Questions from the back of the bus

[Lynn Thomas]

Gee, I thought you Indiana folks were best known for your basketball ...

[Brian F.]

Well, I just pulled in with the bus (I like sitting in the middle, by the way) and I'm beginning to like this place, Indiana. I have a Goite from Jim S., does that count?

The board is kinda like a tackle shop I frequent here in HI. Lots of permanent fixtures sitting around shooting the breeze. Kind of intimidating at first but very comfortable after you get to know everyone else. Also helps if you let them know your name too.

[Harvey]

Boy, You guys are making me cry and long for the good times growing up. One of our yearly treks (Other than the Indy 500) was to the thunderboat races at Madisonville. We would go down to Vevay and camp on the river for a week and take in the races and fish. I have seen Carp and river catfish larger than I was! Who could ever forget the long trip up that darn hill on hyw 421 (I think) going north from Madisonville. I shot my first deer in the Jefferson Proving Grounds back in maybe 1958. If Jim spent time in Brown County, he sure knows where the Black Strap Molasses capital of the world is, Gnaw Bone. I don't think I was ever in Brazil except when passing thru going to Terra HOOT. We did spend some time as teenagers diving into the limestone quarries around Bedford. 200 ft deep, clear as could be but no fish. A couple years ago I took my daughter to a tackle show in INDY over Thanksgiving. On the way from Cinncinnati, we detoured thur Greensburg so she could see the tree. and all these years, she claimed I lied to her! On the way back to Cincy, we went thru Greenfield so I could show her where the Rucker General Store was that was owned my my Great Uncle. ( Couldn't even come close to finding the spot) As a Kid and having a motorcycle there are very few places in the great state of Indiana that I haven't been to.
Boy, those were the good ol' days!
"H"

[Dan Basore]

I could drive there easily. Mom's from Patricksburg where I spent many summers with my grandparents, there or on uncle's farm in Bowling Green. To go to the IWL lake take 59 north to a big curve in the road and take a left. If you went right a farmer had a super set of pits but strictly enforced a No Tresspassing policy. Even so I got an 8 1/4 pound largemouth there in 1967 with my Langley.

[cws/carl schultz]

sounds to me like something in the drinking water

[Reel Geezer]

I might as well join in while waiting for Milt's next post. My maternal grandfather was a Doctor in Peru for about 40 years. He started me fishing when I was a wee tad at a lake where they had a cabin. I can remember going there, but cannot remember the name of the lake - it had an Indian name and began with a W I believe.

My paternal grandfather farmed outside of Greenfield all his life. We also used to visit there up until shortly after WWII, and I loved it on the farm. I can still remember counting the cars on those long freight trains. We don't have 100+ car trains out here in Idaho due to the mountains.

Our newspaper had a headline story today that the Boise Valley of Idaho is the #1 destination of U-Haul rental trucks and trailers. They're so proud. I'm ready to leave. Ah, for the good old days.

[john elder]

you had your M upside down, Phil...mississinewa lake Looks like a pretty big scutter on my map!

[Richard Lodge]

in Indiana. Small correction, Harvey. It's Madison (not Madisonville) on the Ohio. And you're correct about that long, winding hill of Highway 421. I grew up on a little road off of that, up on the hilltop. YOu shot a deer at the Proving Ground. My fishing buddy Jeff and I used to sneak under the fence when we were kids and fish a stream there that was probably smack dab in the middle of the firing range. That place is all different now, pretty much closed and renovated into a manufacturing area. The artillery range is permanently fenced off because so much unexploded ordnance is buried in the ground. By the way, part of the Lodge "family fortune" (for one of my uncles) came when the Lodge Hardware Store got the gov't contract during WWII to sell the chain link fence that encircles the proving ground. That's 18 miles long and around 10 miles wide. You do the math!
I know Vevay quite well. Speaking of small towns, I grew up fishing in the farm pond of a family friend in Osgood, a little town known for the local cinema downtown, the Damm Theatre (no foolin'. Correct spelling, too).

