Chris Yates’s Barder Rod Co 4” wide drum Centre Pin Reel.

Chris writes that the reel we gave him became his lucky ‘pin. On its first outing, on the opening day of the 2013 season, he reeled in his best ever Crucian carp with it- 3lbs 7oz. The following winter, he used it to land his largest perch- 3lbs 10oz.

In the accompanying pictures, we see Chris is playing a good fish at Wallers Haven with his Barder centre pin and Freddie Green’s rod. This was the rod and reel combination that Chris used most in recent years. Magic indeed.

The reel’s wooden box has some of the light soiling I prefer to call patina on the outside, as does the reel’s padded pouch. The box contains its original accessories- the split cane handled screwdriver, the glass oil bottle, the tub of grease, the signed certificate of ownership and the care & maintenance guide.

The reel itself is in perfect mechanical condition and I’ve serviced it. There is a small mark on the anodising on one edge of the back plate but it is otherwise mint.

Please note that the reel is set up for left hand wind but it is an ambidextrous model so we can easily set it up for right hand wind on request.

Chris has written a letter of provenance on Golden Scale Club headed paper. The PS at the end advises the new owner to ‘Go roach fishing!’

A rare reel with unique provenance and one of Chris’s favourite items of tackle.