G.W. Gayle & Son Tarpon Reel

[reeltackle]

I recently came across this G.W. Gayle & Son Tarpon reel but am having a hard time finding any information on it. This reel measures 4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches across the inside spool. It appears that the original handle has been replaced with a Blackburn drag handle and a Blackburn anti-reverse was also added. The reel has a top hat style face-plate and front mounted click button at 9 o'clock. The reel also came with a leather thumb drag which I have removed while doing some preliminary cleaning but will put back on when I am finished. The reel is marked -

G.W. Gayle & Son
Frankfort, Ky.

The only reel that I could find that was close was a 3 inch diameter Gayle. Does anyone have any information about this reel?

Thanks!

Ed

[reelsmith.]

Only help I can lend is suggesting a call with Curry Gayle.

Great find Ed.

Dean.

[RonG]

Here's a page from the Clarence Gayle catalog showing the reel.

[Jay White]

I Like IT!!!!

[john elder]

Love the reel! Hate the drag! What an awful thing to do to that beautiful reel!!

[wrong99]

Yes, those drags were monstrosities. Tough reel, though.

[Steve]

What an awful thing to do to that beautiful reel!!

Can't we assume that the owner actually fished with the reel and laid out another $150 for one he could immediately put into his display case?

[reeltackle]

Only help I can lend is suggesting a call with Curry Gayle.

Great find Ed.

Dean.

Thanks Dean, I will get in touch with him.

Here's a page from the Clarence Gayle catalog showing the reel.

Thanks for posting the advertisement Ron, it is greatly appreciated but it would seem that it only begs a few more questions.

The first question is: Ron, do you know what year the catalog is from?

The second question regards the reels size: According to the advertisement the 3 1/8 inch reel pictured is the "HEAVY LAKE AND LIGHT SEA REEL". The next size up was the "TARPON" reel and then the largest size was the "TUNA & SAIL FISH" reel. I wonder which size my reel is? When I said the reel was a tarpon reel I did not know that they actually had a "TARPON" model, it just looked like a tarpon sized reel to me. So, was my 4 inch reel the largest size reel, the TUNA & SAILFISH" reel, or was there a larger size reel than my 4 inch reel making my reel the in-between size "TARPON REEL".

The third questions is: Has anyone ever seen a 4 inch G.W. Gayle reel or a larger model?

The handle does not bother me in the least. It is not that I wouldn't rather have the original handle but this is a period replacement, something that the angler paid extra for to improve his gear and to better his chances at landing the fish he was angling for. The Blackburn handle was one of the very first attempts at an adjustable drag and I think it and the Blackburn anti-reverse are both loaded with character.

Picture of reel with its original thumb drag put back on.

[RonG]

Here's one that sold in Lang's in 2012. I couldn't copy the photo.

Only Known Gayle No. 11 Casting Reel
An exceptional German silver reel with a 4" diameter and 2 1/8" wide spool, in a special order No. 11 size. Stamped on the head plate "G. W. Gayle & Son - Frankfort, KY - Hand Made", this remarkable reel is also fitted with an early "Pat'd Jan. 14, '02" stamped Rabbeth handle with two large hourglass shaped wooden grasps, and leather thumb drag. As you would expect, this high quality reel spins forever at the slightest turn of the handle, and with knurled removable end caps, shouldered pillars and head plate mounted click switch, make for an attractive reel as well. The only known Gayle reel of this size, an important reel for any big game or Kentucky made reel collector.
Sold - $10,637.50

[reeltackle]

Thank you Ron! Now there are two known, their census figures just doubled!

[Steve]

original thumb drag

Isn't that thumb drag on the front of the reel?