Antique and Classic Reel Books & References

[eclecticguy]

Although these are not reelsmithing resources, there is a lot to be learned from those that preceded us! Please feel free to post any other resources you find too.

Some Reel Collecting Web SItes
ORCA - Old Reel Collector's Association has a discussion forum with lots of activity. Become a member, their magazine "The Reel News" is printed 6 times a year and contains a lot of great information on old reels, makers, drag systems, etc.

Antique FIshing Reels a great resource with information on cleaning old reels, collecting and grading, etc. Not a lot of fly reels but still useful. Has a very interesting photo gallery on Homemade Reels.

Fishing Reel Research Organization has a lot of great information including a patent database and a manufacturer's database. Search on the patent numbers on the Free Patents Online Web site to get the actual patent & drawings. Very informative!

19th Century Fishing Reels created by a fellow ORCA member. The site features some amazing old reels with some amazing photography. The internal workings of an old level wind reel is particularly interesting! There is even a page on reel patents. Check it out for inspiration or just to admire the work of our reelsmithing ancestors!

Antique Reel Collecting Books
"Antique Fly Reels - A History & Value Guide" by D.B. Homel, Forrest Park Publishers, 1999. This book has a short history of American and British reels and reel makers. It has lots of excellent B&W photos of classic reels, many photos of the inside mechanisms, line drawings and early patent reprints of drags and other mechanisms.

"A Treasury of Reels" by Bob O'Shaughnessy, second printing 2000, The American Museum of Fly Fishing. Documents the reel collection of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. It can be purchased from their store but you have to call, it is not online. Become a member of the AMFF and save %15 too! There are some really fascinating reels documented in the book. The B&W reel photography is superb.

"Fly Reels of the Past" by John Orrelle, 1987, Frank Amato Publications. Another excellent resource with photos, patents, woodcuts of old reels. The chapter on Form and Function has some good drag related information.

"Skeletons: A Collector's Guide to Raised Pillar Fly Reels" by Richard K. Lodge, 2007, The Whitefish Press. A really good reference for skeleton reels. It will get your creative juices flowing!

"Fishing Reels Collecting for all, Volume 1 "and "Fishing Reels Collecting for all, Volume 2 written and published by Phil Waller. I can not say enough about these two books! They are beautifully published and contain high quality photos and drawings of many, many reels. A fantastic source for inspiration and ideas as well as a historical perspective of reels of the past. They are a little hard to find, but PM or email me and I can help.

"Antique Fishing Reels" by Steven K. Vernon, Stackpole Books, 1985. This is a fantastic resource with lots of photos of reel internal mechanisms and patent reprints. It is a bit tricky to find but if you look for a little while you should be able to get a good deal on one. If you only get one book for a resource and inspiration, this one is it. There are many great designs for drag mechanisms, frame and spool construction, and multipliers. There is even a cool drawing of a one piece frame and foot made from sheet brass in US Patent 309,305! The list of reel patents in itself is a fantastic resource.

Books on Reelsmiths of the Past
"A Conversation with Oscar Kovalovsky" by Robert Douglas and Larry Lauve, 2009, The Whitefish Press. I just ordered a copy but is supposed to have some good information on this great reelsmith and his opinion on drag mechanisms on both saltwater and fly reel designs.

"Bogdan" by Graydon R. Hilyard, 2006, Frank Amato Press. A superb history of Stan Bogdan and his legacy as a reelsmith extraordinaire!

[eclecticguy]

Added some new references and links to the list.

[eclecticguy]

Added "Antique Fly Reels - A History & Value Guide" to the books section.

[eclecticguy]

Added:

"Fishing Reels Collecting for all, Volume 1 "and "Fishing Reels Collecting for all, Volume 2 written and published by Phil Waller. I can not say enough about these two books! They are beautifully published and contain high quality photos and drawings of many, many reels. A fantastic source for inspiration and ideas as well as a historical perspective of reels of the past. They are a little hard to find, but PM or email me and I can help.

[eclecticguy]

I just discovered this new site: 19th Century Fishing Reels created by a fellow ORCA member. The site features some amazing old reels with some amazing photography. The internal workings of an old level wind reel is particularly interesting! There is even a page on reel patents.

Check it out for inspiration or just to admire the work of our reelsmithing ancestors!

cheers,
Michael