Showing posts with label reel news reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reel news reviews. Show all posts
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Thursday Review: The ORCA Reel News for April 2013
The mail brought the most pleasant surprise: the latest issue of ORCA's Reel News for April 2013. As the official organ of my favorite organization, ORCA, it is always the magazine I am most looking forward to. And this one did not disappoint.
However, it is with a huge measure of sadness that I greet this new issue. This is because my good friend Robert A. "Bob" Miller, the legendary Pflueger Pfacts columnist, has filed his final column. After 14 years, Bob has retired from regular column writing, although he promises to pen some occasional witty pieces for which he is famous. It's a bit of a sad day, but I do have hopes that one day Pflueger Pfacts will be revived…
I also love this issue because one of my articles, "A Tale of Two Reels: Primo Livenais, the Dalmo Featherwate, and the Forgotten Tournament Surf Casting Reels of Walter E. Murad" appears in it. This article was ten years in the making, and was begun with my late friend Harvey Garrison, who has been on my mind of late. I also did a short Reels of the Trade article on Danielson Co. trade reels.
Other articles include Mike Cass' piece on colored Penn reels, Bob Douglas on JVH B Ocean reels, Ben Wright on Ambidex reels, Mike Farrier on the Underreel Controversy, and of course, Jim Schottenham on the auctions of the past two months.
It's a great issue. Richard Lodge is the capable editor of the Reel News.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursday Review: January 2012 Reel News
I am on record as saying one of my favorite days is when the new issue of The Reel News arrives. The latest issue has hit the stands and it is a beauty.
I am LOVING the new color look and higher quality paper. This issue is flat out great.
We get Mike Cacciopo's latest Penn entry on 1932 prototypes. Typical of Mike's thorough research, it is enlightening, interesting, and chock full of photos. On a separate note, I am also happy to announce Mike's new book on Penn reels is slated for a March release from the Whitefish Press. Look for more info soon...
Regular columnists weigh in on great subjects. Ben Wright offers us the second part of Italian spinning reels, Stu Lawson gives us his normal charming column with tidbits of Pflueger fly reel info, and Jim Schottenham gives us a roster of awesome reels in the Auction Report. Bob Miller weighs in on Pflueger boxes over the years, and my own contribution is the history of Bigelow & Dowse's "Big Low" trade reels. Michael Hackney weighs in on odd-ball reels with the very interesting James Reel from Missouri.
Wallace Carney continues his amazing series on early Mitchell history with a look at later Mitchell spinning reels. I hope very much Wallace will continue the series as its amazing. As a note, folks, the Mitchell Mates web forum has moved from its old home and is now located at a new home you can access by CLICKING HERE.
This issues also spotlights two incredibly knowledgeable collectors: Dick Braun, the Zebco guru who gives us Zebco go-withs, and Rick Heitman, who details how his grandfather influences his collecting even today.
If you are not an ORCA member--and at this point I'm just going to continue rolling my eyes if you aren't--you can join us by Clicking Here. The Reel News is lovingly edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
I am LOVING the new color look and higher quality paper. This issue is flat out great.
We get Mike Cacciopo's latest Penn entry on 1932 prototypes. Typical of Mike's thorough research, it is enlightening, interesting, and chock full of photos. On a separate note, I am also happy to announce Mike's new book on Penn reels is slated for a March release from the Whitefish Press. Look for more info soon...
Regular columnists weigh in on great subjects. Ben Wright offers us the second part of Italian spinning reels, Stu Lawson gives us his normal charming column with tidbits of Pflueger fly reel info, and Jim Schottenham gives us a roster of awesome reels in the Auction Report. Bob Miller weighs in on Pflueger boxes over the years, and my own contribution is the history of Bigelow & Dowse's "Big Low" trade reels. Michael Hackney weighs in on odd-ball reels with the very interesting James Reel from Missouri.
Wallace Carney continues his amazing series on early Mitchell history with a look at later Mitchell spinning reels. I hope very much Wallace will continue the series as its amazing. As a note, folks, the Mitchell Mates web forum has moved from its old home and is now located at a new home you can access by CLICKING HERE.
This issues also spotlights two incredibly knowledgeable collectors: Dick Braun, the Zebco guru who gives us Zebco go-withs, and Rick Heitman, who details how his grandfather influences his collecting even today.
If you are not an ORCA member--and at this point I'm just going to continue rolling my eyes if you aren't--you can join us by Clicking Here. The Reel News is lovingly edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday Review: ORCA Reel News (May 2010)
Thursday Review: ORCA Reel News (May. 2010)
The newest Reel News arrived (May 2010, Vol. XX, No. 3) and it was an excellent issue.
