 or 6 minor changes and 3 major “generations”, with the final generation being produced since the mid-1990s. The First Generation reels had delrin side plates, while all reels since, with the exception of the Large Trout models have aluminum side plates. In addition to his standard Salmon Model, along the way he added his trout model to the mix (commonly referred to as Baby Hermann), as well as, a few limited runs of special finish reels and also a few small batches of large trout /salmon reels with narrower frames for lighter fly lines.

For Salmon reels, Paul had initially planned to make 200, but at the end of production there were an estimated 213 total Hermann Salmon Reels made that include: approximately 5 with delrin side plates (these were the first reels), approximately 18 with nickel silver plated rims and pillars, 12 that were a narrow version “Dry Fly Salmon”, about 5 or so standard salmon that are in the white un-anodized that I refer to as the “Silver Salmons”, 5 or 6 that are a bit narrower than the Dry Fly and best suited for 6 wt or 7 wt lines referred to as “Sea Trout” models, and 2 reels that were wider than the Standard Salmon models that were intended as an experimental Tarpon reel. All of the Standard Salmon, Dry Fly and Sea Trout reels are multipliers and have a 7 position drag. The bulk of the reels which were the Standard Salmon models were available over the years with either silver anodized rims, or highly polished rims, and black anodized side plates, with a fairly even split between reels made as RHW or LHW. Paul designed his reels so that the serpentine handle and the internal drag mechanism impacting the direction of the drag adjuster knob was turned for greater tension were specific to RHW and LHW models.

For small fixed check trout reels, Paul had initially thought he’d make 100, but when he ceased making this model there were an estimated 112 total Hermann small trout reels or “Baby Hermann Reels” as they are sometimes referred to. Of this total number there were a few of the early reels that had nickel silver plated rims, but most have highly polished rims with black or in some cases deep plum colored aluminum side plates. Toward the very end of production Paul made 3 trout reels that were left “in the white. These are a very special reels.

A few years before Paul’s passing, he decided to build a small batch of 20 reels he called his “Large Trout”. These reels are the same basic dimensions as the “Sea Trout”, but are single action with a 7 position double brake shoe drag similar to that of his Salmon models. To lighten the overall weight of this model, Paul made the side plates of Delrin instead of aluminum and also made several of the internal drag components with Delrin instead of naval bronze.

Added together Paul made about 345 total reels spanning approximately almost 30 years of production as a hobby, or “labor of love”, which is pretty amazing when you consider he was a Doctor in his “Day Job”. Paul’s reels were always delivered in a bright colored soft pouch that were hand made by Kathy. Over the years, Paul & Kathy donated several reels to be auctioned or raffled for fund raising efforts in support of Maine’s Atlantic Salmon fisheries. Paul passed away in late 2016. Thanks to Mark Baker for the information and photos.

HERMOS,

HOLDEN,

HOLIDAY,

HOLMES, L. W.

HOLMES, L. W. L.W. Holmes fishing reels. Holmes was a reel-maker in Oronoque, Conn., from after WWII to the early 1950s. His reels are well machined but were designed to fit into the mid range niche of the market. Leslie W. Holmes, according to the city directory, was listed as a reel maker in 1945. He made 4 models or reels, with variations in most of the models. There was one non-level wind casting reel that had a sandblasted aluminum frame and may have been the best made of the lot. The reels were sold by Abercrombie & Fitch for a time, but the company’s demise came about by Hardy’s patent infringement lawsuits. Evidently, the reels resembled some of Hardy’s designs. Also, the post-war competition in the mid range was considerable. Although it appears the reels were made for five years, they are awfully hard to find. (For more information on the reels and the company see the Reel News back issue, Fall, 1999, by Richard Lodge.)

Pictures below, courtesy of Wayne Benson.

HOLZMANN, EARNEST,

HOLZMANN, EARNEST

The E. (Ernest) Holzmann reels were made by him in Brooklyn, NY in the early 1900’s. He was born in New York City on January 17, 1859 to his two German parents. The 1880’s and 1890’s New York City Directories show his occupation as an Electrician and Instrument Maker. In the 1905 Brooklyn, NY Census, his occupation is still listed as an “Electrician.” It wasn’t until 1910 when his occupation was listed as “Fishing Reel Manufacturer” in the NY US Census. The 1915 New York City Census also shows his occupation as “Manufacturer of Reels.” Ernest died on December 8, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY.

