Johnson Reel Collectors Assn. (J.R.C.A.) since 10/10/14

Look at the famous Johnson firsts: Top-mounted Selecto-Dial Drag; change-easy spool, factory-loaded with 6-lb. test mono filament; dual anti-reverse and right- or left-hand retrieve on any fishing rod; dia-: chrome rotor and tungsten-carbide  pickup pin.
Really look at the Johnson Century. Note backlash­ free casting; smooth, powerful drag; how easy it is to handle; how cleanly it nests on your rod.

Manufactured from 1957 to the end of 1962 replaced by the 100B in 1963

By Skip Smith
"The Johnson Fiskar 1 511 and Fiskar 2 512 may well have been among the pioneer “underspin” reels offered to the fishing public. These reels were marketed by Johnson Fishing from 1965 to 1971. They were essentially a spincast reel designed to be used under a spinning rod. Because they are so unique, I made up my mind I had to have one.

When they were new, they were near the top-of-the-line reels for Johnson and they were expensive, for the time. Because of their cost and uniqueness, I think, they didn’t sell very well, which would account for their short production run. Consequently, they’re comparatively rare in today’s vintage reel market.

Having made up my mind to own one, I began trolling eBay for Fiskar examples, because that’s about the only place they can be found. I came across one in Jan., 2015, and was so excited, I got “buyer’s fever”. I didn’t do “due diligence”, and ended up with some kind of bizarre hybrid that had a Fiskar front and rear cover, and little else that resembled a Johnson Fiskar 1. Back to the drawing board.

A few weeks later, having done my homework, I spotted yet another Fiskar 1 on eBay. This one looked more like a correct Fiskar 1, but I had some concerns about a couple of features. In spite of my misgivings, I pulled the trigger again. What I got this time was a Fiskar 1 that had been very creatively modified to fit on a casting rod instead of a spinning rod. Unfortunately, the anti-reverse mechanism was ineffective because of the alteration. Grrrrr!

FINALLY, I spotted what appeared to be a correct Johnson Fiskar 1 on eBay in late Feb, 2015. After careful study, I bought it, no bargain. While hibernating from winter weather, I took all three reels in hand to see what kind of useable Fiskar 1 I could concoct. After several hours of cleaning caked grease and general filth off of various pieces of all three reels, I had a fully operative Fiskar 1 model 511 on a Garcia spinning rod!

It’s going to take some practice to learn how to use this critter. The pushbutton line release takes some contortion to use. I wonder if that had something to do with the short production run of this reel? In any case, it should be a good conversation starter about Johnson reels with a generation that’s never had the privilege of using what I consider to be some of the finest spincast reels ever made."

text me at 360-481-9143 with pics

Let me look through my swtuff and see. I will let you know.

Good to hear from you and Welcome aboard. Now we only have 3 members that have never posted. We can only hope that they at least check in every once a while to check out some of the few posts.

The 710 is the only Johnson reel that carried only a number as its name. The bigger model of the same design is the SANGA. It is just like the 710, only larger and beefier and holds more line. The SANGA is the only Johnson reel model that carries ONLY a lettered name--just the opposite of the 710.

Other information has the 710 listed as part of the "Citation" family and no record of the "Sanga"

Which is true?

Welcome aboard Skip. It sounds like you will probably get a bunch of questions with all of that Johnson literature in your possession.

My name is Wess... I collect all kinds of reels as well as Bamboo Fly Rods. I am helping a friend get this Johnson Forum started up again. I will be active as well as being the forum administrator until some other capable folks step up to the task. Please feel free to add content about Johnson Reels specifically.

Al