Quartermaster posts usually begin the same way: I stumble across something on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, go down a rabbit hole, and discover something I think is worth sharing. Sometimes it ends with a reel on my desk that I didn’t know I was missing. Over time, that habit has turned into a quiet pile of rods and reels acquired out of curiosity, nostalgia, and a general inability to scroll past good engineering when I see it.

The end of the year is a good time to take stock. And in doing so, I’ve realized that the pile has grown a little too large. So this time, instead of sending you outward, I’m opening my own collection.

Each of these Orvis reels comes from an era when fly reels were built to do a job — unremarkably, repeatedly, and well. They aren’t particularly rare or precious. They’re just right. The kind of reels that balance a rod properly, reward restraint, and bring a quiet sense of style to your pursuit. Too good to sit on a shelf collecting dust.

These reels deserve to see action. Consider this an invitation to put one back on the water where it belongs.

Late 90’s Orvis Battenkill 5/6 - Made in England

No reel speaks to a brand’s heritage more than the Orvis Battenkill. Originally introduced in the 1960s, the Battenkill line has served tirelessly as a simple workhorse model with robust build quality and classic good looks. And by the 1990s, the Battenkill was a household name among anglers looking for reliability at an approachable price point.

This specific Battenkill 5/6 hails from the late 1990s, when Orvis was still using the British Fly Reel company for production of their core models. During this time, the Battenkill was crafted from cast high-silicone aluminum — a process used widely in automotive and aeronautical manufacturing — and finished in a dark gray corrosion-resistant coating.

The unpretentious finish helps the chrome plating on the line guard, reel foot, and machined counterweight pop, giving this reel an iconic look that pairs well with everything from bamboo to fiberglass.

This era of BFR-made Orvis Battenkills is really compelling. More and more, I find myself fishing click-and-pawl reels, and am drawn to models that have adjustable tensioners, as is found in this model. Switching the retrieve direction is straightforward and requires no special tools: simply reverse the direction of the pawls. (The included original pamphlet has a simple diagram for future reference.)

I don’t think you could classify a ‘90s Battenkill as a collectible reel, but a quick scan of eBay reveals that finding one in top condition is hard. I attribute this to their all-around utility and reliability; Battenkills were fished hard and put away wet.

This one is as close to perfect as I’ve seen; I don’t think it’s even had line on it. Other than the smallest of scratches on the reel foot and a little discoloration around the base of the spindle, this one is like new. It came into my possession with the pictured green and beige Orvis zipper case. I have no idea if this is correct, but it’s clean, the zipper works, and it feels generally era-appropriate.

Inquire about this reel

Orvis BBS II - Made in England

BBS stands for Battenkill Bar Stock. A no-nonsense nomenclature for a no-nonsense reel that carried with it a reputation for being rugged, versatile, and reliable. The BBS line achieved this by its blend of classic and modern design and manufacturing. And while its production run was relatively short lived, the BBS series has its die-hard fans.

The BBS was milled from aerospace-grade 6262-T6 aluminum, an alloy which sits in the sweet spot between hardness and machinability. This gave the BBS significantly higher tolerances than other reels from the era while maintaining a hardy, dent-resistant build. Machined aluminum also meant the BBS was light — the BBS II clocks in at just 3.5 ounces (unlined) — while still offering ample line capacity.

One of the most impressive elements of the BBS series was the deeply adjustable click drag achieved through the tensioning knob on the main plate. While it wouldn’t stop an ornery fish from running, it does put a surprising amount of pressure on the line and gives off a pleasingly bright but slightly muted sound when it does. Changing the retrieve direction is as simple as lifting the central disc and flipping it over. No tools required.

Originally introduced in the late 1990s, the BBS line was manufactured in England for only a handful of years before Orvis purchased and later shuttered the British Fly Reel company in 2004, making these jack-of-all-trade reels a special footnote in fly fishing history.

This all-black version is in exceptional condition and appears as though it has never been fished. Examples in like-new condition are unsurprisingly difficult to locate as the BBS was a workhorse, sought after by devoted anglers, and most others I’ve seen show it.

