Gloria's Partner

[Delaminated]

I made this post in good intent

Seeking some enlightenment

But merry quipsters threw their spears

Into one of advancing years

What was their purpose I must wonder

To daub a soul in double entendre

To fellow members I say this

Give good advice, don’t take the P***

Regards Tom

[Duckett]

There was once a traditional angler
Who sought advice on using his dangler
When the quips turned ribald
A witty ditty he dribbled
Only to be reeled in by a fellow word wrangler

[Liphook]

My advice is simple - just buy a Daiwa7300 in metalic champagne ( aka monkey **** beige). You know you want to

[Mole-Patrol]

To ask a stranger for their recommendation
Whether it is for rod, reel or home decoration
Is akin to opening the box of Pandora
Their own ideals often being an anathema
And though the thought may make you wince
The obvious answer is in the Black Prince

[Vole]

I'd suggest a Mitchell 208, for three reasons: It is bigger than the 308 and won't pigtail the line so badly; the pickup rotates the right way for easy cast-feathering, trot control and line-collection from the finger after successful striking; and I have the RHW equivalents of bot the 206 and 208 (e.i. the 207 and 209) and have opened both up. The gears are far better quality in the 209.
Failing that, if you simply must use an "egg-beater", the Mitchell 314 is a good alternative.
If you want to keep it all-Allcocks, consider their centre-pins! From the Aerialites (brown bakelite) through the Record Breaker and Match Special (rebadged Trudex) up to the Match Aerial and then all the eye-wateringly pricey Aerials... no shortage of choice there.

[Kev D]

The question is between threadline or pin.
Better a spaghetti bail Morrit than let the Prince of Darkness in.
Maybe a Mitchell or Dam
Something stylish and Italian?

But for a rod named Gloria in expectation of success.
Something sounding victorious would be best .
A Hardy Triumph would be more than fine.
Also ,tis all l could get to rhyme.......

Seriously ,l know what you mean about the aesthetics of matching rod to reel.
There are plenty of drum and centrepin reels of the right period about so just pick the one that you think looks good on the rod.
Fixed spool wise ,just go for something the least ugly that suits the sort of fishing you hope to do.

[Delaminated]

For the fixed spool option I’ll go for the Elite, for the pin my trusty Trudex.

I’m off to fish in waters still
I’ll leave this post to Benny Hill

Regards Tom

[Delaminated]

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions, but I think I have seen the holy grail to match my rod.
The reel was an Allcock “Duco B” FP in box with spares in separate makers box in Absolute mint condition.
This appeared on the U.S. eBay auction site and I was hooked.
Unfortunately, the Delaminated pound was not strong enough, I bid into three figures, but this jewel went for $250!

Regards Tom

[Delaminated]

P.S.
Sorry, not a FP, ‘twas a half bail, still lovely tho.

[Nobby]

Actually a 304 Cap or better yet a 314 would suit this rod well. They are well engineered, the parts are still out there and it is about the same weight as a 308 but with a larger spool to not curl the line up as much. 308s can turn your line into a coil!

In fact the arbour is a 300 part, with a slightly larger reel back for the 314 reels for reasons I don't know.

The 304 doesn't have quickly detatcheable spools, but they are still nice, and early ones...like the 314 have gears that vary the spool oscilation to prevent line bedding in. Finding spare spools can be a challenge though.