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OK, in the history of unusual and even experimental fly reels, that might take the cake! Can you just stick your car keys on the side of the reel if your pockets are too full? Hehehe...Cool reel!!!

I once picked up a couple old Dingley reels, one 4" and another 3-1/2", both in the style of a St George. The finish was a little rough on both, but the overall build quality was smooth and strong, like a tank. They're both gone now, in the hands of folks who are coordinated enough to reel...

Don't give our retro-man Dave any ideas...

An old thread got revived on the Classic Forum showing pics of classic reels. Just pics. I enjoy that stuff, so I think I'll show some here too. Please toss in some of your own.. '][/URL]'][/URL] '][/URL]

Based on the stamped date code this reel appears to be made in 1935. It should pair well with my Granger Special 9053, a stout 9’ bamboo rod for 7/8 weight line. A fun kit for Skagit bulls.

FWIW, my online research indicates that prior to Dacron backing it was common to use braided silk level and thin line as backing. Such line was also used for bait casting reels. I won't be using this line since it's not worth messing with as a backing line, and its not a fly line that has use...

Another pic of the innards after removing the line and pulling the spool out of the frame. Also, the silk line is a surprise to me...it appears to be very long, possibly over 100 yards (?) and level, so I think its actually a type of backing but definitely silk. I've never seen this before...

The spool inside diameter is 3" across x 1-1/8th" wide. The outside diameter of the entire reel is 3-1/2' x 1-5/8". As shown above, it's 10.5oz. It's built with ball bearings like a Hardy Perfect. To open the reel up you twist the outer plate with the turn handle counter clockwise, same as...

The "silk or not" test, as I've heard and use, is to hold a a lighter flame under the end. If the result is ash, it's silk. If the result is melted goo, it's nylon. I've tried to recondition a couple old silk lines. Success or failure depends on whether it has rotted out in areas or not...

I found a Shakespeare 1899 fly reel today after having my "radar" searching for one for years. It's as cool as they say. It's an American made reel that is a take on the venerable Hardy Perfect. Turning the spool while reeling in is very smooth with a purring light clicking sound and the...

By the way, you mentioned that one tip has a curve or "set". It won't affect the casting in any way, but if it bothers you it might be possible to straighten it. I've worked on a few sets over the years with varying success. Some returned quickly after fishing, others stayed straight. Others...

Russell, Phillipsons are great fly rods and you found a shorter model (!) and the highest model grade (!!!). Dave already provided great background. I too have owned a handful of Phillipsons in the past and still own a 9' bamboo Powr Pakt and a 7-1/2' glass rod which is also marked "HEH" line...

It's always a nice surprise, to me, just how much those bamboo rods will bend toward the fish when fighting them. An extra fun part of the experience. Nice rod, great post!

sold

Most of my success was with similar flies...a #10 black foam beetle and a #18 black chironomid. I also did well with a simple callibaetis emerger about 10" off my beetle floating side by side. It was interesting to see the takes start on the beetle, then phase over to the emerger as a sparse...

SOLD Selling a 10' Scadden Outlaw Rampage frameless pontoon boat. Comes with everything in the photos. Airtight, good but used condition. Five separate air chambers, a large and stable fishing platform. I would recommend adding some glue to one of the oar bases which has some edges lifting...

I was fishing the lakes closer to Sunriver two weeks ago and they were mostly very slow as well. It was hot, sunny, mostly calm and very smokey...it felt like some clouds and cool wet weather were needed to get 'em going.

Indeed, she’s on the team at Preston Thompson making the some of the best acoustic guitars in the world. I visited their shop a couple years ago and she was in the middle of forming the body section on a new guitar that was a special order costing close to $20,000. That particular guitar was...

I saw this from Olivia Elia’s bamboo building mentor, Dave Dozer…. For the past 4 years, I've been mentoring a young women, Olivia Elia, in the craft of bamboo fly rod building. She has become quite accomplished and is building some beautiful fly rods. In the latest issue of FlyFishJournal...

Those Douglas Argus reels look great and have the extra heft you'll appreciate to balance the rod. The rod will feel lighter and more fun to cast with the heavier reel, IMO.