Lord Paul of Sheffield
Well-known member
I recall my first fixed spool reel - it was called either the Black Prince or Black Knight.
I do remember the excitement as it was ordered, after my dad had smoked many John Player cigs and I had counted out the coupons many times over as the required amount got closer.
Finally after much waiting the reel arrive and with great anticipation I loaded the spool with line and took it Saturday morning to break it's duck with a fish or two.
Now maybe it was the fact I'd never used a fixed spool reel before, or that I'd put the line on incorrectly but after a few casts I had a proper birds nest on the reel. Half an hour alter I was back fishing only to have the same thing happen.
A couple of more fishing trips with the same result saw the reel left in the fishing basket (yes I had a big wicker fishing basket) and me back using a centre pin.
A few years later, after I'd forsaken fishing for other pursuits, cleaning out my dad's shed I found the fishing basket and my old fixed spool reel, battered at the bottom and binned it.
Did anyone else own one of these reels? I seem to recall they were made of a black plastic and sounded like some one hand cranking on old aeroplane when you turned the handle.