As my collection of wooden spools from Kura-san and TenakraPath has grown over the years, I’ve sometimes thought about doing a better job of organizing and protecting them. I feel that if you’ve invested in a beautifully crafted spool, it’s probably worth investing in protecting it. Handmade and bespoke tackle deserves care, and many of these little works of art are completely unique, so replacement isn’t always an option (or is costly).

One day, my friend Keegan Uhl of OneStar Leather Goods gifted me a small leather pouch he made for the Kura-san spool. I thought it was an interesting idea, and certainly beautiful, but I didn’t really think about it as anything more than a “protective case”.

It wasn’t until a couple of days later that I realized these pouches could solve an inconvenience I face: Which line is on which spool‽

Eventually, I traded Keegan a dozen Ichiban Kebari for another pouch–this time in a different color leather, and I think you can see where I’m going with this….

 

Color Coding

In addition to protection, I realized these pouches could allow me to create a color coded system for easy line identification.

I usually store 3 or 4 spools pre-rigged with different length lines in the inner side pocket of my trusty (now vintage) Orvis gear bag. When I gear up, I grab whichever spool has the length I want to use that day, thread the center hole through my rod, and head to the water.

The only thing is that many of the spools look the same, and even if they don’t, it’s still difficult to tell how long the line length is just by looking at it.

I’ve tried line marking methods before and have recently started experimenting with the Sakura Solid Paint Markers, but it occurred to me that if I had all my spools in different colored pouches, I could easily tell which is which in my bag.

So I asked Keegan to to send me two more cases, both different colors (I own him a lot of flies now) so I could organize my spools in the following color code:

Natural (light color) = Short Line
Chestnut (med. color) = Medium-length Line (most used)
Whiskey: (darker color) = Long Line

Now, when I’m sitting on the tailgate, I can open my bag and easily select the right line for the day and go–without checking each spool or unravelling and measuring the whole line.

OneStar offers more colors than those pictured and can make them in any color, so that opens up an opportunity for a more sophisticated color coding system than mine.

They’ll best fit spools that are 70mm-80mm, in diameter, including Kura-san and TenkaraPath spools.

I should note that I don’t carry these pouches on the stream. To me, these are strictly for storage in transit, but others who like to use more classic looking tackle will undoubtedly carry them to the water (Keegan does).

 

Multi-use Pocket

Keegan is a true artist with leather, and has an engineer’s mind, so he nailed the design on the first prototype. But we’re both “maximizer” personality types and always thinking about how a design can be perfected.

There’s not much to improve on a simple design like this, but I suggested that the addition of a pocket on the back would allow one to carry a line card with a spare line or backup tippet. This makes it a little more of a multi-use item and gives you some insurance (I know I’ve had to dip into my emergency backup tippet more than once).

 

 

I’m sure someone will comment, “I use a $2 foam spool that works works just fine and doesn’t need a case”. And you’re  right. A $2 spool does “work”. A beautifully crafted handmade spool and leather pouch aren’t going to help you catch more fish. They’re  not going to make you a better caster or give you immunity to tangles and snags. But that’s not the point.

While these pouches absolutely do have practical advantages, to me, there’s something more to fine pieces of tackle like this.

They reflect the beauty of our sport (which is an intrinsically aesthetic one) and visual people such as myself like to surround ourselves with beautiful things. In other words, aesthetics are important to me and If I’m going to use certain tools in my sport, why shouldn’t they be pretty?

All of this will seem superfluous to some, but there’s a population of esoteric anglers who prefer to fish with somewhat more elevated tackle than mass-produced, plastic spools.

All of OneStar’s products are hand stitched and made from ultra-premium leather so you’re guaranteed an heirloom-quality pouch that will last for ages, patina well, and protect your favorite wooden spools!

 

Where to Get One

Special Introductory Offer
25% off 

(expires  June 2nd, 2024)

If you appreciate tackle as art (and not merely a utilitarian tool), see all the color options at OneStar Leather Goods to protect your beloved spool or come up with your own color coding system!

 

Visit the OneStar website to learn more about Keegan’s design philosophy and other high quality leather goods
Follow Keegan on Instagram @mkeeganuhl