Leland on the Tibor Billy Pate Bonefish Fly Fishing Reel
At speeds reaching 25mph a bonefish can inflict
serious damage to both your fly fishing reel and your knuckles. The
anti-reverse Billy Pate Bonefish fly reel solves both your problems.
The original within the Tibor Fly Reel line up the Billy Pate Series
reels sport a
large cork drag surface and stainless steel bearings that
are made to take the heat from the blistering speeds and the
anti-reverse design saves the skin on knuckles. Built big fish tough
the Billy Pate Bonefish fly reel has the
backing capacity for
double-digit bonefish or even Dorado. Be it Baja or the Keys, the
Bonefish fly fishing reel gets the job done right.
Leland on Specifications
The saltwater environment is tough on a fly fishing
reel both on the inside as well as the out! The Billy Pate Bonefish fly
reel is
saltwater tested tough. This fly reel is designed to fit nicely
on a seven, eight or nine weight outfit. The regular arbor design
provides the
backing capacity of 300 yards of 20# backing with a WF 7F
line, 285 yards with a WF8F and 275 yards with a WF9F. While not as
light as today’s modern designs, at a weight of 8.5 ounces, the solid
frame and lightly ported spool of 3 5/8” x 1 3/4” are
built to take the
punishment. Don’t be fooled by the name, the Billy Pate Bonefish fly
fishing reel works great for steelhead, salmon, Dorado and small tarpon
as well.
This is the original.
Specifications:
- Weight: 8.5oz
- Frame Diameter: 3 5/8 inches
- Frame Width: 1 3/4 inch
- Line + Yards Backing: 7 + 300 20#, 8 + 285 20#, 9 + 275 20#
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Leland on Tibor Billy Pate Series Fly Fishing Reels
Monumental, enormous, epic, you pick the praise, the Tibor Billy Pate Series
Fly Reels opened the gate to the world of saltwater fly fishing,
period. Probably no other fly reel had the impact to our fly fishing
world than the Billy Pate Series. It has been the design fly reel
manufacturer who wanted a smooth, extremely durable drag have tried to
emulate since 1976. Based on the name of the premier big game fly
fisher Billy Pate, these reels while old school in their arbor design
continue to be favorites of many a fly angler and have proven to be
tough of the angler for which they are named. It is the first in a long
line of big game fly fishing reels designed by Ted (Tibor) Juracsik.
These reels were designed tough to tame the saltwater environment and
the bruising fish that live there.
Machined from aluminum the
Billy Pate series fly reels were among the first to use a draw bar type
drag with a large cork drag surface. This simply means the spool is
tightened against the stationary cork lined drag plate, giving you
better control because you are instantly affecting the drag on the
spool. Remembering that stationary drag plate, it has to withstand
tremendous torque associated with the hard pulling saltwater fish so
Ted Juracsik built in a little redundancy by using two anti-reverse
dogs (stops) which also provided for instantaneous drag engagement.
Another issue plaguing saltwater anglers was the speed at which the
spools of direct drive reels spun and the bustled knuckles once the
speed demons of the salt took off. Ted Jurascik solved this issue by
designing these fly reels with an anti-reverse to protect you fingers
and knuckles. To say these reels are big fish tough is an
understatement, in fact we wouldn't’t be surprised to hear that all the
original Billy Pates fly fishing reels are still in use. That says
something for a 31-year old design.
- One-piece frame and spools machined from bar stock aluminum in the United States
- Large diameter impregnated cork drag surface
- Classic anti-reverse design
- Double anti-reverse dogs (stops) provide instant drag as well as fail-safe action
Leland on Tibor Fly Fishing Reels
In Hungarian Tibor translates to "Ted" (as in Ted Juracsik the
company founder). In fly fishing, Tibor translates to "high performance
reels built like tanks." As with most accomplished innovators, Juracsik
saw a problem, (the lack of a substantial saltwater fly reel), and went
out and solved it.
An avid saltwater fly fisherman, Ted began
fishing Florida in the early 1960's. In 1970 he met Billy Pate and two
became fast friends and fishing companions. By 1976, the melding of
these two minds resulted in the Billy Pate Reel line. Changing
saltwater fly-fishing forever. However, the Tibor story really begins
decades before in Budapest, Hungary.
Born in Budapest, Ted
Juracsik was raised fishing the Danube River. At 17 he became the
youngest person ever to earn their Masterpapers in the Tool and Die
trade. Shortly after embarking on his career he joined the Hungarian
freedom fighters in their attempt to overthrow the Soviet Union. The
revolt was unsuccessful, and for the benefit of the fly fishing world,
Ted fled to the United States.
He lived in New York working
for several tool and die companies. In 1961 he opened his own business
and by 1976 he was manufacturing world class fly reels. The first line
of reels Tibor produced was the Billy Pate Anti-Reverse series. These
reels made the once impossible task of landing world-class saltwater
fish not only possible, but pleasurable. The Billy Pate reels are still
being manufactured today, the design is so sound that nothing has
changed since their inception. To date over 20 world record fish have
been caught on them.
