Hardy Fly Fishing Reel

Question:
If anyone has any information on the Rochester Reel Co. of New York I’d appreciate hearing from you. From what I know they started up around 1910 and made three models of reels. Of greatest interest to me is the model - "No.2 Ideal”. It appears to be made from stainless steel. I am particularly interested in the history behind this reel although value would also be appreciated. (I have been told that the value is only in the $30 - $40 dollar range, a value less then that of a new reel BTW.)I feel the quality of this reel is as good as many of the reels in the $100 range being produced today - but then again one also pays for the name with many of those.

Answer:
I addressed your question about the reel's history in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly; now I see that you also have a question about the reel’s value. The value that you have been quoted is based, in large part, on the value of the reel to the collector, not to the typical fly fisher. And, to tell the truth, Rochester Ideals are not very scarce; thus the low price. But I'd agree with you in comparing its intrinsic worth as comparable to some modern fly reels which are retailed at a higher price. If you like it, consider fishing with it. Give it the reasonable care you would use with any piece of fine tackle, and you will not harm it at all. I collect and use old Hardy St. George fly reels for all my fly fishing (except, of course, for saltwater fishing, which they were never designed for).