1999 GRAND AMERICAN REEL NOW A PLAYER - no pictures
Mr. G
GRAND AMERICAN NOW A PLAYER!
! Off the Back Burner !
Spool & Housing Fixtures Now In the Works
THE GRAND AMERICAN COMETH!
George Gehrke Reclaiming Single Action - ACTION
It has been a long time since the Grand American was on the American Fly
Fishing Scene. A by-pass operation at the Mayo Clinic, another major
operation at Sacred Heart in Spokane that was real scary, and that thing
called 'getting older' should have put an end to the rebirth of the
finest Single Action Reel ever invented in Fly Fishing History. If it
weren't for the fact that a former alliance wouldn't keep their word,
once given - it would most likely have stayed on the back burner. Moral
of this short introduction? Don't break your word with George. Enter
then, a new dawning in America.
George Gehrke's GRAND AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION was produced for a short
time out of a hired machine shop North of Denver Colorado. CNC's were
just coming into rogue and my first GRAND AMERICAN cost me $50,000.00 to
come up with the prototype. That reel is now Gold Plated. A short run
was finally begun, but the problems continued with the machinist who was
above his head in understanding how to do things. The reels I was able
to produce were awesome and for the number sold; more world records were
set on them (ratio wise) then any other single action during those two
years. Overwork, illness struck yours' truly low and everything came to
a sudden halt. All our remaining funds went to save my life.
It did, just that.
Enter now 1999. Since 1997, the Internet has been educating George on
the dos and don'ts of worldwide communications. Out of the mutual
chaos, comes good. Dares were made and recently, we all know that the
birth of "GG's BASTARD BAMBOO FLY ROD COMPANY" is now a reality and the
assembly line is now under construction.
Well, the more I thought about it, the more I thought about - when the
XYZ Company ticked me off. Gladys said, you happen to have the nicest,
best single action fly fishing reel in the world sitting in boxes and
all those parts for twelve years now George. Why don't you consider
looking into putting them into production again? What could be more
natural then A BASTARD FLY ROD with a GRAND AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION?
I looked at her with this 'blank look' that surely said 'duh' to her and
she giggles. Gladys holds up a hand for me not to say anything and she
continues, "If you're saying to everyone that you can make a Tonkin Cane
fly rod for a hell of a lot less then $3,000.00 then why can't you make
a $500 reel for a hell of a lot less? This is not Denver" She smiles.
"What if you can get that also below $300.00 or even down to $250? What
a combination!
This week, I found a machine shop. I can have the spools and housings
done for a lot less but the anodizing is a lot more also. Yet, I think
I can live with it.
The reel has about 50 parts and they are ALL made out of solid bar
stock. The GRAND AMERICAN is the first single action reel in the world
to be made out of solid bar stock and it is the strongest, most
powerful, most wonderful single action in the world. I can make a
change or two while I'm at it. As the new machine shop I found said,
"This is the best looking and best designed reel we've ever seen, and
the strongest. How do they know? Well, they're all fly fishermen!
GEHRKE'S GRAND AMERICAN FEATURES & CONCEPTS
The Single Action is the most difficult fly fishing reel anyone could
hope to choose. It requires certain attributes by users if they are to
defeat game fish of all sizes. Those attributes are listed as follows.
1) The ability to think about not making mistakes (such as stepping on
one's own line).
2) The athletic ability to palm without damaging one's hand during the
heat of battle.
3) To accept the 'Single Fly Fishing System' without cheating that
system or one's self. This system comprises one of everything including
the fisherman against one fish.
4) The application of 'Gink's Rules of Fair Chase' while using the
Single F.F. Concept
In my view, the standard all other fly fishing combinations that are
invented are subservient to the Single Action Fly-Fishing System. For
example, ratio reels, slip clutch reels with concepts adapted from the
spin and/or casting reel fishing sports, etc.
These other combinations may be fly fishing, are fun, and also helpful
for those that need help in order to enjoy and extend their abilities to
fly fish . . . but they are variations 'from' the ultimate challenge and
purity of concept. No insults intended. As long as it brings joy, the
single fly-fishing concept is one unto itself and has no peers regarding
it.
That said, the direct ratio of 1 : 1 allows an advantage to a game fish
(one of several) that it may prompt it's escape - provided the angler
makes an athletic or mental error in the heat of battle that other
automatic or compensating reels would neutralize. The Direct Ratio
Single Action compromises nothing and that is the beauty it offers the
uncompromising fly fisherman.
