Learning More about Collecting Antique Fishing Reels

I hope that this website conveys some of the fascination I find with old fishing reels. If you are interested in learning more, first take a look at some of the books listed in the bibliography. But bear in mind that talking with other collectors, whether locally or at swap meets, is the best way to acquire maximum knowledge in a minimum amount of time. Listed below are the major tackle-collector clubs in the U.S. And check out the links to other collectors and sportfishing museums at the bottom of this page.

Questions? Send email.

Old Reel Collectors Association (ORCA)

A rapidly growing club, ORCA has about 1000 members world-wide. Members receive six issues annually of "Reel News," the club magazine, a membership list that includes each member's collecting interests, information on the club's official reel grading system, and more. The club holds annual conventions in various locations. Dues are $25 (U.S.), $30 (Canada), or $35 (other). To join, write to:

Secretary-Treasurer, ORCA/ 160 Shoreline Walk/ Alpharetta, GA 30022

You can visit ORCA online.

National Fishing Lure Collectors Club (NFLCC)

Founded in 1976, the NFLCC has over five-thousand members world-wide, whose collecting interests include everything related to fishing tackle. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, a semiannual magazine, a membership list, and more. The club has 10 regional subdivisions, each of which usually holds at least one annual swap meet. Many members also run club-sponsored meets locally, and the club holds a huge annual national meet during the summer. Annual dues are $25 (U.S.), $50 (Canada), or $75 (other). To join, write to:

Secretary-Treasurer, NFLCC/ 197 Scottsdale Circle/ Reeds Spring, MO 65737

You can visit NFLCC online.

Florida Antique Tackle Collectors, Inc. (FATC)

Despite its name, FATC has members from all over the country. The club sponsors four shows each year at various Florida locations and an annual February show in Daytona. Members receive a quarterly newsletter and a Membership Directory; annual dues are $20 (U.S), $25 (Canada), or $30 (other). To join, write to:

Florida Antique Tackle Collectors, Inc./ P.O. Box 420703/ Kissimmee, FL 34742-0703

You can visit FATC online.

The Meisselbach Association

This non-profit association was founded in 1993 to acquire and preserve information on the reels of the various Meisselbach companies. Under the benevolent dictatorship of Phil White, the preeminent authority on Meisselbach reels, the club provides at least four newsletters annually for its members, who pay no dues. To join, write to:

Meisselbach Association/ 14099 Lakeshore Dr./ Nampa, ID 83686
or send email

You can visit The Meisselbach Association online.

Dutch Angling Collectors' Association (D.A.C.A.)/Vereniging Hengelsport Verzamelaars (V.H.V.)

This club, founded in 1993, has members from several European countries, as well as from the U.S. Membership information is available at their web site.

You can visit D.A.C.A. online.

Carolina Antique Tackle Collectors (CATC)