Inquire about this reel

Orvis Madison IV - Made in England

I’m a big fan of underdogs, especially when they punch well above their weight class, and the Orvis Madison is one such item.

Originally produced for Orvis in the 1970s by Shakespeare, who, having had acquired Pfleuger in the late 1960s, leaned on the widely popular Medalist as design inspiration. Some old forum threads note that for a time, the spools of the two models were interchangeable, suggesting that the Madison was manufactured to nearly identical proportions.

The Madison always occupied an entry-level station at Orvis, to such a degree that over time, concerted efforts were made to make production even cheaper. By the mid-1980s, Orvis had dumped Shakespeare’s American production facilities in favor of BFR in Britain, a move that lasted until the line was phased out altogether in the ‘90s.

This example hails from that final era of production, and you can see Orvis’ attempts at cost-savings throughout. The reel was cast, not machined, and the guts of the click-and-pawl were fabricated from plastic. Even the central medallion bearing the model name was simplified to a printed sticker.

And yet, as a reel, it still performs. Last year, while fishing Yellowstone National Park, an angling buddy used his grandfather’s Madison reel on its namesake river just outside the park. Hearing its distinctly bright clicker fire off as he landed spunky trout was the best kind of time travel, and made me appreciate how little a reel actually needs to do.

This example is in like-new condition and comes with its original paperwork.

Inquire about this reel

Orvis Superfine CFO II Disc - Made in England

In 1874, Charles Orvis revolutionized the world of fly fishing with the creation of the ventilated fly reel, setting the standard for modern fly fishing equipment. Nearly a century later, Orvis tapped legendary reel maker Stan Bogdan to design a new reel in homage to the brand’s famous founder. That original CFO – for Charles F. Orvis — was manufactured by Hardy in England and introduced in the Orvis Christmas catalog in 1971.

Since its inception, the CFO has had many iterations. While Hardy made the first run, production was quickly moved to the British Fly Reel company which was responsible for the majority of the CFO manufacturing until 2004 when BFR was dismantled by Orvis.

This reel hails from the CFO’s final runs of British manufacturing, likely dating to the early aughts. A sought after model in its own right, this CFO II is finished in a gorgeous bronze and topped with a rosewood knob, an expression that saw limited production at BFR relative to the more iconic black and steel versions.

CFOs of this era also represent the last of the offset drag system, a design that began and ended with Orvis. This drag system is finely tuned, and allows for more drag pressure than is likely necessary for this small, standard-arbor reel. Still, the counterbalanced spool and rear-mounted drag knob, combined with its fetching color and classic good looks, gives this British-made reel an air of sophistication that is lost in the modern era.

This one’s in excellent condition with only a couple of imperfections on the knob side of the spool and a small scuff near the hub on the base plate. It comes with an era-appropriate Orvis zipper case.

Inquire about this reel

At some point in every pursuit, our relationship to it mutates. We slide — sometimes suddenly, even violently — into collecting the objects that mark the milestones of our passion. Tools become totems. Gear becomes artifact. What started as motion becomes meaning. What began in the doing becomes a way of being.

Audiophiles have their vinyl. Photographers, their film-filled Leicas. Gearheads trade turbos for stick shifts and chase the sound of an air-cooled engine. Horologists hunt golden-era timepieces that still beat with mechanical heart.

Anglers are no different.

If you’re like me, you still want to fish, but you want to do it with soul. With style. With gear that says: I’ve been here a while.

Quartermaster is a curated dispatch of gear from across the web that deserves a second life.

Forget words like vintage or collectible. I look for items that tell stories and are ready to make some new ones. Things phased out by cost-cutting and offshoring. Stuff that stands up like a middle finger to the mediocrity of modern mass-manufacturing. Stuff that makes your palms sweat a little when you hold it.

Screw nostalgia.

Quartermaster is here to help you fall back in love with what hooked you in the first place. And send it, with style.

