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Time changes memories ...and the Bouglè was apparently not "absolutely new", as I had mistakenly remembered it ...although, it does look sweet.

It took me two days of searching through boxes and boxes of old photos to find this. Truth be told, I miss that "Zephyr" Pocket Bottle more than I do the reel.



So, if you guys want to reduce your offers due to my negligent overstatement of condition, I will understand completely.

One more story ...this one took place at the big flea market in Brimfield, MA. For those unfamiliar, Brimfield is an enormous market that is held four times a year, runs a full week long and attracts many thousands of dealers. Once upon a time I'd find a few reels every time I went, but as the years went on the finds grew slim.

The last time I went (about 15 years ago) I had walked the fields since dawn and found nothing. I was on the way to my car when I heard the unmistakable sound of the click of a fine reel. I wasn't in a field at the time, but was walking through a sea of parked cars. So, I headed for the noise and eventually found it. There was a fellow with a pick-up truck that had set out some items to sell on his tail gate. The buyer had a reel in his hand and there was another on the tail gate. I got just close enough to be able to ID the reels ...a Leonard Bi-Metal and an EVH salmon reel. I walked past and pretended not to be interested.

My heart was pounding. I knew I couldn't approach, as that might spook the fellow into buying the reels. So, I kept my distance, but close enough to hear the conversation. The buyer put down the Leonard and then picked up the EVH. Then put down the EVH and picked up the Leonard. This switching of reels went on and on and it was making me nuts. Finally he asked how much the reels were and the reply was "twenty-five each, firm".

Well, even back then, $2500 each was quite a lot for those reels. The buyer asked if there could be a discount for buying the pair and the seller said "no". The buyer finally put the reels down and walked away. So, I scooted over and checked out the reels. The Leonard was a first model in the smallest size and the EVH was a 2/0 504. I asked how much the reels were and the reply was "twenty-five each, fifty for the pair, no discount".

Fifty for the pair? That meant the reels were $25 each ...not $2500 !!!!!!

With the other fellow now heading back towards us I whipped a fifty out of my pocket as fast as I could, put the reels in my bag and started searching for my car. I wanted to get out of there before sparks started flying.

I figure lightning would never strike twice, so I've never been back.

Dean.