Vintage Edward vom Hofe Brass Ball Handle

Edward vom Hofe (1846–1920) was a New York fishing equipment entrepreneur of the late 1800s. He introduced his first two fly reels, starting his own business in 1867. Vom Hofe had become famous for his precision salt-water big-game bait and casting reels constructed of nickel silver and hard rubber (ebonite), along with recently discovered metal named aluminum. Vom Hofe was a machinist, fishing-tackle builder and noted big-game angler who outfitted the famous anglers of his generation.

The handmade fly reels, both named "The Edward vom Hofe Celebrated Trout and Bass Fly Reel", are still generally considered by anglers and collectors around the world as among the very best fly reels ever made. The salmon-size versions of these reels followed soon afterwards.

Frederick vom Hofe & Son Maker reel. This is an all brass 2-3/4” ball handle reel with the F. vom Hofe & Son Maker mark. Circa 1864-1867. Brief window of history when Edward made reels with his father before striking out on his own.