"Through the mid-1800s, most reel makers did not design
reels with specific types of fishing in mind, other than to
adjust the size of the reel to match the size of the fish
an angler wanted to pursue. That trend changed in 1870
when Charles F. Orvis of Manchester, Vermont, introduced
his revolutionary Orvis Trout Reel, designed specifically
for fly fishing. Orvis received patent number 150,883
for what anglers today recognize as the traditional
fly-reel design. His single-action reel was both a step
forward and a step backward in reel technology, because
he created a new breed of reels while dramatically
simplifying the mechanics of the reel.
Instead of the complex gear mechanisms common to the American
multiplying reel, Orvis simply designed a narrow spool that
used the line to increase the retrieval rate. Orvis also
perforated the sides and spool to reduce the weight of the
reel and to allow line to dry more quickly. This cut down
on the problems of mildew and rot that accompanied the use
of silk lines. The reel mounted upright on the rod,
marking a departure from previously produced fly reels. The
ingenious first model came with a black-walnut box and sold
for only $2.50.
Although Orvis's reel launched a new trend in reel making, he
does not deserve all the credit. Other reel makers like
Billinghurst, who had earlier experimented with ways to
reduce the weight of the reel and improve its line-drying
efficiency, influenced his design.
Orvis built his Trout Reel with a new alloy called nickel-plated
brass, but reel makers, including Orvis, experimented with other
materials during the mid- to late 1800s, as they strove to
improve design. A few builders attempted to use aluminum, but
technology had not advanced far enough to make it a practical
reel material. It would have to wait until the twentieth century
to make its mark in reel construction.
~ JC
Credits: The quoted text and illustration from Classic Fishing Lures
and Tackle, by Eric L. Sorenson, published by the Voyageur
Press.
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