More of a..."Show and Receive"?

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:43 pm

Folks...having trouble making a decision. I have a nice little 9-1/2' Winchester Rod (c. late 30's) and I can't pin down a good looking reel to marry up with the rod. I think it should be a 3" reel, but have no "reel" idea as to make or model. Totally hoping that your suggestions will help me pin something down. Probably should be a late 30's early 40's reel, for esthetic value anyway. Toss me ideas...PLEASE?!

Post by **john elder** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:37 pm

these are probably too Blue Collar for you Rick, but I think any one of these reels would work on your rod (Left to right: Pfl Medalist; couple versions of the Shakes Russel; SB Russell Rip-off; Pfl. Gem :

I think the typical Winchester skeleton reel would be too old for your particular rod. If you wanted to make a nice upgrade, try a Julius like this one or a 4-bros Delite or Pfl Golden West:

Jim Wiegner · Post by **Jim Wiegner** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:50 am

Hi Rick:

That is a fine looking old fly rod. And the reels that John posted are all good choices. If you were to choose one of them, the early Russell (Olive Drab finish) would be period correct, as would the Pflueger Gem. And the pre WWII Pflueger Medalist would be a fine choice as well.

As for size, given the 9 1/2' rod, the 1895 Russell or the 3 1/4" 2094 Gem/1494 Medalist would fit nicely.

There are a bunch of other fine reels to choose from as well, so have fun in your quest.

Jim

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:10 pm

John & Jim...Thanks for the inputs (twice John). I've been leaning toward the Gem and the Russell is a close 2nd. Just hoping for a little more diversity in possibilities. But I definitely want to stay period correct.

Jim...any chance you could pin down this rod a bit more for me? Yer a strong Winny resource from what I've heard. No model stamps...just Made in USA, Winchester decal and "Northern Special" in black script above the decal by about 6-8 inches. Rocky Mountain Series?

Post by **john elder** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:34 pm

It certainly doesn't have a "Western grip" on it, so don't think it was the Northern Rockys they had in mind with that series. I'll check my Sinclair tonight and see what I can find, although Jim and Phil can probably do that by heart.

You could even do something totally blasphemous by putting one of those great early Meiss. automatics on that rod, methinks!

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:57 pm

I could sink the butt-end in concrete and make a Flag Pole too. That'd be about the same result.

Don Champion · Post by **Don Champion** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:49 pm

Rick,
Since you're going to sink the butt end in concrete why not wash that grip with a little Dawn dish washing detergent and a soft toothbrush? It'll look like new. Get all that fish scum off it.

Jim Wiegner · Post by **Jim Wiegner** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:06 pm

Winchester stuff

Rick:

You must have another Jim mixed up with me. Wish I could help, but unfortunately I know more about the Winchester Mystery House (in San Jose, just south of my old home stomping grounds in the bay area) than I do about their fishing stuff. Our good friend Phil White is very familiar with Winchester, and can surely help you out.

And the Pflueger Gem would be a great choice to mate with that Winchester rod. A fine reel for sure.

And please don't stick that pole in concrete. On more than one occasion my wife has threatened to use some of my favorite old rods for tomato stakes in her veggie patch!

Jim

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:07 pm

Good catch Don! I figured that since I polished up the German Silver seat and the Ferrules, I should leave the cork "patina" as is. But now that you've surfaced the issue and the General Public knows that I'm not the only one that scrubs "patina" off...I'll do it in your honor!

PS: I use Oxy Clean...works great!

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:11 pm

LOL...anybody ever mention that there's a few characters around here?! Humor is alive and well!

Any more "reel" suggestions?

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:37 pm

Don made me do it...

Post by **john elder** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:54 pm

are those buffing wheel marks in that cork?

So, you got any assorted fly reels up there to test drive? If so, I think it's time for a fashion show!

ps: I had your wallet in mind with the above reel suggestions. Of course, you can't go wrong if you want to step up to a Hardy Perfect 3 1/4 or a St. George...or a Uniqua...Let's just see what kind a man you really are!

Well, mumbling of the devil!

http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/ ... rdy?page=1

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:17 pm

Oh now...that's just MEAN! I'm going back to cleaning up this cork! And how dare you imply that I use a "buffing wheel"?!

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:11 pm

Rick, that rod is one that was either made in the early 1930's by Winchester, or more likely, it was assembled by H-I after the Winchester purchase. I note the nickel plated reel seat and ferrules and the decal. I believe that all Winchester rods from the 1920's used nickel silver fittings and the Winchester name, trade mark, and the rod number were all stamped in the metal of the reel seat.

Post by **john elder** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:13 pm

geez, all that DNA on the grip made quite a mess!

just looking at what Michael Sinclair's restoration book says about Winchester and it isn't alot. he indicates that they had sold out to H-I by 1935, but imply that they continued to use the Winchester name for some time. The H-I rods apparently had the Winchester label, with the model name just upstream in white ink, with writing heading back toward the grip. Unless yours has been redone, it appears to be black and heading away from the grip, so that sounds like it was on the upstream side of '35, eh? I'll keep digging until Phil gets off the river.

Ha...now that's funny...I see Phil got off the river while I was droning on

Re Phil's last comment, that's pretty much what Sinclair says as well...and they had Edwards there til 1924. However, they made three grades of rods and there was substantial variation across those grades.

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:22 pm

Thanks guys. It's definitely not an Edwards rod, so I guess it's a mute point. I don't have a lot of experience with rods, but with what little I do know (and see) this doesn't appear to be a re-build. Aging/patina across the rod was pretty uniform. And as John saw earlier, there was a home made "reel tie" loops soldered to the seat. That was aged equivelantly.

Phil...I may have to pick your brain a little after the book arrives.

John...SLAP!

Rick H · Post by **Rick H** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:08 pm

Okay...It was recommended that I offer a "Fashion Show". I don't know how to set up a Survey or Vote, so just fire me your choice via PM, eMail, or a contact note (to the left) on this Site.

Here's 9 Candidate Reels for the Winchester Rod. HELP...?!
(I think Deke slipped a ringer in, that I'd forgotten about)

http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif? ... votes.html

Post by **john elder** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:01 pm

My top 3 pics:

1. 1885 Russell...just like Wiggy said
2. 270 Featherweight
3. Meiss-Catucci

Jim Wiegner · Post by **Jim Wiegner** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:18 pm

Matching reel survey

OK Rick:

Just like John (almost) said, the Pflueger 2094 Gem will do nicely.

And I hope Phil got you pointed in the right direction with that neat Winchester rod. You have a winner there.

Jim