Ernest was an avid surf fisherman. He received his first reel patent on March 4, 1890 and assigned half to August H. Dirkes. It included quick-apart features and a drag design. One listing of his accomplishments in surf casting can be found in the July 1893 edition of “The American Angler” magazine and reported by A.H. Dirkes. Using an “improved reel, a 8 foot, 8 inch rod and a 2 1/2 ounce sinker” he made 10 casts measuring from 240 to 272 feet. The “improved reel” was probably a version of his 1890 patent reel. A.H. Dirkes is later shown in a 1909 ad as being the selling agent for the Holzmann reel which was marked “The Wolf.”

Ernest received his second patent on October 9, 1900. It included a free-spool and a automatic drag designs. His third reel patent was granted on October 31, 1905 and improved upon his previous patent design. His fourth reel patent granted on April 16, 1907 provided further improvements to the drag design.

Since Holzmann was an avid surf caster, improvements in casting reels was not his only area of interest. He received a patent on March 26, 1907 for a surf rod design. The features of the design were a long tapered butt section to add to the rod’s elasticity and adjustable line guides. His second casting rod related patent was granted on October 15, 1907. It was for line guides that were adjustable and had features to prevent the line from tangling on the guide during a cast.

There are at least four basic Holzmann reel designs that have been found. The first resembles Holzmann’s first patent in 1890. The second resembles the design shown in the 1900 patent and marked “Surf King.” The third version resembles that shown in the 1905 patent with a free-spool lever. These models are larger reels used for surf casting. The fourth version is similar to the 1905 patent, but a smaller reel and intended for tournament or bait casting rather than surf casting. There have also been found variations of the four basic models. This includes jeweled bearings, mother of pearl end plates, Julius vom Hofe star drag, tournament reel modifications and unmarked reels. One interesting thing to note is that Holzmann’s 1900 patent “Surf King” reels have a Mother of Pearl patent date and name medallions. The name medallion has Holzmann’s name misspelled and missing is the last “N” in his name. Information by Ron Gast https://luresnreels.com/holzmann.html. Photos Courtesy of Lang’s Auction

HORROCKS & IBBOTTSON CO.

HORROCKS & IBBOTTSON Co. (Utica, NY) was a manufacturer, well known for buying out other reel makers to expand their business. For example, in 1910, the purchased Yawman & Erbe rights to the automatic fly reel business. Known for the “HI” label, the company was first recognized for its prolific rod making. The company actually began as the George A Clark Company in 1880, then Clark & Horrocks in 1891. They didn’t add the fishing tackle line, however, until 1863. It wasn’t until 1909 that it became the official Horrocks-Ibbotson Company. They built their factory in Utica in 1905.
Picture of early “key wind” “Horrocks-Ibbotson Co.” automatic reel and box courtesy Paul Manuel

HORTON

HORTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Bristol, Connecticut, (late 1800’s- 1951) Bristol fishing rods and Bristol fishing reels were created by the Horton Manufacturing company in Bristol Connecticut. Bristol was one of the first companies that created a telescopic steel rod and created many different trusted rods and reels throughout the early 1900’s and late 1800’s. Some of the first Bristol fishing rods and first Bristol fishing reels were created around the 1880’s and they continued to be popular enough to receive praise and be listed in magazines for as long as the 1930’s. Today Bristol rods and Bristol reels continue to be a popular collector’s item, even Bristol advertising continues to be a good item for collectors and antique experts worldwide. Horton did special order machinery for clockwork companies and others, but the mainstay was the rod production for the first thirty years. It was 1916 when the company seriously entered the reel industry by acquiring B. F. Meek and Sons. That pairing essentially put the best rod company together with arguably the best reel company of the times. The Blue Grass reels were soon produced in Bristol. Notable reels were numbered at first from 4-5 and 7 also. Later the lower cost Simplex reels came along numbered 25, 33, and 34. Two fly reels arrived in the 20’s and 30’s, numbers 54 and 55. A #10 soon came along with a screwed-on level wind, and tournament reels based on the #3 appeared. Horton designed its own reels in 1935 with a Bristol series, numbers 77 and 88 and soon the fancier #30. The Bristol #65 single action fly reel would be the last to be made before WWII. Like other companies after the war, the wind was out of the sails, and all the pre-war reels were dropped. An Electromatic reel was made in 1948, but the company was forced to sell out in 1951 after 70 years. Photos/information was obtained from Ron Gast’s website page http://luresnreels.com/horton.html (Courtesy of Ron Gast) Also, an interesting product of Horton was the Edsall/Bristol combination reel and handle. Horton Manufacturing Company purchased a patent in 1901 from Seely Edsall who found a way to attach a standard as a part of a rod handle without a reel foot. Horton improved the Edsall model by using their Bristol rod and a contracted Montague reel. The reel was screwed into the but section of the rod with brackets. For more information, see ORCA Reel News back issue, Fall of 1997 and Spring of 2000. Photo courtesy of Jim Madden

