Company
At REC our mission is clear... design and manufacture the highest quality rod components and rod cases while providing fair value and superior service to our customers worldwide.
REC was originally founded in 1968 in Vermont. In 1997 the current management founded the holding company EdgeWater International, Inc. and acquired the REC brand while repurposing the company to concentrate solely on designing and manufacturing fishing rod components and rod cases.
REC has been 100% family owned by Linda and Alan Gnann since 1997.
In 1997 the new company was established Enfield, CT then later relocated nearby in Stafford Springs, CT in 2004 when a new 25,000 square foot manufacturing building and offices were purchased.
Our components are fabricated from the finest raw materials available. Our nickel silver components are custom made for REC from a high grade proprietary 18% nickel content alloy. All REC aluminum components are produced from Alcoa or Kaiser Select 6061-T6 high strength, hardened, aircraft grade alloys manufactured to exacting military and industrial standards. All of our aluminum components are further protected through the application of either a Type II or Type III hard coat anodized finish providing superior durability coupled with light weight; a combination unattainable with other metals.
All freshwater reel seats are provided with a large variety of highly figured, select hardwood spacers.
REC acquired several companies since 1997 including Perfection Tip, Mildrum, and most recently Richard Wheatley, Ltd in 2013. REC acquired the Wheatley brand and all manufacturing equipment in England and relocated the operation to its current home in Connecticut. Richard Wheatley is the second oldest brand in continuous operation within the fishing industry dating back to 1860. In 2020, Wheatley celebrated its 160th anniversary.
REC also received a US and International Utility patent in 2013 for its unique MagnaStaff which is the only wading staff that provides instant one-handed deployment. With the addition of the Wheatley and MagnaStaff brands to its portfolio of products REC began expanding its marketing presence beyond the OEM and custom rod market and into the dealer space.
In 2004, AFFTA (American Fly Fishing Trade Association) recognized the need to standardize fly reel feet to ensure that reels properly fit reel seats used on all commercially available fly rods. AFFTA established a committee of members, led by REC Component’s President, to address an industry wide standard for fly reel feet and associated components.
Representatives of many rod, reel, and reel seat manufacturers, actively participated on this committee. After a series of meetings, the committee agreed on a suggested standard. AFFTA adopted this standard in September 2004 after approval by the membership. REC was appointed to prepare the drawing and specifications as shown below. From that point forward, all fly rod component and fly reel manufacturers were to comply with the standard to ensure that reels made with conforming feet would fit rods made with conforming reel seats.
Since the AFFTA standard was adopted, all REC reel seats have conformed to this standard to ensure that all conforming reels would fit rods made with REC reel seats. The accompanying drawing and data block show the allowable dimensions and tolerance range for the reel foot that conforms to the AFFTA standard. The "Standard" reel foot is for all reels including Trout, Spey and Big Game reels.
Fly rod manufacturers and builders should be aware that many older reel models and some newer ones may not have conforming reel feet. In many instances, the reel manufacturer will offer to change the reel foot to a conforming one. Changing the foot on a reel is generally relatively simple. All REC reel seats will properly and securely lock down a conforming reel foot. If your reel does not properly fit a REC reel seat, please check the foot against the standard before contacting REC. If you still feel that the reel seat was made improperly, please contact us and we will be glad to assist you.
We are dedicated to meet the needs of rod manufacturers, custom builders, distributors, and dealers worldwide by providing creative solutions to the most demanding applications. The team stands ready to serve its customers in a prompt, courteous, and professional manner while delivering the highest quality rod components and rod cases.
REC has been veteran owned and operated company for over 25 years.
CONTACTS
Alan Gnann
President
(860)749-3476 ext. 209
alan@rec.com
Ryan Bibeau
Customer Service Manager
(860)749-3476 ext. 202
rbibeau@rec.com
Fawna Toth
Administrative Manager
(860)749-3476 ext. 200
ftoth@rec.com