Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Use this forum to share your stuff so round up your favorite reels! Questions can still go to the Reel Talk - General Forum
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Re: Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Post by 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.
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
User avatar
Ron Mc
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3384
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 7:49 am
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Contact:

Re: Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Post by Ron Mc »

c. 1915 Leonard Fairy Catskill and my avatar
Image

marked 1918 FE Thomas Special and a later (30s) Young pattern 15a
Image
which was also sold as the Thomas Special Reel
ImageImage

prewar Heddon 2f Folsom 1505 and Young pattern 16a
Image

same reel with a Thomas Dirigo
Image

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

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

8' Heddon #14 1-3/4f with Meek 55
Image
same rod with a Dingley uniqua marked for Graham & Sons of Cockermouth
Image
User avatar
Mike N
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3763
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:50 pm
Location: WV

Re: Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Post by 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
Mike N.
ORCA Founder, 1990
User avatar
Ron Mc
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3384
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 7:49 am
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Contact:

Re: Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Post by 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Most of the marketing is like bicycles - they can only sell you N+1 by convincing that what you already have is obsolete.
User avatar
john elder
Star Board Poster
Posts: 8541
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm

Re: Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Post by 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
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member

Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
User avatar
Ron Mc
Star Board Poster
Posts: 3384
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 7:49 am
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Contact:

Re: Classic Rod and Reel Combos

Post by 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
Image

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.
Image
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.
Image
Floyd with one of his rods and a fat hen.
Image
And here he is with the Kusse Leonard Mills
Image
Post Reply