Old reel; any experts out there?

[Stu_000]

Does anyone know anything about a Garcia Mitchell 302 Saltwater reel made in France probably around 40 years old?

[madsurfe]

Hi Stu

the following links should provide some good info:

http://users.skynet.be/bk292282/articles_mitchellsymmetry.html

a bit of history in that one and in the next url click on the British Flag at the top of the page to read in English

http://www.werpmolens.nl

the above link is a collectors site

Mitchell is now a part of the Pure Fishing group www.purefishing.com who deal with the distribution of well known company names such as Berkley, ABU Garcia and Fenwick. Check out the site.

[Stu_000]

Cheers JP thats all good. A mate picked it up for $2 at an op-shop:confused: Bargain boy I call him ;)

[pie smuggler]

I've got a 301s which i've had since new and it's still in good working order (I'm old and grey but the reel is in better nick than me). The French made Mitchell are becoming collectors items these days so hand on to it.When the company was bought by Garcia the quality of the product went downhill rapidly as Garcia Mitchell cut corners to make more money from a lesser product. I also own a mint condition Mitchell 498 which cost me $75 in 1980 and have been offered $500 for it and the original box and papers, but it's staying right here with me.The is no substitute for the quality of these french made Mitchells.:D :D :D

[Justin Boyle]

heh guys i also own a good old mitchel.
this reel was a hand me down from my grandfather. he decided that he didn't need to reels so i had the choice of his penn or this and and i took the mitchel. mine is not that model but i can say that they are an awesome reel. my dad swears by them. they have fast gearing and cast well. They have huge line loads. I have 300 yards of 30 lb on mine. we have caught some big fish on them and definately a bargain at 2 dollars. worth at least 100 even in average condition.

Justin

[bluefin]

I have been using the same Mitchell 301 and 307 reels for over 40 years, and they are still going strong, have changed the line rollers from the original fixed ones to those that roll, and replaced worn out bearings and gears a few times, but they are all still going strong!

I still have the manuals for them!