Ralph V.P. Kohlhepp Big Game Reel - New Jersey

[RonG]

Ralph Kohlhepp received a patent for his big game reel in 1939. The reel was named "Leola" after his wife's name. The reel below measures 7 1/2 inches in diameter. The last photo shows a comparison of the Kohlhepp reel to a 9/0 Kovalovsky reel.







Ron Gast
http://luresnreels.com

[Brian F.]

Niiiice, Ron!

[Jay White]

Great reel!Let me know if you de cide to part with it. Jay White

[butch carey key west]

Ron, NICE REEL, I have a Kohlhepp & Kimsey Schauffler Big game reel 16/0 that is the same as yours but with a large round drag knob instead of a star.

[RonG]

Butch Carey's Schauffler reel made by Frank E. Kimsey.






Ron Gast
http://luresnreels.com

[RonG]

Photos of Butch Carey's reel added.

Ron Gast
http://luresnreels.com

[Brian F.]

Sorry, Ron and Butch. Little confused as to how the three names are connected to the reel? Two people were the makers but how does Schauffler fit in?

[RonG]

Good question. I don't know the whole story. The only part I know is about the Kohlhepp reel. I talked to the grandson and he told me his grandfather made only a few reels and probably sold the patent rights. He never went into production.

Ron Gast
http://luresnreels.com

[reeltackle]

`
`
`
THE MISSING LINK.

My guess is that the reels were first built by just Kohlhepp, then by Kohlhepp & Kimsey and then by just Kimsey ... just a guess. Schauffler most likely got involved early on as perhaps the financial backer or perhaps the fishing "NAME" or both. I bought this 18/0 black reel along with a couple of others from Jack Wygant, Schauffler's tuna fishing guide and friend. They were Schauffler's personal reels. There are two photos of Schauffler and Wygant fishing for tuna below.

The Tag



The Reel



The Men

[Brian F.]

Great stuff. Thank you Ed, Ron and Butch for sharing your photos and information!