Late 1960s Hardy Princess with Spare Spool and Zipper Pouch

Hardy’s Princess debuted in the 1950s as a part of their Lightweight Series of reels which included the Flyweight, Featherweight, and LRH Lightweight. The series was something of an evolution in fly reel design, one that both reflected the shifting culture of angling in the postwar era, and came to define the next few decades. It marked a departure from the ornate legacy of the Perfect and St. George: stripped-down, modern, and built for the everyday angler.

Despite its delicate sounding name, the Princess was the undisputed workhorse of the Lightweight Series, ideally sized for 6-weight rods and boasting enough spool space for ample backing making them suitable for even light salmon fishing. All in all, it was a reel that helped Hardy shed some of its aristocratic image in favor of a more grounded, working-class appeal.

Like most reels that had a long production run, the Princess saw several variations. This example was likely manufactured sometime in the late 1960s and early 1970s, in what many collectors consider the sweet spot of production. Earlier production runs were marked by a ribbed brass reel foot which was swapped out in the early sixties for smooth, un-anodized alloy; the matte gray pebbled enamel finish is another hallmark of this era, a coating that was phased out by the 1980s. The use of engraving for the logo and model name is another tell of these ‘sweet spot’ Princess reels.

By today’s standards, the Princess is heavier than a typical 6-weight reel yet only spans 3 ½” inches across the face. But its weight, build quality, and styling make it an exceptional option for retro-minded anglers looking for something to pair with a fiberglass rod. And having most certainly been handmade in Alwick, it has the kind of understated, #IYKYK prestige that you’d find in a Leica rangefinder or Technics turntable. This one shows some honest patina and comes with an extra spool and Hardy zipper case, making it a really pleasing package for anyone looking to add some heritage to their lineup.

This one is up on an open auction on eBay with a starting bid of $225.

See the full eBay listing here

Like-New Loomis NRX 9’ 5wt Rod

Twelve years ago I left my Upper East Side apartment to visit the only independently-owned fly shop in Manhattan, Urban Angler. I was still green, but I felt my fishing had matured past the capabilities of the entry-level two-piece Orvis rod on which I’d learned the basics of casting. It was time for a real rod.

Ron, Urban Angler’s longtime store manager, met me with a smile when I stepped off the elevator, and upon hearing my intentions, wasted no time in walking me through their impressive lineup of rods. After a few hours of discussion and lots of wiggling of rod tips (mostly for show on my part), Ron packed up a brand new 9-foot 5-weight Loomis NRX and sent me on my way. I didn’t know it then, but I’d just purchased what would not only become my favorite rod, but the rod that would shape my entire journey as an angler.

Loomis was founded by Gary Loomis in 1982 in Washington State. Like many maker-founders, Gary fused his passions as a machinist and angler into an exploration of turning aerospace-grade graphite into high quality fly rods marked by fast recovery speed, sensitivity, and unparalleled power-to-weight ratios. By the 1990s, Loomis was a household name among anglers.

The NRX line was launched in 2010 under the leadership of celebrated rod designer and international fly casting champion Steve Rajeff. Loomis and Rajeff marketed the NRX as a quantum leap in graphite performance, pointing to a proprietary Nano Silica resin that bolstered the strength of their powerful, but brittle, graphite. The resulting NRX line was a marvel; a high-modulus stick that boasted incredible power while remaining exceptionally light for its weight class, winning both ‘Best of Show’ and ‘Best New Fly Rod’ at that year’s ICAST.

I didn’t know any of this when I walked out of Urban Angler that day, but in the decade-plus since purchasing it, my Loomis 9-foot 5-weight NRX has earned its place as my favorite rod. Over the years its landed everything from smallmouth and landlocked salmon, to Yellowstone Cutthroats and California Redbands. It’s happiest when overlined, yet can throw any kind of fly without flagging or overpowering the cast. Knock wood, but my NRX has outlasted rods from every other manufacture I’ve tried over the years, and dollars to donuts it will likely outlast me.

