Very Early Edward vom Hofe German Silver Fishing Reel

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.

Description: Extremely early Edward vom Hofe fishing reel. Seductive S-Handle German nickel silver vom Hofe reel. Appears to be a collaboration with George Karr (the earliest known American reel maker). This reel is beyond rare.