HUMPAL

HUMPAL, The Humpal Reel Co. was another in a long line of “Colorado”-style (sidewinder-spinning) reel manufacturers that produced reels after WWII. Located in Boulder, they introduced their first Humpal stainless steel reels in 1952, a Model 33 and a Model 66. The Model 33 was a direct-drive version and the Model 66 a geared drive reel with a finger brake. They also produced a “trade” reel for the Weber Lifelike Fly Co. of Wisconsin called the “Spinn-X”. It was basically the same as the Humpal reel, except chrome-plated. Like virtually all other Colorado-style reel makers, with the exception of the Wright & McGill Co., they were gone by the mid 1950’s. Research by Mark Williams.

HUMPHREY’S (ALSO SEE HAYWOOD MANUFACTURING CO.)

HUMPHREY’S, Denver reel designer Ira B. Humphreys was issued patent #2,584,020 on Jan.29, 1952 for the Humphrey’s Model 3A, which had been selling since it was first introduced in 1947. It would be the first in a long line of “Colorado” sidewinder spinning reels produced by a number of Denver-area companies. The Model 3A, along with the larger Model 4A, was actually manufactured by Haywood Mfg. Co. of Denver, a company involved with wholesale sporting goods since 1892. The Humphrey’s reels were short-lived, victims of the growing spinning reel explosion that offered much more practical (and multiplying) reels of all shapes and sizes. Promoted as a stainless steel (rust-free, for salt water) reel that could be used for “every” kind of fishing, it proved to be 5.too loud and cumbersome for the “ultra-light” craze sweeping the country. Both models were discontinued in 1955. Research by Mark Williams.

HURD

HURD LOCK & MANUFACTURING CO. Their rod and reel combination manufactured in the late 1940s was made by Hurd Lock & Manufacturing Co., of Detroit, Michigan. The Hurd Caster was the inexpensive version of the Super Caster. It featured a plastic grip rather than a checkered walnut grip. The Caster retailed for $27.50, compared to the $45.00 for the Super Caster. The Hurd Combos just came at the wrong time. After World War II, spin fishing swept the country, and many bait casting outfits were hung in the garage for the next 20 years. The Hurd Super Caster died a slow death due to the fixed spool reel revolution.

I

I-DA-HO,

ILLINGWORTH

ILLINGWORTH,

INGLIS, JOHN

INGLIS, JOHN- SHAKESPEARE, Inglis Reels of Canada: As with most reel companies of pre-world war era, John Inglis was one of the largest suppliers of war ordinance of the British Empire making ship engines and Bren machine guns just to name a few. Sales of the reels started prior to the war, but do to all the hostilities before the war, no contracts were signed until later. After WW2 they started making household goods including sporting goods and around 1947 they signed an agreement with Shakespeare to start producing reels and lures. With the precision machinery that they were already experts at using, they were quickly able to copy and produce most of the existing lineup of Shakespeare reels to the exact specifications and tolerances of Shakespeare. 6 models and a few rods and some line were the 1st to be added to the lineup and later models were added over the years. The boxes were and exact match to the Shakespeare boxes and along with the famous Shakespeare logo. Inglis proudly stamped every box and reel with their famous Inglis logo and stamped Made In Canada. Reels were made right into the 1960s and production was stopped to concentrate on making large appliances. Today Inglis is owned by Whirlpool and manufacture large appliances for the Canadian and USA markets, yet their reels still exist thanks to the high quality of their craftsmanship. Research and pictures are courtesy of ORCA member Tony Malatesta.

Pictured below from left to right are John Inglis Shakepeare reels, first is a boxed Criterion No.1960 Mod.GE (1946), a boxed Ultra 1984 Mod.GE (1946), a boxed shallow water diver lure, a Wondereel No.1922 Mod.GE (1946).