Narrow spools originally averaged 3/4th of an inch wide. The Grand
American was the first reel to break that tradition across the board.
Yes, there were a few reels made in the past that went to one inch, but
they were not offered in the style presented in the Grand American
Tradition.
There are five Model Sizes of the Grand American Single Action
1) GGA-750 2 - 4 wt
2) GGA-800 5 - 7
3) GGA-850 8 - 9
4) GGA-900 10 - 12
5) GGA-1000 10 - 13
The Grand American Spools go from 1 inch to 1.5 inches in width! The
Grand American Single Action is hefty, big in backing support and brawny
in style and fighting abilities.
NEW COLOR OPTION - BREAKING TRADITION
Here is where fly fishermen's opinions come in. It is time to break
tradition regarding colors that reel housings and spools should be.
If the truth be known, the worst colors anyone can have for a fly
fishing reels because they heat up and bake fly lines into brittle,
worthless, cracked and ruined lines. These colors have a remarkable
love for 'the green-house affect' of cooking fly lines. Reels are laid
on vehicle dashes and in the bottom of drift boats where there is no
wind to help keep them cool. The heat drives out the plasticizers and
the fly lines are ruined, not unless the fly fisherman happens to used
the one product in the world that will save his fly line, and that is
Gehrke's PZ Fly Line Dressing and Cleaner. We have mentioned this
remarkable product before.
The colors that are the worst are as follows:
1) Black (but it is used because it is dark and non-glaring)
2) Silver (as hot as black and many times worse)
3) Other heat absorbing colors.
The perfect reel for fly-fishing would be white with just a touch of
blue in it. White is an attention grabber and will spook a lot of
fish. This, is a no-no in fly-fishing.
Many fly fishermen know this and make a point of putting reel socks over
their reels if they are going to set them down for any period of time in
a boat, or during stream side lunches, etc.
For years, I've been saying that there are two colors that would look
good on a fly rod. I'm going to post a picture of 'an example' that is
not a spool design that is ours, but rather an anodizer's version of
what I have in mind. The finish on previous GEHRKE GRAND AMERICAN
SINGLE ACTION REELS was a 'soft, fine, matted finish' where the spools
were 'bead blasted' with an extra fine medium and then anodized. This
process provides dull black that is functional, and which doesn't
highlight minuscule blemishes that are inherent in highly polished reel
spools and housings. Aluminum, by its very nature can have impurities
in it, depending upon where it is made. Dirty aluminum from Mexico is
prone to this when anodized. A straight machine finish that boldly
brags about not hiding the artistic tracings that made the reel has
merit. It is a matter of taste and cost savings. To buff housing
increases costs. We are thinking of doing just that. The following
picture shows a Grand American from twelve years ago. It gives everyone
a sense of the color black and of course the Grand American at the start
of this article does the same. It is very difficult to show a black
reel, perfectly.
The Grand American is 100% American Made With American Pride. ALL Grand
Americans are full Salt Water Resistant Single Action Fly-Fishing
Reels. There is no such thing as a salt-water PROOF reel. Every reel
in the world that is used in salt-water fishing MUST be rinsed and
cleaned with fresh water, including the backing. Fishing Salt Water
requires a lot of clean up work and disciplines.
Anodizing aluminum makes the surface almost the hardness of 'diamond'
but it can be nicked and once the surface is nicked, salt will attack
it.
The following picture depicts two colors, buffed to a nice polish that I
will be offering or have in mind. I can also offer these two colors in
the matte textured surface and this is where I need opinions about. So
send me your comments.
The left is a mix sample of 'black & blue' and it is gorgeous. The
right is a polished black spool to a high luster as opposed the above
picture of the original Grand American Single Actions that are totally
none glaring or matted. I propose to go to a straight blue and a
straight black. I have a name for the blue and it will be named:
"Lady of the Lake Blue" It is the color of the water of the lake in
Michigan, explained in my autobiography in http://www.gink.com I think
it is a good name for this Grand American Color and I think this is a
color that will look handsome on any fly rod in the country, including
Bastard Bamboo Fly Rods.
FIRST TWO MODELS OUT OPEN FOR ORDERS OF INTENT
As you read this, I have placed an order for the first 100 spools and
housings of the Grand American in 12 years! THE GRAND AMERICAN IS A
REALITY!