It’s because of all this that I considered gatekeeping this like-new example that’s on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $850 — $150 bucks less than I paid back in 2013. It’s no small chunk of change, but I couldn’t imagine my fishing life without my NRX, and would pay that and more to have a replacement waiting in the wings should my beloved Loomis meet an untimely end.

See the full eBay listing here

American-Made Abel No. 2 with Spare Spool and Pouch

The Abel No. 2 is one of those reels that feels like it belongs in the Hall of Fame of fly fishing, not because it won IGFA honors or industry accolades, but because it was the quiet best friend of the Saltwater Fly Rodders of America and celebrity anglers Flip Pallot and Lefty Kreh.

Where Abel’s No. 3, 4 and 5 were often the choice for trophy-hunting anglers chasing tarpon, GTs and billfish, the Abel No. 2 was perfectly positioned for lighter saltwater species like bonefish and striped bass. Rivaling Tibor’s Everglades model with both its burly design and sealed cork drag system, the No. 2 was an absolute workhorse model that would still suit modern saltwater and steelhead anglers well.

Perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Big Game series reels was Abel’s signature radial porting pattern with alternating spoke sizes and gloss black anodized finish, a look that defined early-to-mid 1990s reels and remains a distinctive aesthetic of the brand today. Thirty some years after its heyday, the porting pattern feels decidedly vintage without feeling quaint, like a set of Fuchs rims on an air-cooled Porsche.

The example featured here seems to have either dodged the hardworking life so many of these reels experienced, showing very faint evidence of wear throughout. The cork also appears to be in solid shape, and would no doubt function as new with a little cleaning and a light application of neatsfoot oil. The second spool is a rare bonus; being able to switch out floating and intermediate sinking lines on the fly, or species-specific setups throughout the season is made much more pleasant with a second spool.

At time of publishing, the eBay auction listing has only one bid of only $375 which is well below market for these exceptional reels. Especially when you consider that Abel doesn’t make them like this anymore—and maybe no one ever will again.

See the full eBay listing here

If you’re anything like us, you’re still in holiday recovery mode. The email inbox is still stuffed with flagged emails waiting for your response, calls from the credit card company are being sent straight to voicemail. You can’t get the sound of your in-laws voices out of your head and somehow you’ve been suckered into another dry January.

Lucky for you, new super scientific research has determined that not only is Quartermaster good for your mental well-being, it actually stimulates circulation and rebuilds damaged neurons.* So go ahead and don your favorite lounge pants, dim that screen brightness, and get comfortable.

Self care starts now.

Ross Reels Flystart 3 with Extra Spool and Original Box

The Flystart reel series came out in 2007 in four configurations for line weights from 3- to 8-weight. Cut from cast aluminum, machine finished, and sealed with an electrostatic ‘aerospace’ polyurethane coating, the Flystart was meant to offer a lower entry point for anglers looking to get into the popular Montrose, CO-based reel maker.

But one would be forgiven for seeing more vintage Bauer DNA in the Flystart than that of Ross. The bold circular porting, cylindrical counterweight, deep central spindle well, and overall ratio feel eerily similar to a classic Bauer Mackenzie and reminds one that while “good artists borrow, great artists steal.”

Looking closer we find that Ross equipped the Flystart with an offset adjustable disc drag system and central push-button spool release. The guts are made from Delrin—no doubt a cost-savings measure—as is the handle.

The Flystart 3 is designed to pair with 5- to 7-weight rods, but given the design it’s likely better equipped for the upper end of that spectrum or 10-foot 5-weights that benefit from a little more counterbalance, putting it in the sweet spot for a streamer outfit. This Flystart 3 comes with a second spool which has been rigged up with what appears to be a sinking line, corroborating the notion that this reel is well suited for a rod that’s flinging heavier flies.

This example is in excellent condition bearing only a few light hallmarks of having been fished. And coming with the original box and papers, it’s easy to get past the ‘homage’ to Bauer’s design language, especially considering the BIN price of a mere $140.

