REMEMBERING TED BINGHAM

Remembering Ted Bingham

Blue water angler, fishing tackle historian and author Ted Bingham died unexpectedly on September 8, 2010.

Tall and sturdy, Ted towered over others in a height that reflected his stature as the unchallenged authority on the legendary tackle maker, Edward vom Hofe.  Published in 2007, his book, The Celebrated Reels of Edward vom Hofe, instantly became the standard reference on the subject. http://www.edwardvomhofe.com/

In The Celebrated Reels of Edward vom Hofe, Ted Bingham's unswerving reliance on facts rather

than assumptions, on direct research over hearsay, on pithy declarative sentences over pretentious

platitudes, raises the bar for future writers on sportfishing history.  His conclusion and analyses

are the result of intellectual rigor over years of primary research, field work and scrupulous

fact checking.

Ted is survived by his wife (and editor) Laurie, whose reputation, as an authority on early  New York

fishing reels and historical fishing related patents, surely must have inspired him.

Both Ted and Laurie have shown great generosity as coaches, confidantes, enablers and guides

to others in the historical fishing tackle community, and have been influential in my own

modest reel making efforts. After years frustration and marginal success, I completed my

first stand alone fly reel on the day he died.