I have ordered:
GGA - 7.5 50 each Housings
GAA - 7.5 50 each Spools
I should order about another 20 extra spools on each Model
GAA - 8.0 50 each Housings
GAA - 8.0 50 each Spools
These first two models are perfect sizes for Bamboo Fly Rods and the GAA
- 8.0 is the
Most popular size for the number one fly line used in America, the #6
Wt. Fly Line. The most popular anymore happens to be the WF #6 and the
Shooting Head #7 for this GRAND AMERICAN MODEL. A number 5 is also,
well at home with the GAA - 8.0.
The GGA - 7.5 is the sweetest, smoothest, most perfect sized reel for
those who enjoy the challenging, and fish sensitive fly lines between
the #2 - #4 WEIGHT FLY LINES. This reel as a certain 'majesty to it.'
People want to take the fly rod out of your hand just to look at it.
There isn't a fly rod in the world in these weights that wouldn't be
improved by this particular and spectacular Single Action Grand
American. I will put this reel up against any other reel in the world,
period!
GEHRKE'S GRAND AMERICAN SINGLE ACTION FLY-FISHING REELS are not sissy
reels. I want everyone to understand this. There is 'stock' in these
reels and they are made to last a lifetime. These reels WILL balance
out any fly rod there is. They are not 'lightly made reels,' and if
anyone has an 'over-the-board' fetish about lightness, forget this
reel. This reel IS and BECOMES PART of fly rods. Your rod will
maintain balance in the hand. You equipment will stop feeling like if
you let it go, the fly rod will fall to the ground. Not so with the
GRAND AMERICAN - because it balances out fly rods. Grand Americans
don't weight an ounce or two. They weigh just enough and you have to
set one on a fly rod to understand what I'm talking about. I have never
known one fly fisherman that complained about the sturdier manufacturing
design of a GRAND AMERICAN. If and when you get into a fight with a
worthy fish, this is the reel that isn't going to let you down because
it lacked heart. There is not a fish in the world that a GRAND AMERICAN
cannot beat . . . in a fair battle, provided 'the angler' has the
stamina for it.
The largest fish ever caught on a GRAND AMERICAN is a 650 pound Marlin
with the GAA-1000, a remarkable feat by one of our customers. My
personal best is also with a GAA-1000 which was a Female Tarpon down
near Boca Grande Florida and I know, as sure as God made little green
apples, no one is going to believe this. She was hooked as I drifted
along the beach, two - three hundred yards off shore between Venice and
the Boca Pass. Everyone guessed her weight at around 180 pounds, more
or less. We considered her caught when I touched her head and snapped
her off. I have a picture of that fish somewhere.
I caught her using a "Cockroach Tarpon Streamer" made out of FISH-FUZZ.
I used a 12# test tippet. I do not ever wish to fight a tarpon again
for the rest of my life. This is a fish that want to kill you.
Secondly, this is a testimony to the smooth drag system of the GRAND
AMERICAN. There is nothing else 'quite' like it. My brake pads are
made out of the same material that is used to stop an F-16 & F-18 Jet
Fighter. Need I say more?
I need Orders of Intent only. If you will give us enough to get over 30
reels sold, I will promise the GRAND AMERICAN will be offered for no
more then $250 - Not $500! I will do this come hell or high water. The
last Grand American #1000 of the original run was sold for $360 and that
was at a bargain price. But automation is offering savings that
Make this probable. I can do this. I can't do it alone. I'm hanging a
big hunk of my own change on this.
If any of you will order a GRAND AMERICAN just on my word and
reputation, I will make you this promise. If you don't like it, you
don't pay for it. Just ship it back. There isn't a dude in this group
I don't trust. WHEN you order a Grand American by yours' truly, I'll
ship it to you when it's done, and if you like it after handling it,
fussing with it, trying it on the rod for looks and what not, then you
pay for it. I'll even let anyone that needs to make payments @ THEIR
TERMS. Whatever it takes. We are family. If American's don't take
care of Americans . . . who will?
I will.
Sincerely
George Gehrke/President
Gehrke's Grand American Fly Reel Company
PICTURES AND FULL ARTICLE WILL BE ON WEB SITE MONDAY - & ORDER FORM
Please Include your shipping address with your Order of Intent.
