THE REEL DEAL

QAs a new subscriber to The Field, I am enjoying reading the queries and wonder if you might be able to help me. I am after a present for an angling friend, such as a decorative display fly-fishing reel, in silver or silver plate, or perhaps an antique fishing reel that could be mounted, engraved and used as a book stop. Do you know of a company making such things? I am reluctant to resort to DIY.

GA, by email

A Antique silver reels are museum pieces and silver-plated ones rare, explains John Andrews of the National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair. He sold a 1930s chrome-plated mahseer reel last year but it was the only one he had seen in more than 15 years of dealing. Andrews suggests something in brass and would recommend buying a couple of old 4½in brass salmon reels, unengraved, unbranded, unpolished, with good patina, which cost around £40 each.

These could be hand engraved on the back plate. Look online, adding the words “brass reel” to a browser – a lot of good dealers may carry a box of such reels. Once purchased, the reels can be taken to Antiques by Design, where they hand craft sporting items into a variety of pieces, such as lamps, candlesticks and bookends. They are happy to take commissions, the timing dependent on the work involved.

Call the company on 01245 222771 or visit www.antiquesbydesign.co.uk