Is there one you search for?

[flyfishwithme]

Is there a reel that you would just love to have but have never been able to find? For me,it's a left hand wind,3" Hardy St George pre WWll. with the red agate line guard and leaded finish.LHW Hardys are rare in the St George and the Perfect models.I've been looking for one of the St Georges for 25 years now with no luck.Now that I'm retired, I won't be able to afford one even if I do find it.Oh well,the sun will still rise in the east tomorrow.

Now you could be in luck. Hardy are bringing this reel back in lighter material in both LH & RH formats.
Keep checking on their site. I think a launch is eminent.

[greendrake]

Not quite the same appeal though for me. The new reels with their anodized finish just can't compare to the soft worn patina of the old leaded reels.And the old reels with their red or brown agate line guards( as opposed to the smoke gray they use now) just look sooooooo right on a bamboo rod.Being an old fart I imagine it probably has as much to do with nostalgia as well.
Will

[Gerard]

Not quite the same appeal though for me. The new reels with their anodized finish just can't compare to the soft worn patina of the old leaded reels.

Yep, that’s true Will. There’s something about those old Hardy’s that the new ones just cannot bring...and I think you have nailed it with the patina remark. Although not as appealing to collectors I like them “weathered” (not abused but used)...the more the better...

[speyrod]

I'm still looking for a sharpes of Aberdeen "Trout" model reel , should have bought one in 2000 when they still made the reel. I bought the "Don" model and I just love it for steehead fishing, wish I had bought the 3 3/8 trout model back then as well