An incredibly important and informational article in this issue was Tom Kerr and Charles Fleischmann's "The Ustonsons of Temple Bar: 3 Generations of Master Turners." It details the often murky history of this really, really important British maker of fishing reels and rods. It is a very well researched and written piece that dispels many myths about Ustonson lineage. Kudos to the authors for tracking the story down!
Another extremely important article comes from reel guru Steven K. Vernon, who puts pen to paper and tackles the highly controversial claims of Graham Turner set out in his recent book Fishing Tackle: The Ultimate Collector's Guide as well as in the pages of the NFLCC and ORCA publications. Vernon dispels many myths surrounding the reel, and sets the record straight about a number of important aspects of the level wind story.
My own contribution this month consisted of an article about the neat Milwaukee trade house of Phillip Gross, who's unique slogan was "If it's Gross it's Good." Gross reels and other marked tackle is very hard to find, and I was happy to put a spotlight on this neat company.
I contributed a second piece about a rod-and-reel combo that came in off the street at the FATC show in Daytona. "Edward P. Follett's Rod-and-Reel Combo" tells the story of this fascinating invention, which we were fortunate enough to see intact at the Florida show when a gentleman brought it in off the street.
Jim Madden gives us the 411 on the "South Bend #1250 Model D: A Transition Reel." This nifty baitcaster shows up frequently enough that you should know the information in the article well.
Ben Wright gives us the "1st Ultra Lite Spinning Reel" that was introduced, believe it or not, 100 years ago!
Bob Miller in his popular "Pflueger Pfacts" column weighs in on two overlooked Pflueger saltwaters, the Temco and the Sumco. These affordable salties show up all the time, so you better read the article carefully if you want to know about them.
It was great to see an article by Charlie Tanner in this issue. "The UCO Steelhead Spin Fly Reel" gives us info about this obscure sidewinder reel.
Bob Halver gives us "The Airex Ultra-Lite Spinning Reel," which profiles one of the neatest little reels Airex ever made.
Regular columns did not disappoint. The Reel Fix this month by Col. Milton Lorens is the ever popular Olympic reels. I used Olympics as a kid and always liked them. Stu Lawson gives us "More Reel Stuff" and a description of a West Coast tackle show. And Jim Schottenham weighs in with "The Auction Report," which gives us all the details on the many great reels auctioned off in the past couple of months.
Another exemplary issue. If you are not an ORCA member--and why aren't you?--you can join us by Clicking Here. The Reel News is capably edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
The newest Reel News arrived (May 2010, Vol. XX, No. 3) and it was an excellent issue.
An incredibly important and informational article in this issue was Tom Kerr and Charles Fleischmann's "The Ustonsons of Temple Bar: 3 Generations of Master Turners." It details the often murky history of this really, really important British maker of fishing reels and rods. It is a very well researched and written piece that dispels many myths about Ustonson lineage. Kudos to the authors for tracking the story down!
Another extremely important article comes from reel guru Steven K. Vernon, who puts pen to paper and tackles the highly controversial claims of Graham Turner set out in his recent book Fishing Tackle: The Ultimate Collector's Guide as well as in the pages of the NFLCC and ORCA publications. Vernon dispels many myths surrounding the reel, and sets the record straight about a number of important aspects of the level wind story.
My own contribution this month consisted of an article about the neat Milwaukee trade house of Phillip Gross, who's unique slogan was "If it's Gross it's Good." Gross reels and other marked tackle is very hard to find, and I was happy to put a spotlight on this neat company.
I contributed a second piece about a rod-and-reel combo that came in off the street at the FATC show in Daytona. "Edward P. Follett's Rod-and-Reel Combo" tells the story of this fascinating invention, which we were fortunate enough to see intact at the Florida show when a gentleman brought it in off the street.
Jim Madden gives us the 411 on the "South Bend #1250 Model D: A Transition Reel." This nifty baitcaster shows up frequently enough that you should know the information in the article well.
Ben Wright gives us the "1st Ultra Lite Spinning Reel" that was introduced, believe it or not, 100 years ago!
Bob Miller in his popular "Pflueger Pfacts" column weighs in on two overlooked Pflueger saltwaters, the Temco and the Sumco. These affordable salties show up all the time, so you better read the article carefully if you want to know about them.
It was great to see an article by Charlie Tanner in this issue. "The UCO Steelhead Spin Fly Reel" gives us info about this obscure sidewinder reel.
Bob Halver gives us "The Airex Ultra-Lite Spinning Reel," which profiles one of the neatest little reels Airex ever made.
Regular columns did not disappoint. The Reel Fix this month by Col. Milton Lorens is the ever popular Olympic reels. I used Olympics as a kid and always liked them. Stu Lawson gives us "More Reel Stuff" and a description of a West Coast tackle show. And Jim Schottenham weighs in with "The Auction Report," which gives us all the details on the many great reels auctioned off in the past couple of months.
