Alvey reels

[Enniberg]

A few years ago I bought an Alvey salmon reel at a yard sale for very little money.

The model is 520 A52 and it has a fiberglass spool. Looks like it might be from the seventies or eighties.

Does anyone here have the same reel? Are they any good? It does feel pretty solid.

I have never fished this reel. Had no boat at the time and hid it in the back of my storage and only stumbled upon it when looking for something else this morning. I know, I know, I need to get organized [)]

www.cobbcanada.ca

 

[juandesooka]

I'm no expert, but I've had a few Alvey reels from garage sales and such. I think they are Australian? The one I know best, and still have is the yellow one that is aluminum I think. I quite like it, has a nice heft, and the drag works well.

I've had a few of the black plastic ones too, but they always seem to have a screwed up drag ... either too tight to turn or can't tighten at all.

Kind of like old Peetz reels ... very simple, do the job they need to do, and just as fishy as the aircraft aluminum engineering marvels that cost $500 plus.

 

[scott craven]

i had one of the yellow fibreglass Alvey reels... P.O.S. in
my opinion.
Save yer $$ and get a Shimano

 

[Enniberg]

quote:Originally posted by r.s craven

i had one of the yellow fibreglass Alvey reels... P.O.S. in
my opinion.
Save yer $$ and get a Shimano

I'm gonna give the thing a try next time out - mine is yellow fiberglass. It feels very smooth and substantial to me, but then again, the only thing I can compare it with is my Daiwa M-One Plus and M-Two reels which are in pretty sad shape after two seasons of fishing out of Ukee.

www.cobbcanada.ca

 

[beemer]

fun reels if you like old school. I have a box of busted ones if you need parts!

 

[TenMile]

I have 4 of them as well -- have never used them but they do look substantial.

Apparently Alvey makes a world record casting reel. Looks very similar to the mooching reel, but when you want to cast the entire reel turns sideways and you can haul a line out for miles.

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0001893111915a.shtml

TenMile
<'((((><

 

[TenMile]

Found this overview of them here: http://www.collectsportfishing.com/Reels.htm

Alvey Reels
Alvey Salmon Mooching Reel, $60.00
Made in Australia, 5" across metal plate, stainless steel and fiberglass. Seat stamped with 520A. When I contacted Alvey Reels to ask about the stamped number, Glenn Alvey responded telling me: "The 520A52 was a trolling reel specifically made for the Canadian market. 520A52 was the product number for the fibre glass spool, there was a 520A12 with a Bakelite spool, we would of used the same back for both models, so we truncated the model number. "


TenMile
<'((((><

 

[bee15]

the yellowish ones are great used them for halibut and bottom fishing foryears with no problems inexpensive and work fine with tightly wound nylon line

 

[Peahead]

Here is one I have. It is from from Brisbane. The mount swivels to turn this reel perpendicular to the rod. A beach surf caster I figure. Anyone figure its worth anything ?

 

[myknoo]

have the same one-thats the caster-throw some 15 lb test on it with a 2 oz. wt & you'll throw it across the fraser.

 

[scott craven]

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Alvey-520A52_18954270

 

[Little Hawk]

Got one of those... it's full of braided nylon that I use for a string-line for straightening walls when I'm framing etc.

Never really liked the drag on it. Built well though.

 

[Dave S]

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Alvey-520A52_18954270

thats my ad and I'm holding it for a guy coming down from nanaimo this Sunday.

 

[tykkyt e blue]

I looked hard at Alvey reels some years ago... the only ones that really match up for west coast use are their 425 Saltwater fly reels - I have used 4 for 5 years now. The drag is VERY good, but I've just about worn out the ratchet/pawl assy. since the 'star' is made of a softish grade of brass