Just found this forum while trying to find a Henry Smith special spoon for a friend of mine. He grew up around Cowichan Bay fishing with his dad in the 40's , a 14' clinker with Briggs engine , of course. I had never heard of a Henry Smith spoon but once I found a picture i finally remembered a white with pink one we had in the 50's.
I found it most interesting that many still remember Saanich Inlet in it's best years. I left Brentwood Bay 1961 and didn't come back to Vancouver untill 1976.
I started Salmon guiding from Creed's Landing, Brentwood BAy when I was about 14. Yes, the Peetz Reels were the best reel to use in the 50's and earlier.
I met Boris Peetz when I was around 12 with my dad. I still have my personal reel from the 50's(recorder) . Recorders were the reel of choice for all guide boats at the time along with a Roy Smith Flasher , strip and minow teasers, wire line , 70-80 lb leader (20-25 ') . the center line was a 5-7 lb bag of rocks which dropped with a salmon strike( had to be at least 10lbs for this to occur).
I believe I have about 50 Peetz reels currently. Unfortunately Peetz did not stamp there reels with dates or serial number. The reels can be aged approximately by the color and grain of the wood used. The first reels were made around 1926, this wood is different then wood from 1980's. I suppose this wood is like our first growth Douglas Fir compared to the 3rd growth we see now. Definitely a difference in quality.
There have been comments about using the new tuff line products with these reels , a local shop put on fly line backing and a braide tuff line type product about 3 years ago , I couldn't use it as it will cut your fingering when guiding line on reel when winding in. If anyone can recamend a smooth product of this type I would gladly try it. This year I plan on halibut fishing in the Sointula / Port McNeil area as we bought a small farm house about 5 years ago in this area.
A monofilament line must have a soft line backing to protect wood from exploding around 3 am after your day of fishing.
This is getting a little wordy for first post. Anyways if anyone has a white/pink Henry special they would like to part with let me know. My friend would like to have one again.
Earlier comment on using a 6" reel with brass spring loaded extension handle would be nice to try on a big halibut.
One more thing I am looking for a Peetz yellow rod with stainless roller guides(for wire) , this rod has a narrow fast upper 20" , very flexible. Have 5 rods but only one with this narrow top part.
