great score, Doc.
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The Shakespeare magnesium fly reels
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 bulldog1935 |
#21 | |||
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Posts: 5889 06/25/2008 14:32 Bulldog1935 |
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16 pmd |
#22 | |||
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Posts: 541 06/26/2008 03:10 |
I have a President and an International. The President (mine at least) was made in Japan, the International in England. Same design, but the Japanese President
looks to me to be better machined and finished than the English International.
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Flyman615 |
More Shakespeare Mag reel info | #23 | ||
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Posts: 2827 07/30/2008 20:08 |
Well, in the category of "in this hobby you learn something every day", I just found my first Shakespeare Magnesium "President II" fly
reel. It's a 7590 model which is pictured elsewhere in this thread. I was, however, expecting to find when it arrived it would be identical to my
Shakespeare International 2851.
But, nope! In fact this Prez is 3 1/8" in diameter (left) and my International is exactly 2 15/16" in diameter (right). Both were made in Japan. I now own four of these unique magnesium fly reels in two different designs and three different sizes. Two were made in Japan and two were made in England. It's amazing that these two particular Japanese-made reels were made in two so similar sizes. Literally, there's just one line size difference in capacity between the two! Regards, Flyman
Last Edited By: Flyman615 08/02/2008 19:56.
Edited 2 times.
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DoctorFly |
#24 | |||
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Posts: 136 07/31/2008 10:12 |
DoctorFly wrote:I haven't managed to talk to Jim since I wrote this, but I have spoken to Garry Mills - and he asked him. It wasn't these reels that started fires, but the early magnesium Speedex's made for Orvis. In fact, although the reel paper clearly states "machined from magnesium aloy (sic) by British craftsmen", they did not work for J.W. Young. 
The reels did pass through the Young's workshop though. There was a problem with the original maufacture which Young's were asked to correct,
but this was their only involvement. Where they were made is a mystery (or a gentlemanly secret to avoid embarrassment
Last Edited By: DoctorFly 07/31/2008 10:17.
Edited 2 times.
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Flyman615 |
#25 | |||
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Posts: 2831 07/31/2008 23:50 |
Well, Doc:
As I wrote, I have two of each design and I cannot detect any obvious faults or "corrections", for that matter, on either the English or Japanese versions. And I do not note any serious differences in the quality of the fit and/or finish between the two designs. FWIW, my two English reels are mint, unused and my two Japanese reels have been fished very, very little. They all operate smoothly and identically, in RHW mode at least. I also can't see where there'd be any "embarrassment" associated with these fine reels. I'm surprised there's not a definite record of their maufacturer(s), but perhaps Shakespeare wanted it that way. Regards, Flyman 
Last Edited By: Flyman615 08/01/2008 08:23.
Edited 1 time.
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DoctorFly |
#26 | |||
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Posts: 137 08/01/2008 10:50 |
Flyman,
I agree that whatever was wrong with that first batch of reels was professionally put right by J W Young & Co. It might have been the handle, the latch or the foot - I can't find out for sure. But, as there is no country of origin marking, it is likely that this is where the change was made. Do the later reels have Japan on the reel-foot? Did the Graflite Rods they were made to accompany have a particularly small reel seat? Any "embarrassment" is in my interpretation of the answers to my queries. Jim Young is of the old school. He is more likely to feign ignorance of the name of a competitor whose work he has had to correct than to identify them - especially if he thinks it will be broadcast on the internet. 
Regards, Doc |
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Flyman615 |
#27 | |||
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Posts: 2832 08/01/2008 12:19 |
Thanks, Doc:
I really appreciate your input on these reels! Best,
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Flyman615 |
Found! The Shakespeare International "Little Guy" | #28 | ||
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Posts: 3095 02/27/2009 21:33 |
Fellows:
Well, I finally found the smallest of the Shakespeare International fly reels, the Model 2850. Happily, it's in mint, never-been-lined condition. At 2 3/4" in diameter, the 2850 is perfect for 3 and 4 wt. lines. This particular version was designed and made in England. Its light weight is truly remarkable. By comparison, it makes my Hardy Featherweights of the same diameter seem downright heavy! Best, Flyman
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Southbranch |
#29 | |||
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Posts: 392 02/27/2009 22:14 |
Flyman, how much does it weigh?
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Frank Longcast.fiberglassflyro... |
#30 | |||
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Posts: 15 02/28/2009 02:33 |
Thanks for resurrecting this thread. From time to time I've seen these reels and been very curious about them. Handsome reels - I learned a lot.
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Flyman615 |
#31 | |||
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Posts: 3096 02/28/2009 10:27 |
Frank: You're most welcome.
Southbranch: The individual reel weights aren't listed on the pamphlet/parts list that comes with each reel. I'll weigh the 2850 on the digital scale at work next week and get back to you. Regards again, Flyman
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DoctorFly |
#32 | |||
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Posts: 212 02/28/2009 10:55 |
The 3 1/2" 2853 weighs exactly 4.00 oz.
Regards, Doc |
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Southbranch |
#33 | |||
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Posts: 393 03/01/2009 00:11 |
That is light. If I recall correctly, Hardy's discontinued 3 1/2" lightweight Princess weighs 4 1/2 oz.
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afgantrout |
Doug Swisher's President | #34 | ||
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Posts: 470 03/01/2009 11:54 |
I purchased this mystery reel on Lang's Auction and it came with this note from Doug to the original recipient. The reel appears genuinely 'well
used' but 'wore out' it ain't. At least nothing a cleaning and a dollop of
# # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Petri heil! Kindly take a look at my angling art (and classic ephemera) www.michaelsimonanglingart.com |
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Flyman615 |
Getting back to you... | #35 | ||
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Posts: 3108 03/05/2009 13:43 |
afgantrout: If that reel could only talk, eh?!
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ttrotter |
#36 | |||
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Posts: 947 03/12/2009 12:39 Moderator |
FYI- there's a 2852 on the devils flea market now. $225.
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dl6603 |
#37 | |||
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Posts: 35 03/16/2009 23:59 |
Saw that this evening. It's what lead me to this thread. Really interesting and I've learned a lot. Thanks for all the info guys.
After reading the first three pages, was almost hoping everyone was asleep on this one......You guys are too good. Don |
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matim46 |
Intro and spare spool | #38 | ||
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Posts: 1 03/26/2009 14:08 |
Hello all,
Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Herman and live in The Netherlands, since my boyhood a fisherman and a few years now a passionated fly fisher. Last year I encountered this website more or less by accident and was really enthousiast about this thread on the magnesium Shakespeare reels. Half a year ago I bought one in the german e-Bay, a Japanes International 2853 together with 2 spare spools, a Japanese 2853 and a 2853 English made spool. In a super, near mint shape! Now I want to sell the 'English' spool. Is somebody interested? If so, You may want to mail me at cb007133@telfort.nl. With kind regards, Matim46
Last Edited By: matim46 03/27/2009 04:33.
Edited 3 times.
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- Members Corner
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The Orvis database by Greg Reynolds Finally available again!!
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