Penn’s Outdoors

I recently visited the web site of fellow Pennsylvanian, Reelman, who is an antique tackle collector.  He was kind enough to answer a few questions regarding tackle collecting for the readers of Penn’s Outdoors.

What got you into collecting antique fishing tackle?

I start cleaning and repairing reels for friends. And then people from around the country started sending their reels to me to clean and repair fix. I had a room in my house where I worked on the reels that came in. Some of those reels were basket cases. And I mean they came in baskets. All apart. For me to put back together. And mostly with the same story. My kids took them apart. I just smiled. I did not mind them coming in apart. As it was fun figuring out how to put them together. The hard part is when they brought 2 or more reels in pieces. In the same baggy. Now that was a challenge.

So I was always looking for parts to fix the discontinued reels that were coming in. That I could not get new parts for. While looking for the parts reels at flee markets and yard sales. I would find old reels and lures. I really liked how well they were made. And started buying them up. And showing them in my little space I had in the house. But I quickly found I needed more room to display them till they took over the whole house.

I started putting some pictures of my wife’s and my collection on my web page. www.reelman.net . I do get a lot of calls from around the country and the world. From people asking questions on old fishing tackle. And I enjoy answering their questions. And I do learn a lot from these calls. And every now and then I pick some thing up for my collections. I am always looking to talk to people and their kids who worked for these early companies. To learn more and help preserve the information and history. Before it is lost forever.

I see your wife is also a collector.  Is it something you do together?

Yes my wife Priscilla and me do collect together. We use to go to shows together. Before it got more difficult for me to get around. As when we are out I need a wheelchair because of a on the job injury. So I can not get out and find it like I use to. But when I could we would set up table and took turns watching it. I loved it when she found some thing to go in her collection. The hard part was getting her to buy it for her self. She really enjoys cleaning fixing reels to. We have a good time together in this hobby. Or this obsession as some people say I have. I only have a few thousand reels. Now how can that be called a obsession. Just because people call me the Reelman. And my wife the Reelwoman.

Where do you get most of your collection (yard sales, auctions, other collectors)?

I did find some things at yard sales and auctions. And the old tackle clubs I am in. ORCA The Old Reel Collectors Association http://orcaonline.org/ And the NFLCC The National Fishing Lure Collectors Club. I do get to buy and trade with the members. But the ones I enjoy the most is the people who drop by or calling with fishing tackle to sale. I enjoy hearing the stories behind the reels or lures.

Do you use Ebay?

Yes I do use ebay. But you have to be careful. There are a lot of repainted lures and hidden damage that is not shown in the pictures. That once you received your item. It is not worth what you paid for the reel or lure.

Is Pennsylvania a good place to find items?

Yes you can find a lot in Pennsylvania. Lots of reel companies and lure makers made Pa their home. And there is still tackle to be found.

Do you specialize in a certain area?

I do have a few things that catches my eye. Reel tins. Shakespeare at one time sold some of their reel in tin cans. And I am always looking to add some to my collection. I really would like to add tins from Pequea. And there are a couple more that I chase hard. Like trolley sinkers. But I like any thing that has to do with fishing.

What are your top 3 pieces in your collection?

Now this is a tuff question. As I have so many. Some are very common reels. But they came from friends and people I met or called me with their old tackle and their stories of it.

My set of Master Kasters as they came from a good friend. There are pictures of them on my web page. A early three post Penn. Yes it was made here in Pennsylvania. My reel tin collection.

What 3 items don’t you have that you dream about being part of your collection?

A Kentucky style style reel with a 12 o’clock handle.  More tackle from Pennsylvania.  Some more New York style reels

What advice do you have for new collectors that may want to get into the hobby?

Research. Do not spend a lot of money on reels or lures until you know more about them. There are so many repainted lures out there. And poorly fixed reels. And or reproductions. And the repaints are worthless. And remember three words. Condition condition condition.

I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of your web site was your wife’s beer lure collection.  Are those lures rare?  And would she take $5 for the entire lot?

She just said no. My ear is still ringing. And yes she does have some tuff ones in her collection. Plus I have a few more to take pictures of. And upload them onto my web page for her.

If someone wants to start collecting antique tackle, how should they start going about it?

Invest in some books. But only use them as a rough guide. To id the reel or lure. As prices go up and down. Find a collector they can trust. That they can ask questions.  I have a friend in Norway who is a new collector of reels. That I try and help him build his collection. If you have a question or some for sale call or email me. I try and help as much as I can.  www.reelman.net