Could someone give me a crash course on Walker reels? I was talking to a friend about his TR-2 last night but it sounds different than some Walkers I've
seen on the net. Further discussion with those in the know lead me to believe that there are certain "generations" of these reels to be avoided.
Thanks.
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Walker reels
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 Sal Fontinalis |
Walker reels |
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Posts: 552 02/26/2009 13:19 |
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reelsmith |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 709 02/26/2009 15:39 |
As with many things, the newer models are not as nicely/well made as the older models. The early Walkers had dished plates, nickle-silver rims and are pretty
scarce. If memory serves, the first series was the "50-Series" and then came a series where each reel had a name; Midge, Fairy, etc.
The TR-Series was the last and in my opinion the least attractive and lowest quality ...which is NOT to say they were low quality ...just not as nice as earlier Walkers. A Walker "Midge" is as aesthetically and proportionately perfect as an E. vom Hofe #3 Peerless (355) ....while a TR-0 is just plain chunky and clumsy looking. |
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Sal Fontinalis |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 555 02/26/2009 18:08 |
Thanks reelsmith. How would you rate a 70s era Walker TR-3 against an early 3" Saracione in terms of quality?
I saw a Walker Midge at a recent tackle show in PA and have to agree that it is one of the most attactive reels I've ever seen. Priced at $3500. |
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canesterdf |
Walkers are like Black Licorice and the Grateful Dead ....... | #3 | ||
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Posts: 329 02/26/2009 21:23 |
You try it out and if you like it you really like it and then you get into it (the reels the licorice the Dead) and you really find you have something you
really like.... a lot ! To add to what Dean has already said the early ones are the coolest and the later ones a bit clunky but I love them all with a couple
exceptions, just like Thomas rods. The Late model reels have a fairly sophisticated check system there is one inside the other one coming in stops the other
from spinning the one going out reverses the process. That is what makes them clunky.so the click going out can be adjusted too. It is somewhat like a clock
mechanism. and you get half the wear on, so twice the life. ....now the short wide reel nestles up under your hand and balances pretty well on a fine cane
rod, not like some of long, tall, skinny almost anemic jobs. I bought my first reel, a TR-2 for 68.00 on sale in the store, The Millpond in Los Gatos, CA. I
better stop here I have another story about Walkers and that is for another time. BTW, Hoagy B.Carmichael knew Arch Walker and probably has a story or two
himself. My last Walker purchase was from him, a TR-1 a little more than 68 bucks! Short tale, you like them or you don't, I like a reel that is made by
hand or hand fitted and finished and Walkers fit the bill pretty well, Read, Gingrich,Schweibert. Best,Paul
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RonT1 |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 489 02/27/2009 10:22 |
I had a TR-3 that I bought from Matry Keane in the mid-late 70's. That reel had an anoying "CLACK" instead of a pleasant
"click"...really never developed an attachment to it and it went away. I had it mounted on a 3 pce. Glass Winston 6 weight, and fished it primarily
for creek Smallmouths and the late 70's Coho/Chinooks that were stocked here in Ohia. The Smallmouths rarely got into the reel.....the Salmon on the other
hand.....which brings me to the "CLACK". If I had it back I'd sell it again for the inflated price that it would bring.
R |
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reelsmith |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 710 02/27/2009 10:57 |
Sal Fontinalis wrote:I prefer the Saracione. I'm just not a fan of the TR series. I found a few Walker catalogs last night: Mid 1960s: The Midge, #50 - 2" The Standard Walker Fly Reels: #51 - 2.5" #52 - 2.75" #53 - 3" #54 - 3", wide spool Early 1970s: Model 1, The Fairie - 2.25" Model 2, The Club - 2.5" Model 3, The Catskill - 2.75" Model 4, The American - 3" Model 5, The Super American - 3.25: |
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spruce grouse |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1265 02/27/2009 13:21 |
Were there LHW Walkers made? I thought I remember someone having one, or it may have been someone who winds leftie just happened to have a RHW one and I
erroneously assumed it would the "correct" way. I once inquired of someone selling a TR-2 which way it wound and he told me that they were all made
RHW.
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BobS |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 1040 02/27/2009 15:02 |
Spruce: I have a couple LHW Walkers: a 2 3/4" fixed-drag and a 3" with a 12-position adjustable drag. Will show them to you if we ever do an SYAO
on the YB or Gunpowder. B
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PA Limestoner |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 72 02/27/2009 17:46 |
Just opened up my TR1 out of curiosity to see the click assembly (non adjustable drag version). The Walker has two gears and two ratcheting type pawls inside.
When winding in, the smaller gear is ratcheting. This smaller gear is engaged to the axle by two passive pins, This ratcheting is controlled by a small wire
spring that keeps tension on the ratcheting arm assembly. This ratchet arm and spring are screwed into a larger gear on the same axle. When the crank handle is
reversed (winding out), the ratcheting arm in the first gear locks in the small gear and causes the large gear to click as its opposite directioned gear allows
its ratchet to release, hence the outward click. This is a lot stronger spring, and the drag is set by this. One could bend the wire for greater tensioning.
The way the holes are tapped through, it seems that a conversion to other hand wind would not be so difficult . Both gears are cut with buttress threads - one
side of the gear tooth is straight, and the other is angled at about 45 degrees. Hope this helps.
Last Edited By: PA Limestoner 02/27/2009 17:50.
Edited 1 time.
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Sal Fontinalis |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 556 02/27/2009 18:05 |
All, thanks for the feedback it was very helpful. PA Limestoner, thanks for opening your reel up.
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Eric Peper |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 165 02/27/2009 18:31 |
If you'd like to pick the brain of someone who was pretty close to Art and Archie, contact Bud Frasca at Northwest Classic Tackle. I suspect he could
answer any other questions you might have.
http://northwestclassictackle.com/contact.html EP |
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slw |
Walker | #11 | ||
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Posts: 157 02/28/2009 08:06 |
PA Limestoner
You opened up a Walker and didn't take pictures for us???  
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PA Limestoner |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 73 02/28/2009 11:24 |
Sorry, no photo capabilities at this time. My PC is not loaded with photoshop, and I refuse to sink another cent into this God awful format. Switching to Mac
very soon.
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canesterdf |
Thanks PA limestoner.... | #13 | ||
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Posts: 335 03/02/2009 17:48 |
You are a great man for taking it a part. they are very cool inside aren't they. You just have to be careful of those screws. I love the sound of a Walker
when a fish runs absolutely music to the ears and definitely not a poachers reel! Best,Paul
PS I will try to get a few general pics up when I get the time and a brave steady hand before I go after those screws . |
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