evolution of my reel accumulation

[CincyDavid]

I started accumulating vintage reels about 5 years ago after not fishing since I was about 15 (early 80s). I was living full-time in Florida then and in the past 2 years I've been spending more time in OH, so I basically have two parallel accumulations of reels. I was in FL last week, saw the latest edition of the ORCA magazine where an article discusses different levels of reel and tackle collecting.

I was struck by how unfocused my FL reels are, as compared to my OH reels. I suppose that means I am becoming a collector, perhaps even a serious collector. My FL reels are a mish-mash of all sorts of European and US-made reels from the 50s-70s, with no discernable pattern, even a few Asian reels. The OH reels are basically in 3 primary categories: 1. Shakespeare spinning reels 1958-late 70s and trade reel variants, 2. Bretton and trade reel variants, and 3. a growing number of Italian reels from CarGem, Alcedo, Ofmer and Zangi.

I feel like there is finally some semblance of focus. I assume that means my accumulation is perhaps becoming a proper collection.

[happyhooker]

If you enjoy what you're doing & get satisfaction out of it, there is no "right" way to fool around with reels.

As near as my memory allows me to recall, my interest in vintage reels came about when I was looking to get more active in fishing a bit later in life, after having sorta, kinda, off-and-on fished during my working years.  Looking at modern tackle, I was not satisfied with what the market was offering me in plastic, gimmick (more ball bearings, trigger trip spinning reels, etc., etc.) reels, and it was then that I started looking at quality older models that re-kindled my interest in tackle I had wanted in my younger days, but could never afford to obtain.  Because my motivation was getting a resupply of tackle I could actual fish, my focus gradually moved toward quality reels that I figured would up my fishing game, with a little mix of nostalgic items that I got from my Dad when he died and a very few that just had a special attraction for any number of reasons.  I still don't see myself as a collector like one might collect cars, coins, stamps, cameras, etc., because I want reels I can actually use and not just put on a shelf or have to fill out a series or group of reels. I also enjoy history and the research that goes into discovering the background of reel manufacture and use.

Like I said, to each his own, and if you enjoy it, go for it!

Frank

[jgp12000]

I enjoy the whole sphere from obtaining  a reel moreso a broken one,repair it,fish with it until I catch fish with it.Clean the fish & eat the fish

The circle of life...

Sometimes I just get one out look at it give it a spin smile & put away. Call it goofy, hoarder, or collector there
are "worser" things to do.

[JasonGotaProblem]

My reel collection, aside from what I inherited, has 3 categories. Reels I do or would use regularly (for the various types of fishing I do), reels that have some mechanical or historic significance (that I'd also use), and reels included with the 'lot' that some of the above came in.

With very limited exceptions, If I wouldn't ever use it, I don't want it.

[akroper]

I have been fishing since my earliest memories of my dad taking me to local lakes in So. California.  We moved to Alaska when I was six, so I was pretty young.  Except for a few years when I was going to college and simultaneously working full time, I have fished. A lot.  I always used low end, cheap gear (what I could afford) and kept everything meticulously maintained so it was usable.  About 12 years ago, I came into possession of a Penn SS 650 reel when I bought a couple of yard sale combos.  When I disassembled the reel to service it, I was blown away by the difference in it and the crap I was used to.  I soon realized if I kept my eyes open, I could buy used Penn reels for about the same price as the Chinesium junk from Walmart.  I eventually had a full lineup of Penn SS reels, 420 to 9500. 
Then a few years ago my son gave me a DAM Quick 300 he bought for $5.  Looking for info on the reel led me to this site, and things escalated rapidly.  I fell in love with the DQ's, sold all my Penns, and I now have about 25 various DQ's, mostly the N series. 
Because of this site, I am deep into vintage reels.  I have a complete set of South Bend Classic series reels, and I'm working on the Shakespeare gray reels which preceded the Royal Maroons.
I am also intrigued by the many oddball iterations of spinning reels from the 40's and 50's, the Mepps Meca, the Otco reel, etc.  Most of the really weird ones are too expensive for me, but I do have a Waltco Nyolite, a Compaq Bantam, a Pflueger Pelican, a Wright & McGill Freline, not the side caster so common on eBay, but the earlier Freline which is basically a closed face spinner, and a Swiss Staro.  Oh, and an Ocean City 350 Spinalong.
Now, don't even get me started on my quest to match these oddballs with manufacturer and era correct rods such as the square-shaft W&M rod that sports the Freline reel.  I recently missed out on a Waltco spinning rod.  Wasn't paying attention and was outbid by a quarter.
And here I am rambling.  Forgive me, but I love this stuff.

