The James Ross fly reel was one of the earliest patented fishing reels with a unique design allowing line drying while it’s on the reel. The reel design had a large hole in the center of the spool that allowed air to pass through and dry the line. The reel has X-frame shaped ends withe pillars connecting them. The James Ross patent was awarded to him on October 12, 1869.
James J. Ross was born in Canada in 1831 and died in Buffalo, NY in 1905. Ross is considered one of the great NY reel makers.
The JAMES ROSS Fly Reel
The JAMES ROSS October 12, 1869 Reel Patent
The Tombstone of JAMES ROSS and wife ELIZABETH