SPRIG: A Branch of ORCA

Phantom Fisher · Post by **Phantom Fisher** » Sun May 09, 2004 7:32 pm

Jack Sindt and I invite everyone who is interested to join us in forming SPRIG: the Silly Plastic Reel Interest Group.

My passion in this area is the reels of Adam Hypnarowski of Buffalo, NY; Jack's is the reels of Edward Rassey of Detroit, MI (or so we believe). Since Phil has an exceptionally valuable SPR in his "pivoting reel" collection, we hope he, among others, will join us in this crusade. (If not, we'll just have to make him our first honorary member.)

Surely there are other potential SPRIGgers out there. Let's all stand up and be counted!

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Sun May 09, 2004 10:44 pm

Laurie:
I assume you are referring to this extremely high quality Spin Clicker reel.

If so, I want in.
Phil

Jim Schottenham · Post by **Jim Schottenham** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:15 am

All 4 of these are in the SPRIG catagory:

Will that get me in?

Jim Schottenham

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon May 10, 2004 4:02 am

Is SPRIG open to Lenz lovers?

Reel Geezer · Post by **Reel Geezer** » Mon May 10, 2004 12:07 pm

What's a Lenz?

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:17 pm

It's a place to store cataracts.

Jack S · Post by **Jack S** » Mon May 10, 2004 9:13 pm

Geez, doesn't anybody work anymore? I come home from work to find our SPRIG has sprung and we already have doubled our membership! WOW! I hope Laurie has explained our annual dues. We will accept Pay-Pal and of course cash. We don't have any publication as yet, so we could probably e-mail you some pics of our collections every 6 months or so. And we will send you a really neat membership card with personalized photos of the two of us. What more could you want? Eh?

Jack

Ron Mc · Post by **Ron Mc** » Wed May 12, 2004 7:20 am

Didn't J.J. Walker say NY-O-LITE (?)

Phantom Fisher · Post by **Phantom Fisher** » Thu May 13, 2004 5:04 am

Delighted to see so many of you take this seriously.

Phil: Your Spin Klicker absolutely qualifies. It may be the quintessential Silly Plastic Reel.

Jim: Those Indiana-style SPRs are terrific. What are they?

Steve: Lenzes are also welcome. Cataracts are not.

Ron: Ny-o-lite! Not a bad NY SPR, even if it is a spinning reel. And that's probably what J.J. meant to say.

Jack: What's this about dues? You know we'd just blow the cash on more SPRs.

So, gang, how about some more pictures?

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Thu May 13, 2004 6:58 am

Does this count? It is a very very rare Zebco#707. It is not rare in the sense that they didn't make many but in the fact that most were smart enough not to buy one. And where do I send my buffalo nickle?

Sorry about the bad picture, like everyone expects a quality photo of a not so quality reel.
harvey

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu May 13, 2004 7:36 am

Ny-o-lites and Zebcos (Zebcoes?) have more than one moving part and therefore should not be eligible for SPRIG, despite J. J.'s and Harvey's fervent pleading.

Here's another pic:

clinton_beeler · Post by **clinton_beeler** » Thu May 13, 2004 9:07 am

Phil: Beautiful reel

Harvey: UGLY reel! (candidate for ugly reel toss) I could tell you more about it if you want.

Steve: Does this mean that the "Popiel Pocket Fisherman" doesn't qualify?

Now I have to get back to building my "Zebpfleugerspear".

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Thu May 13, 2004 12:00 pm

Yes, Clinton. Tell us! Always willing to learn something new.
harvey

clinton_beeler · Post by **clinton_beeler** » Fri May 14, 2004 7:23 am

The following is from the "Spinning Reel Business Plan 1976/77", page 5.

"In the late 1950's and early 1960's the trend in the U.S. reel market reflected a shift away from the once dominant level-wind reel to spinning and closed-face usage. In order to expand Zebco's partcipation in the total reel market, the Langley spinning reel line was acquired in late 1962 with manufacturing established in Tulsa. The first complete selling year was 1963/64.

Langley represented 3.6% of Zebco unit sales in 1963/64 (100,000 units) but increased to 6.4% (238,000) in 1964/65 with the introduction of the 707 reel. In 1970/71 Langley sales totaled 152,000 units compared to 154,000 in 1965/66. During this same period, spinning as a percent of the total reel market increased from 32 to 34 percent. A major factor that led to the discontinuation of the Langley line was the lack of emphasis on new product development. In addition, imported reels from Japan began to gain market share during the mid-1960's (Daiwa in 1966), which was heightened in 1968 following the Kennedy Round Tarrif reductions. These factors, coupled with tooling obsolescence, led to the decision to discontinue the line in 1971. The impact of the 707 on total unit sales is shown below: "

Without trying to put the chart here I will say that in 1964 237,968 Langleys were sold of which 160,091 were 707's. A total of 682,557 707's were sold. Not bad for such an ugly little reel. By the way, There was a left-handed version of most of the Langleys. Look for a 4 on the end of the model number (830/834 etc.). These have an extra gear in them to reverse the crank direction and were a special order item. Father says that they represent only about 1% of total production.

Regards,
Clinton

Post by **john elder** » Fri May 14, 2004 7:57 am

I have a headache

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Fri May 14, 2004 8:21 am

Thanks Clinton. Great Info. Can't wait for the book.

And John, A sure cure for your headache, clamp a set
of vice-grips onto your left earlobe. Makes you forget
about the little stuff.

harvey

clinton_beeler · Post by **clinton_beeler** » Fri May 14, 2004 8:38 am

Sorry about the headache John. Take two brook trout and call me in the morning.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri May 14, 2004 6:38 pm

You would think that little or nothing would be coupled with tooling obsolescence. Learn something new here every day.

Post by **Brian F.** » Sat May 15, 2004 9:24 pm

Does this get me in SPRIG?

Jack S · Post by **Jack S** » Sat May 15, 2004 9:53 pm

I think that one would qualify. How 'bout it, Laurie, is it good enough? That's the first teardrop shaped knobs I've seen - NEAT! You're in Brian!

Jack S

Phantom Fisher · Post by **Phantom Fisher** » Tue May 18, 2004 11:09 am

Brian,

A red Hypnarowski! I'm sooooooooooooo jealous! (Under other circumstances, I'd say green with envy.) If you can bear to part with it, I'd be happy to send another SPR in trade.

Here are a few Hypnarowskis from my collection. I have several with the teardrop-shaped grasps, but nothing in red:

Post by **Brian F.** » Tue May 18, 2004 2:18 pm

Had no idea Laurie or I woulda dropped you a note! I hope you have some spare parts cause it's gonna need a foot. Aw shucks, Laurie, that's one less reel for me to bring to Washington!

Phantom Fisher · Post by **Phantom Fisher** » Fri May 28, 2004 11:20 am

Brian,

Thanks so much for the neat addition to my Hypnarowski collection! It was very kind of you to send it home to New York.

ayres654 · Post by **ayres654** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:59 pm

Hi,
I was just wandering around out there;no headache or anything
,sort of looking for noble causes&windmills and found your post.
I need to ask,in the interest of us old ,pre -plastic folks, does bakekite count

Old MR Bill,

Bill Himmelstein

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Fri May 28, 2004 5:32 pm

If bakalite counts, I am in like Flynn! (Like I need something else to join!) From where I am setting, I can count 12 diffrent bakalite reels and I don't even collect them per say.
harvey