See the full eBay listing here

Vintage CC Filson Guide Vest Style 136S

Sooner or later, every angler develops their go-to gear setup. Decisions about where to put your fly boxes or how to secure your net are as personal as your preferred underwear brand. The gear we start with can define our taste and lay the foundation for muscle memory that, over time, becomes second nature when you’re on the water. And as we grow as anglers, it's natural to refine our setups, dialing in the little annoyances that are idiosyncratic to our personalities, our bodies and our fishing style.

For those of a certain era, the Style 136S Guide Vest — and its variants — defined the practice as much or more than rods, reels and flies did.

The most obvious (and beloved) feature of this era of Filson is the gorgeous loam green cotton twill that was used. The color of the fabric is reminiscent of Vietnam War-era U.S. Army field uniforms (think: M65 Field Jacket) lending a rugged, timeless look. The material ages extremely well and is more robust than its relatively light weight might suggest.

This era of Filson is also thoughtfully designed. Pockets are gusseted with accordion fronts for expansion. Brass snap closures hide looped backing which can serve as handy places to clip a small carabiner.

Side and front closure snaps offer two positions, which grant the user a simple way to adjust the fitment when layers change. Large front pockets with unfailing brass zipper closures hold way more than you’d think while staying out of the way when not in use. Hidden inside are several flat pockets with snap closures that are excellent for stowing sink-tips, leaders, ID, or cash for run-ins with the warden.

This Guide Vest model sports the classic steel d-ring for attaching a magnetic net release, as well as large back pockets for stowing a light rain jacket, extra layer, or lunch. It appears to be in extremely good shape, considering the devoted use that many of these received, and still has its original detachable shearling drying patch, a hard-to-find add-on that often gets separated from its host.

It should be mentioned that Filson sells an updated version of this exact model with ripstop nylon and plastic zippers — as well as a modernized design — that can be had for less than $300. But pound for pound, these vintage Filson pieces have so much more character than the modern remakes, and will last you a lifetime. Just ask us how we know.

This one is an X-Large and currently listed at $450.99 OBO from a highly-rated eBay seller.

See the full eBay listing here

Abel X-Stream TR2 with Original Pouch

Any brand that’s been around for decades will have epochs of design and manufacturing, each with their own cult following. For some Rolex collectors, it’s the matte dial, tritium lume, and click bezel of an early 16800. Certain vintage Porsche lovers have secret soft spots for pop-up headlights. Anglers fall for such specifics too, and one such example might be the Abel TR series reels that were manufactured under Steve Abel’s watchful eye. Their fine porting, almost delicate dimensions and bright click-and-pawl clickers make the USA-made TRs an era that’s fueled many obsessive late-night eBay hunts. That is unless you’re searching for a the rare trout-sized X-Stream.

The X-Stream series was released by Steve Abel in December of 2003 and came in four configurations. The first three were cork drag models in 5wt, 7-9-weight, and 10-11-weight classifications—reels with Abel’s supreme stopping power for beefy fish. The fourth, the one on display here, was a 5wt click-and-pawl version.

In an interview with Midcurrent, Steve Abel explained that he designed the X-Stream lineup to be a bit more affordable than his other offerings by replacing the Rosewood accents with a simple black Delrin, and opting for a shorter polishing process. Additionally, Abel made it possible to produce the model without a counterweight through a unique porting pattern while still using the same high-quality aluminum stock.

Given the vogue at the time of its release, it stands to reason that these click-and-pawl versions were less popular than the cork disk drag models, though actual production numbers are impossible to find. But in the eyes of the modern angler, this stealthy outfit suited for a 5-weight feels like a cult classic in the making; the 180-degree teardrop porting and retro logo engraving hallmarks of those in-between models that keep collectors up at night.

This example looks to be in very fine condition with minimal wear. According to the eBay seller it also comes with the original Abel reel pouch, a lovely perk on a sleeper that has zero bids on a classic auction starting at $275 at the time of publishing.

