Classic Rod and Reel Combos

[reeltackle]

In 1934 Arthur Kovalovsky applied for a patent for new new, top of the line, big game fishing reel. This reel was made entirely of stainless steel and featured a lever control drag. Over the course of a couple of years this reel evolved into the "Zane Grey" model rim control lever drag reel. This reel featured a unique reel seat that secured the reel to the rod like nothing else before it or since. First you lined up the hole in the reel seat and set the reel on at a 45 degree angle to the rod. Next you turned the reel so that the grooves in the flat foot slid under the two raised round "T" posts and locked into place on the reel foot. Once the reel was in alignment with the rod you flipped a lever to lock it in place. Attached to the front and rear pillars were two rod braces that would then slide over spring hinged clips and snap into place securing the reel firmly onto the rod.

Below is the only example of a Kovalovsky stainless steel, patent model,rim control reel that has been found to date. This massive 16/0 size reel is shown with its original rod complete with locking reel seat.


The hole in the reel foot lines up with the hole on the reel seat.

The reel is put on at a 45 degree angle to the rod

The reel is then turned until the grooves in the foot lock in place under the two round top "T" posts.

The rod braces attached to the pillars then lock into place into the spring clips.

Looking down at the reel locked into its reel seat with the rod braces in their clips.

The reel locked onto the rod, notice the lever under the reel seat that keeps the reel from turning sideways.

The Kovalovsky reel fits like a glove on it custom built Kovalovsky reel seat.

The Kovalovsky patent model 16/0 Rim Control reel on its custom rod with Kovalovsky roller guides and tip.

Patent drawing for the Kovalovsky rim control reel and its special locking rod and reel seat combination.

Photos of the Kovalovsky reel in use - Location and angler unknown - Date 1936.

[kyreels]

That is very cool. I always like to find patents for various tackle items and pair with the item. Unfortunately, not many of the KY reels had them for early reels. That reel is a piece of Modern Art.

[jr.evansii]

Warmer weather means it's time to pull out a few old friends and get them ready!

Top to bottom:
Ocean City #35 on a Heddon #G.F. 702 - 7 1/2' fly rod
Shakespeare 1920 Wondereel on a Montague Solid Glass - 5' rod
Garcia Mitchell 308A on a Garcia Conolon Kingfisher - 6 1/2' light rod
Zebco "Super" 22 on a Heddon Pal #225 - 5 1/2' light rod
Garcia Mitchell 300 on a Garcia Conolon Companion 5 Star - 7' medium rod
Penn 350M Leveline on a Heddon Standard #340 - 9' medium rod



I don't use all of them every year, but I'm not afraid to give any of them a workout.

J.

[Mike N]

Jr., very nice rod/reel combos. I’ve always been a big Garcia Mitchell spinning reel fan. Thanks for posting.

Mike N

[Bill Sonnett]

Though it had its shortcomings, I always felt (and still do) that the graceful lines of the Mitchell 300 were exactly what a spinning reel should look like. It has a beauty in my eyes that is not matched by any of today's highly efficient and quiet spinning reels.

[John Savu]

When George Upton, patent attorney, reel designer, and owner of Redifor Rod and Reel Co., teams up with tournament casters Ben Flegel and Louis Darling, this is what you get, the DARLING/FLEGEL DOUBLE TOURNAMENT REEL. This unique reel caught the attention of the Tournament Casting World by winning the Championship of France in 1912. Here it is paired with an early Redifor Rod with its patented finger grip. John

[Ray Hencken]

Top combo - 7' Payne 98 with a 2 1/2" diameter Edward vom Hofe #2 Peerless.
Bottom Combo - 7 1/2' Leonard 39H with a 3" diameter Leonard model 50 reel

[Ray Hencken]

Two antique fly rod and reel combos.
Top - 11', 3,2,3 Conroy Bisset & Malleson fly rod paired with a 2 1/4" CB&M hard rubber fly reel
Bottom - 9 1/2', 2/2 Kosmic fly rod paired with a 3" Kosmic fly reel

[Ray Hencken]

Another antique combo. H.L. Leonard "Tourist" Fly Rod , Paramachene Pattern 10' with two butts, two mids, 3 tips and an independent handle paired with a Leonard Bi-metal fly reel.
removed picturetrail obsolete link 414424879.jpg
Closeup of the reel, 2 1/2" pillar to pillar, 3/4" wide
removed picturetrail obsolete link414424895.jpg

[busterboy]

As found Record 6000 I'm not sure that will ever take this out to try

Stan "Buster" Cowton

[busterboy]

OOPS!!! it looks like I missed a step with the pix

[busterboy]

Record 6000 PIX (I hope)

[reelsmith.]

Talbot Ben Hur and a Garrison 201 ( 7' ).



Dean.

[Mike N]

Really good thread from 2+ years ago worthy of a BUMP.

[kevinhaney1]

Ok Mike, here's a few more!

Kevin

HI Tonka Queen with a Medalist #1494 ringer:




Heddon #35 Deluxe rod with a Heddon #125 reel with the agate guide:




Heddon #60 Deluxe with a Medalist #1492 ringer:

[Mike N]

Nicely matched, Kevin. I love the checkering on the Heddon 60 Deluxe rod handle. Those photos would make three great sporting post cards.

Mike N

[kevinhaney1]

Or calendar pages. One of these days, I’m going to do one…

[reelsmith.]

.
Meek & Milam #2 on a Landman/Kosmic rod handle ...
.

.
Dean.

[54bullseye]

15/0 Fin-Nor Small Drum reel mounted on a nice old Tycoon Royal Hickory rod . Both Classics ! Notice the nice old stitched fore grip on the Tycoon !! Enjoy ! John Taylor









Thanks for looking !!

[Mike N]

Two more classic combos that are certainly calendar worthy.

Ever since the son of the founder of Tycoon Tackle, Tim O’Brien, came to an ORCA National with his book, I’ve been semi-infatuated with anything they made. If there was a “Rat Pack” of cool vintage tackle, Tycoon Tackle would be Peter Lawford.

[Ray Hencken]

Here's a couple from my collection. Top combo is a Kosmic rod and reel. Bottom combo is a Conroy, Bissett & Malleson rod and reel.
The Kosmic rod is 9 1/2', 2 pc, 2 tip, the Conroy, Bissett,and Malleson rod is 11 1/4', 3 pc, 2 mids, 3 tips.

[Mike N]

Very nice, Ray. Two absolutely classic combos. I would venture of late that anything labeled “Kosmic” is one of the hottest collectibles on the vintage tackle market.

[1badf350]

Two more classic combos that are certainly calendar worthy.

Ever since the son of the founder of Tycoon Tackle, Tim O’Brien, came to an ORCA National with his book, I’ve been semi-infatuated with anything they made. If there was a “Rat Pack” of cool vintage tackle, Tycoon Tackle would be Peter Lawford.

I know what you mean Mike. Its like a virus and very contagious. I caught the Tycoon bug from Doug Whittington.

[1badf350]

15/0 Fin-Nor Small Drum reel mounted on a nice old Tycoon Royal Hickory rod . Both Classics ! Notice the nice old stitched fore grip on the Tycoon !! Enjoy ! John Taylor









Thanks for looking !!

Very nice combo John!

[klonder]

Leonard and JVH