More fly reel help

Tony Malatesta · Post by **Tony Malatesta** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:00 am

O.k. This one at least has a name on it but i can't find any references about it in my limited library. Solid brass with a counter balance handlewith black knob.

The name of the reel, appearing in an oval circle, is The Milbro or something close to that.

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:04 am

that is Milbro - contraction of Milward brothers. stamped from brass sheet. Made from the 30s into the 50s.
Pretty much the low end in UK fly reels.
I have scanned pages from the '37 Milwards catalog: "For cheap grade Brass Reels see Bottom Tackle Section p. 52"

Tony Malatesta · Post by **Tony Malatesta** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:16 am

Geez that was fast. I thought i was the only one on here at 7 am. in the morning. Can you believe that someone had actually painted this reel a baby blue color. Any idea as to a value. Thank's for the help. Canadian

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:19 am

I'm still making my coffee and photographing reels and catalog pages - I come into the office early every morning to do this.

The Milbro mark was essentially to keep the name separate from the high-end Milwards tackle.

c. 1937 Milward Flycraft Model 3668 size 3-1/8"
it's the J.W. Young & Sons clone of the Hardy St. George.
I landed three five-pound rainbows on this reel (and a Tonka Queen cane rod) this past weekend. The reel performed flawlessly, against some angry beasts with shoulders.
And a bit of comedy about the three bruisers. Two big hens (sows) and a hookjaw male. The male wrapped a big sunken branch - five feet long with arms and gnarly teeth - and I brought it up. I end up tucking the rod under my arm and fighting him with the branch until I can get my line unwrapped. Finally free and the on the reel again, I chunk the branch as far behind me as I can.

el Lawrence · Post by **el Lawrence** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:26 pm

Tony, it is even WORSE than it sounds as I think RON is in another time zone from you and an hour earlier... Some people are REEL crazy.

OK Ron... it's another new/diffrent/interesting reel every time you post. I am gonna HAVE to come over there and see your collection sometime this year. Of course you are always welcome to come see the insanity here...

I was sure you would be over here in a flash after Yule scouted it out.

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:32 pm

did you sell a reel to Ewell? He and I are going fishing this weekend.

when I drive in on Hwy 281, traffic is light.

el Lawrence · Post by **el Lawrence** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:12 pm

Nope, Ewell (?) didn't come away with any of my collection (not a lot of those tiny fly reels in excess here), though I figured he would give you some of the highlights...
I did however try and put him on a couple of nice Bi metal/brass/HR English fly reels that were "sitting in the basement" on ebay that looked like great ones to fish...
I will sift through my storage again if Yule needs a reel... I have one Scottish one that would be great to fish if someone could cobble a handle up.

If this warm weather keeps up we should all hit the "Devil's" early this spring.

OK if you have no traffic on 281 you must set out about 5:00 am (central) for the office...

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:18 pm

you may get me with your bimetals... they are nice to fish on little flyrods.

I'm on the road at 6:20 - it's not without traffic, but it's better than an hour later.

Hey my old Jimmy was retired at 213,000. I'm driving a new F150. They are hungry to sell these things.