The Reel Revival | Bamboo Rods and Reels

(click on any photo for magnification)

In July of 2025, I talked a little bit about the special kind of cadence between a bamboo rod and its reel. I got hundreds of comments on Part 1 of this entry, so I figured I would do a Part 2 on the design and function of reels and what I personally like in a reel for a cane rod. 

“Clint, what do you like to use on your own bamboo rods as an everyday reel?”  (Morgan D. from Estes Park, Colorado) 

A great question that I honestly get asked quite frequently. I thought I would divulge a bunch of insights as a rod maker, and let the Jeanie out of the bottle sorta speak. One thing you will notice when picking up a few old reels, which I have dozens of, is that many of them are hefty but not heavy! The old Meisselbach Gogebic Trout Reel from 1886 is a wonderfully simple, relatively lightweight reel with a spindle shaft supported by a simple single armature. Years later, in 1910, the Featherlight No. 260 Meisselbach & Bro. A Nickel-plated reel, still relatively lightweight and modestly simple in design and mechanics, debuted and proved quite popular for many years. 

These reels all had simple click-and-pawl mechanisms and stamped and riveted parts, making them relatively cost-effective to manufacture. The beautiful thing about these reels is that they were accessible to many people of many economic backgrounds. This is precisely why I started collecting them at swap meets in my 20's. I was a graphic designer, and in the pre-eBay era, these little reels could be purchased for under $30! One of the reasons I started making bamboo rods was that I could not afford them. I often dreamed of owning an Edward Vom Hoffe-style reel from the 1920's. Then I held one at a church swap meet in Maine, and it felt heavy and somewhat clunky. After all, I wanted to use my old reels, not just collect them! And this reel was a barbell. Many of these old reels influenced many modern classic reel designs to this day. During this turn-of-the-century period, many machinists were borrowing designs from one another and employing similar skills, which were outstanding for the technology of the time. I'd go out on a limb and say many were ripping each other off, but let's face it, they were. Often shamelessly so. 

Needless to say, from a 500-foot view, after about 1930, many reels were getting more expensive, more complex, and heavier! However, there were companies like Pflueger that kept production full steam ahead and did very well thanks to their durability, affordability, and simple reel designs. To this day, one of the most timeless and iconic fly reel companies, makers of the old Pflueger Medalist, holds a special place in all our hearts for good reasons. You could go into many 5-and-dime and hardware stores alike and pick up one of these little gems. It was accessible to all fly fishers. They were all about pure functionality and extreme durability, and they would not put a hole in your pocketbook.

Most of my favorite reels are the simple classics: Meisselbach, Pfleuger, South Bend, Martin, and Shakespeare, to name a few, a simple lot for a simple person like myself. Which leads us back to our original question: what do I like as an everyday reel? The answer is the Hardy Bros Lightweight fly reels. These reels have been around for longer than eighty years. The series includes The Flyweight, The Featherweight, LRH, Princess, St. Aiden, and St. Andrew. 

Above photo: A very well-used and well-loved Hardy Featherweight.

In the background, a full lineup of Flyweights and Featherweights 

with both silk and plastic demo lines. 

These reels are easily purchased used for under 300.00, and most of mine are from estate sales, eBay, and private collectors. Many of my reels are demo reels from old fly shops that have gone out of business. Many of my reels have the engraved inscription under the foot marked “Demo.” I service these myself, anneal new springs for them, and give them the proper TLC they deserve. Changing lines back and forth is simple since they make replacement spools for them. The newly tooled models bear the revived Hardy logo I'm not keen on, but they still have an air of humility that makes me smile when I pick one up. In my mind, they are the consummate fly reel that tugs on my heartstrings. Paired with bamboo, you cannot go wrong. There is a cadence between the cane rod and the reel that just feels right. So when a new client asks me, “What kind of reel do I put on one of your rods?” I immediately say, “Find an old Hardy Flyweight or Featherweight and call it a day, but it's up to you.” These reels are relatively cheap used; they certainly are not 1k!, and you don't have to worry about them rolling around in the back of your pickup truck. Most of mine are already well-loved but not abused.

Like my favorite reels from yesteryears, Hardy Lightweight Fly Reels have not changed much. Then again, many of my closest friends haven't either. Things that are timeless have a special place in my heart, kind of like cane rods.

              Thanks for letting me share~Clint Bova                www.cjbovarods.com