Roach Reflections - Part 36 - The Mitchell Match 440A - Love or Hate?

Mitchell Match reels have long been my reel of choice for floatfishing with fine lines - roach fishing in other words. The reel evolved over many years and the ones I use tend to date from the very late 70s or early 80s. They're flawed in that they tangle easily and need plenty of careful maintenance to keep them running sweetly but the advantages of speed, ease of use with one-handed casting and brilliant line-lay make up for the occasional frustrations. Furthermore there's plenty of decent examples still available on Ebay for a modest cost - typically £20 to £50 for a reel that would cost more like £150 if made today.