http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps1405090c.jpg
Printable View
Bill, see it is French designed and the open gears reminded of the ShoSho machine gun from WWI (I'm not really that old but a steady diet of the History Channel type programs have educated me somewhat). It had an exposed spring in the magazine design to help the infantryman see how many rounds he had remaining, unfortunately it was subject to fouling. I can see that being an issue with this reel and the exposed gears. Interesting design.
Absolutely a cool looking reel! I, too, would be worried about a sand grain or something getting into those gears, but it still looks interesting. Thanks for sharing it with us.
While the reel is beautiful and simple, I would have to say that it cannot truly be called an automatic. I say this because in my experience automatic fly reels where spring operated where the spring would reel in the excess line. This reel looks to work on a ratchet system so that your pumping the leaver for the gears to reel in the excess line. I also see this to me an easily fouled system as the gears are open to the elements and to dust,sand and anything else that can worm its way into the gears.
this reel is similar to the Peux Fulgor a swiss made semi automatic fly reel. I used the fulgor for a full season with no problem. the fulgor has some backing but has exposure too. I never listed this as an automatic fly reel. I've fished this reel several days and it is still performing.
That is cool!!!