The Nelson Leather Company is an Oregon leather firm that began in 1938.  They have over 60 years of family ownership and continuous production.  They are well-known among collectors for their Portland style leathered creels, which were sold by Abercrombie and Fitch, Von Lengerke and Detmold, Meier and Frank, Kerr’s, and other sporting goods stores around the US.

Currently, they make leather items for fly fishing, law enforcement, and horse riding.  Their fly fishing items include reel cases, fly cases, fly wallets, rod cases, and fly patches.  They can also make you a fine leathered creel.

The Nelson shop is a very traditional firm.  Their leather is high quality vegetable-tan cow hide.  Stitching is done by hand, using the saddle-makers’ double-needle stitch.  The back of each case has the Nelson cartouche.

The interior of the cases is lined with shearling on the bottom, back, and top.  The sides are lined with suede.  The reel cases feature stud closures, which are common on most clamshell cases.  The leather has a light oil finish, which can be maintained with annual applications of a good leather conditioner like Blackrock.

The logic of clamshell-style reel cases is that the reel is cradled by the shearling, so that the case can fit a range of reel sizes.

• Small cases fit reels up to 2 5/8″ in diameter
• Medium cases fit reels 2 5/8″ to 3 1/8″ in diameter
• Large cases fit reels 3 1/4″ to 3 5/8″ in diameter

These measurements are for trout reels with conventional spools.  Wide spool reels need to be checked for fit before ordering.   Raised pillar reels should be measured to the outside of the pillars.

The stud closures on these cases are quite tight.  As the case ages, they will loosen.  To close the case, compress the top lid into the bottom with your left hand while you push the leather tab over the stud with your right thumb.  To open the case, compress the top lid into the bottom with your left hand while you roll right side of the leather tab over the stud with your right index finger.  At the same time, press down on the stud with your right thumb.

All cases are $175 plus postage

For more information or to purchase contact Ward Tonsfeldt | 541.408.1564 | dvarden1903@gmail.com

The cases are made by hand so there is some slight variation in color.  These are the three sizes in the medium brown color with one in a dark brown.