Fin Nor Fly Fishing Reels Question

[ThomWV]

My question is simple. Does what I'm doing make any sense?

I am not a collector in any real sense, but several years ago I began to collect a single model of a single reel. I fell in love with the Fin Nor Fast Retrieve (FR) series of fly reels. They aren't old but they certainly struck a place in my heart.

I've never been able to find out much about the reels, other than they were among the last made as the company failed. The reels were made in both a direct drive and an anti-reverse version. They were made in four numbered sizes, 6 through 12 in increments of two so there are eight reels in the series. To the best of my knowledge all reels are aluminum, anodized gold The reel model number roughly equates to the line weight for which it was designed.

My small collection consists of an FR6DD, FR8DD, FR8AR, FR10DD, FR10AR FR12DD. Six down, two to go. Three of the reels are in unused condition, on two the previous owner etched his initials on the underside of the reel foot. I sure wish he hadn't done that.

One of my reels, the FR8DD, seems to be unusual. It was made in Willmington, North Carolina rather than Miami, Florida, it uses a different serial number scheme and location, and different machine process to make it. The reel is in unused condition, I have all the original paperwork, pouch, and box for it.

So, tell me, am I foolish to persue this small collection? I know they aren't old; just a few years ago you could have bought them out of a catalog, plastic and an 800-number. That doesn't diminish their beauty though. They are works of the fisherman's and machinest arts. There never were very many of them in the first place and nobody's ever gonna make another one. I don't have a lot of money but at an average cost of about $300 each these have been something that has been do-able on my megar budget.

What do you think?

[Teal]

You should definitely collect them. If they make you happy--which they certainly appear to do--and you find them appealing, go for it!

Some of my favorite spinning reels are my Fin-Nors and I believe, as you do, that they will be more valuable in time and I don't think it will be many years before people begin to collect them in earnest. Think of yourself as ahead of the curve.

Good luck on your collection, who knows? It might spur you to collect other Fin-Nor reels, and then other reels, and before you know it, you'll be a bonafide reel collector.

Good luck. Post a pic if you get a chance as I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes to see pics.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd