Hi Beek: Sorry just kidding you. I have a whole bunch of JW`s mainly fly reels going back to 1926 They are great old reels built for the longhaul.
I still have an aging Silex which needs some rejuvination I plan to send it to Johnb Milner this year for a rebuild.
I got two of John`s centerpins last year a Kingfisher which I use for light line and a Talisman for general use John is doing very good work in Cranbrook and services and repairs most makes.
I picked up a couple of Calcuttas last year and I was amazed at the free spool feed of these reels It puts all of my other baitcasters mainly Abu to shame
At age 80 I do very little deep wading these days. I too by preference would fish a centerpin if it were not for the slow retrieve even when you bat the spool, I have to confess that on longer casts I simply cant get the accuracy I can get with a baitcaster. My fault not the reel:<0)
I was surprised on returning to the Vedder after a 50 year absence to find very few fishing centerpins I think its because of the speed of the current in the upper river.
If I see a guy fishing a seldex and making 150 foot casts I`ll know its you and say hello.
cheers