Bronson 804 Wildcat

Farace · Post by **Farace** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:52 pm

Next reel to be pulled out of my grandfather's gear is a Bronson 804 Wildcat closed-face reel. Dark brown anodized cover, light brown plastic body, white plastic thumb button. It's kind of cool in a late-50s way; the anodized cover reminds me of those colored anodized drinking tumblers that were popular then. Does this have any collector value, or am I better off just putting new line on it and letting my son use it?

Thanks!

Jim Schottenham · Post by **Jim Schottenham** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 6:14 pm

Bob,
I'd love to be able to use a reel my great-grandfather used! My favorite old time outfit was one my grandmother used and kept in the trunk of the car. Rain or shine, she never missed a chance to pull over lakeside at a little Vermont lake on our way to Hampton Beach each summer to let me cast for bass. I'll never forget those fishin' trips or that rod and reel. Let your son fish with it, and enjoy the fishin' trips!

orourke · Post by **orourke** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:43 pm

Bob:

$10- $15 here in Bronson. I agree with Jim, let the boy fish it!

Dave "O"

Farace · Post by **Farace** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:43 pm

I had a feeling the consensus would be that it's worth more as a user, but I had to check. I just didn't know. I just took my son fishing for the first time in late August (he's barely 4), and gave him a rod that my grandfather gave me when I was five, so we have the heirloom thing going already, and I guess I'll add this to the pile. Maybe I'll eventually run across some equally late-fifties-kitsch looking rod to match it to.