Our History

 

Every great innovation starts with a bold idea, one that challenges convention. For Mako Reel Company, that idea came from aerospace engineer and avid angler Jack Charlton. By applying the precision of aerospace machining to fly fishing, he reimagined what a reel could be, transforming a simple tool into a standard of performance that reshaped the sport.

Charlton’s early designs introduced the first truly sealed drag system, setting a new benchmark for reliability and durability. That foundation continues to define Mako today. Every reel we build is centered around a sealed carbon-fiber drag system, engineered to perform under the harshest saltwater conditions and against the most powerful gamefish in the world.

He also pioneered a configurable platform that allowed anglers to fish multiple spools on a single frame, bringing a level of versatility the industry had never seen. That spirit of thoughtful innovation remains at the core of everything we make.

A Mako reel is more than equipment, it’s a long-term investment. Built to endure, built to be passed down, and built to retain its value, much like the original Charlton reels now prized by collectors. When you fish a Mako, you’re holding a piece of fly-fishing history in your hands.