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About Us
This web site is for all who either collect, love or at least remember Mitchell and the impact it had in our lives! We have developed it to help understand the mysteries surrounding Mitchell and share in our knowledge of the truth. 


So you know a little about who we are, why we know what we do and our interest in Mitchell Reels, here are a few words from the team who are building this site.

Wallace Carney


I’ve been interested in Mitchell reels since the late fifties but about 6 years ago I found more interest in the history and mysteries of Mitchell. I have bought and sold many Mitchell reels for study and documentation. I authored a book on dating Mitchell reels by serial numbers called “Mitchell Re-Birth of a Legend” with cooperation and assistance from Barry Frewing, author of “Mitchell Birth of a Legend”. This study along with many others I’ve done will be added as time permits. I continue to study and authenticate Mitchell reels as well as administer this web site full time. Some of the reels I've studied include:


2- Global Reels (only 3 known of to date)
1- 25th Anniversary Silver Reels (only 3 known of to date)
3- Hand Engraved Mitchell Reels (only 4 known of to date)
1- Mitchell Rapid Green Prototype (only 1 known of to date)
1- The Lady Mitchell (one of a kind)
3- 1974 Commemorative Mitchell 300DL Reels
 
Photographs of these can be seen in the Collector's Gallery along with many others of interest. If you own any very rare Mitchell reels, please feel free to Contact Us for any assistance you may need. That’s just one reason we’re here!

 

Doug DeSimone

 

Having been born into the world of outdoor sports with a family involved in The Garcia Corporation and Impecco Ltd., I had no choice but to be a fishing tackle enthusiast and historian. The Garcia as I have grew to know and admire was in business from 1947-1978. My father was Louis DeSimone, President of Impecco Ltd. in the United States, the exclusive importer for Garcia's Mitchell and Abu fishing tackle and numerous other outdoor brands.

 

I was fortunate to also serve as Vice President for Impecco Ltd. from 1990-2000. My uncle, Thomas T. Lenk, was the key force in the marketing and success of the Mitchell reel and was President and CEO of Garcia. Two other uncles were Emil DeSimone, Executive Vice President, and Angelo DeSimone, National Service Manager for Garcia. The three brothers had a cousin, Albert Pisapio, who was Vice President of Garcia, managing Garcia Outdoor Sports Limited (Canada), and later served as President of Mitchell Sports Canada in the 1980's. Though they are all gone now, their legacy in the world of fishing tackle and outdoor sports will truly live on.


James Entwistle


A well known UK collector of Mitchell reels and other Mitchell products. He has been collecting for many years and has one of the best collection of Mitchell reels in The UK. James also attends many shows in The UK where collectors meet and discuss all aspects of fishing, he is recognised as the "Mitchell' man.

 

James is also an avid fisherman and loves Pike fishing with Mitchell reels of course!. James will be adding a lot of depth to our work on studying Mitchell reels. To see the evidence watch our CAP section grow over the coming months. (Written by Mike Read about James)


Jean-Pierre Gumprich
 
Jean-Pierre Gumprich was long related to the history and growing success of Mitchell. He is the only child of Julius Gumprich and nephew of Otto Gumprich who had co-founded Charles Garcia & Co in NYC in between the two world wars. JP was literally brought up in a Mitchell environment from age 8. At the age of 18 years old, he became a full time employee of Impecco, Paris.

 

JP has very intimate knowledge of the scenes and behind the scenes, as actor, translator, and interpreter for all management involved from 1957 till 1983 on a daily basis! In addition to his duties as the prime actor in Mitchell exports; he was directly responsible for all communications to the 85 countries handled by Impecco, Paris.

 

JP is currently writing a book. His book will detail the very origins of spinning reels, the environment within which Mitchell grew to worldwide success, killing many other brands on the way, the growth of the range, the success coming from all quarters. There will be a mix of technique, angling savvy, commercial strategy and more information that could only be known by him.
 
Paul Handal


I was born and raised in New England and with the direction of my late father I started fishing at 5 or 6 years old while using Mitchell reels. I started seriously collecting Mitchell reels in 2000 and proudly display them for all visitors to see. My desire to gather information regarding the the Mitchell reel has surpassed my goal of collecting the reel itself. The historical data and the people behind the manufacturing and management of the product is much more interesting to me than the reels themselves.  


It is my lifes ambition to seek out and provide as much accurate information as possible for all lovers of the Mitchell reel to enjoy. Along the way I have met some very wonderful people and it never ceases to amaze me what's around the next corner of my travels to find this information. Tight lines to all and I hope to see you on the river or lake sometime soon!

 

Mike Read


I've been fishing man-and-boy for around 50 years. At first I couldn't afford a Mitchell. But at the age of 15 I worked in a fishing tackle shop and a Mitchell 301 was the first thing I bought. Sadly that reels has long since disappeared. I may have traded it for something. My next Mitchells were 301's then 411's - then a Mitchell Match 'L', which I still have and still use.
 
Now I fish mainly with some old Mitchells, plus some other reels that I love but won't mention by name: they are great to fish with, but do not have the same look and feel of a Mitchell. I collect mainly 'egg shape' Mitchells, typically those up to the 1980s plus any specials. I just love the DLs.

 
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