Stantons

[Wallys-Cast]

There has been a lot of variations in the Stanton type reels over the years. The early Reynold made originals were very robust with many different choices so probably made to order. I have had reels with no handles or check, handles with no check, handles with adjustable drag instead of check. Both 4" and 4 3/4" sizes of each of these variations too. I have also had two with no ventilation holes.
All were lovely reels to use and I think superb value for money too when compared with commercially made reels.
Heres a couple of 4" reels next to a 4 3/4 to show the sizes in comparison.
As you can see, one of the 4 inch reels has a check, the other an adjustable brake pad type drag.

I do like hand made reels and cant resist buying them but I have had a good clean out over the last few years. These are the only three Stanton type reels I have left now but I did have 15 at one time and all were slightly different.

Wal.

[Nobby]

I've not seen any of those smaller versions before and I had no idea about the spool brake system...thanks Wal.

[RBTraditional]

Fifteen Stantons Wal! Almost as bad as me with Avon rods mate.....

[RightCharlie]

This forum still amazes me sometimes, thought I'd seen and handled every Reynold Stanton over the years and up pops Wal with the one fitted with adjustable drag!

[Roachy]

Thanks guys.I also have the 4inch.

[Aquaerial]

I always fancied a smaller Stanton but most that turn up for sale a the 5 inch models.
Had a couple of the 5 inch ones but always thought they felt a little too big.
They were very free running lovely for trotting.

I have the 4 1/2 inch one and i thinks its a better reel than the 5 inch.

Horses for courses as they are all fantastic trotting reels. I use a 5" for long trotting on the Trent near Newark using braid to 150yards plus and if there was a 6" I would use that I can tell you as they are so light and without equal in those circumstances. Crashing about on steep rocky banks is no place for the finer reels I have and being so freely available is an advantage I feel as they are relatively inexpensive when one considers the competence of them. I'm a real fan of Stantons and wonder how anyone could make a living making and selling new ones given the availability of lightly used pre-owned models. A sign of the times as less people fish the rivers in this way these days.