wazatherfisherman

Hi Noel yes there were- 3 spool varieties, plastic, metal then aluminium. 4 to 1 ratio. The one above has the "one-piece take-apart spool"

Late 60's DAM Series, made in Germany these were built to last, got beaten on the Aust market when Daiwa then Shakespeare brought out the new 'external spool' models with updated features. 5 sizes in the series

From right to left old Penn "Longbeach" one of my first overhead reels, still works like new, got superseded as gear ratio far too slow for jigging. Middle is Penn Jigmaster 500L with Aluminium spool, a little battered around but still in good working order- 36 years old, very popular as a jig reel. Left hand side Shimano "Speedmaster" 6 to 1 ratio, great for casting or jigging has an excellent drag for a reel made about 25 years ago. Great reel to use still.

After the Daiwa's came the Shakespeare "Blue Series"- 4 different sizes- these were also made in Japan and had features like: fold down bail arms, manual or auto trip for bail arm, snap-off spools, quick change right/left retrieve (there was an extra handle bolt in he handle arm for converting reeling side), high speed gearing, quality drag systems etc etc. They were a huge seller and were (along with the previous Daiwa's) "revolutionary" for the Australian spinning reel scene/market. Updated version was the "Green Series" with an even smaller model- the 2499- about equivalent to say a '500' size reel. Great reel for 1 kg line and a favourite of mine. Post photo shortly of one. 3rd series were maroon/red same features and sizes as the green ones. The tiny 2499 model is prized by collectors worldwide

Fishing reel "evolution"- the "Silver Series" from Daiwa were one of the first "external spool" threadlines in Australia. They had 'ball bearings' and a range of features not seen in this type of reel- no more line caught behind the spool like could happen on the internal (in housing) spool type. Bottom left was the 'prestige' range, a Daiwa "Gold Series" this tiny one held about 120 mtr's of 4 lb mono. The one above it is a 1000 series- brand new with box, also had a "snap-off" spool button for quick change. Bottom right was the largest a 7000C made in Japan, still a quality reel made to last (it's about 42 years old now)

Can't remember what the top lure is called. Anybody? Next one down is a large version of the Wonder Wobbler with added prism-flash. Below are 2 more unusual coloured Rebel Crawfish (shallow versions) put the 5c coin in to show how tiny the 'Devon-style' wired spinner is- smallest I've ever seen, in fact one of the smallest lures around. For younger fishers, the green thing is what we used to use to catch Squid, way before they became "Egi"! Used to work fine

Top three all Nilsmaster "Invincibles" bottom one is a Rebel "Husky Jerk" shallow version - this exact lure sat on the wall of the old barber shop in Murwillumbah for ages until my mate John bought it as we used to do heaps of Flathead luring- he often got it out and never got a fish on it, so we stirred him up about it, until one day at Wooli he got 9 Flathead in 9 casts! We the 'stirrers' got 1 each(from 100+ casts) even though we stood about 5 mtr's either side of him the whole time. The Flatties were chasing small Whiting in less than a mtr of water (stomach contents revealed this). Of course on returning to Sydney went out and bought a couple! No more stirring re lures!

Old personal favourites for Tailor trolling- both dive about 5 mtr's. Top one is jointed Rebel 'Fastrac' and bottom another Daiwa early version of 'Double Clutch'

Top one is a forerunner to the famous (to old spin fishers anyway!) LUK, below is a "half by quarter" with bevelled edges and an Alpha wobbler to the right- the red plastic tag on the rear split ring distinguished it from famous old "Wonder Wobbler" bottom pink squid is old, popular when bottom-bouncing leadhead jigs were around- got it from a bargain bin

Name on top one too hard to read, middle is a "Wally Diver"- Cotton Cordell if I remember rightly. Bottom is Heddon Torpedo-(still available)

