A nice Edward Vom Hofe Model 504 Tobique Salmon reel, in the scarce 1/0 size (3 31/8" diameter). Good used condition. There is some minor play in the spool (I suspect this might be addressed by taking it apart), some small scratches to the sideplates here and there along with a tiny area of discoloration near the edge of one (I suspect this could be addressed with a careful cleaning), and there is one small scratch on the band near the foot crossbar. Otherwise the reel is in very good condition throughout. The reel carries the 1896 patent mark on the drag knob cover, and has a strong click and fully functional adjustable drag with the arched bar adjuster that EVH introduced starting in 1929. This model, of course, has the multiplying 2 1/8 : 1 retrieve. "504" and "1:0" are stamped on one side of the foot crossbar, while serial number "371" is stamped on the other side. No bag. These small 1/0 Tobiques are not easy to find and this one is an excellent example of this scarce size.
This reel comes from the collection of Dr. Earl Fleegler, a passionate angler and well-known collector in the fly fishing community as well as a renowned hand surgeon. Dr. Fleegler was close friends with a number of angling luminaries including Tom Maxwell, Vince Marinaro, and Stan Bogdan (among others) and devoted considerable effort to collecting some of the finest tackle available from masters of the craft.