See the full eBay listing here

Haven’t you heard? Fly fishing is having a moment. It’s never been more popular or approachable, with new faces joining the water every day. From sleek reels to stylish gear, the sport is evolving—and that’s something to celebrate. We can’t wait to see what comes next. It feels like any day now a classic rod maker will break into bold, unexpected new territory.

This growing enthusiasm is opening doors everywhere. Long-time companies are thriving, innovation is buzzing, and options for performance gear have never been greater. Fly fishing is no longer a niche—it’s a movement, and it’s bringing people together like never before.

But we also know that your enthusiasm for the sport doesn’t stop when you hang up your waders. So, whenever you feel like scratching that itch, Hookswain is here to keep you inspired. The new era is here and the adventure is just beginning.

Ross Colorado No. 2

Ross Reels is perhaps best known for its commitment to developing disc drag systems and large arbors which were made popular by the Gunnison and Cimarron series reels produced in the 1980s and 1990s. 

But by the 1990s, the Lightweight Revolution had begun and the push was on to make lighter and faster outfits spurred on by the refinement of graphite, the introduction of multi-modulus blank technology, and the growing appeal of fast action rods. Ross responded by developing the Colorado series, a simplified reel that eschewed the heavy drag systems and enlarged arbors for a simple click and pawl setup that would pair well with lighter, faster graphite rods. 

The Colorado series was produced between 1997 and 2004 in four sizes: the 0, for 0-4 weight rods; the 1, for 3-5 weight rods; the 2 for 4-6 weight rods; and the 3, for 5-7 weight rods. The 0 was marked by porting on both the frame and the spool, whereas the others sported a solid frame. 

This No. 2 is an extremely clean example of this short-lived minimalist movement at Ross, a design aesthetic which has aged surprisingly well and provides a stunning counterpoint to the modern reincarnation.

At the time of publishing, this immaculate Colorado No. 2 had not received the opening bid of $145 with about two days left on the auction; BIN for $190 plus $15 shipping from Illinois. 

See the full eBay listing here

LL Bean Pocket Water 6’ 10” 4WT

LL Bean originally released the Pocket Water series in 2012 as a hat tip to enthusiasts of blue lining for wild brook trout. Its overall look and feel was meant to conjure that of bamboo; the tawny graphite and reddish-brown wraps, reverse half Wells grip, nickel uplocking hardware, and burled reel seat.  

The Pocket Water rods were designed for fishing in small, tight waters, making them ideal for anglers targeting native trout and other small freshwater species. The short length and medium-fast action make them well-suited for accurate, punchy presentations, the kind you want on small streams. These rods are situated in a unique place in the current rod market, attracting anglers who favor firing dry fly laser beams over high sticking euro-trash rigs. And at only 6’ 10”, this 4-piece rod breaks down into sections less than two feet long, making it a really fun travel or backpacking rod.

The Pocket Water was never mass produced by LL Bean, making them little-known among most practitioners. That is until 2021, when LL Bean reintroduced the Pocket Water series in three configurations of fiberglass, with the same tan and brown aesthetic. As with most remakes, the newer model has only driven more enthusiasm toward the original.

This example is in like-new unused condition and comes with its original rod tube and gray cloth rod bag. It’s being offered on classicflyfisherman.com for $225. The site doesn’t have e-commerce capabilities, so you’ll need to email or call to purchase. 

Classicflyfishermanrrs@gmail.com

Toll Free 1-866-930-3667 or 215-412-3667

See the Full Listing Here

J. Ryall Julianne No. 2

The Julianne is an exceedingly hard to find model from the little-known reel maker J. Ryall. This example is in pristine condition with no wear marks to speak of, a sign that would give us pause if it weren’t being sold by a very reputable eBay seller who specializes in fly reels. The Julianne was one of J. Ryall’s smaller models — suitable for 2-4wt outfits — and arguably one of its most charming.

Perhaps the most compelling thing about these stunning reels is that it was hand machined by its namesake, Jim Ryall, a self-taught expert machinist who made a living machining custom aircraft parts for the U.S. Air Force and the Apollo Space Program. When demand waned in the 1980s, Ryall started machining reels from T6061 aircraft quality aluminum, applying his experience with military-spec machining tolerances and type 3 anodizing coatings to his favorite hobby. 

