What to Look for in Antique Fly Fishing Reel

Avid fly fisherman will sometimes become interested in antique fly fishing reels, which are not as well known in antique fly fishing equipment as certain fly fishing lures or fly fishing poles. These antique fly fishing reels have some of the same features as modern day fly fishing reels such as an Okuma or Sage fly fishing reel. However, antique fly fishing reels usually are made of different materials than the modern reels; since technology has enabled various metals and other materials to be used that reduce the weight of the reels and also the strength of the reels to hold up in different weather conditions.

Types of Reels

There are different brands of antique fly fishing reels that are sought after by fly fishing enthusiasts. Some of the least expensive of the antique fly fishing reels are the South Bend, Bronson, Shakespeare or Pflueger brands. The more exclusive the reels the more they are sought after by the antique fly fishing reel collectors. Some of the earlier fly fishing reels are usually the most expensive and sought after, such as the Hardy, Vom Hofe and Milam. In addition to these reels, there are also the top of the line antique fly fishing reels from other places such as America and Sweden, and also in England and other places in Europe.

Although there are not too many antique fly fishing reels that have an automatic retrieval action on them, there are some, but these are usually not the most sought after compared to the top of the line single action reels. Automatic retrieval systems allow the fly fisherman to press a button or flip a lever and the fly line is retrieved so that they can cast again. Single action and multiplying action retrieval systems make the fly fisherman do some work in the retrieval process, although the multiplying action is the fastest.

In addition, there are antique fly fishing reels that use a spring and pawl system of drag, although some of the older reels do not have any drag system on them at all. The spring and pawl system makes a clicking sound when it is in use and gives the line a certain tension to it so that larger fish do not pull all of the line out of the reel. When fishing for smaller fish there is not much if any need for a drag system since they do not have enough power most times to pull the line out that violently.