logo
logo
  • About
    • About Us
    • Visit Us
    • Ways to Give
    • Ambassador Program
    • Award Recipients
    • Contact Us
    • Tackle Inquiry
  • Collections & Exhibitions
    • Our Collection
    • Current & Past Exhibitions
    • Online Collections
    • The Stream
  • Journal & Film
    • The American Fly Fisher
    • Traver Award
    • Film Projects
    • Fishing The Collection
    • Online Screening Room
    • Webinars
  • News & Events
  • Online Store
  • Membership
    • Member Portal
    • Become a Member
  • Sign Up
  • Search

Hackney 3D-Printed Plastic Trout Reel

Michael Hackney will forever be known as the first designer and builder of a 3D-printed fishing reel. Made of lightweight plastic, his reel features a click/pawl drag system and can be produced in a limitless number of colors. This represents a cost-effective and fully functional reel for all fly anglers. Hackney’s reel design was featured on the cover of the Summer 2015 (Vol. 41, No. 3) issue of The American Fly Fisher, which included a detailed article inside.

American Museum of Fly Fishing Collection
Gift of Michael Hackney


Year2022Accession No.2022.019.001Made byMichael Hackney

You May Also Like

Julius Vom Hofe Perforated Reel

This fanciful and eccentric reel might have easily become a standard Julius Vom Hofe raised-pillar pattern if sections of the frame were removed…

James Ross Raised-Pillar Trout Reel

In 1869, James Ross received a patent for what was truly the first raised-pillar frame reel in the U.S. and an early example of an upright fly reel.…

Hendryx Competitor

The Andrew B. Hendryx Company was one of the largest manufacturers of fishing reels in its day; by 1897, the Hendryx catalog listed 175 sizes and…

Ready For More?

If you love fly fishing as much as we do, you're going to love this.


PLAN A TRIP

Visit, fish, explore & more

VISIT

DROP A LINE

We are happy to hear from you

CONNECT

COME TO EVENTS

Check out the latest events

EVENTS
© 2026 American Museum of Fly Fishing. All rights reserved