Clarence Gayle Reel

C. Gayle, Geo. W. Gayle & Son Reel

Clarence Gayle, Frankfort, KY

Clarence Gayle took over the Gayle company after George’s death in 1896 and continued to make reels up until the 1940’s. Clarence started marking his reels “HAND MADE” in about 1930. The last reels were marked “HAND MADE” and the maker’s name “CGayle” in script. Clarence did make some reels using B.C. Milam & Sons parts he had acquired when that company dissolved in 1928. The latest ad I've seen is from a 1937 issue of Field & Stream magazine. Gayle also made an inexpensive fly reel named the "Simplicity" that was mass produced. Clarence died in 1948.

Early Gayle History - George W. Gayle and his son Clarence Gayle began making reels around 1883. George Gayle was a silversmith and learned reel making while he worked for J.F.& B.F. Meek. Clarence Gayle, however, was the main person involved in making the Gayle reels. His reels can be found made of solid German silver and of aluminum. The "Standard" Gayle reel has a flanged headplate that looks like a man's top hat. The "Kentucky" style Gayle's are the most ornate and heavily knurled reels and are of the highest quality. Gayle also made a reels for the famous tackle companies VL&A, Chicago and William Mills & Son, NY. The William Mills & Son models were named "Intrinsic". "Intrinsic" reels came in the "Standard" and "Kentucky" styles and had extra fancy knurling. The Gayle fly reel is made of aluminum and is also sought after by collectors.