Johnny walker spinning reel

[Kushie48]

Ever seen one. I picked up this reel at a yard sale and can't find anything on it. It was made in Japan. Thanks for any help.

[jimbofish]

Johnny Walker was a local company in Detroit that made inexpensive tackle and rods they peddled to discount stores in the Great Lakes region. That reel is probably from the '70s.

[David M]

Welcome Kushie!

Under the Ebay "Completed Listings" advanced search function, there are currently Johnny Walker bait-casters, spin-casters, a fly reel, a spinning reel, and rods. Most likely, all or most are manufactured by the Olympic Fishing Tackle Company in Japan.

There's also mono line, hooks, collapsible fish baskets, and salmon egg dispensers, made in Taiwan and Japan for Walker International, Detroit, MI.

I'd take Johnnie Walker over Johnny Walker however.

[Midway Tommy D]

The Tiny Mite was made in Japan in the early 60's. It is an Alcedo Micron ultra-lite copy, as is its cousin the Spin Mitey. They are not highly collectible or valuable but there are a few who actually collect the Japanese copies of some of the more famous reels. Yours looks to be in pretty nice condition except for the medallion, which will detract quite a bit from its value.

Tom

[scottorock]

Japanese copies have been increasing in price/demand over the last few years....and believe it or not most I've sold have returned to Japan! (North Eastern states being a close second)

[Teal]

Japanese imported reels are actually quite hot. I would know as I've collected the trade version of these reels for nearly twenty years and have watched as prices have creeped on many of them past what I am willing to pay. Some of the 1950s import reels in picture boxes like the Top Cat regularly bring 75-100 now, and sometimes more. The little ultralights like this are very popular; Bob Halver shows one marked Airex in his great book and I showed one marked for a Canadian company about a year ago in The Reel News. I've seen at least seven or eight markings. This is a new one to me.

[Kushie48]

Thank you Teal your knowledge and expertise has helped me so much.

[Kushie48]

Did not want to leave anyone out and thank all that have responded to my post. What a great site to have so much knowledge in one place. I've collected fishing reels for over 40 years so if I can pass to anyone I would love help. Again thank you all.

[Teal]

@Kushie48 Thank you for sharing your reel! Like I said I follow the Japanese imports fairly carefully and hadn't seen this one before. Please don't be a stranger around here! We'd all love to see more of your collection.

Here's the Frank Hacking trade reel (made in Japan) ultralight I referenced earlier.

[Midway Tommy D]

Here are a couple more cousins, Airex 365 & Spin Mitey. The 365 is a slightly different design than the others shown.


Tom

[Ben]

Hi Guys,
an I interesting post, I will be doing an article on these for the reel news sometime
next year,
Dr Todd is right some of these are hard to find.
I have about 20 diff ones in my collection and looking for more
Ben

[nmaccarp]

I just picked up an Olympic perfecta hurricane 600 with box and papers. I will post pics of it soon..