Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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Mike N
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Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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Made mostly for his friends at the Anglers Club of New York.Only 7 known to exist. Circa. 1930-40?

http://www.amff.org/portfolio/hewitt-reel/
Last edited by Mike N on Wed Mar 06, 2019 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Anyone own one the 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

Post by wrong99 »

Surprisingly, I just went through my stuff and came up empty.
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Re: Anyone own one the 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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I had #22 for a while.

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I'd would bet most, if not all, still exist as they all were gifted to affluent anglers ...we just don't know where they all are.

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Mike N
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Re: Anyone own one the 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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“I had #22 for a while.“

Why does that not surprise me, Dean?

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Re: Anyone own one the 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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Mike N wrote:“I had #22 for a while.“

Why does that not surprise me, Dean?

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I don't know.

It surprised the heck out of me !

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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

Post by Jason »

What is the function of the large pillar?
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Mike N
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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

Post by Mike N »

Jason wrote:What is the function of the large pillar?
I’m sure Dean can clarify this since none of the photos linked or posted show that larger brass pillar very well, but my guess is that it’s a line guide. A larger surface diameter would put less friction stress on the line.

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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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Jason wrote:What is the function of the large pillar?
It's a rolling pillar, they prevent line burns.

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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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reel appears to be built for left hand retrieve. Don’t see the value in having a roller in that position in that the line would rarely make contact with the roller when used in the typical arrangement. would be more useful at the 12 o’clock pillar as the hardy bougle. Unless of course the line was meant to pass over the pillar and make contact 100% of the time?
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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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Low Profile wrote:reel appears to be built for left hand retrieve. Don’t see the value in having a roller in that position in that the line would rarely make contact with the roller when used in the typical arrangement. would be more useful at the 12 o’clock pillar as the hardy bougle. Unless of course the line was meant to pass over the pillar and make contact 100% of the time?
I can't speak for Hewitt's intent, but nonetheless, the pillar rolls. It is positioned where one would see a line guide on a reel such as a Hardy Perfect.

You are correct, it is a left-hand wind reel.

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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

Post by Eric J »

I had to stare at the drag mechanism for awhile to figure it out, but I get it now and think it looks pretty effective as long as it doesn’t wear down the click gear too badly. Thanks for posting those photos. Very cool reel and Hewitt was a many talented fellow.
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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

Post by Richard Lodge »

Hey Dean - Just curious what happened to that Hewitt reel you owned. Those are so darned scarce I'm curious whether it went into the collection of a known collector or disappeared into the ether.
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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

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Eric J wrote:I had to stare at the drag mechanism for awhile to figure it out, but I get it now and think it looks pretty effective as long as it doesn’t wear down the click gear too badly. Thanks for posting those photos. Very cool reel and Hewitt was a many talented fellow.
My pleasure. I agree about Hewitt.
Richard Lodge wrote:Hey Dean - Just curious what happened to that Hewitt reel you owned. Those are so darned scarce I'm curious whether it went into the collection of a known collector or disappeared into the ether.
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Its in a relatively unknown and quite wonderful collection. A guy that's been collecting forever, but does it very quietly.

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Re: Anyone own one of these 22 vintage Edward Hewitt fly reels?

Post by Ron Mc »

Dean, thanks for the inside view - great cam design to tension the spring.
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