Quest Outdoors

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

This is my . Match Aerial - these were actually made by JWYoung and marketed under the . name between 1965 and 1971. Wonderful reels (a favourite of mine) for trotting though the paint does tend to flake off them as you can see from mine!

These are 4.5 inch diameter narrow drum 6 spoke reels.

Oh, and one of my handmade floats too! Haven't made floats for a while, really must start doing so again.

More pics of same:

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

Another Paul Witcher reel - you can clearly see Paul's speciality which is his antique ageing effect. Apparently down to hours of polishing with some rather noxious substances!

This is one of my favourite looking reels. Sadly only a few were made, and any that do come up for sale (probably just this one!) have a huge asking price!

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

A recent, though now sadly discontinued model, from the JWYoungs stable. This is the Browning Revolver, a 12-spoke plain bushing-style pin. Similar in some respects to the current Bob James model (though this is a true 12-spoke whereas the back 6 of the BJ are machined as part of the spool). Whether you like the colour is another matter!

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

The grandfather of them all - the original . Aerial (whether it's a 1915 or 1920 I'm not sure but it's from around that period).

Henry Coxon (a champion caster) invented the Aerial style reel in 1896 - . perfected the style, this was the result!

SageDrifter · Lunker Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 726

i'll add in these two Ontario made Pins to the collection.

Smith & Smith:

Specs:

4 1/2"
3/4" wide
capacity 350 yrds of 8Lb Mono

this one has the marking P-001 on the inside lip of the hub. i'm unsure if it means "prototype" or "production". i've had this one roughly 19yrs (as long as i've been drifting/floating. although i have heard of it being alot older then that by 5-10yrs.

Unknown:

was made East of Toronto, by a local guy. time period unknown, but i've had it 10yrs now. great lil spinner and a VERY good start-up rate. it sits in an "un-finished" condition, i'm assuming that it's original condition.

Specifics:

3 1/2"
7/8" wide
capacity : 350yrds 6Lb Mono
Originally i purchased it for $40 Cdn

[img][/img]

Chromebuck · Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 8:06 am Post subject:

I figured Sage would chime in on this thread! You are such a gear head my friend!!!

Spindle,

Another beautiful selection of trotting history. I'm going to try a response to your original question that I was unable to attend to yesterday.

Spoked reels are certainly an authentic depiction of the true roots of this sport. That cannot be denied... However, the only reels truly available on this side of the pond have been the Wilson and the James by JW Young. Ebay offers some fine examples if you can afford the British Sterling conversion for an original!!! There are obviously others(Lythes, Millworks, etc.) that have homepages that offer traditional aerial replicas worldwide...They just haven't caught on here...

It may be just me but I think most people feel form follows function over here. Most are not really that concerned about the traditional aspect of the sport. Perhaps because its not our tradition??? Dont know??? For instance, I think it would be a fairly hard sell to push a line of split cane rods for float fishing that weigh over a pound to flog waters all day with. Here in the States most riparian rights do not include "in the water" so the general public in most places and states (not all) can wade fish for very long distances. So generally we go with high tech super lite everything. No waxed Barbours, tweed hats, or ascotts (no offense of course). So it would be my oppinion that aerial style reels just seem too complicated with parts and appear to have a high degree of fragility. Most here are just too hard on equipment.

A novel concept...I'm assuming that the spokes are used for truing the spool if it should become warped???

Again, good interesting thread and thanks...

~CB

SageDrifter · Lunker Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 726

gear head huh? lol Cool

ok time to ante up Keith Razz

Miller:

3 3/4"
Hub is 6061T Alum
Spool & Clicker Assem. is Titanium

IMW:

4 1/2"
6061T Alum.
unsure of it's origin (possibly B.C. Can)

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

CB

You're right - the spokes can be used to true-up a wobbly aerial, though I hear it's a real pain to get good results!

