Old Single Action Fly Fishing Reels

Using a reel for lengthening and shortening the line has been practiced since the beginning of the seventeenth century maybe longer, for Izaak Walton speaks of the reel in his “Compleate Angler,” though he does not appear to be well acquainted with it, and probably never used one himself. The “wheel” used at that
time was a simple, single action reel, and these same single action reels are the only kind used in England today. They are also used in this country for fly fishing. The multiplying reel is all American.

The single action fly reel is the simplest form of fishing reel that can be made. It consists of two side plates, held together by means of five pillars-one at the top, one at each side and two at the bottom. These two bottom pillars are attached to the base which holds the reel to the rod. On cheap reels these pillars may be riveted, but on all the better grades they are screwed. Ordinarily they are placed near the edge of the circular plates, but sometimes are fastened into extensions of the edges, and these are called raised pillar reels. This forms the framework. In the center is the spool, which is a spindle with disc-shaped ends, not unlike a thread spool, and it turns freely between the side plates. An extension of this spindle projecting through the right side plate is fitted with a crank and handle. The line is fastened to the spool, a little hole being placed there for tying, and it is wound up by turning the handle. That is the real in its simplest form.

The balance handle is supposed to be an improvement. It is simply a double length crank with a handle at one end and a weight at the other. It was designed to make the spool run more freely, but why it should be placed on a fly reel is a mystery to me, for the line is never cast from the reel. One thing is in its favor-it gives the reel a more artistic appearance; but it is likely to entangle the line. All good reels of this pattern
have the edge of the side plate extended out over the crank a short distance to keep the line from being entangled in the handle. These are called “single action click reels, with protected handle.” All single action reels are narrow, so that the line will wind more evenly without being “spooled” by hand.

The click consists of a sort of ratchet working both ways, inside of the left-hand plate. Its use is to keep the reel from running too freely and to show when the line is running out. It is not a necessity by any means, but all fly reels are equipped with a click. It may be stationary, or “back sliding” so that by pushing a little button on the reel plate, it is thrown out of engagement and inoperative. The click, when in action, makes a clicking sound as the spool is turned.

Reels are made of brass, nickel-plated brass, aluminum, rubber, German silver and rubber and German silver combined. The cheapest are brass and nickel plate. The best are made of German silver.

The best single action reels have the handle attached to a revolving side plate, which takes the place of the revolving handle. They are strong and simple and do not offer a place for the line to become entangled. The handle should taper, being smallest at the outer end, and the edges of the side plates should be rounded
and smooth so that they will not wear the enamel from the line.

There is another form of single action click reel which has no side plates, simply a pair of rims held together by the pillars and a post up the left side to which the spool is attached. The handle is attached direct to the other end of the spool.

The “Expert,” “Featherweight” and “Ideal” reels are of this pattern. They
are very good and are used considerably for fly fishing.

A single action reel for trout or bass fishing should be of the size said to hold eighty or 100 yards of line. These will hold only about half that much size E  enamel line, and while it is seldom if ever that more than thirty-five yards are needed for bass or trout, it is better if the spool is well filled up. But not crowded. The more line you have on the spool the faster it will pick up slack.

For salmon very large single action reels are used. They will measure from three and a half to four and a fourth inches in diameter and will hold several hundred yards of heavy enameled line.

Fly Fishing of Yesteryear and Today

I’ve enjoyed reading older fly fishing books from America’s early fly fishing masters. In fact, I enjoyed two of them so much, back in 2004, I decided to republish them as ebooks; to make them available to the entire community of fly fishers. You can read more about these two ebooks at Fly Fishing Secrets.

While some of the technology has changed, the fundamentals have been passed on down from generation to generation. I find it curious to know how you think things have changed…or not changed. What I’ve decided to do here is provide excerpts, images, diagrams from many of the older fly fishing books I have. Your thoughts and views are certainly welcomed.