Another exemplary issue. If you are not an ORCA member--and why aren't you?--you can join us by Clicking Here. The Reel News is capably edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Thursday Review: The Reel News January 2010
Thursday Review: The Reel News January 2010
A bit late but always welcome is The Reel News, the official publication of the Old Reel Collector's Association. This issue is Vol. XX, No. 1 (January 2010) and contains some great articles.
Florida's Bill Stuart gives us the lovely "Thumbs Up for Thumb Reels" which detail the great thumb reels he had on display at the last ORCA National in Dania Beach, Florida. A great article.
The great Steve Vernon gives us "Spiral Cam Level Winds," the 14th installment in his great "Roots o' Reels" series. This one covers Spiral Winds, Smooth Casters, and others that used then oscillating spool method of level winding.
Ed Scharf weighs in with "Mitchell Salt Water Reels" which covers these ever popular larger Mitchell models.
My own contribution this month was "The Bullard & Gormley Co." that covered the trade reels of this fabulous Chicago firm. It's one of my favorite of the articles that I've written across the past five years. I also sent in a short article "Clayton Hoyle of Martha's Vineyard: Inventor of the Wood Casting Reel?" that is also reproduced directly below.
Ben Wright gives us "How Times Have Changed" in his "Spinning Lines" column that updates the Van Staal spinning reels.
Bob Miller's always anticipated "Pflueger Pfacts" column gives us a much needed bibliography on Pflueger reels, detailing the many articles on the subject that have been covered.
Dick Braun, our resident Zebco guru, sent in "A Zebco 202: Who Cares?" and lets us know in great detail why we should care very much about this, and all Zebco reels.
Jim Madden gives us another great "South Bend Bits" column on the subject of the South bend #350, their version of the Supreme.
Col. Milton's reel fix this month is the Model No. 350 Master Reel Model 1. We should all thank the Colonel for his contributions!
Ed Slane's always anticipated "Footprints in the Sand" remembers our great friend Harvey Garrison.
Stu Lawson's "More Reel Stuff" covers the ins and outs of the Kelso show.
Howard Coleman gives us a review of the latest Lang's auction.
Finally, John Elder wrote "A Look Inside an A.J. Stead Reel" that takes apart one of the saltwater monsters from this California reelsmith. A wonderful article from the learned Dr. Elder.
All in all it was an awesome and information-packed issue. Tremendous stuff, folks. If you are not an ORCA member--and why aren't you?--you can join in the fun by Clicking Here. The Reel News is ably edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
A bit late but always welcome is The Reel News, the official publication of the Old Reel Collector's Association. This issue is Vol. XX, No. 1 (January 2010) and contains some great articles.
Florida's Bill Stuart gives us the lovely "Thumbs Up for Thumb Reels" which detail the great thumb reels he had on display at the last ORCA National in Dania Beach, Florida. A great article.
The great Steve Vernon gives us "Spiral Cam Level Winds," the 14th installment in his great "Roots o' Reels" series. This one covers Spiral Winds, Smooth Casters, and others that used then oscillating spool method of level winding.
Ed Scharf weighs in with "Mitchell Salt Water Reels" which covers these ever popular larger Mitchell models.
My own contribution this month was "The Bullard & Gormley Co." that covered the trade reels of this fabulous Chicago firm. It's one of my favorite of the articles that I've written across the past five years. I also sent in a short article "Clayton Hoyle of Martha's Vineyard: Inventor of the Wood Casting Reel?" that is also reproduced directly below.
Ben Wright gives us "How Times Have Changed" in his "Spinning Lines" column that updates the Van Staal spinning reels.
Bob Miller's always anticipated "Pflueger Pfacts" column gives us a much needed bibliography on Pflueger reels, detailing the many articles on the subject that have been covered.
Dick Braun, our resident Zebco guru, sent in "A Zebco 202: Who Cares?" and lets us know in great detail why we should care very much about this, and all Zebco reels.
Jim Madden gives us another great "South Bend Bits" column on the subject of the South bend #350, their version of the Supreme.
Col. Milton's reel fix this month is the Model No. 350 Master Reel Model 1. We should all thank the Colonel for his contributions!
Ed Slane's always anticipated "Footprints in the Sand" remembers our great friend Harvey Garrison.
Stu Lawson's "More Reel Stuff" covers the ins and outs of the Kelso show.
Howard Coleman gives us a review of the latest Lang's auction.
Finally, John Elder wrote "A Look Inside an A.J. Stead Reel" that takes apart one of the saltwater monsters from this California reelsmith. A wonderful article from the learned Dr. Elder.
