Stuart fly reel

[dreamfishin]

Any one know about Stuart fly reels? Made in Norwalk Conn. U.S.A. Worth collecting?

[Richard Lodge]

Stuarts are interesting reels, very similar to what L.W. Holmes was making in Oronoque (Strattford), Conn., around the same time, 1946-52. Both reels were meant to look like Hardy Perfects, IMHO, but neither had the smooth gearing and ball bearings of the Hardy reels of the time. And the US-made reels were much, much cheaper, of course.
Collecting Stuarts? Why not? The only problem is there aren't many variations, from what I've seen. Holmes made around 8-10 different types and sizes of trout and salmon reels, plus at least one style of non-level wind baitcaster I know of and one style of saltwater reel that I've seen. If Stuart made more than 1-2 variations on the same theme, it would be news to me.
Richard

[dreamfishin]

thanks I appreciate the info