About Adcock Stanton Reels

The Adcock Stanton started life around 75 years ago as the ‘Reynolds Reel’. They were originally designed as what we in the UK call ‘trotting’ or ‘float’ reels. The idea was that the reel would automatically pay out line with the force of the current. When the float dipped, the reel was checked by a finger on the face. Many Stantons were made without handles or checks, and the line was retrieved by “palming” the rim, or wound by a finger in one of the larger holes.

Harry Reynolds was an engineer at Stanton Iron Works in Nottingham, he made his first fishing reels sometime around 1938, local anglers referred to it as ‘The Reynolds Reel’.

He would make around half a dozen reels, then on a Saturday morning, he would get on the train to Sheffield, and sell the reels around the pubs, only returning once all of them were sold. At this time Sheffield had one of the largest population of anglers anywhere in the country, so Harry had little problem selling his reels.Harry continued to make his reels until he passed away.

In the mid 1980’s, the reel design was modified by Cliff Adcock, and re-named the ‘Adcock Stanton’. In recent years since Cliff’s retirement, further development and improvements have been made to the reel. Whilst the latest reel still retains its original appearance, it now incorporates the most modern high quality materials and components.