Chris Lythe Float Master SU 4¼” x 1⅛”Aerial centrepin.
Made in 2018. In outstanding condition, this is reel № 86.
£1,200.00
This reel has had two very careful owner-collectors but neither of them has used it- something that needs to be put right.
The Floatmaster SU has very slightly larger diameter line lay pins so it can be used safely with quite strong reel lines. You could safely use it float fish for barbel, large tench or carp.
It’s wide but not too wide. The diameter is a little larger than the more common 4″ but the reel isn’t a clumsy engine. Far from it, with its double ventilated spool (small and large holes to both rims), handsome looks and Rolex-like specification and build quality.
The reel weights 284g (10oz). The spool weighs 144g (5oz).
The crisp check is lever operated and has neutral tension so that it is usable either left or right hand wind.
The line pins, spokes and handle spindles are nickel silver. The check work and foot are brass. The spool hub is phosphor-bronze and the spindle is tool steel. The check wheel and pawl are hand-hardened steel flat stock. The handles are faux ivory. The back plate and spool rims are anodised slate grey.
All Chris Lythe reels are so well conceived and so precisely, expertly made that they speak for themselves.
Chris says it’s fun to watch telly through its spinning spool. The optical effects are hypnotic, he says. I haven’t tried this but if I had a Super 8 home movie projector I’d probably try showing The Battleship Potemkin through the spool at varying speeds, just to see what Eisenstein’s masterpiece looks like from an Aerial’s perspective.