Ebro Australian Antique Vintage Fishing Reel History Information, reeLpedia ® by Bernard, [Bernie] Ladd, 2013.
On the 25th of June 1986, Peter Jowett interviewed Arthur Rogers, son of Edward Bullock Rogers, founder of the Rogers Bros. Manufacturing Works Pty. Ltd. This engineering company, formerly located at 59 Nepean Highway, Elsternwick, Melbourne, employed repetition engineers, general electroplaters, metal pressers and turners. In the 1930s it commenced production of EBRO Reels, which were exported to United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada.The average production in its heyday reached 50,000 EBRO fishing reels per annum. Arthur Rogers commented that the brand name “EBRO” is an acronym referring to his father’s name Edward Bullock Rogers.
Production of EBRO Reels included:
Brass models; Bakelite Spool models with nickel-plated brass backs; and several fly reel models. Initial EBRO Reels were made from brass and referred to as Trout reels. Rogers Jnr. stated that prior to EBRO production, his father’s general engineering company repaired and manufactured reels for Hartley’s Pty Ltd. At a later stage they also repaired and serviced fishing reels for the Melbourne Sports Depot. The production of EBRO Reels ceased around 1960, due to flooding of the local market with reels from USA and Japan. EBRO could not compete economically with these mass produced cheaper imports. Rogers Bros Manufacturing Works Pty. Ltd. continued its general engineering works until finally it closed down in the early 1990s.

The above information pertaining to the EBRO history, was sourced from provided written documentation, courtesy of Peter Jowett. Also, some parts of the above information were derived from the interview notations, which I made during my discussions of the EBRO history with Peter in 2011. Peter Jowett, is acknowledged in Bob Dunn’s book: “Australian Fishing Reels”, as one of the primary contributors of knowledge about the historical aspects of Australian reels.
Photograph of Peter Jowett, taken in 2011 after the Ebro history interview, proudly holding his prized wooden Seamartin third version model reel.



EBRO brass reel. Pressed brass back diameter 2 & 5/16''; width 7/8''; EBRO stamped on crank-handle; Horn handle-knob. -c 1930. Rare. [ E 1]


EBRO brass reel. Pressed brass back diameter 2 & 9/16'' width 7/8''; EBRO stamped on front plate; ebonite handle-knob; optional check; pressed brass side plates; Riveted pillars. c 1930. [E 3]


EBRO brass reel. Pressed brass back diameter 2 & 5/16''; width 3/4''; EBRO stamped on front plate; ebonite handle-knob. Pressed brass side plates, Rivited pillars -c 1930. [E 5]


EBRO Simplex Fly reel. Pressed steel T seat semi- backless back stamped Ebro PAT. No5927-32. Stainless steel handle-knob; Stainless steel drum-spool diameter 2''; width 7/8'' ; optional check -c 1930. Rare. [E 7]


EBRO Model 56 Fly fishing reel. Perforated drum-spool face; back plate diameter 3 & 1/2''; frame width 1 & 1/4''; cast alloy body, black paint finish; 3 way (position) check; brass plated foot (saddle) -c 1937. Extremely Rare. [E 9]


EBRO brass reel. Pressed brass back diameter 2 & 13/16''; width 7/8''; EBRO stamped on front plate; ebonite handle-knob; constant check model. c 1930. [ E 2 ]


EBRO brass reel. Pressed brass back diameter 2 & 13/16''; width 7/8''; EBRO stamped on front plate; ebonite handle-knob; Pressed brass side plates; Riveted pillars.. c 1930. [E 4]


EBRO Minor All Brass Nottingham. Brass drum (spool) diameter 3 1/6''; width 1 3/16'' ; Brass handle knob; pressed T seat brass semi - backless backplate. Ebro Minor PAT. No. 5927-32 stamped on backplate. Extremely rare. [E 6]
Courtesy David Garner, Vic.


EBRO Simplex Fly reel. Pressed Brass T seat semi- backless back stamped Ebro PAT.No 5927-32. Brass handle-knob; brass drum-spool diameter 2'', width 7/8'' ( also came nickle plated); optional check. -c 1930. Hard to find. [E 8]


EBRO Model 53 Fly fishing reel. Plain drum-spool face; back plate diameter 3 & 1/2''; width 1 & 1/4''; cast alloy body, black paint finish; 3 way (position) check; brass plated foot (saddle) EBRO stamped on back -c 1937. Extremely Rare. [E 10]
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