The first fishing reels

[the rockfish ninja]

I've got to hand it to the ancient Chinese, they were using fishing reels hundreds of years before the rest of the world caught on. The painting is the very first depiction of a fishing reel known to man, dated 1195AD. Two thumbs up to that inventive carp fisherman who wanted to cast a little further.

[the rockfish ninja]

 

[the rockfish ninja]

 

[Tightlines667]

Cool pics/info! 
I especially like the second to last one.  This simple and basic design is still utilized throughout much of the world's small artesian fishing fleets.

[foakes]

Is that a 4/0 the guy has in the first picture?

Maybe he got it from Sal?

😀😀😀

Fred

[HOLEINTHEWATER]

NICE PICTURES.

[bluefish69]

I would like to have the Wooden Side Winder. That Brass needs some TLC. There were a few of these in my family years ago & we let them slide by. We also let the Bakerlite ones go over the years. Darn.

Mike

[Alto Mare]

Nice reels ninja, do you own any of those?

[the rockfish ninja]

Nice reels ninja, do you own any of those?

No I just love the history of it, most of those pics are from museums. The oldest piece I own is a 1940's outdoorsman cast-o-matic, I have it mounted with that old bamboo rod I restored.

[VW]

That Illingsworth intrigued me, so I looked it up.  Adjustable drag, oscillating spool, patented in 1907.  That is a lot earlier than I thought.  Thanks for showing them.

[LI Guy]

Cool pics/info! 
I especially like the second to last one.  This simple and basic design is still utilized throughout much of the world's small artesian fishing fleets.

That is actually a line drier, not a reel. Back in the days of linen line you had to rinse it and air dry it after each use or it would rot.

[ossipeter]

Thank,s very nice!

[Tightlines667]

Cool pics/info! 
I especially like the second to last one.  This simple and basic design is still utilized throughout much of the world's small artesian fishing fleets.

That is actually a line drier, not a reel. Back in the days of linen line you had to rinse it and air dry it after each use or it would rot.

Hmmm....

I guess when form meets function.

[Newell Nut]

Captain Al still has a beautiful sidewinder on his wall that he fished with.

[the rockfish ninja]

Cool pics/info! 
I especially like the second to last one.  This simple and basic design is still utilized throughout much of the world's small artesian fishing fleets.

That is actually a line drier, not a reel. Back in the days of linen line you had to rinse it and air dry it after each use or it would rot.

Double check your info, it was a dual purpose reel initially for anti backlash casting. Line drying was the no brainer feature that came along with the Indiana/Willoughby reel.