Mitchell Reel Museum Discussion Group

Some of my favourite reels are the very first CAPs : I love 'em.
I attach photos of a couple of nice examples and an early box, which some members might find interesting.
They are superb, chunky reels; much more robust and heavier than the later Carpano versions. The construction is strikingly similar to later reels by AMR.
In their book on French reels the Caminades tell us that manufacture of CAPs started in 1939, or earlier and possibly initially involved Bouriant and AMR. Manufacture was later entrusted to Carpano & Pons.
They also tell us that on 14th. March 1939 Canne a Peche of Angers deposited the design of a fixed drum reel for fishing; for throwing light weights; with the 3 letters CAP on the casing. This reel does not appear to have been the subject of a Patent.
In the History Discussion section of this Forum in a topic "La Canne a Peche vs. Carpano ....." it is reported that in an interview the CEO. of CAP stated that following difficulties in manufacturing due to the 2nd. World War an association was made with the house of Carpano & Pons.
In the production lists in the Caminade book the CAP first appears in 1949; one year after the Mitchell. The CAP/304 is shown from 1949/71 with over 3 million made.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that Carpano may have contracted out construction of the first reels. I'm ashamed to say that I can't recall where I saw this.
Once again we are faced with the question of whether Carpano made fishing reels before and during the War. As before, I am not invested in any particular narrative, but would like to see any positive evidence.

Rolands.

Thanks Christian,

More interesting reading can be found at http://www.fishingreelresearch.org/reel-makers.html. It also has an interesting story on Mitchell Reels as well.

Best Regards, Wallace

Excellent information, Christian.
Merci.

Dear Ted,
I live in the UK. and MK.2 reels and later are readily available here. We have a branch of collecting here called "Specimen Hunting" and the Mitchell 300 was the reel of choice for over 30 years. Most "Hunters" had 3 or 4 of them.
We also have a branch of competition fishing called "Match Fishing" and, as you can probably guess, that is what the auto-bail (Mitchell Match) was designed for.
I am an old retired guy and my wife and I collect in many areas. Believe it or not, I regard Mitchells as fun collecting.
I wanted a MK.1 and looked in France. One thing led to another....
There are 2 secrets to finding reels : firstly ask the question and secondly have the cash available.
Actually there is a third secret : be easy to deal with. Most of my transactions take only a matter of minutes to conclude. I remember buying a lovely reel from that gentleman Roy Allet over breakfast one Sunday morning. It took 10 minutes and the cash was in his Paypal account.
I soon discovered that, as you would expect, the early reels are not nearly as scarce in France as elsewhere and also that the French collectors are generally more interested in other makes. The variety of French reels available to the collector is astonishing. They truly are a nation of anglers.
As an example, I bought the 2 pre-Carpano CAPs from the same collector. He also found me 4 no. MK.1. Mitchells and other specials. The Caminades in their book have a 5 star rarity rating system, with 5 being the rarest. The early CAP gets 5 stars and the MK.1 Mitchell 3 stars.
I have found Mitchell collectors to be some of the nicest people and have encountered surprisingly little dishonesty.
I just love early reels and enjoy cleaning and servicing them.
You're right by the way, the pre-Carpano CAPs. are fantastic !!
Kind regards,

Rolands.

I am interested in what you say, Christian.
I buy very little from Ebay. I think "sniping" as it is called is an abuse of the system.
Sadly, I do not have the opportunity to do the same as you as I do not live in France. My best chance of building a nice collection is to develop relationships with collectors in France and that is what I have done.
I like to treat people fairly and am happy to pay fair prices. I am not a rich man, so I certainly have a limit on price. It is the natural way of collecting that an item will often pass through several hands before reaching its' ultimate destination.
I respect you for what you have done for our hobby and how freely you share information.
However, my understanding is that the value of Mitchells has fallen in recent years as has been the case with most collectables due to the effect of computers and the internet. I have only owned a computer for 4 years so this is all new to me. I have been a serious collector in other areas for many years and my approach has always been the same : develop good relationships with other collectors and dealers; analyse the market and make up your own mind as to value. Too much emphasis on money spoils what should be an absorbing hobby.
I am always happy to pay what I think is a fair price. I'm sure there are people willing to pay more; just as there are people who would prefer to pay less.
I believe in the saying "Live and let live". I wish you every success tomorrow.
Bien cordialement,

Rolands.

Hi Ted, It seems to me we are a lot alike, in age 72 and our interest in Mitchell reels and the like. Not being a genuine collector but someone who watches out for them and will pick one up now and then.Some of mine are users and I do have some that I've never used at all.With that said I do hope that my son sees that they go to someone who will either use them or care for them the way I have. Viva La France Oscillator1 /John in P.A.

Tinca,
I haven't ,even, been able to add a 300X to my collection. They are tough.
Maybe, the State guys and you guys across the Atlantic need to work together more to, possibly, to help each other. I'm sure some of that is going on already, but might be cultivated a bit more.
Of course, I may not be knowledgeable enough about the process to know the difficulties.
Regards,
Ted Lanham

Dear Randy,
Fabulous pieces. Thanks for sharing.

Dear Ted,
As you say, I'm sure some across Atlantic co-operation goes on. It can be a bit awkward agreeing terms. I think you need to know and trust the person you are dealing with really well, when it can work to everyone's benefit.
I suppose that is the advantage of Ebay and the internet : you can buy from anywhere.
I'm never sure how easy it is to share collecting. I think sharing information is essential, and Christian is a shining example to us all in that regard, but the actual collecting is more of an individual process.
That said, I like to see reels from the collections of others. It whets the appetite if nothing else !!

Rolands.