F l y F i s h i n g T r i c k s . c o m

Fly Fishing Reels

HISTORICAL

THE first mention I can find of a reel is in "Barker's Delight or Art of Angling" published in 1651. He says: "Within two foot of the bottom of the rod there was a hole made for to put in a wind, to turn with a barrell, to gather up his line and loose it at his pleasure."

Walton, who acknowledges his indebtedness to Barker for fly fishing information, mentions a reel but apparently never saw one. The dear old fellow cleverly " camouflages" his lack of information by merely mentioning " a wheel " and dismissing the whole subject with the remark: "which is to be observed better by seeing one of them than by a large demonstration of words."

Venables showed a picture of a reel in his " Experienced Angler " in 1662.

The winch of Barker, Walton and Venables was a large, grooved wooden spool of the type still used in England and known as the Nottingham reel.

The early Kentucky bass fly fishermen, according to Henshall, used a reel similar to the Nottingham which they made from a large sewing thread spool fitted with a frame, handle and base made by the local tinker. Some of them also used imported reels or the multipliers which they made themselves with wonderful skill as early as 1810.

The earliest click reel turned out especially for fly fishing for bass was made by J. L. Sage of Frankfort, Ky., in 1848. It is still in excellent fishing condition and is of solid brass measuring 2 3/8 inches in diameter and 1 1/4 inches between head and tail plates. It has a permanent click which is placed in the head instead of the rear as is usual in click reels. It has an unusually sweet song.

This reel was presented by Mr. Sage to Dr. Hen-shall during the World's Fair at Chicago, who in turn has passed it down to the writer. Needless to say it is one of my prize possessions. The reel is pictured in the illustration showing the correct way to grasp the rod.

Click here to learn more about fly fishing reels

Fly Fishing Quick Links:

Fly Fishing Index