You may click on the pictures to enlarge.

First shown below is a Triumph No.1958 Mod,GK 1941, a Ultra No.1984 Mod.GE 1941, a True Blue No.1956 Mod.FK 1951, a Ultra Wondereel No.1985 Mod.GE 1946, a Deluxe Supereel No.1985Mod.GE 1946, a Ultra Supereel No.1985 Mod. GE 1946, a Light Supereel No.1921 Mod.FK 1951, and a Royal Supereel No.1985A Mod.FK 1951.

J

JOHNSON

Johnson (Dennison-Johnson) Mankato, Minnesota. Refer to the Johnson Reel Collectors Association website. Also, click on the following link for an article on Johnson Demonstrator reels written by Dick Braun (The Zebco Guy) and posted on Dr. Todd’s Blog Spot: http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2010/08/johnson-reels-marketing-genus-by-dick.html. Research by Dick Braun.

Here is a Johnson article by Dan Uchity:
The Johnson 100B was first seen in catalogs in 1963, so to answer your question, the first 100B’s were made as early as 1962. They continued on until 1979 in catalogs by the Johnson Reel Co. They were made in various shades of green and also a Century 100B Princess was made in Pink for the ladies. Prior to the 100B’s they were called 100A’s and Prior to this just Johnson Century 100’s. 1955 was the year of introduction of the Johnson 100.discontinued by 1979. After a hiatus of several years a 40th year Anniversary issue was provided for 1995. Production probably began in about 93′ for this 100B issue. This one was a dark green issue. From about ’95-’97, a lighter green 40th Anniversary issue was also issued. This green was a close match to the old original Johnson Century’s.
Also at this time was introduced the Johnson Century 100B Deluxe in a silver color. This version sported ball bearings and 2 pickup pins and infinite anti-reverse features. For more information, see the Johnson reel collectior’s site. http://www.johnsonreels-online.org/index.php
All the reels spoken of above were manufactured in the USA. It appears the USA manufacturing ended in 1997. After this the 100B’s were manufactured in China until sometime around 2000. Two 45th Anniversary versions were issued then. One was a dark green and the other was a gray color. Also, a silver 100B Deluxe version was also made there. The finish was not as nice on this one as on the American made versions. It appears that no more of these fine reels are made in 2010. It will be interesting to see if they are ever manufactured again.
An interesting piece of info for those who are into collecting these reels: The Century 100 reels from near the beginning to end of production
were also made for other companies who used their own Brand name on them. The color range goes from one that is tri-colored in black, tan and yellow, and color spectrums consisting of red, various shades of green, pink, gray, silver, copper, brass and gold. Dan
To some of your other questions: The Johnson Century can be found with names like Shy Poke, Ward’s, Ace, Hawthorne (another name used by Ward’s), Cook’s Premier, Revelation (Western Auto product) and Johnson, of course. I may be forgetting some others.
The Citation is a larger version of the Century with a larger line capacity. Besides Johnson, there is a version made by Johnson for the St. Croix rod company. It is a copper color. There may be other brand names on the Citation model, but I am not familiar with them. Altogether, over the years, I know of about 60 or so variations of the Century reels. They sit on my shelves.
The Pink Princess reels were not anodized and neither were the Shy Poke reels. I think the rest of the models were anodized. Research by Dan Uchity. What follows are reel names and dates from the catalogs as posted on Reel Talk, Jan 2, 2016:
Sidewinder 10 1949 10A 1950 20 1951 40 1951 40A 1952 60 1952 80 1953 22 1954 44 1954
Century 100 1955-1956 100A 1957-1962 100B 1963-1979 115 1981-1982 135 1981-1982 225 1983-1988 100B Dlx 1995-1999 2000 1994-1999
Century Light 105 1982 125 1983-1988
Century Pro 345 1982-1984
Century II 101 1979 111 1979
Chairman 820 1979-1981 830 1979-1981 840 1979-1981 850 1979-1981
Challenger 730 1979-1980 740 1979-1980 750 1979-1980
Charter 620 1979-1981 630 1979-1981 640 1979-1981 650 1979-1981
Charger 530 1979-1980 540 1979-1980 550 1979-1980 620 1979-1980
Seville 170 1979=1980
Chevron 35 1979-1983 ?135 1979-1983 ?230 1979-1983 ?
Citation 110 1956-1957 110A 1958-1962 110B 1963-1979
Citation II 111 1979 Commander 150 1969-1971 150A 1972-1976
Skipper 125 1971-1978
Crappie Pro 230 1987-1992
Country Mile 6 1988-1994 10 1988-1994 15 1988-1994 20 1988-1994
Magnetic Fly Reel 5 1958-1965 3 1962-1971
Single Action Fly 7 1965-1971 9 1965-1971
Scout 145 1979 95 1981
Sprite 200 1978-1979
Spirit 85 1981 90 1979-1980 111 1983-?
Cisco 65 1981 127 1979-1980
Strike 415 1981 435 1981
Force 315 1981 335 1981 320 1982 340 1982 525 1983-1988
Sprint 205 1981-1982 215 1981-1982 235 1981-1982 445 1983-1988
Champ 430 1979-1981

