logo
logo
  • About
    • About Us
    • Visit Us
    • Ways to Give
    • Ambassador Program
    • Award Recipients
    • Contact Us
    • Tackle Inquiry
  • Collections & Exhibitions
    • Our Collection
    • Current & Past Exhibitions
    • Online Collections
    • The Stream
  • Journal & Film
    • The American Fly Fisher
    • Traver Award
    • Film Projects
    • Fishing The Collection
    • Online Screening Room
    • Webinars
  • News & Events
  • Online Store
  • Membership
    • Member Portal
    • Become a Member
  • Sign Up
  • Search

Hackney 3D-Printed Plastic Trout Reel

Michael Hackney will forever be known as the first designer and builder of a 3D-printed fishing reel. Made of lightweight plastic, his reel features a click/pawl drag system and can be produced in a limitless number of colors. This represents a cost-effective and fully functional reel for all fly anglers. Hackney’s reel design was featured on the cover of the Summer 2015 (Vol. 41, No. 3) issue of The American Fly Fisher, which included a detailed article inside.

American Museum of Fly Fishing Collection
Gift of Michael Hackney


Year2022Accession No.2022.019.001Made byMichael Hackney

You May Also Like

Sun and Planet Reel

Peter Duncan Malloch (1853-1921) is Scotland’s best known reelmaker. His 1880 patent for the so-called Sun and Planet reel did much to enhance his…

A brass side-mount reel. Large holes are cut through the sides to allow air circulation to help dry the silk lines used at the time.

Side-mount Fly Reel

Diameter 3 3/4 inches, depth 1/2 inch, weight 8 1/8 ounces The popularity of the Billinghurst reel resulted in the manufacture of other side-mount…

Julius Vom Hofe Custom Reel

A fabulous example of the extraordinary work that could be done by Julius Vom Hofe on a custom order basis. This reel is markedly narrow between the…

Ready For More?

If you love fly fishing as much as we do, you're going to love this.


PLAN A TRIP

Visit, fish, explore & more

VISIT

DROP A LINE

We are happy to hear from you

CONNECT

COME TO EVENTS

Check out the latest events

EVENTS
© 2026 American Museum Of Fly Fishing. All rights reserved