[SWIM JIG]

Ok john, I had reels to fix, cannot belive the wonderful post you folks have done! O OK, I am not a born BUCKEYE! My native state is in the east The wonderful state Of MARYLAND, from the ANNAPOLIS, WEEMS creek area , I came to OHIO in 1938, not to long ago,ha ha , to the city of Lorain where the moto is (where coal and IRON Meet) Always was able to fish Lake erie, 2 blocks from home, got my first reel in 1941 a akron pfluger , well used at that time, dad taught me to take care of it, and it still is in service I passed it on TO the Froggy Jig the grandson, has had a lot of new old stock parts put in and it still cast a 100 yrds off faster than a running rabit! AS far as I know no one made comercial reels in LORAIN however 8 miles south east of here did ELYRIA OHIO the messlabach factory made a lot of them! Now this area is a treasure trove of reel and lure hunting,so its a fun place to be in I now live in Amherst OH both city lines touch each other. As time went on the way to a education was the service oh yes and reel hunting and fishing and well anything you desired! The mechanics of reels and their parts GREW on me, they 1, dont take up a lot of room, 2, will feed you 3, will suplement the faimly budget 4, can draw a lot of attention in a crowd, 5, are much more quite than a tenn. fishing stick<ie DINOMITE or hand gernades! 6, they havent figgured how to outlaw them yet7, can be used for target practice! , thats what casting contest are about? 8, require just a bit of care their only diet is a wee bit of lubrication9, dont die of old age and 10, helps keep you from the nasty tube in the rec room! also by having them it brings others with a same intrest together to swap stories, remeber fun times, less stress on us, and the one I like the best is when we go fishing, it dont mater whether we fish with a FIN NOR or someone with a cane pole and a small wind up reel we all have the same chance of catching a fish! NOW thats what ORCA MEANS TO ME! all you folks are like one big faimly and may we keep it that way! Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG your OHIO conection

[Guest]

Milt, you came to Ohio in 1938, you have me beat by only 63 years. I came to Cincinnati, OH in 2001. Seems to be a lot of tackle collectors in Ohio, which makes a great deal of sense considering all the great tackle made in the Buckeye state. As I am from Northern Minnesota by birth (Duluth) and spent my summers at a cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin (near Hayward), Cincinnati has been an interesting experience. I made the unpardonable sin of calling Cincinnati "the South" my first week in Ohio. I would have elicited a better response if I had just gone right ahead and kicked the man right in the knee. Of course, coming from Northern Minnesota we consider Iowa the south, and since the Ohio river is the Mason-Dixon line, and everyone around here talks with that funny accent (as they say where I come from, no doooot aboooot it, you betcha), I thought it was a safe call on my part. Anyway, this yankee has since learned to adapt to the more genteel nature of the sunny south, and I am enjoying not having to chip three inches of ice off the car every morning. The old Minnesota football player Bronko Nagurski was once asked what summer was like where he came from in Northern Minnesota. "We don't have summer," he replied, "but there is two weeks at the end of July when the skiing isn't so good."

So I guess our friend the Lurker got what he wanted, more activity!

Now if only I could find some hardware company reels to add to my beginner collection...

Dr. Todd E.A. Larson,
Minnesotan by way of the #1 ranked University of Illinois basketball team

[George Washington]

Nice string guys. I really enjoyed reading it. One of the best strings I have read in quite some time. Thanks for getting the ball rolling Lurker, even if you are just an unknown, no-named no-account ghost. Just kidding You see, not only am I brave and accountable, but I'm the first President of the US. Sounds a little silly doesn't it. If I posted my actual name would you know me any better? Would that really make me more accountable, braver? Lurker didn't post anthing that he or anyone else should be ashamed of. Did he insult anyone? Was he rude or did he use profanity? (name removed by administrator) , (portion of message removed by administrator) , only joking again. Lighten up a bit. This was a great string with one or two bumps and we all know (name removed by administrator). He is harmless, just likes to show his Tex*** (modified by administrator) a bit much. I have been an ORCA member for a couple years and have personally met one other member so if I don't believe my name would help most of you. Welcome to cyberville my friends. Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated regardless if their moniker is (name removed by administrator), (name removed by administrator) or Lurker. You can treat me different because I'm the President

[mortepa]

If I posted my actual name would you know me any better? Would that really make me more accountable, braver?

Yes, it would make you more accountable. I guarantee it. Your good name as a collector is what will make you or break you.

I have been an ORCA member for a couple years and have personally met one other member so if I don't believe my name would help most of you.

So why not earn yourself a good reputation with the rest of us and get aquainted with the group? I am sure many here could help you with your collection.

The derogatory comments towards other members has to stop. If you have problems with someone, you will email or personal message them directly. Of course you can only personal message them if you are registered. So that is your choice.

I do think Lurker had some legit questions in the initial post. It is up to each of us to make this place feel welcome to newcomers.

Thanks much,
- Paul Mortenson

[Ron Mc]

the anonymity of "cyberville" continues to provide bravado to the spineless.