Research by Dan Uchity.

K

KALAMAZOO REEL CO.

KALAMAZOO REEL CO.,  from Kalamazoo, Mich. a company formed by the Shakespeare Reel Company to make reels possibly to keep up with demand at the time. These prewar Kalamazoo reels came in many different versions.  Some came with either removable jeweled ends caps or fixed.  They made more colored crank knobs of all reel makers as you can see in the pictures below. For comparison the one crank handle standing up is a Shakespeare. Some came as take a parts, having the coin screws for easy access using a dime or penny to take them apart!
The painted black and silver cans are for Kalamazoo’s factory standard reels, any can with a paper label is a trade reel and normally worth more!     The Deschutes is for the Deschutes River on the California/Oregon border The Portland can only popped up on ebay last year and sold for $250.00 Two months later it was relisted at a Buy it Now for $20.00?  In 1940 Kalamazoo and Shakespeare came out with the bell shaped crank knobs and post war no more reel cans!  The ornate reel in picture No.9 does not have any markings on it and has hexagon jeweled end caps, it is the only one that has these end caps, I have seen several over the years. I set it next to a can I found by it self with no label,  like to find the original can!
The Cast Pal No.35 reel w/can that sold on the Bay for $210.00, Pictures are courtesy of Tony Laws from Northport, AL     R.E.

KASSCHAU, HENRY

KASSCHAU, HENRY, New York, NY. (2244 Second Avenue). c early 1880s. Henry Kasschau patented and marketed a “Hand Fishing Reel” that was a reel/rod combination made of wood that came in three sizes. Also offered was a single action trolling reel with the foot formed at an odd angle designed to retrieve line more in line with the rod to reduce line stress. (For more information, see ORCA’s Reel News back issue Summer of 2000, an article by Steve Tillisch)

KEENE VALLEY ENGINEERING

KEENE VALLEY ENGINEERING, Keene Valley, NY perhaps not an outstanding reel in most people’s opinion, but a reel that is getting to be scarce as hen’s teeth. The Keene Valley Engineering Company bait casting reel is a simple reel made up of pressed stainless steel shell, with brass and steel bearings and gears. I don’t know of any patents, although there could be. Made just after the war in 1945 and in less than 3 years disappeared. Boxes do exist, and there is some though that there might be a box with either a rocket ship or shooting stars on it. The common box found is a simple blue with silver writing describing the reel and manufacturer. So far as I know, there is only the series 105, but there could be others? Research by Tom DuRose

KELSO

KELSO,

KENCOR

KENCOR,

KERR

KERR, Cradle Combo. Check out patent # 2172389 for more info on the patent dates and drawings, from our patent search above in the navigational window, just copy and paste this # in the box provided. J.S.

KEWELL CO., INC

Kewell Co., Inc.437 Market St., San Francisco, CA., Kewell, Charles H., circa 1920. Better known for their baits and rods but they did make single action aluminum reels. KEWART is their Trademark. Info by Steve Vernon.

KIEST, HENRY A.

KIEST, HENRY A. , (Knox, Indiana). Cast aluminum Indiana style reel with ball bearings. A few varieties can be found. The reels were sold in tins and a variety of tin models can be found e.g. sharp edge, rolled edge, red color, etc. Paperwork from the tin is shown along with reel that it came with. Images courtesy Paul Manuel.

KILLIAN TACKLE COMPANY

KILLIAN TACKLE COMPANY, (maker of the Killean Neo-caster).

