Gotta Love Lunch with Gaustad!

[john elder]

The tacos are okay, too, but it’s the Show & Tell that makes it fun! Tough as nails Leaver Reel, Richardson levelwind on a Shakespeare prototype reel (shown on page 150 of the Vernon Bible), and a seldom seen Winchester Tournament Reel in the foreground. These are some of the last of the tougher reels in Dave’s collection and he is parting with them, if anyone is interested!

[Mike N]

Those are some sweet reels. John. Two vintage reel experts lunching in sunny Southern California on tacos. What’s not to like? Sounds like a pilot episode of the Real Reelsmiths of Beverly Hills.

Mike N

[reeltackle]

I don’t know if Dave bought those reels from a collector or found them in the field but I gotta say this, over the years, Dave is perhaps the best picker I have ever known. The tackle Dave has come up with over the years just blows me away. His hard work has turned up some of the best reels and lures ever found. With Dave it goes way beyond just finding the tackle, he has made it a point to become an expert on most every area of tackle collecting as well. I wish I could have joined you guys for lunch,it’s always a pleasure to hang with Dave.....and the good Dr. John too.

[Teal]

That Winchester tournament reel with the counter balance handle is so, so rare. Runs as good as a Talbot or Meek. By far the finest reel Winchester ever made. So cool.

-- Dr. Todd

[Steve]

Dave is perhaps the best picker I have ever known.

Back in the late '70s or maybe early '80s, i was driving along one of Vermont's rarely-used back roads when I stopped at an antique shop in the middle of nowhere. I remember feeling like Hansel and Gretel when they stumbled across the gingerbread house.

This was at a time when some dealers would laugh you out of their shops if you asked for fishing tackle. But I bravely asked the shop owner if she had tackle, and she said someone else had been by recently asking for it. I wondered who on planet Earth might have visited this place, so the owner brought out his card. Guess who had been there first.

[roycestearns]

Steve, great story!
Excellent post John

[Bill Sonnett]

Sunny California? You could have had lunch here today John -- 17 degrees here this morning -- Bring a jacket -- LOL

[Teal]

Back in the late '70s or maybe early '80s, i was driving along one of Vermont's rarely-used back roads when I stopped at an antique shop in the middle of nowhere. I remember feeling like Hansel and Gretel when they stumbled across the gingerbread house.

This was at a time when some dealers would laugh you out of their shops if you asked for fishing tackle. But I bravely asked the shop owner if she had tackle, and she said someone else had been by recently asking for it. I wondered who on planet Earth might have visited this place, so the owner brought out his card. Guess who had been there first.

Absolutely hilarious. I have a similar Don Ludy story. There's a reason why they got all the good tackle.

[Brian F.]

Now that's the kind of stuff that made me join ORCA! Always fun to stop and see what Dave has at his tables. He comes up with some fantastic reels!