Lurker's initial "question" was, at the very least, loaded with an editorial comment intended to insult the people that contribute to this board in a positive manner.
I stand by my exception.
The format of this board is excellent for dialogue and the exchange of information.
I am proud to be a member here, and very much enjoy the personalities of the contributors as well as the quality of the information exchange.

[Harvey]

Hey guys! We ALL can't be civil! We need people that were born with a forked tongue. Without them we would have no one to get peeved at. Without them, we would have no reason to kick the cat? Why would we want to slam the door? It always seems funny to me that someone (Like the poster GW) thinks he is getting over by not wanting the good guys to know who he is. What is the benefit in that? Do they think that their message will carry more weight? I personally think there people are useless. I am sure that 99% of us have the 'Show Me" attitude and just because we read something from someone that holds no water as for a signer, we are going to believe it? Sign your REAL name or use a moniker that everyone knows. If you want to ask a legit question, as Lunker did, and not reveal your true identity that's somewhat OK but to complain to the masses and then hide behind the curtain has no effect. If there is someway to implement the system that you can't post without a legit E-mail address, we should do so.
And to George: If I am the ONE member that you met, I hope you are forgetful!
And Richard, Sorry for the foggy memory but please, just drop the “ville”. It has been some 45 +/- years.
Jefferson Proving Grounds: We entered the lottery to hunt there for years and was only selected once. Everybody that I know that hunted there got their kill. What an amazing place! I remember driving that 18 miles down 421 and you would see a deer grazing along the fence every 100 yards.
"H"

[orourke]

Getting back to Indiana. I am a Wolverine born and bred, but my Dad likes some team in South Bend, IN. I do like Indiana, the beer and whiskey are alot cheaper there. Smokes too if that is your vice.

Harvey shot his first deer before I was born. Hear that Harv? I SAID YOU SHOT YOUR FIRST DEER BEFORE I WAS BORN! (Harvey is a bit old, but he ain't dead yet, did have to check his plot to make sure though

You guys are hoots. I think some of this material could be fodder for late night T.V. Maybe Letterman, he's a Hoosier went BALL STATE.

And about that troll comment in an earlier post, that name is taken. "Trolls" live in the lower ---- of Michigan, "Upper's" in the Northern peninsula (Trolls live under the bridge, get it?) (Got to explain it to Harvey, remember he checks his burial plot for activity) KIDDING HARVEY!

Rave on Reel Friends

Dave O'Rourke (Real name, Reel man? you be the judge)

[john elder]

I forget...was the Jefferson proving Grounds hooked to Crane Naval Depot? Had an Uncle-in-law that worked there and could get us on to go hunt hoosier steak every april/May...man, i tripped across a couple patches with over 250 of the most gorgeous morels you could imagine! Now, if that don't jog a few hoosier memories, you need to turn in your membership cards! Gawd, I miss that.

[Lurker]

it was not my intent to cause problems. For what it is worth my questions were answered and I will leave it at that. Why all the hostilities though? I don't get it. I'm in my early twenties and just got in to collecting fishing reels. I have fishing since I could walk and wet a line at least 4 days a week. I think I will stick to fishing. I enjoy it to no end, but if this is what reel collecting is about I'm not interested.

Ian Anisley (Lurker)

[john elder]

Ian: Welcome..pls bring all your questions and don't be so sensitive...you can't please everyone, even in the checkout line at walmart! Lots of knowledge here (not counting me) and feel free to bring questions and new posts of interesting stuff...please.

[SWIM JIG]

IAN, I doubt that any of our members ment any malice, And may I offer the (REEL HANDSHAKE) ? and will you except it? How i wish I were in my 20s again and know then what I have been taught by these sometime (radical GUYS) or we are a piculiar bunch at times, however we are all (lovers Of reels and their workings) I have grand childre your age , I give them reels and other related tackle items to admire use and enjoy! You are at the age that you can colect at your own pace, wait for the reel of your dreams and see that dream thru reality! So far our do nothing political foks have not found a way to condem our hobby. As for your future, saving for retirment will be all on your own! so colect wisly, its not only money in the bank, its also being able to see, hold, show others, and still have a growing reserve of savings plan. Now, it will be your turn to teach others, show the differance in good and bad reels, and save them from a mistake! We ORCANs only attempt to help, sometimes when it seems as if somthing wants to ruin that , we take acton, Ian there is not one ORCAn I would not have as my wing man or crew on my aircraft in NAM! I have met many in person, comunicate by (this Contraption) or by mail or PHONE! The best part anyone that owns even one reel we consider a colector or in my case a acumulator! As for reels unlike pets they dont eat, generaly dont stray, need to go out or make a noise! You must have a intrest or you would not have posted on the site or your site! As for the back of the bus! hey beter to ride than walk a few hundred miles! Now let us know what your reel intrest are be it a ZEBCO or a Kovolosky, modern made today or a china reel made 4-7 years ago, If you get the ORCA mag, I do the column called the reel fix! how to fix your reels, if not a member yet , send me your mailing address I will send you a application to you! welcome to our -your club! Col. milton lorens aka SWIM JIG your OHIO CONECTION PS most ORCA ns fish!

