There are lots of great places to learn about old reels. Here are some of my favorites:
(Click on any underlined name to open that web site)
_____________________________________________________________________
Perhaps the best place to start for any new or experienced reel collector is the Old Reel Collectors Association web site. Take a tour of the Reel Talk page, and see what other reel collectors are talking about, learn the best cleaning tips and see what our members list in the show-n-tell section! I'm a proud member of ORCA, and will gladly answer any questions you may have relating to the organization.
_____________________________________________________________________
For some of the most interesting reel photos on the web, with descriptions and a great FAQ page, check out noted reel historian and author Steven K. Vernon's web site, Antique Fishing Reels Steve has an Articles link that is a must read for any serious reel collector!
_____________________________________________________________________
If Lures interest you, you can find the best lure message board in the country on Joe's Old Lures Page - Folks talk about everything from lures, reels, hooks, paperwork, you name it!! Joe also has a vast collection of Florida made baits, and provides information as well as photos of his collection! A great site!
_____________________________________________________________________
Another fantastic Fishing Tackle web site with loads of documentation and photo's to match is http://www.oldfishinglure.com/. Matt has done a great job with this site, and the accolades he's received are well deserved! Views of factory life while working for Heddon and Shakespeare are just a few of the highlights of this extremely well designed site!
_____________________________________________________________________
Interested in viewing the full patent for some of the reels listed on this or another site? if so, grab the patent number and head over to the United States patent office website, and enter your patent. Your computer may need a .tiff reader installed to view the patents, but fear not, the USPTO site has you covered, with a plug in available.
_____________________________________________________________________
If you ever find yourself in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, you really should visit the shop of my good friend Henry Caldwell at his Black Bass Antiques store in Bolton Landing. Henry always has a terrific selection of early fishing tackle and Adirondack items on hand.
_____________________________________________________________________
ORCA member Norman J. Pinardi has put together a fantastic web site dedicated to Master Reel Maker Otto Zwarg. Norm's fine collection is a must see, with a page coming soon that will show some of his rare presentation reels.
_____________________________________________________________________
A fishing tackle collection isn't complete without the "smalls" that go along with fishing. Knifes, vises and gadgets have been around as long as fishing tackle has been made. Dean Smith, a well known and very well respected collector has always had an eye for great fishing items such as these, and has released a web site devoted to these "smalls". Check out Tackle Treasures for terrific photos and information on everything from fishing medals to the art of Ralph Boyer. A must visit for any tackle collector!
_____________________________________________________________________
ORCA editor Richard Lodge has built a web site devoted to his great collection of Skeleton Fly reels, as well as some very cool and very early Clamp reels. If you've ever wondered who made your unmarked fly reel, this is the place to get some great information, as well as order the book on Skeleton reels, written by Richard. Check out his web site Skeleton Fly Reels.
_____________________________________________________________________
The late collector Robert Ellis had put together an impressive collection of reels by the Bronson Reel Company, with terrific photos and a ton of information on this giant in the fishing reel industry. With his passing, the Old Reel Collectors Association has now taken control of the site, and expanded on it - a must see!
_____________________________________________________________________
Long time antique fishing tackle collector Randy Nelson has put quite alot of time and effort into his new website, and is loaded with great photos of some impressive lures and reels. You can see his new site at randysantiquefishinglures.com
|