Vintage Saltwater Fly Reels - Beginner's Questions

[jsrieck]

I guess I've become mesmerized by gold anodizing...

I think the old saltwater fly reels are pretty cool, however, I can't find a good source of info. I'd appreciate y'all's thoughts:

1. What are the classic saltwater fly reels? I know about Seamaster, the Fin-Nor wedding cake, any others?

2. About Seamaster - I am not a collector, but I do want to get the "right" one. I understand that they are still in production, how do I tell the old ones from the new ones?

3. About Fin-Nor - I hardly ever see the Wedding Cake version come up, but I do find lots of #1s, #2s, #3s on Ebay. It seems that Fin-Nor revamped the line every few years...can someone give me a run-down of the models and when the designs changed?

4. The cottage industry - there is quite a cottage industry for freshwater reels (Bogdan, Sarccione, and others), did (does) that exist for the saltwater rods?

Also, please direct me to any websites that have a good source of info, especially those that might list past models and when they changed.

Thanks!

JTSR

[reeltackle]

Hi,
You have too many questions for me to address by typing. If you need the info you can contact me at 561-748-7508
Hope to speak with you,
Ed Pritchard
antiquefishingreels.com

[Jack Bright]

One that stands out as beautifully made,and internally some of the finest
machining, etc., and aesthethically too is the Bogdan reel, has the 'S' handle as the older Seamasters, if you can get past the gold anodizing thing
there are Zwargs, Early Vom Hofes, and of later date the Jurasics(Billy
Pate) reels and many more, why not join our group ? Only $30 per year
AND you get a great magazine 6 times a year plus this fine board to explore
day in and day out. Join and enjoy.----Jack