Heddon Imperial 125

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Cameron	Heddon Imperial 125	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2814 (12/05/08 05:49:10) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Some time back I purchased a Heddon Imperial 125 that I knew from the get was going to need some work. The spool moved back and forth within the frame, the handle was very loose and wobbled to the point that I thought it might fall off at any moment, and the drag was way to light to fish. The remedy...a trip to the House of Bulldog. The reel came back last week and it has been brought back to life. All that ailed is fixed. Ron does amazing work. This reel is a perfect match for a Heddon Pal #8383 that I have. Neat to have a Heddon/Heddon outfit. Question...did the Imperial 125's come in different sizes? I've seen some with round line guards. What is the story? I'd sure like to add a little three inch Imperial 125 for the Heddon Pal #8381 if they indeed exist. http://www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com/
bulldog1935		#1	[-]
Posts: 4235 (12/05/08 07:08:20) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	it came in one size, but there three models based on time. there was a great article on the reel in ORCA, May 2004, but I gave my edition away to a friend when I sold him my Imperial. But basically, there was the fixed check reel with agate line guard, then fixed check reel with rolling line guard - the early reels were lead-finished. The third model, beginning in the late 40s was the variable check with rolling line guard and anodized finish. the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Cameron		#2	[-]
Posts: 2815 (12/05/08 07:48:05) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ron...that was the exact answer I was looking for. So I guess my reel is from the 1940's? Interesting. http://www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com/
bulldog1935		#3	[-]
Posts: 4237 (12/05/08 08:07:11) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	oh, and on your reel, the handle was actually frozen on the spindle, and the spindle rivet had been splayed. The rivet should normally be fixed with the handle rotating on it. But all too common on the postwar reels, the handle was frozen solid. It had been turned until the rivet broke loose, and the wobble was the splayed handle rivet. I drilled out the rivet to remove the handle spindle from the spool, drove off the handle knob, drilled out and dressed the handle knob, reassembled it all and cast the spindle back into the spool with JB Weld. the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
searun		#4	[-]
Sport Posts: 9 (12/05/08 23:56:52) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Wow! That looks great. Nice reel and nice work reviving it to fish again!
bulldog1935		#5	[-]
Posts: 4239 (12/06/08 09:15:20) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Cam, did you already flip the pawl backwards again? the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
waldenm2428		#6	[-]
Sport Posts: 4 (12/06/08 09:47:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I have this same reel with most of the paint gone.This reel has the sweetest clicking sound of anything I own. My favorite reel of my modest collection. Mike
waldenm2428		#7	[-]
Sport Posts: 5 (12/06/08 12:12:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I forgot to ask something. I was thinking about using this reel on my heddon 8381would it be to large?
Cameron		#8	[-]
Posts: 2816 (12/06/08 13:02:50) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ron...no...haven't touched it. Is it wrong again? walden...I originally bought mine for a #8381...but I really thought it was to big for that little seven foot rod. To each his own. You may really like it on yours. Is your #8381 brown or yellow glass? http://www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com/
bulldog1935		#9	[-]
Posts: 4240 (12/06/08 13:48:35) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	guess I can't tell from the photo, Cam - with the pawl backwards, it was the same in wind and pay. With the pawl correct, wind was very light and pay was noticeable in all 3 tension settings. the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
waldenm2428		#10	[-]
Sport Posts: 6 (12/06/08 15:52:50) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Cameron ,My 8381 is yellow. I fished early spring in the mountains of N. Carolina using a Hardy Marquis #5 and that worked well but I was hoping to match it with a Heddon. I also have a Heddon #320 and that is too large. I may try the 125 anyway . Mike
harleydeen		#11	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 305 (12/08/08 22:09:20) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I use my Heddon #320 on my #8381 and for me it's just perfect. Figured the #320 is about 3 1/4" dia. which is great for a 7' 5wt rod. Gotta remember 5wt line on a #310 or 300 would leave much for backing... My .02 Tight Lines, Harley Lk. Stevens, Wa. Last Edited By: harleydeen 12/08/08 22:12:04. Edited 1 times.
bulldog1935		#12	[-]
Posts: 4250 (12/09/08 06:51:29) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I believe the 320 is 3-1/2" diameter (Hardy Princess size), while the 310 is 3-3/16" (LRH Lightweight size) Heddon 300 (Featherweight size) with a WF5 is probably perfect on the 7' Heddon rod. the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
Riffling Hitch		#13	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 427 (12/09/08 21:54:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	The imperial also came in a leaded finish fixed pawl with a chrome ring line guide. I am not sure where it fits in the time line. I might have a couple of pics of the one I had somewhere and I will post them if I can find them. Russell Last Edited By: Riffling Hitch 12/09/08 21:56:54. Edited 1 times.
Cameron		#14	[-]
Posts: 2841 (12/09/08 21:58:06) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Riffling Hitch...do post the photos if you can find them. http://www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com/
bulldog1935		#15	[-]
Posts: 4259 (12/10/08 07:26:01) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	the first model with ring line guard (some were agate) was about 1925-35. The second model had the fixed check and rolling line guard up to the War. Both were lead-finished. It was sold as "The Finest Fly Reel in the World": The 3rd model is the postwar reel. the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
turtledoc.clarksclassicfl...		#16	[-]
Posts: 149 (12/14/08 21:47:48) Adminstrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Here are a couple 125s that I have...... The white handled reel is a Model 125A (for agate line guide) and is I think circa 1928. The other reel is a Model 125C (for chromium line-guide) and I think circa early 1930's. Going from memory there are 48 teeth on teh wheel/gear making the 125s IMHO one of the best sounding click pawl reels....they just prrrrrrrrrrr Mark B
Cameron		#17	[-]
Posts: 2864 (12/15/08 00:08:39) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Mark...really nice looking reels you have there. I like. http://www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com/
JeffK		#18	[-]
Guide Posts: 41 (12/15/08 20:25:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I have an Imperial 125 without a line guard. Is it missing one or were they sold without line guards? I don't see any holes on the frame or pillars to attach one. The inside of the frame and spool are both stamped 121.
tonemike		#19	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 515 (12/16/08 01:16:22) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	thanks for including those pix mark. boy those are pretty reels! -mike
turtledoc.clarksclassicfl...		#20	[-]
Posts: 150 (12/16/08 23:07:27) Adminstrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I really like the fixed check Imperials, and Jeff I think the the reels without lineguides were an option at the beginning. I am assuming your reel has a white handle, and I think the number is actually a serial number. Someody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I have seen a half dozen early white handled reels without the spindle slot that had 3 digit numbers on the spools and frame. If you can, please post some pics of it....Thanks Mark B

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