All in all it was an awesome and information-packed issue. Tremendous stuff, folks. If you are not an ORCA member--and why aren't you?--you can join in the fun by Clicking Here. The Reel News is ably edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thursday Review: ORCA Reel News (Nov. 2009)
Thursday Review: ORCA Reel News (Nov. 2009)
The always welcome Reel News, the official publication of The Old Reel Collector's Association, arrived and as always it was a great issue.
The cornerstone article of this issue is a piece by Graham Turner, the British collector who has published a revised edition of his Fishing Tackle: the Ultimate Collector's Guide. Entitled "Will this Multiplier Rewrite Reel History?" it posits a pretty bold claim that a newly found Ustonson reel will change the way we look at reel history. My personal take is that this is massively overstated, but I'll let others sort it out and I'm sure in future issues there will be much written in response to this article.
Steve Vernon returns to the pages with a great article on Sawitzke's Taffy reel in an article entitled "A Taste of Freshwater Taffy." It outlines perhaps the least aesthetic reel ever made, but one of the most interesting as well.
Bob Miller gives us another great "Pflueger Pfacts" article on the Oceanic surf reel. These work horse models were Pflueger's attempt to combat Penn, Ocean City, and Bronson in the inexpensive saltwater reel market.
My own contribution is an update to the first 25 episodes of "Reels of the Trade" and a new piece on Chicago's Mages sporting goods empire entitled "The Gift of the Mages." I've really enjoyed the five years I've spent writing these articles.
Ben Wright gives us "Another VERY Interesting Spinning Reel" in the form of the Mepps "Super Mecca." What a cool reel, and it was distributed not far from my cabin in Wisconsin by Todd Sheldon.
Stu Lawson gives us "Left Coast Tackle Shows" which cover the plethora of opportunities for those on the West Coast to get together and buy tackle.
Jim Madden's South Bend contribution this month is "The Best-O-Luck Reel" which details this mysterious South Bend trade reel. Kudos to Jim for uncovering this history.
Ed Slane returns with a profile of Ed Zorzi, Col. Milton Lorenz breaks down the South Bend 90 and 95, and Jim Schottenham gives us the always anticipated "Auction Report." A reprint of Mike Nogay's seminal article "So you want to Buy a Kentucky Reel?" fills out the issue.
If you are not an ORCA member--and why aren't you?--you can join in the fun byClicking Here. The Reel News is ably edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
The always welcome Reel News, the official publication of The Old Reel Collector's Association, arrived and as always it was a great issue.
The cornerstone article of this issue is a piece by Graham Turner, the British collector who has published a revised edition of his Fishing Tackle: the Ultimate Collector's Guide. Entitled "Will this Multiplier Rewrite Reel History?" it posits a pretty bold claim that a newly found Ustonson reel will change the way we look at reel history. My personal take is that this is massively overstated, but I'll let others sort it out and I'm sure in future issues there will be much written in response to this article.
Steve Vernon returns to the pages with a great article on Sawitzke's Taffy reel in an article entitled "A Taste of Freshwater Taffy." It outlines perhaps the least aesthetic reel ever made, but one of the most interesting as well.
Bob Miller gives us another great "Pflueger Pfacts" article on the Oceanic surf reel. These work horse models were Pflueger's attempt to combat Penn, Ocean City, and Bronson in the inexpensive saltwater reel market.
My own contribution is an update to the first 25 episodes of "Reels of the Trade" and a new piece on Chicago's Mages sporting goods empire entitled "The Gift of the Mages." I've really enjoyed the five years I've spent writing these articles.
Ben Wright gives us "Another VERY Interesting Spinning Reel" in the form of the Mepps "Super Mecca." What a cool reel, and it was distributed not far from my cabin in Wisconsin by Todd Sheldon.
Stu Lawson gives us "Left Coast Tackle Shows" which cover the plethora of opportunities for those on the West Coast to get together and buy tackle.
Jim Madden's South Bend contribution this month is "The Best-O-Luck Reel" which details this mysterious South Bend trade reel. Kudos to Jim for uncovering this history.
Ed Slane returns with a profile of Ed Zorzi, Col. Milton Lorenz breaks down the South Bend 90 and 95, and Jim Schottenham gives us the always anticipated "Auction Report." A reprint of Mike Nogay's seminal article "So you want to Buy a Kentucky Reel?" fills out the issue.
If you are not an ORCA member--and why aren't you?--you can join in the fun byClicking Here. The Reel News is ably edited by Richard K. Lodge.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday Review: ORCA's Reel News (September 2009)
Thursday Review: ORCA's Reel News (September 2009)
The mail recently brought the latest edition of ORCA's Reel News, and as always, it was informative and interesting.
Feature articles this issue include Charlie Tanner's intriguing "Waltco's Ny-O-Lite Spinning Reels," which covers these fascinating plastic spinning reels. Nice job Charlie!