[Teal]

Hi Ian A.,

I'm probably only about ten years older than you are, and teach 120 college students every day who are your age. I understand that it can be a bit intimidating to post. Please don't let that discourage you from the collecting of old fishing tackle. Trust me when I say that many people on this board will go well out of there way to help any novice collectors. I know a boatload about the history of fishing tackle, but I am a novice when it comes to the intricacies of fishing reels. You probably know as much as I do. That is why I came here, to learn from the masters like Phil, Steve V., Colonel Milton Lorenz, Richard Lodge, and so many others. They will be happy to open their minds and let you pick the golden nuggets that will help you become a more knowledgable collector and well-rounded individual.

Just to show this isn't just hot air, send me an email and I will mail you absolutely free an oddball reel I have lying around. Maybe it will be easy to ID, but when you get it, all I ask is that you do a little research, ask a few questions on the board, and learn something about it. Maybe then you'll see that those people who are so passionate about fishing (like you) are equally as passionate about the history of fishing.

I am at if you email me your address I will mail out your reel as soon as I can.

Sincerely,

Prof. Todd E.A. Larson

[john elder]

Oh, and don't forget about the Indiana Banana...when's the last time you folks had a pawpaw?

[Robyn Summerlin]

Ian-
On an impulse I attended my first ORCA National in Lansing, MI in 2002. Recognizing me as a newbie, several members went out of their way to introduce themselves and get acquainted. Attending the lectures and seminars made me realize I was among some people who had forgotten more than I knew about reel collecting. Trying to absorb all the information presented in a three-day period was like trying to drink from a fire hose!

Of course it's your decision whether to go or stay, but if you leave you're missing a great opportunity to learn from really knowledgeable folks. Several of our members have written definitive texts on various subjects and their contributions to reel history and collecting will remain authoritative long after we're all gone!

Attend an ORCA National convention and get to meet some of these "living legends" in person. I have found them all willing to answer my questions and to share their knowledge gained over a lifetime of collecting. The cost of membership is nominal. The rewards are great.

Robyn Summerlin

[Harvey]

John,
Man, you are trying to start something! I haven't had a Paw-Paw for years. Maybe 40 to be exact! We had a Paw-Paw tree in our back yard and I ate them till I was sick as a kid! Great memorys!
"H"

[Brian F.]

Ian,
I hope you decide to stick around despite any comments you may have perceived as being negative. As you can tell, your original question was taken both ways also. Obvious downfalls of the internet: a lot of what’s written is often misunderstood. As John E. mentioned, you need a thick skin but it can’t be that bad as my skin is pretty thin (ok, Harv, I said skin). All of the positive comments you’ve read about people being willing to help on this board are absolutely true. If you were to actually meet any of these guys (and gals) in person, they’d be like old friends.

I joined ORCA to meet other reel collectors, interact with them and learn as much as I could. It wasn’t just to read about it in the Reel News or watch everyone on the message board and make anonymous comments. Most of my contact has been via phone/email/board and never thought I would meet face to face with anyone in the hobby, being so far removed. But over the last few years I actually got to a couple of shows and the experience of meeting everyone has made me want to attend even more.

Your interest in old reels will determine if you wish to hang out or leave. It will not be because of the occasional negative stuff you encounter. I’ve found that the many, many people willing to help or simply join in a discussion about old reels seriously outweigh the negatives.

Have a seat and help us get to know each other. Signing your name is a great start: name = familiarity = reputation on message boards I’ve participated in.

[Reel Geezer]

Way up the thread I said the lake we went to in Indiana with my Grandpa started with a W. It did, and is apparently very close to the birthplace of Jim Madden. Marilyn did some research through our old family papers, and found the "cottage" to be on Lake Wawasee. We sat in the seats of grandpa's old row boat and fished for sunnys. The boat was pulled up on the bank. That was probably before all of you were born...