william jordan invented fly reels

[terry walters]

Hey guys,

My great to the 3rd or 4th grandfather was William Jordan. He was from the Maine area and "supposedly" invented the open face or open something fly reel. Unfortunately, a cousin sold all of his prototypes at a yard sale twenty some odd years ago. She stole them by the way, and sold them for pennies as old broken reels at a yard sale. I'm looking for any information on his reels. Other than what I've posted I know nothing else. I'm hoping to find one or two for my own collection. If anyone has any info on this please reply.
Thanks,
Terry Walters

[Steve]

Terry,
I've been searching for very early reel patents for several decades, and I'm pretty confident none was issued to a William Jordan before 1920. I've never found any from a later date, either, but my collection of later patents is not as complete. By 1920, the general design of the ancestors of modern fly reels was pretty well established.

It would help if you could tell us what you mean by "open something." Also, it's possible that grandpa to the 3rd or 4th power made some "prototypes" at home but never got any farther with them. And are you certain you have grandpa's name right? I have a couple of old, non-fly-reel patents involving a couple of different Jordans.

[terry walters]

Thanks Steve.

I have a William Jordan, Lewis Jordan, and Wesley Jordan. There father was William G. Jordan from the Wells, Maine York Co. area. I'm still trying to find out what the open faced whatever is... thanks for the help.

[Steve]

Terry,
A Louis (not Lewis) Jordan from New Haven patented a click/drag device in 1909, but the drawings show it on a baitcasting reel, not a fly reel. Judging from the drawings, I'd guess Jordan worked for the Andrew Hendryx company in New Haven.

Any chance we're getting warmer?