Lewtham reel

[Reedling]

I found one of those Lewtham reels in a box whilst sorting through a few bits today and, like you do, gave it a spin. Well, it span and span so I checked it against the clock, I gave a handle a flick and off it went. I must admit the bearing does create a noise but it turned for just over two minutes, this was straight out of a box in the cupboard so to speak. I was quite surprised by the spin length.

[Tengisgol]

I had a Leeds Lewtham reel for years and it was the mainstay for my trotting. It may not have been too fashionable or sought after but boy was it effective. And all for twenty quid back then!

[Rod]

I saw some time back that the owner of Lewtham was putting all the tools and drawings up for sale, and was stopping production, I haven't seen anything since so I don't know if he has, or what, be a shame really, as these reels were a great product at affordable prices, which encouraged people to try the use of a pin.

[Reedling]

I have used one of these reels in the past, the one thing against them as far as I was concerned is the milled edge to the spool. When you try to brake a larger fish, it burns your fingers from the friction of the milling against your skin.

[Stathamender]

Dave Lewthwaite (who has been mentioned on here from time to time) retired a few years back. Both Lewtham Leeds reels and the original ones made in Leeds by W&S from the mid-60s appear regularly on a certain auction site, you can usually pick one up for less than £30. Many do not have the milled edge. They are very free running, I have one and I like using it, if anyone needs to know the size of the internal bearings for replacement purposes let me know as I have details.

[Reedling]

I should imagine one without a milled rim would be a nice reel to use. I also like the non noisy ratchet type drag.

[CentrepinGuru]

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[Tengisgol]

It’s like when The Jam re-released their whole catalogue one Christmas and the Top Thirty got taken over by their singles!