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
    • Member Forum
    • Become a Member
  • Sign Up
  • Search

J. F. & B. F. Meek Trout-Size Casting Reel

Beginning in the late 1830s, brothers Jonathan F. and Benjamin F. Meek produced some of the finest multiplying reels ever made, offering small sizes such as this #1 model for use by trout fishermen. Confident that their reels were simply better than any potential competitors, they never applied for any patents, believing that none could do better.

Courtesy of Tyler Thompson


Yearc. 1840Accession No.L2022.003.003Made byJ. F. & B. F. Meek

You May Also Like

Nottingham-Style Reel

Nottingham-style reels are typically light, free-running, wooden reels designed for river fishing. They resemble fly reels, and some were used for…

Marbleized Philbrook & Paine Raised-Pillar Trout Reel

Inventor Francis J. Philbrook assigned the rights to his 1877 reel patent to noted gunsmith and rod maker H. L. Leonard. Initially built by the team…

Alonzo Fowler Reel

Alonzo Fowler was a dentist who used the molding technology of his profession to create a reel made entirely of hard rubber. The Fowler Gem was very…

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
© 2025 American Museum Of Fly Fishing. All rights reserved