Going Back To My Roots....

[mattyg 1,862]

Sod it, trawling eBay for a few proper Mitchell matches after my old one has given up the ghost.

It's had more new parts than triggers broom!

Can't beat the dab bail arm when trotting a stick or dragging a plug!

Anyone else think they are best reels ever made?

Matt

[Mister Gain 1,764]

I got one when they first came out, certainly innovative at the time, then they brought out a new model with a higher retrieve ratio but it tended to impart a lot of line twist because of the speed. I used mine for all my stillwater fishing and also for running a waggler through on slower rivers, but went over to the Abu 501 and 506M closed faced reels, which were IMO better for running a stick through on the slightly faster rivers because of that little bit of friction when the line was rubbing the cup as it came off the spool, was also a bit better in a headwind provided you kept an eye on the line not bowing back behind the spool. For faster rivers like the Kennet, using heavier sticks, avons or chubbers, I always liked to use the Trudex centrepin.

I then went over to the Diawa Auto 1657M, which had a 'straight' bale arm as opposed to the Mitchell match with it's double angle. The 1657M has got a really nice clutch, if you are not a backwinder.

 

Used to load the M/Match with Platil Strong, which was one of the first pre-stretched lines available, which was aimed at the fly fisherman for their leaders. It was nearly 3 times the price of lines like Bayer Perlon.

 

No doubt about it though, the Mitchel Match is an icon. You brought back some memories there Matt

[mattyg 1,862]

Had a brief dalliance with the Abu501 but always went back to the match.

I don't fish a tenth of what I used to but I'm gradually getting sucked back in, minus the 16 meter poles and enough tackle to sink a small island!

Matt

[jonnie bravo 572]

Talking of quality reels, if you have ever got into sea fishing you will understand the draw of an Abu 6500, especially the green mag elite. Nothing quite like it, although the daiwa 7ht is good

[neil r 1,862]

Talking of quality reels, if you have ever got into sea fishing you will understand the draw of an Abu 6500, especially the green mag elite. Nothing quite like it, although the daiwa 7ht is good

Not a fan of Abu multis , I've had 5501 , 6501 c3s and 6601 c4s and I've got a 5601 jb edition and they are a bit agricultural compared to even a basic 301-401 size shimano corvalus. I do like their closed face feels though and would have them over the daiwa versions any day .

Edited June 15, 2016 by neil r

[neil cooney 10,416]

My father has the best of modern rods, tackle boxes etc. and about a dozen Mitchell reels that I'd say some could be 60 years old.

He wouldn't have anything else.

I swapped a left handed Mitchell 305 a couple of years ago for a brand new Loomis fly rod. The reel was at least 50 years old and cost me 50p when I was a child.

Still going like clockwork too.

Great reels IMO but the old ones are better than the new.

[Ossie n Arch 1,682]

Not for me.

 

Had 300, 410 and a Match, just couldn't get on with the Match. The bail arm on mine was really stiff to close, even after having it serviced. It was quite disconcerting striking into a river Trent Chub, not quite knowing how much line would be given out before I could get the bail arm engaged. Moved over to Ryobi mastermatch reels, then onto to a Shimano supermatch's. Now only use Shimano reels.

 

However, the only reel from that era I would use is a ABU 507. But they're still fetching good money and I need/want more than a couple.

[neil r 1,862]

Not for me.

 

Had 300, 410 and a Match, just couldn't get on with the Match. The bail arm on mine was really stiff to close, even after having it serviced. It was quite disconcerting striking into a river Trent Chub, not quite knowing how much line would be given out before I could get the bail arm engaged. Moved over to Ryobi mastermatch reels, then onto to a Shimano supermatch's. Now only use Shimano reels.

 

However, the only reel from that era I would use is a ABU 507. But they're still fetching good money and I need/want more than a couple.

Cant see the appeal of the old mitchells myself , had them back in the day and they were not bad but time and technology move on and theres just no comparison with a modern shimano and like you they are the only fixed spool reels i will use . Theres a mk2 507 out now but dont know if it will be anygood , the mk2 506 gets a few bad reviews but mines been ok . Id rather have my old 501s back though

[jonnie bravo 572]

 

Talking of quality reels, if you have ever got into sea fishing you will understand the draw of an Abu 6500, especially the green mag elite. Nothing quite like it, although the daiwa 7ht is good

Not a fan of Abu multis , I've had 5501 , 6501 c3s and 6601 c4s and I've got a 5601 jb edition and they are a bit agricultural compared to even a basic 301-401 size shimano corvalus. I do like their closed face feels though and would have them over the daiwa versions any day .

