Classic Rod and Reel Combos

[Mike N]

I’m a reel guy, of course, but I’ve come to really appreciate what a Leonard rod brings to the party. Wow.

[Ron Mc]

c. 1915 Leonard Fairy Catskill and my avatar


marked 1918 FE Thomas Special and a later (30s) Young pattern 15a

which was also sold as the Thomas Special Reel


prewar Heddon 2f Folsom 1505 and Young pattern 16a


same reel with a Thomas Dirigo


Heddon Little Rivers (Russell) with Heddon #17 Black Beauty 1-3/4f



South Bend 323 with Shakespeare Russell ('28 to '34, same age as the Little Rivers)


8' Heddon #14 1-3/4f with Meek 55

same rod with a Dingley uniqua marked for Graham & Sons of Cockermouth

[Mike N]

Nice action photos of yet a few more classic rod/reel combos, Ron. Those old beauties still work if you know how to use them.

Mike

[Ron Mc]

thanks Mike.

If you think about it much at all, High Tech and fly fishing just don't go together.
Most of the marketing is like bicycles - they can only sell you N+1 by convincing that what you already have is obsolete.

[john elder]

I’ve been waiting for you to show, Ron! You always have great pics and gear to show off! How many years and trips do you figure those catches represent?

John

[Ron Mc]

Hi John,
I'm not even a GRTU lease member this year - 800 memberships are in too great demand, plus I can always get in private access with my buddy Jimbo.
One photo is from last winter (the spinning Little Rivers), and the oldest goes back to 2003.
Numbers? The general photography rule, 50 frames to get a good one applies even more with candid fish photography.
So figure every shot there is 50 trout.
Thomas Special and Young pattern 15a


Since I'm spinning, contemporary cane from my buddy Floyd Burkette (all he wanted in trade was my Kusse Leonard Mills reel, which is half the value of the custom rod).
The buzzing reel is my beauty, previously boxed and unused Allcocks Ousel, Young pattern 1c with red agate.

Floyd builds them 100% from butt cap to tip-top.
Mine has a mesquite reel seat to fit a 2-7/8" Hardy foot, here with 1917 St. George.

Floyd with one of his rods and a fat hen.

And here he is with the Kusse Leonard Mills