For his reels he developed a center-line axis drag system that used a large knob on the cage to tighten the spool, a design that was leaps and bounds ahead of the click-and-pawl drags that Orvis and others were still using at the time.

All J. Ryall reels feature a lovely teardrop porting on the cage, a headscratchingly sweet detail when you consider the time it must have taken to hand machine. Combined with dark anodized finish set off by the chromed accents, the Julianne No 2 is so good looking that it makes one want to invest in a lightweight rod just to fish it. 

This one has the model number etched inside the frame — #154 — which is consistent with J. Ryall reels of this era. The seller has it marked at $375 BIN, a reasonable price given the condition and rarity of this hand-machined beaut.

See the full eBay listing here

Six days ago the fly fishing world lost a giant. John Gierach’s writing was a bright spot in our corner of existence, his wit and wisdom unmatched. He was the angler’s angler, the trout fisherman’s folk hero, the original Trout Bum. Here’s to the writer that made us all take a closer look at this crazy little way of life we call fly fishing.

If you don’t know his writing, I strongly encourage you to pick up one of his many books. You’ll be glad you did. Mad River Outfitters has a nice selection.

Rare Flambeau 5-Drawer Model 22060

If you’re a fly tier and you’ve ever looked for a way to carry your vise and some materials on the road, you know that there’s no good solution. For years I packed things in Ziplocs and a generic plastic bin, which was fine, but always left me irritated.

Pawing through little plastic bags for that one material always ends up in a mess, which is especially frustrating at campsite picnic tables or hotel room work areas. That is until I discovered the discontinued Adventurer line of tool boxes from Flambeau.

Flambeau is an American company founded in 1947 and still makes all manner of injection-molded tackle and tool boxes. The company takes its name from the Flambeau River in Wisconsin, a tribute to the company’s origins in hunting and fishing.

The examples of the Adventurer line that I am most drawn to are the gray high-density polyethylene boxes with blaze orange drawers produced from the late 1980s through the mid 1990s when the brand was particularly focused on making rugged long-lasting injection molded units. The color scheme is practical — the muted exterior hides wear while the orange trays make finding items easier — and pleasingly retro.

The Adventurer line came in a range of models and configurations, but the ones I like most stand upright and feature drawers that slide out from the rigid housing, which is especially nice when tabletop space is limited.

I own a larger Model 22030 which folds open akin to a typical tackle box, but have been eyeing the smaller vertical drawer units like the Model 22060 featured here. This particular tower unit is a six-drawer configuration with five ‘standard’ drawers and fifth larger bottom drawer that should be ideal for housing a vise, tools, hooks and other stuff too big for the other compartments.

My 22030 has been awesome, and is adept at keeping a selection of materials, hooks, beads, thread and tools ship-shape. Loading the box does require some discipline, and I tend to repack it seasonally with materials appropriate for the season and the fishery I am visiting.

The compartments are a tad small for the plastic bags that most materials come in from the fly shop, but I’ve found that decanting them into smaller containers and trimming long feathers like pheasant tails a viable solution.

‘Standard’ drawers have a large center container about 3 1/4” wide which are apt for housing larger materials like packs of hackle. The six side containers are 2” wide and can be divided in half (if you have the dividers). Most have a large single-bin bottom drawer which can stow larger items like a full skin or cape, and the vise itself. 

I’m on the verge of buying a 1000 pack of 2x6 re-closable bags as I think they’d fit the drawers perfectly. I’ll let you know if I pull the trigger.

By my estimates, the Model 22060 has a footprint of 19” x 10.5” x 14”, and would likely weight about 7 to 8 pounds unloaded, a concern if not for the very robust top carrying handle and locking front buckles that snap closed and stay there. The line even came with an eyelet for a padlock, a helpful addition when you want to keep your precious fly tying materials from growing legs.

