Mitchell Reel Forum

I inherited a couple of Mitchel reels from my dad; one I'm keeping because it's left-handed and a lovely reel to use. The other I'm intending to sell because it's right-handed (and I'm a southpaw).

As far as I can tell, it's a Garcia Match L (RH) with the serial number 8465[space]5 stamped on the foot. It's got the dab bail arm, it's dark blue and egg shaped.

I've looked at your dating page and the list of reels but can't find any obvious matches for manufacturing date. Can you help?

TIA.

mintcake63,
Welcome to the Mitchell Reel Museum Forum!
We will do our best to help you identify your reel. Would it be possible for you to post a few photos of your reel(s). Not only do we love to look at our favorite reels but it would be of enormous help in sorting it out.
Let us know if you need help posting photos.
Kind Regards,
Bill

Hi Bill, thanks for the welcome and my dad would have been delighted to know that his reels were still being used and discussed.

Photos of the reel in question:

Hi Bill, thanks for the welcome and my dad would have been delighted to know that his reels were still being used and discussed.

Photos of the reel in question:

Welcome to the sight. You have a very desirable reel. It is a Left-Hand reel to begin with. Many people confuse right and left-hand terms. A right-handed person cranks the reel with their left hand and HOLD the pole with their right hand. So, the reel is a right-hand reel. I know that can be a little confusing. I'm a left-handed person because I use the odd numbered Mitchell reels even though I crank with my right hand. Your reel is the Match series for distribution in Europe and UK. The "L" on the reel is for right hand wind models. My information at hand states the MATCH series was released in 1971 and unknown amount made. Changed to different model numbers as the years and Mitchell's engineers saw fit. Still, the left-handed Mitchells were made at 10% of the right-hand models' numbers. Garcia was out of the picture circa. 1978 when only Mitchell was on the reel from then on. Hope this helps.
Kim

Thank you, Kim, very helpful, and for you thank you for clarifying left/right handedness in reels... so although I'm left-handed I use my rod like a right-hander (ditto I play a right-handed guitar, use right-handed whittling knives, etc). Why my dad (right-handed) had both left and right-handed versions of the Match reel I don't know - maybe he used two rods either side of him, one for float and the other for leger.

Kind regards,

Graeme

One thing I forgot to point out is your reel is the same as the Garcia Mitchell 440 reel. Just different markings and distribution.
Kim

Thanks Kim.