I PROMISE, THAT IF I CAN SELL THESE REELS FOR LESS, YOU WILL GET THAT
LOWER
PRICE. YOU HAVE MY WORD OF HONOR ON THAT. <gg> It depends on the
Federal Tax involved.
--
© Copyright by George Gehrke 1999
All Rights Reserved
Visit: http://www.gink.com
Michael Leitheiser
3/4 of an inch? One reason a lot of people did not like the Gehrke
Marryat was the wide spool nonsense. In a single action reel, a
narrow spool means a faster retrieve.
If you want a reel, get a real "reel"....an old Hardy or a Pflueger
Medalist......
"Mr. G" <geo...@gink.com> wrote:
snip a lot of puffery and self congratulation
>Narrow spools originally averaged 3/4th of an inch wide. The Grand
>American was the first reel to break that tradition across the board.
>Yes, there were a few reels made in the past that went to one inch, but
>they were not offered in the style presented in the Grand American
>Tradition.
more snippety snip snip
--
Mike in PDX
"When the trout are lost, smash the state."
Tom McGuane
Mr. G
>
> 1) GGA-750 2 - 4 wt
> 2) GGA-800 5 - 7
> 4) GGA-900 8 - 10
> 5) GGA-1000 10 - 13
>
> GAA - 7.5 50 each Spools
>
> I should order about another 20 extra spools on each Model
>
> GAA - 8.0 50 each Housings
> GAA - 8.0 50 each Spools
>
_________ ADDING THE 8.5 GRAND AMERICAN because it is the most popular
size.
We will take orders for 8.5 Grand American Reels at this time. We will take
orders for any size in fact but the first runs are on the first three sizes.
I hope this is accepted as good news!
I happen to fish the GGA 850 more then any other size.
Š Copyright by George Gehrke 1999
Mr. G
>
> Come on George, "invent" means to conceive of or devise first...
_____ So it does and this is why I have owned several patents in my time.
>
>
> Conroy, vom Hofe (Julius), Zwarg, Leonard and Meisselbach were making
> reels in the US of A before you were born that had wide spools.
______ So what? They didn't make them as wide as mine are. THAT is FACT!
>
>
> I wrote " Hardy", not "Orvis" though you might note that Orvis
> patented their perforated end plate and spool reels in 1874. Haven't
> been able to track down your reel patents...did you forget the
> numbers?
_______ No, I haven't forgotten the numbers. Orvis patented Lee Wulff's design.
I repeat, Charlie Orvis never invented one damned thing when it came to fly
fishing reels. I have researched that end, a long time ago and proved it so.
When it comes to inventing, Charlie Orvis is ZIP!
>
>
> I always thought Marryat reels didn't selll because they didn't work
> well and no one cared for them, just another Orvis CFO look alike
> except that they didn't work as well ,'cause the drag was too
> complicated....guess I was wrong though, they didn't sell because the
> consumer was just stupid and didn't know what was best for them ....
_____ I find your opinion uninformed. The Marryat has always sold and has had
its own market share. That YOU equate the Marryat Reel/Spool design to a CFO is
100% Incorrect. There is nothing about Charles Orvis in the reel manufacturing
business that I respect. Lee Wulff invented the Lee Wulff reel that Charlie
Orvis ended up screwing Lee Wulff out of. C. Orvis didn't keep his word with
Lee. If I obtained the rights to Lee Wulff's design regarding only the outside
rim of the spool alone, it has NOTHING to do with a C.F.O. design taken from Lee
Wulff.
The rest of your response is just your own personal opinion and frankly, I'm glad
its yours regarding other fly fishermen being stupid and who don't know what is
best for them. I won't even dignify any of this by discussing moronic
assumptions not based on the true facts.
>
>
> Interesting to note the trend to large diameter narrow spools (so
> called "large arbor" reels).
_________ Interesting? What trend? If there is a trend, then I'm here to change
that.
>
>
> You are missing your true calling, you should be doing one of those
> round the world balloon expeditions....you would have almost no
> financial outlay for fuel.
_________ In a pig's eye. At least I put my money where my mouth is. I'm good
at what I do. What is it that you do, by the way? Anything at all but watch and
bitch about success others work hard to obtain?
Let me make this perfectly clear. The GRAND AMERICAN is an original invention,
by yours truly. Can you handle that?!