KLEIN, C. R

KLEIN, C. R., (Santa Monica) maker of the Cradle Reel – Pictures courtesy of Brian Purrone

KOPF, JOHN

KOPF, JOHN, of Brooklyn, NY was a manufacturer from 1883 to 1898. Refer to The Fishing Reels of John Kopf. John Kopf began making fishing tackle and reels in Brooklyn, N.Y., about 1882. Over the next several years, he was granted six patents for tackle, four of them for reels.
The first reel patent described a means of covering a metal headcap with a disc of hard rubber. Half of the patent was assigned to Thomas B. Mills, of William Mills & Son, the New York tackle retailer. Mills catalogs featured single-action and multiplying reels made with the disc.
The second patent described a reel with a one-piece frame formed by folding a single piece of sheet brass into a U-shape to form two sideplates with an integral foot. Half of this patent also was assigned to Mills, and the invention became the basis of an extensive line of Mills “Eureka” reels, both single-action and multiplying.
Half of Kopf’s third reel patent was, again, assigned to Thomas Mills, and this reel was perhaps Kopf’s greatest legacy. He described a simple freespool clutch that employed a lever to swing the main gear toward or away from the pinion of a multiplying reel. Versions of his clutch were used by various reel manufacturers for decades, though few could match the beauty of the reel that Kopf made for Mills & Son.
The fourth patent was unassigned, and it described what is probably Kopf’s best-known design, for a sheet-brass reel foot that was corrugated to fit over the two bottom pillars of a reel. The foot was used on many inexpensive single-action and multiplying reels made by the inventor, many for the Boston retailer John S. Trowbridge & Co.
Around 1891 or 1892, Kopf moved his reelmaking to a factory in Whitestone, Long Island, owned by U.S. Net & Twine Co., which became the sole agents for Kopf’s reels. Nevertheless, he was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1893.
Kopf returned to Brooklyn, where Kopf & Ottmann sold tackle for a couple of years. When Ottmann left the partnership by 1896, Kopf established Kopf Reel Works, where he was joined by William Kopf, his brother or cousin. At the turn of the century, Kopf was still making fishing tackle, but he probably no longer was making reels. He declared bankruptcy again in 1900.
Kopf made reels with hard rubber, plain or plated brass, and German silver. He was one of the earliest reelmakers to use Celluloid for sideplates. Some of his later reels were made of aluminum. Few reels were marked with Kopf’s name, and even then, some were marked inside. Many Kopf reels, lacking maker marks, patent dates, or recognizable patented features, often remain unidentified.
(Information from Reel News, Vol. XVI, No. 1, January, 2006, pp. 4-14). Koph link and information courtesy of Steve Vernon.

KOSMIC,

KOVALOVSKY, ARTHUR

KOVALOVSKY, ARTHUR https://luresnreels.com/kovalovsky.html (Photo’s courtesy of Brian Perrone)

L

L & S,

LANGLEY CORP

LANGLEY CORP (San Diego, California) The Langley Corporation was incorporated in 1939 to make dental equipment. The outbreak of WW II transformed the company into an aircraft parts manufacturer under the guidance of Henry Mandolf., a renowned aircraft designer and inventor. When WWII ended, Mandolf transformed the company into a national producer of fishing equipment with reels made of lightweight aluminum. Langley’s line of fishing tackle produced between 1946 and 1962 grew to 15 models of bait casting reels, 10 models of fly reels, 9 models of spinning reels, 5 models of spin casting reels, 59 models of fishing rods, a couple of lures and the famous De Liar scale. Improvements were always being made in each line as time went on, providing collectors numerous versions of Langley products to collect.

Langley’s flagship baitcasting reel, the Streamlite, weighed just 5 ounces and incorporated a perforated spool arbor to reduce backlashes. Other early reels included the narrow spool Lurecast and the freespool Target for tournament casters. All of these reels were made of anodized aluminum and became very popular. They had many features invented and patented by Henry Mandolf, a master at economizing in the production process. The Gearbox Control reels, introduced in 1948, used a Mandolf invention to allow the gears to be cleaned and lubricated without completely disassembling the reel.

After the Korean War, Langley introduced a very successful line of spinning reels, from ultralites to a large surf-casting model, the Spinator. New management took the company more and more into aircraft and aerospace work, with the tackle business waning in popularity. In fact, in 1962 Zebco Corporation, then a division of Brunswick Corp. purchased the tackle part of Langley Corp. specifically to produce Langley’s line of spinning reels, which they did into the early 1970s.

