There are fly reels, and then there are icons. The Edward Vom Hoffe single-action click-pawl reel belongs firmly in the second category — a design so well-conceived that it defined what an American trout reel should look and feel like for generations of anglers.
We're proud to offer a faithful reproduction of this legendary reel as new old stock — never used, still in original packaging, and no longer in production anywhere. If you've been searching for one, this is your window.
Who Was Edward Vom Hoffe?
Edward Vom Hoffe was a New York City tackle maker whose shop on Fulton Street became a pilgrimage site for serious fly fishers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His reels were machined to exacting standards at a time when most American tackle was rough around the edges. The Vom Hoffe single-action quickly became the reel of choice for anglers chasing trout and Atlantic salmon on the storied rivers of the Northeast.
The design was elegant in its simplicity: a raised-pillar construction, a satisfying click-pawl drag, and a cast aluminum frame built to last a lifetime. No unnecessary complexity — just everything a fly reel needs, and nothing it doesn't.
About the Reproduction
The VH Vom Hoffe Reproduction captures the spirit of the original with a cast aluminum frame, single-action operation, and that unmistakable audible click on the retrieve that bamboo rod anglers have come to love. It's the kind of reel that feels right on a classic rod — unhurried, mechanical, purposeful. The iconic S-curve handle arm, turned wood knob, and raised-pillar frame are all faithful to the original Vom Hoffe design.
We carry three sizes to suit a range of rod and line weights:
- VH1 — 2¼" diameter — ideal for 2–4 weight rods and lighter trout fishing. $44.99
- VH2 — 2½" diameter — the versatile middle ground, well-suited to 4–6 weight setups. $49.99
- VH3 — 3" diameter — for heavier lines and larger water. $54.99
All three sizes are new old stock — they've never been fished, never been mounted, and come in their original packaging. This is a true collector's opportunity as much as it is a functional reel.
What the Market Is Telling You
We price these at $44.99–$54.99 because that's fair — but the secondary market tells a different story. We've seen these same reels sell on eBay for over $150, and it's not hard to understand why. They're discontinued, they're NOS, and there simply aren't many left in the world in this condition. Buying directly from us at our prices is a significant savings over what collectors are currently paying on the open market — and ours come with the confidence of knowing exactly what you're getting.
The Perfect Match for a Bamboo Rod
If you're building out a classic bamboo outfit, the Vom Hoffe reproduction is the natural complement. The click-pawl drag has a tactile, audible character that modern disc-drag reels simply don't replicate — and on a split-cane rod, that matters. The weight and balance are right, the aesthetics are right, and the heritage is right.
We carry a full selection of bamboo rods at Angler's Roost, from Dickerson and Heddon tapers to a wide range of blanks for builders. Pairing one of those rods with a VH reel makes for a setup that would have been perfectly at home on the Beaverkill a century ago — and still fishes beautifully today.
Get Yours While They Last
We have stock across all three sizes, but as NOS items that are no longer being manufactured, once they're gone, they're gone. These aren't going back into production — and based on what we've seen on the secondary market, they'll only get harder to find at these prices.
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