Bob Miller's always interesting "Pflueger Pfacts" column details world records caught with Pflueger tackle. "Contests, World Records, and Tackle Promotions at Enterprise" is an entertaining look at some really, really big fish. Record fish caught by such famed anglers as Zane Grey and Ted Pflueger were prominently featured by Enterprise Manufacturing.
My own offering this issue is "Algonacs and Tashmoos: The Reels of the Buhl Sons Co. of Detroit." It details the trade reels from this large Michigan-based wholesale hardware company.
Stu Lawson offered up "Your Christmas List" and, as always, I enjoy anything Stu has to write about. Jim Madden's South Bend column this month is "South Bend Go-Withs" that covers the plethora of oddball items that the SB collector can get to go with their collections.
Jim Schottenham's "Auction Report" is the regular reminder of all the great reels I did not purchase off eBay in the past two months. It's very fun. Frank Mulligan gives us a nifty story about Zebco entitled "The One That Didn't Get Away." Finally, Col. Milton Lorens gives us The Reel Fix for the Okuma Magda 30D.
The Reel News is deftly edited by Richard K. Lodge. If you're not a member of ORCA (and if you're not, c'mon man!) you can join up by Clicking Here.
-- Dr. Todd
The mail recently brought the latest edition of ORCA's Reel News, and as always, it was informative and interesting.
Feature articles this issue include Charlie Tanner's intriguing "Waltco's Ny-O-Lite Spinning Reels," which covers these fascinating plastic spinning reels. Nice job Charlie!
Bob Miller's always interesting "Pflueger Pfacts" column details world records caught with Pflueger tackle. "Contests, World Records, and Tackle Promotions at Enterprise" is an entertaining look at some really, really big fish. Record fish caught by such famed anglers as Zane Grey and Ted Pflueger were prominently featured by Enterprise Manufacturing.
My own offering this issue is "Algonacs and Tashmoos: The Reels of the Buhl Sons Co. of Detroit." It details the trade reels from this large Michigan-based wholesale hardware company.
Stu Lawson offered up "Your Christmas List" and, as always, I enjoy anything Stu has to write about. Jim Madden's South Bend column this month is "South Bend Go-Withs" that covers the plethora of oddball items that the SB collector can get to go with their collections.
Jim Schottenham's "Auction Report" is the regular reminder of all the great reels I did not purchase off eBay in the past two months. It's very fun. Frank Mulligan gives us a nifty story about Zebco entitled "The One That Didn't Get Away." Finally, Col. Milton Lorens gives us The Reel Fix for the Okuma Magda 30D.
The Reel News is deftly edited by Richard K. Lodge. If you're not a member of ORCA (and if you're not, c'mon man!) you can join up by Clicking Here.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday Review: ORCA's Reel News (March 2009)
A review of the ORCA 2009 Reel News
The latest issue of The Reel News, the official publication of ORCA, has hit the mailboxes and it is a good one.
We lead off to a really cool article by Mark E. Baker about the making of the S.E. Bogdan poster that was so incredibly well received last year. For those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing one, they are gorgeous.
Ed Slane contributed another neat article on fishing in Florida, this one entitled "The Trout are Bigger in the Bahamas." Ed's remembrances of fishing history are a great contribution to the magazine and one of the things that differentiate it from other publications of its type.
My own selection this issue was "Congressional Reels: The Reels of Supplee-Biddle Hardware Co.," which was an expanded version of the short section on reels I published a few years ago in The NFLCC Magazine. Editor Richard Lodge miraculously was able to include pictures of 24 different Congress reels.
Michigan's own Terry McBurney gives us a great article in "Lawyer, Architect, Auto Builder and Reel Maker: Charles H. Wisner, Renaissance Man." This great, great article about the man behind one of the neatest (and rarest) reels around allows us a glimpse at the reel maker as an actual individual--and a well-rounded one at that. Judge Wisner was truly a fascinating character.
Bob Miller--whose highly anticipated History of the Pflueger Akron & Summit Casting Reels went to press today, gives us the skinny behind an overlooked Pflueger reel in "Norka: Even Spelled Backwards, a Great Little Reel Made in Akron!." Like all of Bob's work, its meticulous in its details and entertaining to read.
Jim Madden offered up one of my favorite kinds of articles for his South Bend Bits column: a reel mystery, in this case, two South Bend reel mysteries.
Regular columnists include Ben Wright, who contributed an article entitled "Early Shakespeares and their Unique Drive-Gear Systems," Jim Schottenham who pens the highly anticipated "Auction Report," Stu Lawson who wrote "San Diego Area Tackle Swap Meet" for his More Reel Stuff column, Col. Milton Lorenz gave us the Zebco 40 Series Reels in his "Reel Fix column, and Richard K. Lodge opines on the big Lang's move to the virtual world.
