Bethel Machine Co.

[Richard Lodge]

Thanks to Ed Clark, I now have 2 versions of Bethel Machine Company fly reels (Danbury, Conn.) and would like to find information about the maker. As Ed suspected, the reels are almost perfect knockoffs of a model produced by Connecticut maker L.W. Holmes, and at first examination, it's quite possible Holmes and Bethel either worked together, sold parts to each other or, more likely, one simply stole the design from the other. Anyway, if anyone has catalog info or any kind of line on Bethel Machine in Danbury, please let me know. I'm hoping to work up something for a future Reel News article.
And, p.s., I'm happy to hear the November edition has started to arrive in various places around the country.
(Remember to pull out that yellow center sheet and send in your dues).
Thanks!
Richard

[Harvey]

Let's see pictures!
"H"

[Richard Lodge]

Here's the duet of Bethel Machine Co. reels, left and center, and a remarkably similar L.W. Holmes-marked reel, at right. Coincidence or conspiracy? You be the judge...


http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?bethelft_02.jpg

http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?bethelside.jpg

http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?bethelback.jpg

[Harvey]

Great set of reels.
Thanks for the look-see!
"H"

[Richard Lodge]

Glad you liked them, but you ain't seen nothing if you haven't been to the largest L.W. Holmes reel collection in... well... in West Groton, Massachusetts! Might even be the biggest in the whole country, since I haven't exactly been challenged on that claim. I was going to start a Holmes Reel SIG (Special Interest Group, for any newbies out there), but I figured meeting with myself could get boring, since I spend most days with myself anyway.
But more to the point, any collectors out there have any info about Bethel Machine in Danbury? And, if I haven't mentioned this in a while, I'm always looking for Holmes fly reels in the box (and I'm seeking that elusive Holmes salt water reel, if he ever made one) and skeleton fly reels that I might not have in my stable. Let me know what you have! Thanks,
Richard

[reelsmith]

Speaking of CT reels, I have a box for a fly reel marked "Holovach, Shelton, CT".

Has anyone seen this reel?

Dean.

[Richard Lodge]

I bet Mr. Holovach is wondering where the box went for his reel.
As Harvey would say, "Pictures! Pictures!"

[Ed Clark]

Here is a picture.