[CincyDavid]

Sometimes I just get one out look at it give it a spin smile & put away. Call it goofy, hoarder, or collector there
are "worser" things to do.
[/quote]

James, funny you mention just pulling out a reel and giving it a spin...I work from home and sist at my desk all day. I tinker with reels when I have down time and it's a great stress reliever (unless I drop a part on the carpet).

[OhReely]

My reel collection also has three catagoriees:

~ Those that I like and actively search for to add to my collection

~ Those that I stumble across and want to have for no particular reason until I no longer want them

~ Those that I have acquired in bucket or basket buys that I'm holding for the next proud owner

I make no apologies for make, model, type, age or country of origin.

[Paul Roberts]

I enjoyed Joe's article about the stages of collecting in The Reel News too. I started collecting...before I started "collecting". I just wanted to acquire a few of those beautiful old casting reels to fish with. I told my wife I'd probably get 2 or 3 to mess around with. But, as many of us discover, what a cool world I stepped into. Now one cannot look into my old-reel display cabinet and not see "a collection". (My modern reels are packed away in a more utilitarian duffle).

I soon got heavily involved in the servicing and repair aspect, inherent in this game, and the creativity at times required to resurrect reels that are, frankly too beautiful to...throw away. Which got me intrigued with the mechanics -how the challenges of casting and fishing were addressed by different engineers and manufacturers over time. Which got me interested in the history of the reels and their makers. The thing that surprised me, and lead to my "collecting" was discovering how many makes and models were out there! Choose just two or three? Impossible. Oh yes, and as a matter of course I've collected up something of a "bone pile" of parts reels too.

I've tried to keep the "collecting" in check. Still, I've ended up with more reels than I might actually get to fish with. Choosing the "keepers"? Oh my. Impossible really. Choosing "the best"? My original goal of 2 or 3 to fish with? What I've been able to do is choose categories, still remaining true to my original goal. After all, I am an angler first. As Jason put it: "With very limited exceptions, If I wouldn't ever use it, I don't want it."

My categories then are: Spinning, casting, fly. Then within: Light tackle, medium tackle, heavy tackle. Within each, I have ended up with 2 or 3 GoTo's, and a whole stable of "back-ups". These are reels that are just too cool not to keep, fish with, and/or cast with (I've come to enjoy distance casting) when the whim, or curiosity, strikes me.

My keenest interest has been the old revolving-handle casting reels. My initial concern was that these reels would be greatly lacking in the performance required to actually fish with. Casting efficiency was my first question. Which got me interested in distance casting as a way of quantifying what these old reels can actually do.

What I've found is that all of the reels I've been able to bring back into shape (and that is nearly all of the ones I've acquired) can cast a 3/8oz plug 100feet, or more. And the light reels can do the same with 1/4oz. Some have neared this with lighter weights yet. I was kinda shocked. I then read about early casting contests where some folks could throw a 5/8oz from a standard off-the-shelf casting reel 200ft! My current record is 165ft. Who'da guessed?

Now, casting and the throes of fishing are different animals. But, I can say that these old reels can fish. There is plenty of my fishing that requires modern reels, but there are places, times, techniques that old casting reels can cover.

Finally, yes these reels really are beautiful little works of engineering art. They really are "neat". So, the Stage 1 collector in me is still there.