Phew. Seem like a lot? Well, IT IS. And if you're not a member of ORCA, I ask again--in all seriousness--why not? Every single issue of The Reel News has information that can help you in any area you collect, from rods and lures to ephemera and misc. items. If all you got from this issue was how to spot a Yale surf reel marked Congress, you might have been able to pick up said reel, which would sell for $200 or more, off of eBay for $15. I know, because in the month leading up to the article I did just that.
The Reel News is capably overseen by Richard K. Lodge. You can learn more about ORCA and join by Clicking Here.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Review: The Reel News, Nov. 2007
The latest issue of ORCA's The Reel News hit the mailbox yesterday, which as usual, paralyzes life in the Larson household for the next hour or so. Read the issue from cover to cover, and its another winner.
The November issue (Vol. 17, No. 6) contains a spectacular article on a fishing reel you probably didn't know exist--the Lew Morrison "Superfine" reels from Wisconsin. Written by Chris Slusar--2007 NFLCC Nationals "Best in Show" winner--the article contains information never before published, and is a significant contribution to the history of reel making in America.
Additionally, the regular columnists offered up some interesting fare. Bob Miller's ever-popular "Pflueger Pfacts" column deals this issue with the Pflueger Ohio, one of the longest lived (and most overlooked) Pflueger saltwater reel. As always, its well done and informative. Yours truly penned "The Song of Hiawatha Reels: Fishing Reels of the Gamble's Stores" which cover the nice selection of reels sold by this great store chain. Stu Lawson's "Predicting Tomorrow's Reel Collections" was another entertaining commentary, and is going to make me try and hunt down some info on the Tanahashi Sideplates from Japan. We should all congratulate Ben Wright as he is a new grandfather, and wrote a moving little piece about collecting for his granddaughter's future for his "Spinning Lines" column. A hearty congratulation go out to Ben and his family! Jim Schottenham's always anticipated "Auction Report" details us on the past two months of auction activity. Finally, Col. Milton's "Reel Fix" tackles the Langley White Cap reel, as always with exploded drawings. Roger Schulz offered a review of the new Philips Fly and Tackle book.
Other contributions include a nifty piece by Jack Bright on miniature reels, a commentary on Pam and Brian Barnes--Florida tackle dealers--by Ed Slane, and Dale Noll's great photo lesson on how to unstick a stuck gear post. Well done Dale!
The Reel News is ably edited by Richard K. Lodge. For all the ORCA members out there, your dues forms are printed on blue at the center of the issue, so don't forget to renew. For those who aren't ORCA members, what's up with that? Join now and get into the fun. Click the ORCA link on the list of the links to the right.
-- Dr. Todd
The November issue (Vol. 17, No. 6) contains a spectacular article on a fishing reel you probably didn't know exist--the Lew Morrison "Superfine" reels from Wisconsin. Written by Chris Slusar--2007 NFLCC Nationals "Best in Show" winner--the article contains information never before published, and is a significant contribution to the history of reel making in America.
Additionally, the regular columnists offered up some interesting fare. Bob Miller's ever-popular "Pflueger Pfacts" column deals this issue with the Pflueger Ohio, one of the longest lived (and most overlooked) Pflueger saltwater reel. As always, its well done and informative. Yours truly penned "The Song of Hiawatha Reels: Fishing Reels of the Gamble's Stores" which cover the nice selection of reels sold by this great store chain. Stu Lawson's "Predicting Tomorrow's Reel Collections" was another entertaining commentary, and is going to make me try and hunt down some info on the Tanahashi Sideplates from Japan. We should all congratulate Ben Wright as he is a new grandfather, and wrote a moving little piece about collecting for his granddaughter's future for his "Spinning Lines" column. A hearty congratulation go out to Ben and his family! Jim Schottenham's always anticipated "Auction Report" details us on the past two months of auction activity. Finally, Col. Milton's "Reel Fix" tackles the Langley White Cap reel, as always with exploded drawings. Roger Schulz offered a review of the new Philips Fly and Tackle book.
Other contributions include a nifty piece by Jack Bright on miniature reels, a commentary on Pam and Brian Barnes--Florida tackle dealers--by Ed Slane, and Dale Noll's great photo lesson on how to unstick a stuck gear post. Well done Dale!
The Reel News is ably edited by Richard K. Lodge. For all the ORCA members out there, your dues forms are printed on blue at the center of the issue, so don't forget to renew. For those who aren't ORCA members, what's up with that? Join now and get into the fun. Click the ORCA link on the list of the links to the right.
-- Dr. Todd
Friday, August 24, 2007
Review: September 2007 The Reel News
The mailbox delivered the latest edition of The Reel News (Vol. XVII, No. 5--September 2007), and like always, it is a winner.
