Like many of you, I’ve been spending my stay-at-home time sorting through my storage areas. It’s been fun to find treasures from days gone by.
I can’t believe it, but I actually found some of the gear that I wrote about last week.
If you recall, after I wore out three Zebco 202 reels, my dad bought me a Johnson Century. This reel was made by the Johnson Reel Company headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota. The Century reel was first introduced in 1957 and remained in production until 1979. A fishing historian once said this “little green reel revolutionized the sport of fishing because it was so simple to use that anyone who wanted to learn to fish could use it.” Well, almost everyone. I can still remember my mom trying to cast with this reel and inevitably her lure would end up behind her, or two feet in front of her. I guess the key phrase is “wanted to learn to fish.”
It’s always interesting to see what things cost back in the day. Even discounted, Holiday sold the Century reel for $8.99. That’s the price of a cup of coffee and donut today. Back in the 60’s that was a lot of money.
Would you believe I found the box of the reel that started it all. I think I know why my dad started me out with this reel. Do you see the price on the upper right corner? Yup, the Zebco 202 was three dollars cheaper than a Johnson Century. To a Norwegian father of four, three dollars was a significant price difference.
Since I’m talking about Zebco reels again, I have to give a special shout out to my friend, Judy Kingsbury. Last week she proudly pointed out Zebco reels are manufactured in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thanks Judy, and unlike the Johnson Reel Company, Zebco is still in business.
The best fisherman I knew growing up was my father. Imagine my surprise when I found his beloved Berkley Cherrywood, sans the Mitchell 300 reel.
If that rod could talk, it would tell many tales of father/son fishing adventures and about the “one that got away.” Great, great memories.
I hope that all of you are also finding treasures and memories during your “hunkered down” days.
See you next week. Not sure what I’ll be writing about, but I’m sure I’ll find something to talk about.
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