Norm MacDonald Centrepin reels

[dkdivot28]

I have 5 reels from an estate. Wanting to know any interest? Value? Market?

MCDONALD, NORM REELS
Norm McDonald was a master machinist and an avid sport fisherman for most of his life. He fly fished mainly in Ontario and later in BC and the Northwest of the U.S.

Sometime in the 1950's, he decided to try his hand at improving upon the fly reels he had been using and proceeded to machine and assemble reels of his own design. He made a few reels for himself and gave a few as gifts to selected friends.

The regional Sales Manager for Orvis at the time was given a Norm McDonald fly reel by George Keough who was a noted fly fisherman, as well as being an Orvis Sales Representative, and a friend and fishing partner of Norm.

The reel came to the attention of Orvis President, Lee Perkins., who asked about the maker. Eventually, Lee Perkins found out the reel had been designed and made in Vancouver, Canada by Norm McDonald and Perkins tried without success to get McDonald to make reels for the Orvis company's special clients. It is a testament to Norm's skill that his reels are so highly prized.

[john elder]

pics?

[Nick in NY]

Would love to see pictures as well! Freshwater, saltwater, fly, big game etc?

[Mike N]

pics?

Sorry. Just couldn’t resist.

[Teal]

I will also throw in my plea for high quality images. They will us a lot.

-- Dr. Todd

[john elder]

Well, Hi res they ain't, but these are from Phil White via Roger Schulz's files, so we can at least get a notion of what they are like.