Topics for the Reel News

[TravisT]

I have been a member of ORCA over the passed 3 years, and I am interested in writing an article for the Reel News. Only problem is my collection consists mostly of South Bend reels, and Jim Madden has them covered. Would there be an interest in a column about other old fishing items, minnow buckets, gadgets, go withs, etc...? I have many other items besides reels that are of interest to me, but are they of interest to other members, and do we want to read about them in the "Reel News"? Just a thought. I joined the club to receive information on reels. I do not have the time nor the resources to study up on old reels, and I would not be certain if an item had already been covered. Nobody likes a repeat. Also, are we limited to the number of pages that are in the News? Most are 30-34 pages. Would cost of membership rise? Would folks grumble about non reel related material? Many questions to be answered, but just a thought. Thanks.

[Teal]

Travis,

You've got me by two years in age and three years as an ORCAN. But your question is something that has also come across my mind. I joined ORCA because 1) the class of people who collect reels is in general much higher :D 2) Reel collectors are generally more interested in fishing tackle history than lure collectors are; and 3) I am starting to collect reels.
But I also still actively collect lures. So my interests are broad.

As for the Reel News, I have read many issues for research purposes, so I am familiar as to content, the fine writers and articles, etc. I think your question is connected to an earlier post that dealt with how to increase membership--I think this is a two-edged sword. The vast majority of ORCAns (as certainly the name of the organization suggests) are first and foremost reel collectors. The dilemma lies in the fact that if you expand to include other things, you raise the possibility of increasing membership at the same time you alienate your core members. The Reel News has excellent history in it, but it is all connected in some way to reels.

I am very interested in fishing tackle history and much of this history coincides with research interests of ORCAns (for example, I just has a nice conversation with Reel News columnist Bob Miller about a new article shedding light on E.A. Pflueger's early history that I have sent to the NFLCC Gazette). Would ORCA have welcomed such an article, which doesn't include the word "reel" in it but explains a good deal of background on this mysterious company that many people are interested in? I am not sure, in the same way your article could very well be related to your reel collecting interests but might not be "reel" enough for some.

I open the discussion up to veteran ORCAns, who will of course have the proper perspective. But as both Travis and myself are (relatively) new and young members of ORCA, and share the same question, I think it is a topic worthy of discussion.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd E.A. Larson

[cws/carl schultz]

i have read most all of the reel news ever printed from when i joined and then ordered every back issue still available[if you havent done this i VERY MUCH recommend it] these have had many different slants on the sporting collectable field i resently sent in an article that dealt with the risks in getting a rod refinished this was done in an effort to maybe help someone else not make the same mistakes that i did what phil told me was he thought it was relavent cus he likes to match rods with reels[like ham&eggs etc] as do i and a number of others that i know i dont know if i can think of anyone that only has reels as i tell others i am primarily a reel collector but run one of those 50s plastic swirled tackleboxes full of tackle in front of me look out i have at least 12-15 research books and dont know how many catalogs etc if you have a topic you wish to explore run it here and see what kind of intrest it generates as for myself THOSE FABULOUS FIFTYS ARE GREAT oops forgot before orca the nflcc g*bass*ette had articles on reels and have picked up a bunch of those back issues also

[Harvey]

Todd and Travis,
You write it and we will read it! I don't have any idea how much material Phil has for upcoming issues so maybe you should ask him. I have a feeling that anything that has to do with reels/rods/go-withs etc. will interest most guys that read the Reel News. Carl did bring up a good idea about having the back issues. Roger has most of them that he can copy for your search for more knowledge. Carl and I just look at the Pictures and that makes the price right! As for South Bend stuff, write something up and run it by Jim. You won't hurt his feelings.
"H"

[Richard Lodge]

Todd and Travis: I'm with Harvey. If you have some good topics to write about (and some photos to go along with them), I think you should give it a try. Todd's right, that the Reel News is mainly about reels, collecting and history. But reels don't exist in a vacuum (without clogging up the hose ). Phil started a feature a while back called "Go withs," in which he showed some of the interesting tackle gee-gaws that tend to "go with" or look good in displays of old equipment. I don't think any of us would want to see the Reel News leaning heavily toward old lures, but a good mix of reels, rods, lures, odds & ends, how-to articles (how to fix it, how to use it, how to make a good display, how to keep your significant other from dropping all your stuff off at the Salvation Army bin, etc. etc.) makes for a very interesting and readable magazine. I, for one, really enjoy the variety of topics and voices that are in the Reel News every issue. So add yours to the chorus!

