The romanticism of fly fishing is apparent even with little or no real exposure so the sport. Brad Pitt in the movie ”The River Runs Through It” didn’t really hurt this view, and in fact, probably did alot to boost the perspective… especially with the ladies. But, make no mistake, fly fishing is a sport that evokes a sense of peace, tranquility, and harmony with nature. Anytime you have something that brings on such a strong feeling or emotion you are going to attract a nostalgic collector. And why not.. we all enjoy feeling good and going to places that make us feel happy. Collecting antique fly fishing tackle is on the rise these days and will not only bring a smile to your face, as you imagine what mountainous river the piece has visited, but can bring a little extra cash to your pocket if you do your homework.
The antique fly fishing reel is what most people I run across seem to have the most questions about. Although the fly fishing reel is not what is most in demand it can be fun to acquire and looks beautiful in any collection case. Prices and values of collectible fly fishing reels vary and should be taken into consideration depending on how serious a collector you are. The less expensive fly fishing reels you will find were made by manufacturers like Shakespeare, South Bend, Bronson and Pflueger. These aren’t quite as old as other brands but are old enough to make your collection. More expensive and valuable fly fishing reels are made by Conroy, Hardy, Milam, Meek, and Vom Hofe. These tend to be much older, so command more dollars, but to the serious collector can be a gem. Other brands that are very popular are the Swiss made ABU Ambassador reels made in the 50′s and 60′s. These reels seem to have a brand of their own, and are pretty common, yet hold their value pretty well. Other things to consider with an antique fly fishing reel is the type or action of the reel. You want to lean towards picking up fly fishing reels with a single action or multiplying fly fishing reels. They tend to be more popular or valuable when compared to the automatic fly fishing reels.
Fly fishing rods are another item that a fly fishing tackle collector will want to include in his or her collection. You can find fly fishing rods made from fiberglass, wood, and bamboo. The bamboo fly fishing rod is the most popular, so again, tends to be the most valuable. You can also find a variation of the bamboo fly fishing rod called the split bamboo rod. This rod comes in two pieces and was the early version of the travel fishing rod. Yet, when assembled, these rods are commonly very long at around 18 ft. in length. The regular bamboo fly fishing rod at a length of 6-9ft. is your best bet to pick up for your collection. Some of the more popular brands for these include Thomas Payne, Leonard, Phillipson, Edwards, Devine, Dickerson, Granger, Hardy, Heddon, Abbey and Imbrie, South Bend, and Young.
The king of the collection items for the antique fly fishing tackle collector is the fly fishing lure. These typically are made of wood and are common referred to as a “plug”. You can find plugs that were made as far back as the 1800′s. The pinnacle time period for their manufacture was from around 1915 into the 60′s. Look for uncommon paint colors and paint designs when you are doing your research. The less you see of a certain color or design, the more likely it’s rarity, the more likely it has more value. Beware of restored wooden plugs, however. Occasionally you will run across a repainted plug which will not be as valuable as a true original. The containers of antique fly fishing lures are also a great collection items, especially if the plug is in it. The wooden cases are the best item to find; ones with a sliding top or box jointed. There are other antique fly fishing lures that are collected like your metal spoons or your spinner baits, but these are typically more expensive and in less demand that a wooden plug.
If you are looking for items like these, great places to find them are at flea markets, antique tackle clubs, yard sales, sports shows, antique shows, and even your local newspaper. The common internet sites are places like ebay or craigslist. They usually have a few gems. Or, you might want to be a little more proactive and take out an ad of your own stating you are looking for a certain item.
Antique fly fishing tackle collection is a growing endeavor. It is fun, feels good, can make beautiful decor, and, as of late, is appreciating in value.
