Antique Brass Fly Reels
My new friend from Texas emailed me a few reels from his collection of early fly reels to photograph and measure. I’ve been looking for an early clamp foot reel to photograph and measure with the thought of reproducing them. I would like to have a few to fish with my wood strip rods that I make.
Well, the reels arrived today! They are much smaller than I imagined. The largest is only 1 11/16″ in diameter! One of the reels is a clamp foot and is dated to the late 1700s. I believe it is the heart shaped clamp bolt head that is the key indicator for dating this reel, but I will get the details soon. The reel is nicely made with brass posts riveted to the front and back plates. These plates are hollowed out so the spool insets in to them. I’ve scrutinized the spools on all 4 reels with a magnifying lens and it looks like they are turned from a single piece of brass. The axel and spool plates do not show any signs of a seam. The handle on the little clamp foot is nicely shaped and appears to be bone or maybe ivory. Here are some more photos of it:
You can see some more photos here: Early Clamp Foot Reel
The other 3 reels have more contemporary reel feet. These reels are not as old but still early. The smallest of the set is only 1 5/16″ in diameter.
More photos of this reel here: Standard Reel Foot #1
This is the smallest of the reels:
More photos of this reel here: Standard Reel Foot #2
The last of these three is missing its handle but is in really nice condition otherwise.
More photos of this reel here: Standard Reel Foot #3
Jim Miller said:
Jul 19, 09 at 3:00 pmGreetings Eclectic Guy,
Wow….I’m sure glad I stumbled onto your site. I have always been interested in history and make my living as a professional interepreter. I hadn’t fly fished since I was a kid and decided to re-enter with a twist. With Thaddeus Norris’ “The American Angler’s Book” as my bible, I’ve recreated the tackle of a mid-19th Century Angler. I have a 12ft ,3 piece, wooden rod fitted out with a 2″ dia original brass reel. My line is vintage, reconditioned tapered silk and the leader is silkworm gut. I even wove a “pot-bellied” willow creel, made a proper fly book for my snelled flies and a period landing net. So far it’s been a real learning experience as I head forward into the past.
I recently braided a 15 yrd tapered horsehair line (ala D. Martin’s instructions) and was looking for information when I found your site.Thank you for the posting of the clamp reel. I want to make one also for my next earlier style rod. Thanks again for all the information and your enthusiasm.
Yours,
Jim Miller
Columbia CA
Graham said:
Sep 07, 09 at 8:12 pmI just stumbled over this site and I have a very simalar reel
I bought it just two weeks ago at an antique place for 30 bucks thats for rod and reel.It just looked worth the investment to me although the wife is still shaking her head.
The rod is 3 piece a total of 55 inches long and seems to be made entirely of brass.The first rod section looks split as if made with two half round pieces and the cork handle although dry is intact.
Looks like a sportsman travel rod maybe for flight or backpacking horse back, but thats just a guess.the reel fastens differently then the clamp type I see you have but rather the more conventional rod threaded loops that slid over the two flat pieces.It is as I said very small all brass and almost identical to the one you show and I do have pics if interested.
Graham
EclecticGuy said:
Sep 07, 09 at 8:14 pmHey Graham, I would be interested in seeing some photos of that find!
Cheers,
EG