[Reel Geezer]

Travis: For many years I included a sidebar column about Go-Withs in the Reel News. I've been told by several members that the columns started them in new areas. In my tenure as editor we have had articles on all sort of subjects, and I'm sure that Richard Lodge will want all the contributions he can get.

You spoke of a column - in reality The Reel News doesn't need columnists, we just need people to write articles so the Editor can use them when needed. At present if everyone who is writing a specialized column sent in their column each issue we wouldn't have room for anything other than columns. A person can write about minnow buckets and how they enhance your collection (I used one in my winning display at Dowagiac in 2003); I've written about oilers, folding drinking cups, etc.

At this minute I probably have enough on hand to fill the next issue - if all the "columnists" get their articles in on time. Usually, I have no idea who will be providing material for sure other than Ben Wright, Richard Lodge, Stu Lawson, Bob Miller, Col. Milt, and at the last minute Jim Schottenham. Since Richard Lodge knows what he is doing, I'm sure he will know how to put the Reel News together in a very professional manner. I'm sure the quality of the photos will improve. Every time I think we have the photo problem solved, something changes. I don't like the results in the issue that I picked up from the printer today.

The main point of this ramble - write your articles and send them to Richard. I will only be doing the next issue and then it will be Richard's responsibility. To paraphrase Uncle Sam's WWII poster, "The Reel News Wants You".

And Todd - The Reel News would have loved to have had your article. We have published a couple of articles on the history of E. A. Pflueger. In fact I imagine that Richard would like to publish it even after the Gazette comes out (as you probably know, you own the copyright). On a count I did several years back I found that only about 30% of our members are members of NFLCC. And most of them are members only because they go to NFLCC shows and have to be a member to get in.

Whew!

[Brian F.]

Todd,
With the amount of Pflueger reel collectors in ORCA, I would think it'd be a great article for the reel news.

[Steve]

Rods are built primarily to hold reels. Lines, hooks, bobbers, and lures are cast from reels. Reels are leaned against tackle boxes, bait buckets, or creels to keep them off the rocks. Disgorgers, priests, and the like can be used to straighten bent reel cranks. Line dryers, oilers, etc., would have no raison d'etre without reels. It's hard to imagine anything at all that isn't reel-related. Reels are obviously the center of the universe. Just keep writing.

[Jim Madden]

Travis, South Bend is never totally covered. There's still so much to do as I've found with the fly reels. I haven't even looked at the spinning and spincast yet, but everything's open. Go at it! Jim

[Brian F.]

I thoroughly enjoyed Steve's article on the Smithsonian reels that's under another thread. It seems to me that the membership has grown or at least turned over enough with new collectors by now that maybe more articles should include reprinted or updated articles.

I'm not necessarily thinking about reprinting old Reel News articles but those of members like Steve and others that ran in the Antique Angler or other publications long ago. Pending permission is granted, of course. Maybe we could select a few to rerun that cover frequently asked questions.

People don't necessarily have all these references available but if our objective is to educate, then maybe publishing it every-now-and-then will keep the information at the forefront and not buried somewhere. I thought the anniversary issue with old ORCA articles a while back was good.

I always need to be reminded so I thought I'd suggest it!

