Mitchell Reel Museum Discussion Group

Hi Guys,
I'm based in Sydney and I have been collecting some vintage rods, Sportex, Butterworth etc. Recently I've come across some Michell Conolon Companion Spiraflex. The model numbers are 61:132 11ft, 62:126 10ft 6 and a guy on another forum has a 42:108.
I've been told they may have come out of the Kilwell factory in New Zealand.
What period are we looking at? I take the last 3 numbers to be length in inches, but what about the first 2, do they represent wraps or casting weights?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Ryder.

Thanks Ted,
I found a little something which suggests Garcia Conolon set up the Kilwell factory in the 1960s.
http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/v ... =3&t=17390

Hey Ryder,

Very interesting! Hopefully we may dig up more.

I have seen some scant information.

Australia imported Conolon blanks and manufactured rods domestically - which was helpful in not having to pay importation tariffs. I can't locate my sourcing on this - whether it occurred in the 1960's or '70's.

My sense about New Zealand back then (please correct/update me if otherwise) is that the government restricted imports to encourage domestic manufacture. For instance, Kilwell partnered with ABU (Sweden) in order to be able to manufacture ABU metal lures in New Zealand from 1964 to 1985 (I have a copy of the incorporation document). Kilwell, at that time, was also active importing lures, such as Lemax (Switzerland), Norwich (UK), Hot Shot (US), Mitchell (France), and other(s). I was also aware Kilwell imported Conolon blanks then, but knew not much of the specifics (other than some fly rods) until your updated post.


Mates,

This is Halcyon (in the interest of full disclosure).

Long story here: cleared cache, failed hard drive, lost password, no help for a month from administrator to get back in MRM as Halcyon. And, I have run out of email addresses in order to be able to create yet another new profile, such as Halcyon1.

Best wishes to all.

John

I hope these pictures upload. May answer some questions. On different SLOW computer. Have had them since 10/10/2005. Lost out on ebay..........
Kim

Well they did not upload. Will transfer them to my phone and go from there. Sorry for the suspense..........

And yes the mega pixels were within parameters....

Hey Ryder,

I'm not seeing "Kilwell-ABU" in the image of your Kilwell "Mitchell Companion" rod that you posted elsewhere. The Mitchell Companion logo matches that used in the US during the 1950's. So, that rod may predate Kilwell-ABU.

"Custom Line" or "Customline" is a series name I've seen in a couple Killwell catalogs (1968 & 1982), but I have not seen a "Mitchell Companion" series in those Kilwell-ABU era catalogs.

John

Hey Ryder,

Sorry, but I don't think you're following what I'm saying.

Does your 62:126 "Mitchell Companion" have "Kilwell-ABU" on it anywhere? From what I could see, no.

"Mudfish marquand" (your NZ responder) referenced the "Custom Line" rods he knew of from 1972-76 without the benefit of a photo of your 62:126 "Mitchell Companion" you had posted at yet another forum. From what I'm seeing, a 1972-76 "Custom Line" rod would have had "Kilwell-ABU" on its decal(s).

John

P.S. A "factory" to assemble rods (that is attach reel mount and handle, wrap line guides) is a relative term. There are companies in the US early days that did this in a barn or garage. So, your Kilwell "Mitchell Companion" could have been assembled in the late 1950's to early/mid 1960's prior to any later larger production operation.

Ryder,

"Mataura mayfly" was indeed correct in his FFR post you linked, Garcia Conolon helped Kilwell set up a fiberglass factory by 1968 (see 1968/69 catalog excerpt below). So, from then on Conolon rod blanks would have been made in New Zealand.

The excerpt also states that blanks were imported prior to that. I think it's likely that your Kilwell "Mitchell Companion" was prior to 1968.

John

Thanks again John,
Your advice on the 61,62 makes perfect sense.
I originally posted the question on Fishraider my local forum.https://www.fishraider.com.au/topic/892 ... -treasure/

I didn't realise there was so much history behind the brand, brands until I found this forum, I love a bit of research.
The is no mention of Abu, Garcia or Kilwell on the rod.

The rod appears to be painted, gel coated or expoxyed in a kind of olive brown. A few spot of wear reveal the blank is a deep red colour. All the guides are just wire, no inserts.

The 61:132 was the first one I found. It came in a lot of 4 surf rods. The decals were for the most part gone. All I had to go on was Custom Line 61:132, and the seller telling me Mitchell Conolon.
The blank is 11ft, with a sand spike insert bringing it up to 11ft6.
The decals are the same style as the other, and where the coating has worn off you can see the same deep red colour of the blank.

Great pictures John.
Kim

Hey Ryder,

So, "Mudfish marquand" (in NZ) was in the correct date range for the "Custom Line" rods he knew of from 1972-76.

Good that Kilwell was able to provide you with an answer. I'm sure many of the Mates wished they could have received an answer from Mitchell to an inquiry.

Thanks for your update.

John