PNW Local fly reel manufacturers?

I'm not sure if Solitude Reels is still in existence or not. Google shows them as "temporary closed", the Facebook page hasn't been posted to for many years, and their solitudereels.com website goes to an error page. WaybackMachine snapshots show the website has been borked (or the domain taken over) since 2020 or so.

I'll ask the Confluence guys next time I'm in the shop. They'll know the answer, I suspect. Bit of a bummer if they are gone, I always kinda wanted one.
As far as I'm aware they're not around anymore. I went out with a guide who worked there, I believe as far as he told the story its no more.
 
I'm not sure if Solitude Reels is still in existence or not. Google shows them as "temporary closed", the Facebook page hasn't been posted to for many years, and their solitudereels.com website goes to an error page. WaybackMachine snapshots show the website has been borked (or the domain taken over) since 2020 or so.

I'll ask the Confluence guys next time I'm in the shop. They'll know the answer, I suspect. Bit of a bummer if they are gone, I always kinda wanted one.

These reels received some high praise when they came out. I believe they were bought out by another machining company. I want to say Edco or something like that. The reels seemed to go away quickly after the purchase. For some reason I don’t believe fly reels were their main product but more of a side passion for the owner or ??? Were they not named Harris Solitude Fly reels? Or am I recalling wrong?... 😑
 
Jack Chartoln was also instrumental in the making of the sage 3000D series. Kinda a hit and miss with fly fishing people from what I have read. A lot more positive reviews for the most part.
 
Last edited:
I have a Zingraf and Shamburg reel they are both really nice reel and very talented craftsman. Both 3 1/2 one standard width and the Shamburg is a wide version. Mark Shamburg also makes a nice bamboo Spey rod. Matt Zingraf is a good friend and has helped me a ton and I give him credit for starting my bamboo Spey rod journey by giving me a couple culms for my first build. Matt also got me started on lathe work and is wealth of knowledge.8A01F438-5821-4A4A-889C-7582ABFD4331.jpeg8EDE13D0-C7E9-4FA3-92D8-474706B3020C.jpegADAFCB71-C8D9-4999-982E-7D1D4FDD9B29.jpeg
 
Iwnana reels have treated me well. I think they are made in Kelowna BC.

When they came to market they were being made in China. Are they being assembled in Kelowna now from parts made in China? Don’t have a horse in this race so just standing by with a couple of Jack Charlton’s original offerings.
 
These reels received some high praise when they came out. I believe they were bought out by another machining company. I want to say Edco or something like that. The reels seemed to go away quickly after the purchase. For some reason I don’t believe fly reels were their main product but more of a side passion for the owner or ??? Were they not named Harris Solitude Fly reels? Or am I recalling wrong?... 😑
Harris was in Detroit & sold out to Edco, Inc. (a Northern Seattle-area machine shop) around 1999/2000. Those reels were kind of "clunky" looking, but were pretty much "bomb-proof" & very well made. I've got a Solitude 2 with three extra spools that were made here after Harris sold out. :) :)
 
Back
Top