This issue sees the return of Steve Vernon's pioneering work Roots o' Reels on the origins of the fishing reel. Vol. 13 in this ongoing series is entitled "A Small Revelation" and is co-authored with Randy Heller, and is the second in the series dealing with the very odd and important Ed. F. Small spinning reel patent. Copiously illustrated and dead-on historically, like all of Steve's work, this is a significant contribution to our knowledge of reel history.
Jim Madden unveils "The South Bend Treasure Chest" in his South Bend Bits column. This article covers the introduction in 1951 of Freecast and Smoothcast model casting reels and their unique cases.
Bob Miller's Pflueger Pfacts column is a bit different this month, in that it is an essay entitled "On Collecting Pflueger Reels." This is an absolute must read for anyone thinking of starting a Pflueger reel collection, or who seeks to expand their Pflueger reel collection in new directions.
Stu Lawson's always entertaining More Reel Stuff column features a report on the Kelso Show as well as a very cool article about fishing with three of his granddaughters.
Ben Wright illustrates the difference beween the original and reproduction ABU Cardinal 33 CDL in his fine Spinning Lines column. Another must read that may just help you from making a several hundred dollar mistake.
Jim Schottenham's always interesting The Auction Report covers the best of the past two months, and includes some real wowzers including a 4/0 E. vom Hofe Pasque and case that sold for $999.90. Col. Milton Lorenz' "The Reel Fix" covers the durable Bronson Jet 500 spinning reel, while Ed Slane contributed a short piece entitled "Smokey Makes Our Day" about an incident involving a cop, a shirt, and a tackle box full of reels.
My personal contributions included two articles, a short Reels of the Trade column entitled "The Mysterious Metropolitan Hardware Company of N.Y.C." which covers the trade reels from this firm. After it had already gone to press, I discovered that Al Munger had referenced a reel from this company back in 1980, so these trade reels have been a mystery for some time.
The second article was entitled "The 99th American Casting Association National Tournament" and covered in a bit more detail the casting tournament I wrote about this week in the blog.
Another fine issue with tons of info simply not found anywhere else. The Reel News is edited by Richard K. Lodge and is available to ORCA members six times a year. Clicking Here.
-- Dr. Todd
This issue sees the return of Steve Vernon's pioneering work Roots o' Reels on the origins of the fishing reel. Vol. 13 in this ongoing series is entitled "A Small Revelation" and is co-authored with Randy Heller, and is the second in the series dealing with the very odd and important Ed. F. Small spinning reel patent. Copiously illustrated and dead-on historically, like all of Steve's work, this is a significant contribution to our knowledge of reel history.
Jim Madden unveils "The South Bend Treasure Chest" in his South Bend Bits column. This article covers the introduction in 1951 of Freecast and Smoothcast model casting reels and their unique cases.
Bob Miller's Pflueger Pfacts column is a bit different this month, in that it is an essay entitled "On Collecting Pflueger Reels." This is an absolute must read for anyone thinking of starting a Pflueger reel collection, or who seeks to expand their Pflueger reel collection in new directions.
Stu Lawson's always entertaining More Reel Stuff column features a report on the Kelso Show as well as a very cool article about fishing with three of his granddaughters.
Ben Wright illustrates the difference beween the original and reproduction ABU Cardinal 33 CDL in his fine Spinning Lines column. Another must read that may just help you from making a several hundred dollar mistake.
Jim Schottenham's always interesting The Auction Report covers the best of the past two months, and includes some real wowzers including a 4/0 E. vom Hofe Pasque and case that sold for $999.90. Col. Milton Lorenz' "The Reel Fix" covers the durable Bronson Jet 500 spinning reel, while Ed Slane contributed a short piece entitled "Smokey Makes Our Day" about an incident involving a cop, a shirt, and a tackle box full of reels.
My personal contributions included two articles, a short Reels of the Trade column entitled "The Mysterious Metropolitan Hardware Company of N.Y.C." which covers the trade reels from this firm. After it had already gone to press, I discovered that Al Munger had referenced a reel from this company back in 1980, so these trade reels have been a mystery for some time.
The second article was entitled "The 99th American Casting Association National Tournament" and covered in a bit more detail the casting tournament I wrote about this week in the blog.
Another fine issue with tons of info simply not found anywhere else. The Reel News is edited by Richard K. Lodge and is available to ORCA members six times a year. Clicking Here.
-- Dr. Todd
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
July 2007 Reel News Review
Hot off the presses is the July 2007 Reel News, the magazine of the Old Reel Collector's Association. Vol. XVII, No. 4 (July, 2007) has something for everyone in the it.
