I don't really know anyone that I correspond with "in person" that would even care about these reels, so I'm sharing them with my "on-line collector family"......
The lighting wasnt great today but I wanted to share some eye candy, at least eye candy for anyone interested in Bogdan reels. I know these three reels wont have the general appeal of Banjos Hardy Trifecta, but I hope they are of interest to at least the Salmon chasers on the forum.
The reel on the left is a Bogdan Prototype from the mid 1940s that I was very fortunate to obtain this past spring. I bought it based on a photo of the innards and a suspicion that it might be one of Mr. Bogdans early reels. When I got it in my hands I was pretty sure of what I had but sent off a letter and some photos to Stan to verify. In a telephone conversation a few weeks ago he confirmed that it was one of his and that he thought it may have been a reel originally purchased by Mr. Julian Crandall in the mid-late 1940s. Mr. Bogdan is such a gentleman and having had the opportunity to discuss this reel with him, as well as some of his past experiences is a memory that I will always cherish. Even if you remove the fact that he has arguably made the worlds best Salmon reel, hes just a wonderful man to talk to.
The reel weighs approximately 9 oz and has an OD of 3.75 inches. It has a quick release spool that rides on roller bearings. The micarta brake is engaged by an early version of Bogdans now famous drag lever with positions etched into the frame and an arrow designating which direction applies more resistance, but it has no indents like his final versions. Ive used this reel once so far with and it operates very smooth. I plan to use it for light Salmon in Alaska this fall. When I mentioned that to Stan I could tell he thought it was neat the reel would get a test on the water before it likely gets retired. Ill plan on sending him a few photos of it in use.
The center reel Ive posted about before. Its a very early Model 0 that dates approx. 1953. Reportedly there were a handlful of the first reels made with the name plate on the front (including Stan's personal Model 0) and then the location was moved to the rear of the reel where it has remained since.
The reel on the right is my most recent find (thanks to GotSpeyed) and is an A&F Model 200M that is date coded 1961.
The last photo is just one that I like from when I first got the prototype with Old Model 0.
Im hoping to some day have a Bogdan reel from each decade that Stan & Steve make them, though Im running out of things to sell to pay for another one let alone 4 more, so it might be quite some time before there is a fourth Bogdan in my collection
Considering that the first time I held a Bogdan reel in my hands was less than a year ago I really have no business owning any of these three reels let alone all of them. Ive been extremely lucky and I hopefully havent used up all of my good fortune !
Id be happy to post more information about the prototype if there is an interest. This reel is my Holy Grail and I smile every time I see it
Enough Rambling ..here's the pics....
Mark B
Mid-1940's Prototype........................circa 1953 Model 0.........................1961 Model AF200M
The lighting wasnt great today but I wanted to share some eye candy, at least eye candy for anyone interested in Bogdan reels. I know these three reels wont have the general appeal of Banjos Hardy Trifecta, but I hope they are of interest to at least the Salmon chasers on the forum.
The reel on the left is a Bogdan Prototype from the mid 1940s that I was very fortunate to obtain this past spring. I bought it based on a photo of the innards and a suspicion that it might be one of Mr. Bogdans early reels. When I got it in my hands I was pretty sure of what I had but sent off a letter and some photos to Stan to verify. In a telephone conversation a few weeks ago he confirmed that it was one of his and that he thought it may have been a reel originally purchased by Mr. Julian Crandall in the mid-late 1940s. Mr. Bogdan is such a gentleman and having had the opportunity to discuss this reel with him, as well as some of his past experiences is a memory that I will always cherish. Even if you remove the fact that he has arguably made the worlds best Salmon reel, hes just a wonderful man to talk to.
The reel weighs approximately 9 oz and has an OD of 3.75 inches. It has a quick release spool that rides on roller bearings. The micarta brake is engaged by an early version of Bogdans now famous drag lever with positions etched into the frame and an arrow designating which direction applies more resistance, but it has no indents like his final versions. Ive used this reel once so far with and it operates very smooth. I plan to use it for light Salmon in Alaska this fall. When I mentioned that to Stan I could tell he thought it was neat the reel would get a test on the water before it likely gets retired. Ill plan on sending him a few photos of it in use.
The center reel Ive posted about before. Its a very early Model 0 that dates approx. 1953. Reportedly there were a handlful of the first reels made with the name plate on the front (including Stan's personal Model 0) and then the location was moved to the rear of the reel where it has remained since.
The reel on the right is my most recent find (thanks to GotSpeyed) and is an A&F Model 200M that is date coded 1961.
The last photo is just one that I like from when I first got the prototype with Old Model 0.
Im hoping to some day have a Bogdan reel from each decade that Stan & Steve make them, though Im running out of things to sell to pay for another one let alone 4 more, so it might be quite some time before there is a fourth Bogdan in my collection
Considering that the first time I held a Bogdan reel in my hands was less than a year ago I really have no business owning any of these three reels let alone all of them. Ive been extremely lucky and I hopefully havent used up all of my good fortune !
Id be happy to post more information about the prototype if there is an interest. This reel is my Holy Grail and I smile every time I see it
Enough Rambling ..here's the pics....
Mark B
Mid-1940's Prototype........................circa 1953 Model 0.........................1961 Model AF200M
aka Chum Angler....."Never Underestimate the Tenacity of an Angry Chum !"
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