Forerunner to the popular Daiwa "Double Clutch" in the centre, these lures came to Australia (Darwin actually) as "rejects" from the Asian market. Tried as Barra lures and didn't have the right characteristics for that style of fishing. Somehow they ended up in my old local tackle store in Campsie and my group tried them out. Result- fantastic lures for Flathead both casting and trolling. Went back and between 4 of us bought the lot, which was a few dozen. Didn't have English language on the boxes so we didn't know what they were called or any info. Rang Daiwa to try and get some more (when we realised they were great for Bonnies etc)- they said as the lure wasn't accepted overseas, they wouldn't be making any more. Guess they were wrong about that! Original price about 20 years ago was $5-6

More stuff- old lures still packaged from top left clockwise Rebel Crawfish (still available), weedless frog, Rebel Wee R, Heddon Tadpoly, Yo-Zuri Slavko Bug, Arbogast Jittermouse, Arbogast Bass Popper, Tassie Tiger "Devon",

Hi eastwood1980 if you're going to fish the 'drop-over' near the caravan park you'll get them on cabbage as the run in (when you fish there) brings cabbage in from outside. As Macman said cabbage is fine inside. If no long weed at Turrimetta, Mona Vale pool usually has great weed as long as the council hasn't just been there to poison it off for swimmers safety

Unreal capture on that gear in the river! Fantastic effort and a memorable capture! Great video as well

Hi TAZ cool stuff you have there, all those lures would still catch just as many fish as they used to I reckon

Hi TAZ there are quite a lot of collectors that love their Mitchell's. The chap that made most of my sidecast spools and has a great collection of Alvey's has a great collection of Mitchell's as well. Before Daiwa then Shakespeare were 'big' names in Aust, Mitchell, D.A.M and Penn were the 'benchmark' for quality in threadlines. Built to last

Only my opinion- if they're "shiny" then shine 'em up, if not, just deal with any corrosion issues or a bit of oil on dry timber to prevent cracking. Like you said, tell the story, the real old ones don't look as good sometimes if "fully restored"

Hi Green Hornet What a nice bloke your mate is! A bit of "patina" to the back plate is good anyway, spool looks pretty nice- great score!

Great stuff Blackfish! Have been going through 1960's- 70's fishing mags and looking at all old manufacturers advertising. Wonder Wobbler advertised to catch anything! By the way, that old mother-of-pearl lure you posted, was it by any chance a "Hot Shot or Hot Zot" as found a picture of one but wording faded too much! Regards Waza

No worries if you have any more questions am happy to answer more specifically

Hi Green Hornet still got my Bakelite and yellow glass Alvey's, but after meeting spool turner, got a lot made up in various timbers, mostly cedar. Most common used is a 600A5 "custom" with extra deep spool- a lot lighter than 650A5. Living up here (Murwillumbah) Cedar Alvey's are often sighted at garage sales, swap meets etc. Housemate John has in the last year picked up a 700A5 in cedar for $10 at a garage sale and a 700A5 glass for $30 at a swap meet, both in mint condition. I got a 550A3 cedar with Rosewood stain and original box for $70 which I thought was a bargain (from pawn shop) John however, said I paid too much! Silky's are much rarer in the 600-650 size. Tip shops up this way are also good source for old reels, as in the "old days" nobody used any other reels on the beach up this way

Hi Green Hornet I only collect the plain series drag-less Alvey's and through collecting met retired Alvey spool turner Barry Langley, who showed us his workshop and Alvey collection, He didn't want photo's taken as he's been broken into several times, but still has a 'wall' of Alvey's, many in different timbers. I have about 70 odd in different timbers (many made by Barry). They are currently not accessible as under the house in boxes (behind heaps of full boxes) but at some point in the next month will be getting them out for some photo's I tried to always get 2 of each reel- one to display and one to use. The "use" ones are pretty much all cedar

Hi Noem In over 25 years of collecting have only seen a few Alvey's like this one- they are out there, but rarely seen for sale unless they're badly damaged. The Pflueger probably wasn't on the Australian market as personally I've never sighted one previously

Reverse side of Alvey Starback. Swap meets can turn up some quality old reels at times

Another from Nambour swap meet- these are pretty rare and highly collectable- an Alvey "Starback". Wooden spool in a brass frame. Although there were a fair number made, they aren't often seen for sale