The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I was rereading wood pool earlier & it got me thinking about BB's reel, the one that was made for him by Richard Walker, I've seen the limited edition replicas but I can't remember seeing the actual reel itself.
I think some forum members have seen, held the actual reel.

Does anyone know who owns the reel today?

Didn't Fennel own it, but sold it last year?
Or am I confusing it with something else?

I think that was one of the replica's Trevor

Here is a picture of Len Arbery holding it, he owns or owned it.

http://traditionalfisherman.com/viewtop ... 65&t=10229

Thanks Mark

Hello N E.,

Yes, I do still own the large centrepin reel Dick Walker made for 'BB', and it is undoubtedly my most important and prized angling memorabilia possession. Here is a picture taken in 'BB's' garden, at the Roundhouse, on the day I collected it.



Both the reel together with the MkIV rod, Dick Walker also made for 'BB', made up my purchase; unfortunately, the rod had to be sold, to Chris Sandford, to help finance my son's divorce settlement paid to his first wife.

Besties,

Len.

Thats a Beast of a reel Len ! Having never handled or seen one in the flesh is it practical to use
I do own a Barry Grantham Stalker version which has a 4.3/4" dia.(Pictured) It has the feel to hand in my opinion and look the DB's too.
I have one of those oversize Trudex at about 5.1/2" the spool inertia makes for an unpleasant user.
Did RW ever make more ?

Hello Q C,

Personally, I've not actually used 'BB's' reel. Sacrilege to acknowledge on here, I know, but I'm not really a fan of centrepins.

Dick Walker made two versions of this reel, the other for himself, which, I seem to remember Dick gave to Jack Thorndyke, he of Angling Times fame. I've no idea what became of it after Jack's death.

Just got in from fishing, consequently it's late now, will measure up the reel tomorrow and post results.

Night-Night,

Len.

From memory the reels were a result of Walker attempting to make a super-sized trotting reel from magnesium alloy to try to negate the slow retrieve on a centrepin without making the reel massively heavy as would be the case with heavier metals. The Barry Grantham copies were made, if I remember correctly, from aluminium or an aluminium alloy so they were much heavier.

Len Arbery wrote:
Personally, I've not actually used 'BB's' reel. Sacrilege to acknowledge on here, I know, but I'm not really a fan of centrepins.

Len.

You're a better man than me, I don't think I could have resisted having a go for so long!

Do you know the reason behind the sale of the rod & reel?

A great picture too, thanks for posting.