[SWIM JIG]

travis, Jim is correct every time someone belives the last of the reseach is done, well the next thing that happens is! the( line gets broke) and bingo another reel variation is found! As for me I only see the (inards) of these things, If you knew that some parts from Shakespere, will fit SOUTH BEND2 Pfluger3 headon4 bronson5 ocean city6 langly7 Zebco ie bait casters)8Tru Temper9 uispin. Now I am not just talking about screws or washers or pins, I am talking about gears, Pawls, springs, level wind worms,bearings, bridges, level wind cover or water retainers, bushings both permenet amd floating, drag washers, and in a overall use bearing caps, line guides. Now if it fits, the same dimentions, same finish GUESS what know one will ever know! Is it wrong? only is that part has to be fitted or retooled to work, I can laydown several gears that will fit any of these reels and you cannot tell me which is which. Very few companies made their own parts, as it was too labor costly to do so, in fact Shakesper gave all their screw machines to war production,and farmed out their orders for threaded items, I have the original paper work on that issue. The point I am making is TRAVIS if you write a artical most likly it will be well acepted, and as for variations to Jim and you most likly that imformation is long ago lost! Where In My thoughts of different reels will be pre and post world war 11, so you folks write , and as jim has found out OCEAN city also made fly reels ether for South bend or the other way around! Jim what does that P,over C stand for? Your cold OHIO Conection Col> m. lorens aka SWIM JIG

[clinton_beeler]

Milt,
Has anyone ever written down a cross-reference of those interchangeable parts? (I'm guessing no.) Such a thing would probably be of immense practical value! I'm currently wrestling with that subject just as it relates to Zebco. I remember seeing one, handwritten, taped to a post in Zebco's warehouse years (decades) ago and would give "my eye teeth" for it today.

Regards,
Clinton

P.S. Did you get the production sheets?

[SWIM JIG]

Clinton, I have one frome Shakespere /south bend , the items in red letters are the south bend same as! I ahve a few others that show the same #s that will fit different reels, ZEBCO done this for a long time however they are on different pages. As for my thoughts on this, 1 DIAWA has a (close out prit out of parts and their parts book says QUOTE! part 3 -will work in reel or reels bla bla and that part # this is changed to this! Having over 300 master mfg manuals including ZEBCOS that is 1400 pages long, the Daiwa that is 1800 pages long, and if we added up all of Shakesperes it would total over 1500 pages, Shiamano around 2300 pages, and the list goes on! PENN for instance is around 900 pages MITCHEL around 800 in may different books! OKUMA that is hopeless they change part nos. moreoften than I change my socks! What tis does to a shop like mine or Bill Sponskys is total havic, we will spend more time on finding a 15cent washer when someone calls us than the part is worth! (thats why we ask people to send in the old part, its much easier to match and ship the part back than to hunt it in anywhere from 12 to 35 different #changes. ( example a pawl is $3.50 regardless what company its for, we pul out a box with zebco pawls and match it pack it and shaipmit with the old one with it. Time envolved ? about 20 mins, and a trip to the po whic we do daily! Teas a cross referance would be fantastic however the amount of time to put all the 3s on the pkg would be labor costly! ( My thoughts on this mass confusion, 1 it gives work to employees, 2 confuses the warrent centers, 3 makes it imposible to do a true inventory count 4 like shiamano done years ago they sold the centers more parts under a different # 5 is hard on the retail buyer of their products, keeps people buying new reels with only cosmetic changes no new internal changes. ! Clinton its all about money NOT service anymore! Remeber ZEBCO sells reels not parts! There is much more to this and the retail buyer is the loser in the long run! YES I would enjoy a true cross over and so would every other repair or service or warrenty shop! and now these companies are putting everthing on a WEB SITE or a CD, is it fair to shops ? no is it fair to the owner of the reel? no. What the other side is 1 if it cost more to fix a reel the companies get to sell a new one! again the consumer is the loser! A example of our cost ( avearge size reel to repair is $9.95 we cleand lube and repair as its already apart plus parts! after a size Example 109 penn size it $12.95 labor. now if we spend 30 mins on a cross ref of parts there goes about 2/3 of another repair job, whom or what pays for time lost!? Trust this may answere a lot of peoples questions. With respect and thoughts to the retail buyers, Col. M. LORENS aka SWIM JIG in cold ohio

[Reel Geezer]

Milt: It's nice to know you change your socks at least once a month.

[SWIM JIG]

If things get any worse here at (POVERTY PLAZZA) I will get a brush and paint them (feet) black and that way I wont need socks or shoes) and its soooo cooollldd at POVERTY Pl*bass*a in OHIO I had to sit on a block of ice to get warm! ITSS VERY cold in OHIO tonight! Col. M. LORENS aka SWIM JIG