The Reel Man/George Gehrke
Next thing you're going to want me to do is scan the original U.S. Patent Office
Drawings for you so you can do what?
Let me know when you want to order the World's Best reel like The Grand American,
Made By American's for Americans. You'll get four times the value for each buck
and those stop right here. I have nothing to prove. I've been to the mountain
top. I'm returning and reclaiming that which was mine.
Lastly, the Marryat is not a GRAND AMERICAN and we are miles apart in workmanship
and quality. It serves me no purpose to discuss this company because they make a
nice, simple, functional single action. It is reasonably priced as are the
American Made Martin Reels and/or the STH Single Action Reels. All of them, are
good reels.
Gehrke's Grand American Single Action simply will be the best in the world.
Someone has to be that. I've made up my mind that that person is going to be
me. You have nothing to do about it. We all control our own destinies.
Thank God - So if you're not with me, get out of my way.
Sincerely,
The Single Action Reel Man/George Gehrke
(I say what I mean and I mean what I say)
Michael Leitheiser
>_________ When I invented the wider spool design, it solved major problems
>regarding one's ability to go after bigger fish, more often. You are so
>wrong regarding intelligent people who see the advantages of my wider spool
>and storage capacity advantages Michael.
Lots of hot air snipped........
Come on George, "invent" means to conceive of or devise first...
Conroy, vom Hofe (Julius), Zwarg, Leonard and Meisselbach were making
reels in the US of A before you were born that had wide spools.
I wrote " Hardy", not "Orvis" though you might note that Orvis
patented their perforated end plate and spool reels in 1874. Haven't
been able to track down your reel patents...did you forget the
numbers?
I always thought Marryat reels didn't selll because they didn't work
well and no one cared for them, just another Orvis CFO look alike
except that they didn't work as well ,'cause the drag was too
complicated....guess I was wrong though, they didn't sell because the
consumer was just stupid and didn't know what was best for them ....
Interesting to note the trend to large diameter narrow spools (so
called "large arbor" reels).
You are missing your true calling, you should be doing one of those
round the world balloon expeditions....you would have almost no
financial outlay for fuel.
>I will not stand by and let anyone belittle me, my name, or my products when
>I know they are the best in the world. Someone has to be number one. I'm
>it, for what I do.
Michael Leitheiser
Wulff wasn't yet born. Can't figure out if you are suffering from
dementia or deliberately trying to misinform. I would credit you with
one invention though if it hadn't already been perfected in D.C.
The most important invention to business and politics in the last 100
years... The big Lie.....repeated often and stridently enough some
will believe. You must belong to the church of P.T. Barnum, "There's
a fool born every minute".........
"Mr. G" <geo...@gink.com> wrote:
>> Lots of hot air snipped........
>>
>>
>> I wrote " Hardy", not "Orvis" though you might note that Orvis
>> patented their perforated end plate and spool reels in 1874. Haven't
>> been able to track down your reel patents...did you forget the
>> numbers?
>_______ No, I haven't forgotten the numbers. Orvis patented Lee Wulff's design.
>I repeat, Charlie Orvis never invented one damned thing when it came to fly
>fishing reels. I have researched that end, a long time ago and proved it so.
>When it comes to inventing, Charlie Orvis is ZIP!
Mr. G
Michael Leitheiser wrote:
> For shame George......The first Orvis patent dates from 1874...Lee
> Wulff wasn't yet born. --
_______ What was the patent on?
You certainly do understand misinformation Mike and how to not define the facts.
christ.
T-Bone
>Michael Leitheiser wrote:
>> For shame George......The first Orvis patent dates from 1874...Lee
>> Wulff wasn't yet born. --
>_______ What was the patent on?
Kerosene Fired Yuppie Muffs
--
TimW, Halfordian Golfer
"A Cash Flow Runs Through It..."
"Guilt replaced the creel..."
Frederic R Hewes
>Michael Leitheiser wrote:
>
>> For shame George......The first Orvis patent dates from 1874...Lee
>> Wulff wasn't yet born. --
>
>_______ What was the patent on?
>
>You certainly do understand misinformation Mike and how to not define the
facts.
>
>christ.
>
>
>© Copyright by George Gehrke 1999
>All Rights Reserved
>Visit: http://www.gink.com
How about specs on these reels - sizes, weights, etc. Thanks, and also do
you have reports from the field ?
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