A Treasure

[corbo]

You all know, but I must say it again with regard to this man and what he does and has done for ORCA and it's members.
I sent a couple of reels to Mr. Elder for simple grasps and fitments recently on a couple of old Meisselbachs. He had helped me with a little JVH fly reel in the past.
Sent me photos of his work a couple of days ago and I await receipt as beautifully done.
The point is....he seems not to care whether a reel he works on is $10 or $10,000.00 valued. He's committed to help the collector, and may he be blessed for his talent.
Very much appreciated John. Thank you.
Corbo

[wrong99]

One of the good ones, for sure.

[Mike N]

Love me some John Elder. He is a great sounding board and a fountain of knowledge.

Mike N

[john elder]

Aw, shucks... twernt nuthin’. Thanks for the pats, guys...so glad that doing something i enjoy is of benefit to others!

[Jonathan P. Kring]

You are the best "Brother"!!

[Bill Muth]

+1 to all these comments.

[bamboocollector11]

+2 To all the comments above, and he makes time for people and questions from those that are new to this " hobby/addiction".

[kyreels]

Thanks John Elder for all you do for ORCA!

[Paul M]

One of the best, for sure. Thank you, John!

[reeltackle]

A true gentleman and scholar who knows his way around the old work shop. Thanks for all you do!

[Paul Roberts]

John’s been very helpful in my quest to break into old reels too, in terms of encouragement, advice, parts, and inspiration. I’ve really appreciated the enthusiasm, expertise, and willingness to help rescue even rather mundane reels here... from a number of members. (If one can even call such wonderful machines “mundane”.)

[joe klaus]

John has made huge contributions to our hobby and I'm grateful.

[reelsmith.]

I've lost track of how many times John has helped me ...but not of how grateful I am.

Dean.

[m3040c]

If it were not for John Elder, there would be no Penn History books or Ocean City history book. John was my inspiration and mentor.

John also reversed a very sad event for me. I had bought an Edward vom Hofe Commander Ross 14/0 from the estate of Ray Hodges, that was the subject of my first Reel News article. The article was about the restoration of the reel by the Late Ray Hodges who was my partner and friend until he passed away. This reel had a heartfelt value to me and was badly damaged during its shipping. I thought I had lost a irreplaceable reel.


John offered to help me and brought the reel back. He saved my connection to Ray. I felt I was lucky enough to know the only guy on the planet that could have done what he did and volunteered his help to me. Here is the reel now.


I find it hard to find the words to show the appreciation I have for John Elder but I will say, ORCA is lucky to have him. He is the best!

[RonG]

That's a great story Mike. John is the go-to guy to help you cope with a reel disaster.

[john elder]

Gosh, thanks again for all the pats! Of all the repairs i have done, fixing Ray’s reel is at the top of my favorites list, Mike! And re your books, all I did was wave the pompoms a few times. It was your hard work that made those books happen and you filled a huge hole in reel history by researching and writing them!

The best part for me about this thread is that its not an obit!

[m3040c]

The best part for me about this thread is that its not an obit!

Kudos have much deeper meanings when they are not obits. Only special people get the profound Kudos before the obit happens.