D Is for Dingley: The Master Reelmaker

William Henry Dingley was arguably the most skilled English reelmaker of the 20th century. An inventor and consummate craftsman, Dingley’s genius dominated more than 50 years of tackle history, an unrivaled feat. Both fishermen and collectors avidly seek his reels today. This book is the first that focuses on his life and his wide variety of reels.

From the late 19th century through three quarters of the 20th, Britain produced highly accomplished reel makers who, for more than a century, produced the finest fishing reels in the world. W.H. Dingley, who spent more than half of his life in the small country town of Alnwick, Northumberland in the northeast of England, is increasingly recognized as one of the most skilled of these exceptional craftsmen. Collectors know his works today by the now famous “D” that is often stamped inside his reels.

Although providing extensive biographical details—much of it in print for the first time—the book’s prime purpose is to illustrate Dingley reels. Numerous photographs are provided, as well as rarely seen cuts of period catalogs. Research for the book included interviewing ex-Hardy and ex-Dingley reel makers, handling original documents, corresponding with Dingley family members, and correcting rumors and previously published errors. Collectors from around the world sent the authors their prized examples of Dingley reels for analysis and photo-documentation.

More than 60 Dingley reels are illustrated—including a number both rare and spectacular. Photographs illustrate exterior features, as well as internal gearing. Subtle period differences are shown, and numerous variations illustrated.

Dingley continued to work steadily until his death in 1946 at the age of 85. By the time he died, he had worked largely without pause in the English reel trade for almost 71 years. Few reel makers of any era rival Dingley in his production, creativity, and tenacious standards.