Sad day….

[TF_Fordy]

Yesterday was a sad one.

While setting my son up to fish the waggler on the Tight Lines family day, something happened to my treasured Mitchell Match.

The bale arm seems to have snapped off at the part where it joins the spring assembly.(the clever bit…)

It looked terminal at the time. A little bit of metal fell off. I tried to borrow some superglue to re-attach it, but it was hopeless.

I bought this reel with money I earned from, my paper round at the age of 14. Seem to remember it was about #40 at the time – which was a lot of copies of the Daily Telegraph/Times pushed through a lot of letterboxes.

I’ve caught several of my PB’s using it, including barbel on trotted maggot on the Kennet, 5lb chub, 3lb perch.

But now it’s no more. I’m sure there are much better reels out there….but nothing will be quite the same.

:o(

[MadScientist]

Could try here?

http://jimsreelshop.co.uk/shop/page/7?shop_param=

[TF_piperpilot]

I know that there is a guy or company that totally restores Mitchell reels to as new condition. I was going to send my 810 in for a refit but never did,

[TF_piperpilot]

http://www.mitchellreels.net looks like a good place for info,

[TF_daveroberts]

A sad day indeed fordy.

What was it like doing a paper round in 1930s Brittain?

[TF_Dave Pellet]

Andy, Ebay is your friend…

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=mitchell+match&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I know you’ll not want to replace yours, but these might be useful for spares

(link doesn’t quite work because of the syntax, you’ll need to copy & paste into an internet address bar)

[TF_Fordy]

robbo you Welsh tw*t.

Thanks all for the kind words.

I’d always fancied an 810 but it was a dream unfulfilled.

I’ll have a look at that link and see if mine can be rescued…..

[ruddy-chub]

Well Fordy indeed a sad day… but i have a nuber of mitchell match reels so you are welcome to have one mate
Steve

[TF_Waveney One]

Sure it wasn’t 40 groats when it was new Fordy?

[bodgeParticipant]

pmsl robbo!

[TF_Fordy]

It’s what you’d expect from the Welsh isn’t it (izzenettttt?)

Mocking someone who has lost something dear. Bl**dy sheepshaggers.

ruddy-chub is clearly a total gent. Thanks matey.

I’m coming to terms with my loss and gratified to receive links from people who have directed me to skilled surgeons who may be able to save the old girl!!

[TF_ubat]

can get a proper reel now

[TF_herbie]

mr ford i have 2 m/matches you can have free of charge just let me know where to send them too

07702103014

[TF_ChavenderParticipant]

mitchell reels (match ,410’s etc) are like old friends ,might not use them every time ,but you miss them when they’re gone.

had a quick look at my mitchell spares ,nothing too help you left apart from a couple of bail springs and the bailarm canti-leaver but not the actual bail arm or its other fittings .

i’d pick up a reel for spares of e-bay myself but the afore mentioned jimsreelshop is good.

old mitchell reels are perfect trotting reels ( well except the match versions with there clunky bailarms ) theres just something nice about using them .

[TF_Fordy]

Gentlemen, I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Many thanks.

[TF_allyParticipant]

Reelcare in Southampton is nice and close to you Andy. The owner used to be service manager for Mitchell when they had a UK service centre.

120 Kendal Ave
Milbrook
Southampton

02380777232

Google for more info

[TF_Fordy]

Thanks ally!!

[TF_NoCarpPlease]

Fordy,

if you have no joy with the professionals or others – let me know.
I have three or so 440s for spare parts, so I’m likely to have the part you need.
Repairing the original is the only solution. My first (saved up pocket money in 1981 or 2) is still in regular use.

And as I keep telling anyone (who will listen) …. the 440a is great if you learn a small trick that negates the problems of
1. auto bail closure only
2. winding the wrong way to pick up line from finger (right handed).

Good luck

[TF_daveroberts]

@Fordy wrote:

Gentlemen, I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Many thanks.

That’s a tempter as well!!~think

[porky]

You could allways take another trip down memory lane and get another paper round !!!!

[TF_feeder]

jeez can you imagine fordy in short trousers i shudder to think.ask keith to give you your pocket money early and buy a decent reel.lol

[TF_Katarino]

Fordy, shop around, as a child of the 70’s you must know…. “we can rebuild him, make him better, stronger, faster….. the 6 million dollar reel!”.

Seriously I know quite a few people still using them and there are several sources for reviving them.

Personally, my part time job money went on Mitchell 410’s and ABU 501’s……

[TF_Waveney One]

@porky wrote:

You could allways take another trip down memory lane and get another paper round !!!!

I believe that more and more pensioners are doing paper rounds these days!

[TF_Fordy]

A reel barely alive. We have the technology. We can rebuild him…..

Na na na na. Na na na na na na na na……..

:o)

(I’m ignoring the ageist references from people like Waveney One who are clearly old dodderers themselves.)

[TF_MICK THE BOOKIE]

Andy…..Dont let em get to you mate.That bloody walk to our Pegs Saturday must have reminded you of the “Paper Round”.God i was f*****.You had more gear than me,and the dog as well.
Incidently as you mentioned your beloved Mitchell,i just looked at a Mitchell SC 40 some one gave me about 2 years ago.Its as new and still feels goodish in hand.Does anyone know anything about these?,i looked on the Website but couldnt find any info on them.I also dug out my old Abu`s.They were fair reels in their days.

[TF_Fordy]

The trouble with that walk is that I had no idea how far the pegs were from the car when we set off. In hindsight I’d have left all my pole fishing stuff behind and just taken a tip rod and wagg. Half the load!!

Still use a 501 and a 506. I know they’re not cutting edge – but like the Mitchell Match hark back to my childhood when they were ‘the reel’ to have.

I can remember I used to fish occasionally with a bloke called Ian Tanner at a place called Bucklebury Ponds (crucian carp heaven!). He used to have TWO waggler rods BOTH set up with brand new Mitchell Matches, and a ledger rod with a Mitchell 300 on it.

He had an umbrella, seat box and everything.

[TF_Dave Pellet]

seatbox? seatboxes were for wealthy people when I was a lad!

we used to sit on rickety old wicker baskets

I even made a pair of wooden wedges as a levelling system for when I was on the dam wall at Damflask

[TF_Fordy]

I know. Amazing!! New bait boxes too.

I think my gentle obsession with Mitchell Matches relates to the noise they make when the bail arm opens and your float sails out into the swim. First time I ever played with one, I thought it was bloody marvellous!!

[ruddy-chub]

I sent you a PM mate

[TF_ChavenderParticipant]

this maybe too late but just been grazing on e-bay and came across this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mitchell-Auto-Bail-Pt-Nos-83015-81062-82368-Mount-/230516718379?pt=UK_SportingGoods_FishingAcces_RL&hash=item35abddfb2b

[TF_proper tidal boy]

fordy do your self a favour and spend some cash tightwad

[DEEDOGDACEParticipant]

Fordy, best post for ages. Those of us born in the 50s know how impressive and unreplaceable these reels are. I think they use the word “iconic” nowadays. I loved ’em and wish I’d kept mine.

[Author]

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