In 1995 Tibor introduced the Tibor series
reels. The same impregnated cork drag that has performed so well in the
Billy Pate Reels, is used in this series as well. Models are available
for a variety fish from giant sails to rainbows. In 1999 the company
introduced Tibor Light. A terrific line of freshwater reels that employ
all the knowledge and know-how gleaned from producing the Tibor and
Billy Pate reels.
All Tibor reels are manufactured at their
machine shop in Delray Beach, Florida. Made with 100% corrosion proof
materials, every Tibor reel is saltwater friendly.
Tibor on the Billy Pate Series Fly Fishing Reels
“The Standard for the High Performance Reel - 1976 was
a hallmark year for the fly fishing world. It was then that Ted
Juracsik introduced his first Anti-Reverse Tarpon Reel designated the
Billy Pate. This series now includes four Anti-Reverse models, for rod
weights 6-12. No other reel has matched the Billy Pate's durability and
dependability day in day out, year after year, regardless of
conditions, locale or species. This precision piece of equipment is
designed and constructed to withstand the most demanding fly fishing
environments. As with all reels that leave Ted's shop, the Billy Pate
is virtually maintenance free.
While there are over 200 World
Records that attest to its performance, you don't have to be interested
in records to appreciate this reel. If you know your fly fishing
history, you know this is the reel that set the hook."
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Classic Anti-Reverse design with Satin Gold Frame and Jet Black Spool
- Corresponding Game Fish Engraving on each model
- One-piece spool and frame; precision machined from the finest bar stock aluminum alloy
- Large diameter impregnated main drag insures ultra-smooth and long wearing performance
- Double anti-reverse dogs providing positive, fail-safe action on all models
- Each reel is serialized for identification and protection
- Our own Backing Groove® on the spool helps the angler to accurately determine backing capacity
- Easy grip, impact resistant delrin handle
- Comes with an extra thick neoprene case for storage and transportation
- Proudly made and assembled in the U.S.A.
Tibor on Tibor Fly Fishing Reels
“No matter how technological the fishing industry becomes,
it's nice to know it still holds a place for the timeless values of
integrity and Old World craftsmanship. In the world of fly fishing,
that place is occupied by legends like Billy Pate, Lefty Kreh and a
Hungarian tool and die master with a passion for fly fishing and a gift
for reel design: Tibor "Ted" Juracsik.
Ted's family business,
Tibor (pronounced TEE-bor) Reel Corporation is the world leader in the
design and manufacture of the highest quality fly fishing reels.
Juracsik revolutionized the saltwater fly fishing reel industry with
the introduction of his first anti-reverse Billy Pate Fly Reel in 1976,
followed by the internationally acclaimed line of Tibor Reels in 1995,
the innovative freshwater Tibor Light series in 1999, and in 2005, the
exciting Tibor QC Series - destined to be another classic.
Tibor
Juracsik was born in Budapest, Hungary where much of his youth was
spent fishing on the Danube River. At 17 he became the youngest
Hungarian ever to earn his Masterpapers in the tool and die trade. In
the 1950's, having joined the Hungarian Freedom Fighters in their
unsuccessful revolt against Soviet rule, Tibor was forced to flee his
native land. Eventually, he immigrated to the United States and
established his own tool and die business in New York State in 1959,
where in the waters off Long Island, he also resumed his interest in
fishing.
In 1970, Ted met Billy Pate on a trip to the Florida
Keys. The two became fishing buddies and Pate shared with Ted the
problems inherent in the saltwater reels of the time -corrosion, the
uneven action of early drag systems, and simply being overmatched by
the power and "reel smoking" runs of larger saltwater prey.
Back
at his shop, Juracsik applied his tool and die making skills to these
challenges. After testing several prototypes, the Billy Pate Fly Reel
was introduced and instantly established new standards of quality,
design, and durability for saltwater fly reels. The design has proven
so sound, that nothing has changed since its inception. Suddenly, the
nearly impossible task of landing world-class saltwater fish was not
only possible, but pleasurable. Still revered by many as the toughest
and most dependable on the market, Billy Pate Reels are manufactured
exclusively by the Tibor Reel Corporation to this day.
In
1979, Juracsik moved his manufacturing operations to South Florida,
where he also maintains a smaller machine shop devoted to research and
development.
Tibor reels are made "by fishermen for
fishermen," and the Juracsik family is proud their products are 100%
"Made in the USA." With the exception of the ball bearings, every part
of every reel is precision machined and hand assembled in their Delray
Beach facility. Ted's belief in design based on simplicity and
functionality goes back to his days as a young apprentice. "The old
masters always told me the most beautiful machines have the least
moving parts," he says.
At the recent International Game Fish
Association (IGFA) Inaugural World Record Achievement Awards, Tibor
Reel Corporation received First Place honors for the most world records
(41) set on their fly reels in 2004. IGFA Hall of Fame fisherman, Lefty
Kreh describes Tibor Reels as "the finest saltwater reels I have ever
used." They are the prized possession of every fisherman who owns one.
Each is capable of delivering the lifetime of virtually
maintenance-free fishing enjoyment for which Tibor Reels are famous."
