Thread: Any Collectors of Antique Fishing Gear?

I have a 5.5" diameter fly fishing (or trolling) reel. It has Pflueger SAL-TROUT No. 1558 stamped on it. Anyone know anything about it?

The other night I was reading a thread that one of the posts mentioned a “Winston Rod”. I hadn’t heard that name for many years. I don’t fly fish any more, but I have wonderful memories of many fishing trips to northern California and Montana. Anyway, back in the seventies I was fascinated with bamboo rods and the history of the famous makers. I ended up in San Francisco and had Doug Merrick of the Winston Rod Company build a rod for me. This was around the time that Tom Morgan (I think that was his name) was buying the company and planning to move it to Montana. I got Merrick to sign the rod: “Built for Steven Boyd by Doug Merrick”.

What is interesting is that Bambo rods, by Winston, cost around $3000.00 today! I paid somewhere around $300.00 for mine in the early to middle seventies. Yea, I about fell off my chair when I found that out what they cost now. Well, there is a chapter in "Classic Rods and Rod Makers" devoted to Doug Merrick and the Winston Rod Company, of San Francisco. I have no idea what this rod could be worth, but I am glad that I insisted that Merrick sign the rod. The rod is a light 7' (2-1/2 oz) and takes a #4 line. I call it a "little flicker" It's a beautiful rod for small streams. With a 12" trout it's really fun!

Originally Posted by icedog

I have a 5.5" diameter fly fishing (or trolling) reel. It has Pflueger SAL-TROUT No. 1558 stamped on it. Anyone know anything about it?

I know that Pflueger is a very well made dependable Fly-reel. I don't think they are worth a lot of money, but if I were investing in Fly-rod equipment, it would be a good choice in regard to "a-good-bang-for-the-buck". Probably the Fly-rod brand that would be worth the most would be "Hardy". But, realize that the fly reel is one piece of equipment that is not required to be a high quality function product. It just stores line. Other types of fishing, the reel plays a much more important part, i.e., Bass fishing, deep sea fishing (especially), Salmon & Steelhead fishing, etc,...

Steve

Originally Posted by zepplin

I know that Pflueger is a very well made dependable Fly-reel. I don't think they are worth a lot of money, but if I were investing in Fly-rod equipment, it would be a good choice in regard to "a-good-bang-for-the-buck". Probably the Fly-rod brand that would be worth the most would be "Hardy". But, realize that the fly reel is one piece of equipment that is not required to be a high quality function product. It just stores line. Other types of fishing, the reel plays a much more important part, i.e., Bass fishing, deep sea fishing (especially), Salmon & Steelhead fishing, etc,...

Steve

Thanks Steve. I am not trying to sell the thing. I just moved and I have alot of items I don't need that I've been moving around for years but have no use for. However, I can't bring myself to just throw the stuff away. I am hoping someone will give this nice old reel a good home.

In the morning I will see if I can figure out my new camera and post a photo of the thing.

Brad

Originally Posted by icedog

Thanks Steve. I am not trying to sell the thing. I just moved and I have alot of items I don't need that I've been moving around for years but have no use for. However, I can't bring myself to just throw the stuff away. I am hoping someone will give this nice old reel a good home.

In the morning I will see if I can figure out my new camera and post a photo of the thing.

Brad

Excuse me Brad,

I feel foolish for having listed my Winston rod as a collector's item. If you look at your 1st post in this thread, you mention nothing of finding a home for your reel. It is, or implies, a question if anyone has or is a collector of fishing gear.

Let me see, I think I'll give you an "F" for communication.

LOL, Steve

No don't feel foolish. I love the pictures and posting them was perfectly appropriate. I asked for collectors of old gear because someone who collects on a broad basis might want this reel. I think the price is right.

Pflueger fly reels are still used today and are an inexpensive classic. I have a 1494 on one of my rods. I'm fuzzy of memory, but I think the sal-trout is built for heavy weight line. Take a look on ebay, there will be a bunch of Pflueger fly reels that you can learn from.