An Eye for Detail

Tom Anderson, a.k.a. "Duff", on the Fiberglass Flyrodders forum has a stunning collection of glass rods and fly reels. As I am always looking for original content for T.F.M. I have asked if he'd provide a post from time to time highlighting parts of his collection. This first post has me checking the Yen to U.S. Dollar conversion and planning an order for one of these reels.

I recently ordered a bi-metal Kineya 301B reel directly from the factory in Japan. I was surprised that Masatoshi Okui, the owner of Kineya, e-mailed me the very next morning saying that he would be pleased to make the reel for me but since he was busy doing a few angling shows, he would not be able to complete the reel until early in the next month.

It wasn't long until I received an e-mail saying that the reel was finished and would soon be shipped. That was quickly followed by another very apologetic message from Masatoshi saying that he had found a slight imperfection by the check and was going to make another reel for me. I must admit that I was floored by Masatoshi's personal attention to detail. His understandable pride in the supreme quality of his products is quite evident. The entire experience was extraordinary and I wound up feeling that I had not only gained a wonderful new reel, but also a new friend. Believe it or not, the new reel was completed and shipped in two days, taking only five days door to door by Global Express Mail.

I have to say that it was a true pleasure dealing with Kineya Tackle and everything about my reel, down to the suede leather pouch and hand annotated box label, exudes class. As a side note, the 301B seems the perfect compliment to my Mario Wojnicki 237P4 fiberglass rod, in fact they seem to have been made for each other.

To inquire or place an order with Kineya Tackle their email address is mystique@kineyatackle.com.