S.E. Bogdan reels are considered by many to be one of the finest reels ever made. Stanley Bogdan was the son of Polish parents and was born December 16, 1918 in Nashua, NH. In the 1940’s, he was an employee at Portsmouth Navy Yard and later on for Rollins Engine Co. Bogdan made his first reel in 1944. In the 1950’s, He was employed by Highland Tool Co. This is where we see him tuning his machinist skills. In the mid 1950’s, he got his first major orders from Abercrombie & Fitch in NY. Bogdan made both salmon reels with an adjustable drag and fly reels. The Model No. 0 multiplying salmon reel was probably his most popular. Bogdan is considered to be one of the great reel makers from the New England states area.
S.E. Bogdan reels continued to be made by his son. Stanley’s son, Stephen, started working with him in 1973 and became the sole owner of the company in 1996. Stephen moved the business to New Ipswich, NH. Stanley Bogdan died in Nashua, NH on March 27, 2011.
The STAN BOGDAN Fly and No. 0 Salmon Reels
The STAN BOGDAN No. 50 Salmon Reel
STAN BOGDAN Reels in 1970 William Mills & Son Catalog
January, 1981 Outdoor Life Magazine Article Excerpt About Bogdan