Learning More about Collecting Antique Fishing Reels

I hope that this website conveys some of the fascination I find with old fishing reels. If you are interested in learning more, first take a look at some of the books listed in the bibliography. But bear in mind that talking with other collectors, whether locally or at swap meets, is the best way to acquire maximum knowledge in a minimum amount of time. Listed below are the major tackle-collector clubs in the U.S. And check out the links to other collectors and sportfishing museums at the bottom of this page.

Questions? Send email.

Old Reel Collectors Association (ORCA)

A rapidly growing club, ORCA has about 1000 members world-wide. Members receive six issues annually of "Reel News," the club magazine, a membership list that includes each member's collecting interests, information on the club's official reel grading system, and more. The club holds annual conventions in various locations. Annual dues are $30 (U.S.), $35 (Canada), or $40 (other), and multi-year memberships are available.

You can visit ORCA online.

National Fishing Lure Collectors Club (NFLCC)

Founded in 1976, the NFLCC has over five-thousand members world-wide, whose collecting interests include everything related to fishing tackle. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, a semiannual magazine, a membership list, and more. The club has 10 regional subdivisions, each of which usually holds at least one annual swap meet. Many members also run club-sponsored meets locally, and the club holds a huge annual national meet during the summer. Annual dues are $25 (U.S.), $50 (Canada), or $75 (other).

You can visit NFLCC online.

Florida Antique Tackle Collectors, Inc. (FATC)

Despite its name, FATC has members from all over the country. The club sponsors four shows each year at various Florida locations and an annual February show in Daytona. Members receive a quarterly newsletter and a Membership Directory; annual dues are $35 (U.S), $40 (Canada), or $45 (other).

You can visit FATC online.

Dutch Angling Collectors' Association (D.A.C.A.)/Vereniging Hengelsport Verzamelaars (V.H.V.)

This club, founded in 1993, has members from several European countries, as well as from the U.S. Membership information is available at their web site.

You can visit D.A.C.A. online.

Some Links to Other Reel-Collector Sites

Antique Side Mount Reels (Jim Schottenham)

Old Reels.com (Phil White)

Skeleton Fly Reels (Richard Lodge)

Mitchell Collectors International (Dennis Roberts, Larry Carlucci, Luc de Medts)

Reelman's Antique Fishing Tackle (Merv Bortner)

Antique Tackle Web Sites on the Internet (Joe Yates)

Australian and English Game Reels (Jeff Overington)

Mitchell Reels & Collectable Fishing Tackle (Tim Barton)

Australian Antique & Collectable Fishing Reels (Warwick Doncaster)

Daiwa Reel Collectors Website