These boxes often got heavily used and most have chipped and scarred exteriors; the drawers are often stained, cracked and littered with cruft. This one is really clean overall, and looks to be only lightly used.

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Introducing Quartermaster

In fly fishing, there is no trip, excursion, or field day that would be possible without some element of gear. Even a lazy afternoon on home waters requires essential pieces of kit—rod, reel, flies, and likely some not-so-essential creature comforts—to be made possible. I am a firm believer that the gear to which we gravitate, the things we choose to carry with us, define our experience on the water, for better or for worse. Gear failures can lead to drudgery, discomfort, and disappointment whereas good gear can make a day effortless, enjoyable, memorable. 

The items that we bring into the field are an extension of who we are as outdoorspeople. We express our values and our heritage through our selection. Hell, even our style. As we season, we gravitate to pieces of gear that give back to the experience. Even the most pragmatic among us would admit that a beloved piece of equipment, no matter how outdated, can often win out over a more practical alternative.

Quartermaster is dedicated to this notion, to the connection that we form with these inanimate objects, and the memories that they evoke long after the day is done.

What is a Quartermaster?

Simply put, a quartermaster is a logistics and supply officer overseeing a ship, or a large unit of troops. The origin of the term reaches back to fifteenth century France, and is still in use today among several militaries. The iconic and beloved ‘Q’ from the James Bond franchise embodies the dynamic and diverse nature of outfitting field operations (Q is, naturally, short for Quartermaster). The US Army Quartermaster School describes the role as one who provides “the right supplies, in the right quantities, at the right time.” Plainly put, a quartermaster is the logistics guru responsible for acquiring the right equipment for any mission.

I like that: the right stuff, in the right amounts, at the right time.

OK, So What is Quartermaster?

Hookswain readers will find Quartermaster to be far less serious than the name’s genus might suggest. Fun, it turns out, has been almost completely squeezed out of the outdoors industry, and fly fishing is next in the queue. Being an angler has become far too tactical, and too focused on the latest releases that promise catching more fish. Quartermaster is our counter punch to this trend.  

It’s also a response to the overwhelming focus on new gear proliferated via email and content marketing that bombards us with ‘special offers’ and ‘exclusive access.’ Blah blah. No, Quartermaster aims to reorient enthusiasm to the used and the bruised, the patched and patinated. It’s also a chance to celebrate good stuff, and poke fun at our own penchant for obsessing, coveting and collecting the stuff that surrounds the sport.

That’s all I’ll give you for now. Stay tuned for Issue #001, coming soon.

Most of my fishing is done from the trunk of a car between the end of the work day and when it’s too dark to see. And for these fair-weather outings, I reach for my ever-dependable Filson vest.

But a few times a year I go on longer trips with long days spent far from camp. On these occasions I bring a pack with water, food, a change of clothes and a simple first aid kit.

But wearing a pack over a fishing vest is cumbersome and the two pieces of equipment feel in conflict with each other.

I dreamed of something streamlined and simple with a single pouch that could fit a box or two. It needed to be separate from the pack so I could ditch it if I needed, and wearable while wet wading.

The design I came up with is dubbed the Rip Cord, a nod to the use of Army-issued materials.

Generally, I am happy with the design, though if I were to make it again I wouldn’t use elastic suspenders — they stretch too much over the course of a day and need readjusting.

The pouch itself is ample with a rough dimension of 4 x 8 inches. It’s perfect for two slim boxes or one multi-leaf box. And since its almost always paired with a pack, I carry back-up boxes there.

The profile is small and never gets in the way, though from time to time a loop of sloppy line will find a clip or piece of webbing; another area of streamlining I would do on version two.

I designed it to be removable from the suspender rig via the quick clips and some velcro. Largely an unnecessary feature, but it feels kind of tactical, which I like.

I’d definitely add drain holes to the bottom next time, and maybe even some stiff material inside the pouch to help it hold the shape better.

That said, I am so happy with the Rip Cord’s overall design - not bad for a prototype!