I just came into posseion of an older Fin-Nor 3 and was wondering what anyone here can tell me about this reel. I’ve set up a webpage with several good pictures.
It’s scuffed up. Obviously someones workhorse. That’s OK with me as I intend to work it also. Just wondered about this reels rep if it has any.
We have a Fin Nor. Don’t know if it is older. It IS prettier! It has the drag knob on the spool in the center. NOT good if adjustment is needed while fish is running…still.
Other than that…GRAND reel. Wanna trade?
…lee s.
the only complaints I ever heard about that series Fin-Nors was corrosion at the pawls but I take that with a grain of salt as well being as there are many saltwater fly rodders who only clean and grease their reels once a year.
That is a Fin Nor #3 Direct Drive reel made by the Fin Nor Co. out of Miami Florida. It might be an early model of what would eventually become known as an Ahab. I’d say its no more than 10-15 yrs. old. Given the obvious condition issues I’d say that $300 is a fair estimate of its value.
The biggest complaints against Fin Nor’s are their weight. Aside from that Mr. Wood was lightyears ahead of his time when he began making fly reels to exacting tolerances out of 6061 T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum bar stock. He further pushed the envelope by adding Type two hard Anodizing to the surface of the Aluminum making his product impervious to the salt.
Early Gar Wood reels command the highest of prices among collectors. Search E-Bay for Fin Nor “Wedding Cake” fly reels. It is not uncommon for an early WC reel to fetch $1500.
I say fish it as hard as it was designed to be fish. Gar would be smiling.
Way to go Ed! I’d fish it (but I ain’t tradin’ my new Marryat for it).
I’m going out and cast a T3 and a top of the line TFO to decide what I’m going to match it up with.
I’m also fixin’ to put both boats in the shops this week, the '68 Smoker Craft is going in for a new transom board, and the flats boat is going in for a new poling tower and platform and a tune up, plus I got to go out and find a push pole.
That looks somewhat similar to the insides of the Penn 4-G reel.Cork drag, double dogs, ball bearings…! Might try codella.com to match up to some of the antique tackle he has for collectors. Give it a good cleaning & relube, then fish it !
Started researching the reel & then noticed it had a perforated spool, which the older Tycoon Fin-nor fly reel didn’t have. They were solid spools. You can still get an unused # 4 at less than 4 bills; but the wedding cakes start at 3 times that much in unused condition with the box & paperwork.
It has the drag knob on the spool in the center. NOT good if adjustment is needed while fish is running…still.
