Fly Lines

The first fishing reels were made of wood, and the lines of catgut, horsehair and silk. Both reels and lines have become lighter and stronger with new technologies and materials. From top left to right:

  • Hardy Bros., England, 'The Perfect' fly reel
  • W.F. Dawson fly reel, made in Orange with an 'Aircell' line. Wally Dawson was President of OTAS from 1943-69
  • W.F. Dawson Perpetual fly reel, c.1950
  • Early catgut leader material tin, c. 1920
  • 'Tasma' fly reel with Kingfisher braided silk No.4 line attached, 1920
  • 'Perzon and Michel' tippet roll tin, 1935
  • Modern 'Fenwick' anodised fly reel with synthetic floating fly line
  • Wooden fly reel, maker unknown, C.1900
  • Early 'Cussons de Luxe' fly reel

Loans courtesy members of OTAS