sold BELLINGER SPEY REEL, 4 ½”, LHW, FLY REEL

BELLINGER SPEY REEL, 4 ½”, LHW, FLY REEL

 Toward the end of his career, Al Bellinger produced two large fly reels suitable for Spey style fishing.  There were the Bellinger 4000, a 4” reel, and a second model at 4 ½”.  The Bellinger 4000 was offered for sale through dealers, and a limited number entered the market.  I do not believe the second, larger reel was ever offered for sale.  I have seen three of these reels, all of which were in possession of the Bellinger family after Al’s death.  This reel is unused.  Comes with embossed black leather bag.

The reel is 4 ½” in diameter, with a spool width of  1 ¼”. Weight is 14.5 ounces on my scale. This reel should spool lines through 12wt. with adequate backing.  The spool is perforated on both sides.  The frame, spool, handle, and foot are aluminum.  The counterweight, handle hub, oil cap, and drag adjustment are nickel silver. Sideplates appear to be Delrin.  The pillars are made with shoulders where they meet the frame.  The reel has incoming and outgoing click.  The reel is best understood as a gear-and-pawl reel.  There is a tension adjustment on the back plate, but it is not especially robust—mostly to prevent the spool form over-running. Full provenance on request. (38)