Fairplay, I've never been lucky enough to use a Shimano multi, they looked the dog's b's. I had some Shakespeare ones that were naff other than a gold lure one that I can't remember the name of. Had a 6500 level wind on a jerkbait rod that was bliss.

[DIDO.1 22,845]

I had Mitchell garcias, as soon as we move house and I have my new workshop/tackle room I'm getting kitted out again

[dytkos 17,819]

My first choice (of 2 lol) out the tackle box, 30 odd years old and all its had is a blow out with the airline and a few shots of WD 40 every now and then!(see all my fishing posts)

 

Cheers, D.

[Nicepix 5,650]

I've got two. The first was given to me by an old mate who'd had it from new and hardly used it. I liked it so much I got another of fleabay. Almost a minter.

 

 

 

[neil r 1,862]

 

 

Talking of quality reels, if you have ever got into sea fishing you will understand the draw of an Abu 6500, especially the green mag elite. Nothing quite like it, although the daiwa 7ht is good

Not a fan of Abu multis , I've had 5501 , 6501 c3s and 6601 c4s and I've got a 5601 jb edition and they are a bit agricultural compared to even a basic 301-401 size shimano corvalus. I do like their closed face feels though and would have them over the daiwa versions any day .

Fairplay, I've never been lucky enough to use a Shimano multi, they looked the dog's b's. I had some Shakespeare ones that were naff other than a gold lure one that I can't remember the name of. Had a 6500 level wind on a jerkbait rod that was bliss.

 

If you ever get a chance to use one , take it , id be confident you would feel the difference . The entry level corvalus is smoother , more solid and just feels better made than the equivalent c3 series and they take some abuse. Ive also got an okuma helios air that i would rate as good as or even a bit better than the shimanos . It gets used on a 60-90g rod and its properly good , not cheap but well worth the money , its so light and well made you cant even feel the weight of it (5.7oz) and it just feels like your holding a rod . It wouldnt be big enough for beachcasting but if your into piking its worth a look

Edited June 15, 2016 by neil r

[Nicepix 5,650]

 

 

 

Talking of quality reels, if you have ever got into sea fishing you will understand the draw of an Abu 6500, especially the green mag elite. Nothing quite like it, although the daiwa 7ht is good

Not a fan of Abu multis , I've had 5501 , 6501 c3s and 6601 c4s and I've got a 5601 jb edition and they are a bit agricultural compared to even a basic 301-401 size shimano corvalus. I do like their closed face feels though and would have them over the daiwa versions any day .

Fairplay, I've never been lucky enough to use a Shimano multi, they looked the dog's b's. I had some Shakespeare ones that were naff other than a gold lure one that I can't remember the name of. Had a 6500 level wind on a jerkbait rod that was bliss.

 

If you ever get a chance to use one , take it , id be confident you would feel the difference . The entry level corvalus is smoother , more solid and just feels better made than the equivalent c3 series and they take some abuse. Ive also got an okuma helios air that i would rate as good as or even a bit better than the shimanos . It gets used on a 60-90g rod and its properly good , not cheap but well worth the money , its so light and well made you cant even feel the weight of it (5.7oz) and it just feels like your holding a rod . It wouldnt be big enough for beachcasting but if your into piking its worth a look

 

 

I've got the ABU 6500C3, a Daiwa Tatula and the latest Shimano Curado and the Shimmy is in a class of its own. Super smooth.

[neil r 1,862]

Sod it, trawling eBay for a few proper Mitchell matches after my old one has given up the ghost.

It's had more new parts than triggers broom!

Can't beat the dab bail arm when trotting a stick or dragging a plug!

Anyone else think they are best reels ever made?

Matt

If your still looking for one give anglers den in darwen a ring on 01254 706713 . I've just been in and he's got 3 for sale that he's serviced . Bottom left at £30 and the other 2 at £40 each with a spare spool.