Another Vintage Reel For The Collection

It's true, I not only collect vintage fly rods but I am also now collecting vintage reels.  If we can, let's keep that a secret between you and I please.  Melissa doesn't need to know about another thing I am collecting.  I've been keeping a list of reels I would like to add to my collection on my phone in the Notes.  Getting old stinks and this helps aid in my recollection of what I would like.

Recently, I was able to score a Berkley 520 Deluxe Single Action reel.  The Berkley 510 was on my list but this particular one caught my eye.  This reel was made with parts from Japan but assembled in the United States.  I was watching this item for a while on eBay.  It first went on sale at 25% off.  Within a week it was half off and I immediately hit the Buy It Now button.  The reel appeared to have been never used or at the very least lightly used.  It came with the original box and paperwork.  For less than $18 I felt as though I could not pass it up.

Upon receiving it, it certainly lived up to my expectations.  The box is beaten up, which I knew going into the purchase.  The outside of the box contains a price tag that reads Gibson's $5.97.  I, naturally, googled the name and learned that Gibson's was a department chain store company that seemed to be throughout the Midwest during the 60's, 70's and into the 80's.  I believe this reel dates around the late 60's or early 70's.  Disappointingly, I could not locate any year of manufacture or year of copyright on the box.  Inside the box, I found four different pieces of paperwork.  They are as follows: Reel Parts Catalog, Fishing Tips, a Berkley guarantee, and Tying Knots with Trilene. All of these are in really good condition without any torn or missing pages.

The reel looks like it just left the factory.  The decal is bright and clean on the back of the reel proudly showing the Berkley name in the red heart and the model number, 520.  A turn of the reel produced that fantastic click sound we all know and love.  Well, some of us anyways.  It has very little surface wear on it.

I am very pleased with this purchase which isn't what always happens.  While I am a collector of sorts, I also believe in still using these items.  I am hoping to pair this reel with one of my vintage 5wt rods such as a Cortland Pro Crest or Cortland FR-2000 that I use on a regular basis.  I will, as always, be keeping my eye out for more deals like this one.

Multiplier Reels

Truthfully, I have never been a fan.  I am, however, a sucker for almost anything vintage fly fishing and a multiplier reel is no exception.  What if it is in the box with the original paperwork? Score!  Continuing to add to my Bronson Reel collection I picked up a Bronson Multi-Royal 380. This reel is a multiplier reel at a 2.5 to 1 ratio.  It weighs in at what I would consider a heavy 6 ounces.  I understand the older reels weighed more to give some balance to those older fiberglass rods.  I have to say that this thing is sexy.  It is red and silver in color and looks minty.  I'm not sure I am ever going to fish it, but I had to have it.  Does anyone use a multiplier reel?  If so, do you like it?  For now, I will have this guy on a shelf where I can admire it.  This gem may have to conclude my Bronson Reels collection... since I now have the 360, 370 and 380.  So many reels, so little time.

Adding to the Bronson Collection

A few months back I managed to not only score another Bronson reel for the collection but also a spare spool.  I had been looking for a Bronson Royalist 370 for a while.  I was lucky enough to obtain one at a reasonable price on eBay.  Shortly thereafter, I also grabbed a spare spool.  The neat thing about this spare spool is that it was still in the original box.  For those that may not know, Bronson reels were made in Bronson, Michigan from 1922 until the early 1970s when the company was sold and the factory was closed down.  Interestingly enough, in the 1950s Bronson Reels averaged over 9,000 reels a day and a 1,000,000 a year.  Their reels ranged from the inexpensive to the quite elaborate. As far as I can tell, this reel was made in the early 1960s.  If anyone has any other information about it, please let me know.  It doesn't have a date on it.  From what I have read, this reel should work just fine with line up to a 6 weight.  I am pairing it with a Shakespeare 1290 to use in some of my trout fishing.  It has a strong clicker.  Nothing like having a fish take line and hearing that reel sing. Man that is great!  For those looking for a click and pawl reel, I would highly recommend this guy. You will not be disappointed.

I Love Glass This Much

Just a quick post today about my awesome mail day.  I'm sure it won't come as a shock to anyone that I love fiberglass rods.  I made the switch to glass about three years ago.  Love it.  For me its a perfect fit because I enjoy the vintage glass as much if not more than the newer glass rods.  I really do love hunting for these older rods and finding a bargain.  Anyways, I got another box of swag from Cameron over at TFM.  I'm happy to be rocking some of the new click and pawl stickers.  I do love a good click and pawl reel.  It's even better when it's paired with a vintage rod.

A Roll Of The Dice

Do you shop on eBay for fly fishing gear?  What about Craigslist?  Me personally, I hit them both.  The problem is that sometimes, especially with eBay, you get something that isn't quite what you were hoping for.  Recently, I began dabbling in the vintage click and pawl arena.  My first reel was a Cortland clicker and I loved it.  The sound that a clicker makes as a fish takes line can make my heart skip a beat.  Now that I am a (vintage) glass hound, I have started to try and acquire some click and pawl reels to go with my vintage glass rods.  This means that I spend a good deal of time, and sometimes money, on items on eBay or Craigslist.  A lot like fiberglass fly rods did, click and pawl reels seem to be making a comeback.   There is a lot of talk about them on several fan pages I follow on Facebook and recently they got their own fan page there as well.  In fact I believe the hashtag #clickordie is now in use.  Some have even suggested that this be the year of the click and pawl. 

I recently discovered a Bronson Royal 360 that was in a lot of fishing reels on eBay.  This reel was recommended by a friend and the listing was shared on a few fan pages on Facebook.  I was particularly interested in this reel since I also own the Bronson Royalist 370.  I like the lime green color of this reel a lot.  So, I examined the photos of the reel, and it seemed to be in great condition for its age (these reels were manufactured from the 50s until 1970 I believe).  I asked the seller to please send me some more photos.  I specifically asked for photos of the inside and the back of the reel.  What I got was a few photos of the back of the reel and some taken from the top of the reel on its side in an effort to show the "inside" of it.  Despite not really getting what I asked for, I bid on the reel.  Shame on me.  I gambled and lost.  Why did I lose... you ask?  Well, I got the reel the other day in the mail.  It really is beautiful on the outside and has maintained its lime green color through the ages.  However, this vintage click and pawl no longer clicks.  I have tried everything to no avail.  An examination of the metal teeth revealed that they are worn down.  I think in order for this guy to click again he will need another spool.  I have already begun searching eBay in an effort to find that spare spool.  I know its going to take some time and I am OK with that.  Much like the vintage fiberglass fly rods, I enjoy the hunt.  Next time though, I will ask for more detailed photos from the seller... lesson learned.  Moral of the story is... make sure you ask questions and if you don't get the answer you want, either ask again or don't buy it.