Sorry Charlie.........

“Is this chicken, what I have, or is this fish? I know it's tuna, but it says 'Chicken of the” Sea.'
Jessica Simpson 

“Is it a fishing reel what I have, or is this a tuna can?  I know it’s a reel, but it looks like a tuna can.”
 Aaron Ostoj

If you enjoy cheap, loud fly fishing reels, the above quote might make a bit of sense (I’m not sure what to think about Jessica’s quote, but dang , that’s funny) .  For those that don’t understand, let me explain….

For over 40 years, Martin Tackle company has been churning out simple, economical fly fishing reels.  The models 60-65 had a very loud, gear check mechanism.  They were made for the working man, and what value they retain is mostly sentimental.  They are light reels and will hold a ton of line for their size.  The shape of the outer housing resembles it’s “tuna can” namesake.

My interest in these reels began 14 years ago.  Christmas morning greeted me with a long cylindrical shaped gift leaning in the corner behind the tree.  All ready an avid fisherman by age 12, I could only hope that the tube held a fishing rod. Much to my delight,  it did.  Not only did I get my first fly rod that morning, but I also ended up with a Martin Model 60 “tuna can” reel and fly line to go with it.   

The combo of my first fiberglass fly rod, and that little reel killed a lot of trout in my youth.  As time went on, my tastes became much more expensive.  The old rod and reel were forgotten and eventually lost.  It wasn’t until last year that I was browsing fly fishing forums and saw a picture of an old glass rod and Martin tuna can reel pictured.  I hadn’t thought of that reel for years, I knew I needed another one.  A week later the box showed up. It was a used Model 60 that I found on ebay for $5.00.  I spooled  it up with a WF 4 wt. line and seated it on my 3 piece, 7 ½’,  3 wt fly rod.  The heavier line flexed the graphite rod deeply.  It almost felt like the combo of my youth. 

 With my new setup complete, I hit the beaver ponds.  Lets just say I felt like a kid again.  Long live the "Tuna Can".