Most of us have enjoyed
fishing at one time or another, so we can sense the mystique of an old fishing reel that
someone once used to haul in fighting fish. The earliest reels were fairly simple hand
tools, capable of winding in and storing line and sometimes equipped with primitive
devices to slow or prevent spool rotation.
During the nineteenth century, as fishing itself became more
specialized, so did the rods and reels used by increasing numbers of sport fishermen.
Reels, especially, underwent a fascinating evolution as inventors experimented with new
devices that made it easier for anglers to control their casts and to catch ever-larger
fish without breaking their lines. Many of those old reels were crafted by the hands of
artisans with both great beauty and great precision.
Tackle collectors hunt for
reels at the same places that other collectors search for antiques:
| yard sales |
|
| estate sales |
| antique shows and
shops |
| auctions |
| thrift shops |
| flea markets |
Over the
last decade, a great many more people have become more knowledgeable about tackle
collecting, and prices have risen accordingly. Auctions have hyped the hobby in press
releases, the publication of books on the subject has accelerated, and increasing numbers
of antique dealers are selling tackle. Therefore, the tackle collector's best weapon, as
he begins his quest, is knowledge.
Perhaps the best way to get started in reel collecting
is to read a little bit on the subject. Any of the books listed in the bibliography should stimulate interest in some aspect of
collecting. Then you should focus on some type or types of reel that you find interesting.
This is the only way to avoid shelling out lots of your hard-earned dollars on a lot of
items in which you'll soon lose interest but that may clutter your house for years to
come.
Here are some types of
reels in which some collectors specialize (Some of these are defined in the glossary.):
Casting reels/Kentucky reels/level-wind reels
Fly reels
Big-game reels
Spinning reels
Automatic reels
Indiana reels
Raised-pillar reels
Rod-and-reel combinations
Innovative and/or patented reels (my specialty)
New York-style reels/ball-handle reels (another favorite of mine)
Ice-fishing reels and tipups
Home-made reels
Wood/nickel-silver/hard-rubber/brass reels
Reels of specific manufacturers
Reels from specific areas
Although the value of angling equipment has risen
lately, so much of it has been made for so long that anyone can easily assemble an
interesting collection that fits his budget.
