A perfect companion for our bamboo and graphite rods is one of our Morgan/Saracione reels. Our reels are designed in the tradition of the classic Vom Hofe style and produced by master craftsmen Joe Saracione. Joe's attention to detail, in both manufacturing and finishing, results in a reel that is both beautiful and functional.

The spools are one-piece aluminum machined from solid bar stock for maximum strength. The aluminum reel rims, German silver posts, and black side plates are screwed together with handmade, stainless steel screws providing the strongest construction. All of the metal parts are carefully hand-buffed to a bright finish. The serpentine handle with its German silver counterbalance contrasts pleasingly with the black side plates. The reels, with a pawl-click drag, have that classic, sweet sound that is a pleasure to hear when playing fish.

The reels have fixed spools that are not interchangeable. They come either right- or left-hand retrieve so you need to specify which you prefer. We can change the retrieve hand at a later date, if necessary.

Starting 2005 we will offer two reel models, the #1 for customers wanting a diminutive but very functional reel and our #2 that has continued to be very popular with anglers. The #1 reel covers line sizes 1-weight through 3-weight while the #2 handles line sizes 3-weight through 5-weight including some backing. The #1 reel balances well with our 7' bamboo rods and will work even with a 4-weight line if you reduce the length of the line by cutting some off the back. The #2 reel has always been our most popular and still covers well the majority of the rods we sell in either bamboo or graphite. Each reel has its own serial number. Our serial numbers read as follows: 03-2-01 (year, model number, reel number).

Using Gerri's and my exclusive design, all our reels come with hard leather cases that are handmade in the studio of master craftsman, Arne Mason. Mason's attention to detail stems from his early years when he apprenticed with craftsmen who had studied the traditional techniques of classic European masters, especially the fine hand stitching for which the old-world artists are famous. He attributes the strength and durability of his cases to his time spent as a western saddle maker. The blend of these two worlds gives his work its unique style of beauty and function.

Arne starts with the best domestic vegetable tanned leather, flawless English bridle, tanned by Herman Oak. The mitered seams are all but invisible and are hand sewn in a French edge method, using a double needle lock stitch, the most durable. The traditional stud and slot closure uses a solid brass stud. The inside lining is finely finished top grain calf. Unsurpassed in quality, these cases are not only functional, but also exquisitely beautiful.

Our reels have been very popular with our customers. They are surprisingly lightweight when customers first pick them up, yet, with a line, these reels will balance our bamboo or graphite rods perfectly. Anglers have been extremely happy with their style and, most importantly, with their performance on the stream.