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

Wm. H. Talbot Ben Hur Trout Reel

Matching the Meek #44 in quality, the Ben Hur fly reel produced by Wm. H. Talbot by many counts exceeded its rival with its overall aesthetic, using a graceful S-shaped handle with an ivory grasp and featuring a nickel-silver frame with an aluminum spool. Introduced in 1902–03, the reel was initially offered in one size only. Later on, it was also offered in a smaller size, with model numbers assigned as #100 (small) and #101 (large).

Courtesy of Tyler Thompson


Yearc. 1903Accession No.L2022.003.009Made byWm. H. Talbot

You May Also Like

William Billinghurst Side-Mounted Trout Reel

Issued the fourth fishing-reel patent in the U.S. and the first for what would be considered a fly-fishing reel, the invention of William…

Fowler Gem Side-Mount Trout Reel

Patented in 1872, the all-hard-rubber, side-mounted fly reel was the invention of dentist Alonzo H. Fowler of Batavia, New York. Combining the…

Julius Vom Hofe Perforated Trout Reel

The Vom Hofe family of reel makers produced some of the finest fly reels ever made in the United States. Julius Vom Hofe, son of reel maker Fritz 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