Feature articles include Dowagiac Welcomes ORCA Crew, an overview of the recent ORCA nationals in Dowagiac, Michigan. This article shows pictures of Jim Madden's South Bend display and Laurie Bingham's Ed. Vom Hofe display, which shared 1st Prize for Best Reel Display. Tom Eidson won the classic casting competition in both the Non Level-Wind and Level Wind Divisions. Spinning Reel division went to George McCabe. A follow-up article entitled Heddon Museum Opens to ORCA details how ORCAns got to tour the great Heddon museum in Dowagiac (thanks to Joan and Don Lyons).
Articles in this issue include Charlie Tanner's "Nat Uslan's Little Known Spinning Reel," a nifty piece on the rare Uslan 500 and Richard Lodge's "Collector's Get A Look at Rare Ed Hewitt Reel," which profiles a rare reel from this maker presented to Alfred Miller, better known as Sparse Grey Hackle. This reel will be sold at the upcoming Lang's Auction.
My own contribution this month is "Reels on the 2nd Floor: Macy's Department Store Tackle," an article that details the contributions of Macy's to the fishing tackle world, including marked Macy's rods and reels. Stu Lawson weighs in with Early Pflueger Gem Leads to Catalog Dating, an important article tht helps to better pinpoint the date of release of the Gem fly reel. Jim Madden's article "The Mystery Trio: Wind-Rite, Liberty, and Hummer" gives welcome information on these odd and important trade reels. Bob Miller's Pflueger Pfacts column is entitled "Origin of the Pflueger Reel: Part I--Waiting for an Epiphany," a very significant look at how and when Pflueger got into the reel business. This is among the most important articles written to date on Pflueger reels.
Ed Slane contributed a neat article "A Reel True Fish Story and a Penn 6/0" that outlines a memorable fishing trip and an even more memorable Penn reel. Ben Wright's always excellent Spinning Lines column is entitled Re-issued Repros of Cardinal 33 and 44 and details these repro spinning reels, updating an earlier column. Col. Milton Lorens' The Reel Fix covers the Pflueger Sea Kast No. 2777. The issue ended with a review by Roger Schulz of Richard K. Lodge's Skeletons: A Collector's Guide to Raised Pillar Fly Reels. Schulz declared the book to be "an excellent guide for the fishing reel collector."
All things considered, this is an excellent issue tha proves once again that if you are not a member of ORCA you are missing out on a lot of info that will help your reel, lure, rod, etc. collection. The Reel News is edited by Richard K. Lodge.
--Dr. Todd
Feature articles include Dowagiac Welcomes ORCA Crew, an overview of the recent ORCA nationals in Dowagiac, Michigan. This article shows pictures of Jim Madden's South Bend display and Laurie Bingham's Ed. Vom Hofe display, which shared 1st Prize for Best Reel Display. Tom Eidson won the classic casting competition in both the Non Level-Wind and Level Wind Divisions. Spinning Reel division went to George McCabe. A follow-up article entitled Heddon Museum Opens to ORCA details how ORCAns got to tour the great Heddon museum in Dowagiac (thanks to Joan and Don Lyons).
Articles in this issue include Charlie Tanner's "Nat Uslan's Little Known Spinning Reel," a nifty piece on the rare Uslan 500 and Richard Lodge's "Collector's Get A Look at Rare Ed Hewitt Reel," which profiles a rare reel from this maker presented to Alfred Miller, better known as Sparse Grey Hackle. This reel will be sold at the upcoming Lang's Auction.
My own contribution this month is "Reels on the 2nd Floor: Macy's Department Store Tackle," an article that details the contributions of Macy's to the fishing tackle world, including marked Macy's rods and reels. Stu Lawson weighs in with Early Pflueger Gem Leads to Catalog Dating, an important article tht helps to better pinpoint the date of release of the Gem fly reel. Jim Madden's article "The Mystery Trio: Wind-Rite, Liberty, and Hummer" gives welcome information on these odd and important trade reels. Bob Miller's Pflueger Pfacts column is entitled "Origin of the Pflueger Reel: Part I--Waiting for an Epiphany," a very significant look at how and when Pflueger got into the reel business. This is among the most important articles written to date on Pflueger reels.
Ed Slane contributed a neat article "A Reel True Fish Story and a Penn 6/0" that outlines a memorable fishing trip and an even more memorable Penn reel. Ben Wright's always excellent Spinning Lines column is entitled Re-issued Repros of Cardinal 33 and 44 and details these repro spinning reels, updating an earlier column. Col. Milton Lorens' The Reel Fix covers the Pflueger Sea Kast No. 2777. The issue ended with a review by Roger Schulz of Richard K. Lodge's Skeletons: A Collector's Guide to Raised Pillar Fly Reels. Schulz declared the book to be "an excellent guide for the fishing reel collector."
All things considered, this is an excellent issue tha proves once again that if you are not a member of ORCA you are missing out on a lot of info that will help your reel, lure, rod, etc. collection. The Reel News is edited by Richard K. Lodge.
--Dr. Todd
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