Spinning Guy from Arkansas - Loves to restore

[RJ23T]

Hello All,

I am into mostly Spinning Reels from the Malloch's Patent to the Illingworth series and forward up to the ABU Suveran, which I consider a "New Reel."

Like everyone else, I fish, but no as often as I would like to. For the last 4 years I have gone from one donated reel, a Record Half Bail which I restored, to a collection of hundreds of rods and reels. My first love, however many of the "others" I have, is the Threadline Fixed Spool Reel and the Split Cane Rod. I own quite a few of both and I have, just this year, completed my first four Split Cane, full Restorations. On the reel front, I can't tell you how many I have rebuilt, serviced, repaired and completely restored, but it has to be nearing 100. The collection runs the gamut from Bait Casters to Fly Rods and Reels. I have learned to cast a Centerpin and I am working on learning how to toss a lure with a Goite spooled with Cuttyhunk on a 14 foot, telescoping rod with the guides mounted to the side. My oldest piece is a Malloch Patent Side Caster with a 10 foot Greenheart Rod, Porcelain guides, from the same era. I like to match up my reels with appropriate, era correct rods and actually fish with them. My Illingworth No. III is mounted on the appropriate Illingworth Rod and strung up with early twisted cotton line. The Malloch has silk with gut leader and the list goes on. I will talk about anything related to Rods and Reels, but I am not much on lures...yet. There are just so many out there and so much to learn.

I am a hug Ben Wright fan, of course, but I am missing his Yellow Book, so if anyone has one they would give up, please message me.

Glad to be here!

Tight Lines and Best Fishes,

Ron

[Wompus Cat]

Welcome from Central Texas .

[Midway Tommy]

Welcome from the Heartland! Into spinners myself, but never able to get a hold of the earliest examples.

Ben and I were pretty close prior to his passing. We worked on a few research articles together. I miss him a lot. His 2011 book is tough to come by, and pretty expensive if you can even find one. I've seen them go for as much as $300.

Nice to see another spinning reel fanatic on the site. 

[RJ23T]

Thanks for the kind reply. Yes, Ben's books are becoming "unobtanium" but they're still out there. As to the early reels, I find some of the overseas dealers like Thomas Turner are more open to offers than most folks think they are. And, I have a few friends overseas who spot things for me. Let me know what you're looking for and what you want to pay and I will ask.

Good to know a friend of Ben!

[RJ23T]

Thanks Wompus Cat, appreciate the Southern Comfort!

[Benni3]

I like the band black oak Arkansas,,,,, welcome from Salem VA,,,,,,,

[foakes]

Welcome aboard, Ron —

Best, Fred

[Donnyboat]

Thanks Ron, nice to have you with us, welcome from Sunny Western Australia, cheers Don.

[Brewcrafter]

Welcome Ron from SoCal!  Your collection sounds like a veritable history lesson, I like that and thanks for sharing! - john

[oc1]

Welcome one an all.  The Goite is not a laughing matter.  Well, maybe a chuckle.  But they do work if the lure weight is about 1/2 oz or more.  They cast better if the line guide arm is cut off, but it's awkward to lay line with your fingers because the spool is so large.  If the rod striper guide is moved down closer to the reel then you will not have to lay line with your fingers and you can get by without the constricting line guide arm on the reel.

[Crow]

WeLcome !

[oldmanjoe]

      Hello from Sunny Florida ...

[Bill B]

Good to have you here....Bill, SoCal

[happyhooker]

Greetings, from Minnesota.

Frank