For the fumble-fingered ...

Mark Mc · 01-02-2003, 05:01 PM

Hey Mark, thanks for the tip. Baxter's in Eugene is calling it quits; he was fantastic and I wasn't sure who to try next. Do you know if he works on Newells? Thanks.....Mark

fish assassin · 01-02-2003, 11:55 PM

OK, I admit it! When it comes to rebuilding my reels I'm all
thumbs. Know anybody else like this? I've checked into having
Olie Damons clean/rebuild my reels, but it is both expensive and
inconvienent.

So anyway, I was down at Depoe Bay this past summer and meet a nice
old guy that goes by the name of Howard. He cleans reels in his
spare time. If a reel needs to be rebuilt, he's your man! He charges
10 bucks to clean a reel and a repair job (which includes a good cleaning/
oiling) is 10 bucks plus his price in parts. You usually get 'em
back within a week of giving them to him unless he has problems finding
parts.

I had him rebuild a half dozen Penn GTI 220/230's that I use for
TUNA fishing this past summer and was *very* pleased. The reels came back
running smoother then when they first came out of the box!!

You can usually catch him most days hanging around Dockside Charters
(in the port parking lot) during the fishing seasons (he also works on
the charter boats when a deck-hand come up missing). He
drives on older, red Ford Ranger.

Just thought I'd pass that along to anybody that happens to be around
Depoe Bay that has that same fumble-finger-itis that I have ... :grin: :grin:

-assAssin-

fish assassin · 01-03-2003, 06:26 AM

Mark,

Howard prefers to work on Penn reels, but will work on
almost anything from what I understand.

-assAssin-

Captn · 01-03-2003, 07:21 AM

For those who live in the Salem area, Elstads(503-363-6487) in West Salem has done a very fine job over the years. His work is good, and charges are very reasonable.
And he loves Penn reels. He has got quite an antique collection of fishing gear, and some of it is just plain hard to believe.
He does good reel repair and rebuild, and a great guy to talk to.

DriftR · 01-03-2003, 08:06 AM

Ditto that on Elstads Reel Repair in Salem. He changed out my free spool spring on my 6500's and that worked great. Heavy spring, less pop outs of the free spool button. He has quite a shop and you should visit when in the Salem area.