This is my first post on Sport Fisherman so be patient with this old fart. >>> I got a question?

I lived in Kenai Alaska for several years fished the fresh and saltwaters all over Alaska.

One time when I was combat fishing on the Kasilof River for kings I seen a couple of fellas fishing with a board fishing reel.

I'll try to explain how it worked.

They held a traditional spinning rod in their right hand. With their right thumb they held the line tight to the pole just above the grip.

In their left hand they had a piece of plywood I would guess it was about a 1/4" thick. The board was about 12in tall by 10in wide. The board had a hand hole cut in it so the fisherman could wrap the line around it.

To cast they would aim the front of the board at the first eye above the grip then cast by releasing the line from under their right thumb. They could cast a long ways. To reel in they just used the board in a circlular motion and rewraped the line around the board. When they got a fish on they used their right thumb pressure on the line as a drag. It worked very well.

My question, do any of you know where this type fishing equipment is used what country? I've tried searching but no help. I would like to find a video of it to make sure I wasn't smokin something that day.

Dan