My dad bought this reel for me when I was 10, along with a Heddon rod, and took me to Lake Ouachita in Arkansas to go fishing. We got on a spot that was loaded with fish and I got so excited catching fish I forgot to push the release button and threw the rod and reel into the lake. Dad hired a scuba diver to find it, and he did. After that dad drilled a hole in the handle of the rod and put a small rope in it that would go over my wrist so that would not happen again. After all, that rod and reel combo cost $75 in 1957. I have fished Ambassadeurs all of my life and am now the proud owner of 10 Revos and love them.

Rick MacDougall
Paris, Texas

Does your Abu Garcia reel have some mileage? Then why not enter it in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest? Show us your "classic" or well-used Abu and you might win a new one. Click here to submit a picture of the reel, as well as a detailed story or two about its history.