There is something for every collector in the fishing tackle Langley produced, some are common and some are quite rare, but all are colorful and built with precision. For more information on this great California company contact ORCA members Colby Sorrells, Nello Armstrong or Alan Baracco or write to langleyreels@yahoo.com for information on ordering the book these authors wrote on the company (Langley Field Tested Tackle) that discusses the company in detail.

Top three pictures and research above are courtesy of Alan Baracco; left to right – Rare blond Streamlite and the early blue Model 310A . Langley Ultralite spinning reels. Colorful small Langley De Liars and boxes. Last two pictures courtesy of Jim Madden.

LAWRENCE TACKLE MFG. CORP

LAWRENCE TACKLE MFG. CORP, (New York) This company made and sold less expensive reels both fresh and salt water. Stuart, Star, Sunbeam, Brighton, Lightning, and Elite were reel names.

LAWSON MACHINE WORKS

LAWSON MACHINE WORKS, (Montreal, Canada) 1942-late 1940’s. Sole owner Holger Lawson. Connected by same owner to Burlington Metal Products in VT. Registered trademark “Laurentian” is seen on a variety of aluminum fly reels. Lawson or its affiliates also made a series of level wind and NLW bait casters including an-named early model with the Lawson Diamond registered trademark, Lawson “46” & “47” models, Burlington and Hudson models. A trade reel identical to the Laurentian No.2 fly reel is marked with Major Rod Co. See detailed article on Lawson, Burlington and Major Rod in the March 2017 edition of The Reel News. Info and pictures courtesy of Paul Manuel.

LE TRAPPEUR

LE TRAPPEUR, (Boston) Luxor spinning reels

LEONARD-MILLS,

LEONARD-Mills,

LEONARD

LEONARD REELS, (1877-1940) The Leonard 1877 patent (#191,813—June 12, 1877) click reel was famous for its raised pillars and the protective rim within which the handle traveled. It is a classic fly reel design.These reels were possibly originally manufactured by Philbrook and E. F. Payne, then by Conroy, and finally by Julius vom Hofe. The Leonard line of fly reels were manufactured from a variety of materials, but mainly nickel silver and hard rubber. The bi-metal version is avidly pursued by collectors, as is the “Fairy” reel made to match the short Catskill fly rods. The hard rubber reels made with marbled rubber are the most sought after. By Phil White.

LEWIS, R & L

LEWIS, R & L, New York, NY, mid 1800’s. Father & Son – Rees (father) and Laban (son), information courtesy of Steve Vernon – Antique Fishing Reels, 2nd Edition – pg. 278. Image of Lewis marked ball handle reel courtesy of Paul Manuel.

LIBERTY BELL, CO

LIBERTY BELL, Co. of Bristol, CT, was a manufacturer.

LITE MFG CO.

LITE MFG CO. (plastic fly reels)

LONG, JOHN E. & CO.,

LONGFELLOW

LONGFELLOW, a company that was in Fraser Mich. looks like they made a couple spinning reels, 1948 to 1955, according to patent # 2546465, and # 2712419, these patents were picked up by Shimano in the 1970s. They also had Bronson make a couple of casting reels, a No.CR2001 and a No.CR3001, for them. pictures are coming. To view one of their spinning reels look in this site: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-longfellow-spinning-fishing-219271800

LOOMIS PLUMB & CO.

LOOMIS PLUMB & CO. (Syracuse, New York) 1881-1884 The company is credited with the first automatic reel using a helical spring, a friction brake, and a four-gear train. The patent was assigned in 1880 to Francis A. Loomis who was tired of the burden of cranking in line. You wound the reel like a clock and of course a brake needed to stop the spring, and a lever needed to release it. With four gears, the line came in a great speed which is exactly what Loomis wanted. A year later, Loomis joined with James S. Plumb, a hardware man, to form the Loomis Plumb & Co. they actually set up shop in a Bank basement, but the novelty of the reel soon proved a success. It must have been something to be called “The Automatic Reel.” The reel came in 3 line capacities and was available in several different finishes. After the death of Francis, his son Brace continued for a while until his interests led elsewhere. The company was sold to Yawman and Erbe. (More information available in ORCA’s Reel News issue Winter of 2000 in an article by Phil White.
Image of nickel plated brass Loomis & Plumb automatic reel courtesy of Paul Manuel