I guess in the UK centrepins are sometimes seen as "a bit purist", and certainly pins and cane rods do have a big following. Probably a bit of a backlash against the overly-modern digita-age tackle that is used today. It seems that what used to be the gentle art of angling has turned into an all-out-war between man and fish! A bit over the top for me, so I like to keep it simple where possible.

The Aerial type was invented by a casting champion at the end of the 19th century to improve his casting distances. This was before the invention of the threadline (fixed-spool) reel though, and I guess these days the spoked-aerial design is a bit unnecessary.

Perhaps in the UK 'pin makers are constrained by our heritage, whereas as you say, the US/Canada doesn't have that so much. So your 'pins are designed in a more modern way to suit your own particular angling styles and design preferences. I note for example that you use lots of heavy line and backing on your reels. Over here it is common to only hold about 50-80 yards of line at most, and this is quite enough for the styles of fishing we use 'pins for.

At some point soon I'll post a thread on the kind of waters and fish in the UK where we like to fish with centrepins.

It will be interesting to see where we head in the future here in the UK. Angling is starting to accept the centrepin again as a useful (as well as fun) tool, and this seems to be encouraging interest from more mainstream manufactures to introduce a pin into their range - such as the Okuma Aventa. Perhaps the US/Canadian 'pin styles will start to appear over here. I hope so!

Glenn

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

By the way Sage... that Miller with the Ti spool?

GORGEOUS!

Smile

Chromebuck · Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject:

Spindle,

It took some research but I remebered the English reel recently up on Ebay. It has very similar lines to the Miller. What do you know of it?

forgot its a Hardy Grey Bewick

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

CB

I'm not sure it is really anything to do with Hardy (it's just that Hardy now own Greys). It's a Greys Bewick as you say, and a friend of ours reviews it here:

http://www.fishing.co.uk/article.php3?id=1965

It's not a bad reel (though I'd prefer proper spokes to machined ones), but I think they are overpriced. They retail at £200 over here (sorry, don't know the current exchange rate and it's probably irrelevant anyway) but I reckon it would be a huge seller if they sold it for £100 instead.

Glenn

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

I won't cover the following makes in detail, but for completeness I'll simply add the following links:

www.jwyoung.co.uk

for details of their older reels, see here:

http://www.jwyoung.co.uk/history/history.htm

Also:

http://www.center-pin-fishing-reels.com/pages/index.html

Graham Peplar has a good selection of old reels to see here:

http://www.bonefishadventure.com/vintagetackle/centrepins.htm

Have a look out for the Speedias he has for sale - I know Kevan will fill you in with more details on those reels.

smitty_33 · Egg Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 1

i'm pretty sure the IMW pin's were made in a shop in chilliwack B.C. a distant suburb of vancouver. they didn't make too many of them i don't think and they don't make them anymore.

SageDrifter · Lunker Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 726

manage to find a few more in my archives Laughing

A.B.I Xtreme:

this one here is a prototype Adam loaned me to help gain some exposure for him in my area. not the lack finish as it's just in it's raw "heat treated form"

Ang Spec AR 5"(anti-reverse):

this pic i saved from the Ang Spec site. although i don't have one of these, i fear i just commited to one off a very good friend of CB's and mine here in Ont. Shocked

Home Made Ang Spec knock-off:

here's one i looked at in Aug of this year. 5" version of Ang Spec off-set. the reel seat footing has been altered to avoid err copyright issues Wink

L.G. Custom:

basically a Stanton replica

Unknown:

CB might be able to correct me on this one, i think the maker of this Pin has plans to produce some of these in the near future or can produce one if so desired. i believe his name is Alan T.

ok honestly?... that's all the pics i have Smile

at this moment i'm tryin to decide on whether to make an offer to the guy for either the Miller or IMW. i have 3 pins i've committed to in the next 6 month time frame, so i'll thank CB for the collecting bug i now have Rolling Eyes

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

"Ang Spec AR 5"(anti-reverse)"

That's my favourite design so far of "your" style of 'pins. It's fabulous!

I never seen or heard of virtually any of the pins you guys have posted. Over here we got all excited when the Okuma Aventa was released! Says it all!