Alvey Reels Australia


Alvey Reels Australia has been encouraging anglers to fish with confidence for over 80 years. Since 1920 when the first reels were produced, Alvey Reels has been committed to providing you the angler, with quality fishing reels and accessories that will not let you down.

Thank you for giving Alvey Reels an opportunity to showcase our comprehensive range of quality fishing reels and accessories. Alvey Reels have a commitment to provide you with exceptional products and outstanding service.

When you purchase an Alvey fishing reel you can rest assured that you won be let down. Alvey reels are manufactured to best practice standards and are in fact so robust that they can be dunked in the ocean for a quick rinse if exposed to beach sand! Alvey reels certainly have a reputation for being durable; however, they are the choice of many competitive anglers for many other reasons. No other style of fishing reel allows the line to run directly over your index finger while you retrieve your line; this form of fishing is extremely sensitive and enables you to feel the smallest of bites.

Most Alvey reels use what is commonly known as a sidecast fishing action which means the reel is turned sideways to cast. Alveys unique sidecast system is very easy to master, and once mastered you will be casting like a champion. Alvey reels have the capability of casting so far that the late Jack Alvey actually won a long distance casting medal at the International Casting Championships.

The production development of the Alvey Reel

1920

Charles Alvey used a treadle lathe to turn Silky Oak wood for the back and spool of the first 3" and 4" diameter reels. The back support, line guide and ratchet parts were hand filed from cast gunmetal. Picture

1925

Ken Alvey formed a partnership with his father Charles. Increased demand led to the acquisition of a Capstan lathe which was powered by a kerosene engine. Full backs of Cast Gunmetal were now machined, as were brass spindles and nuts. Picture


1930

Rose wood and Red Bean timbers were used to make the spools. A brass plate was screwed to the spools of the 5” side cast, and the 5”, 6” and 7” game fishing reels to increase line capacity. Bermabrite, an aluminum alloy was used for the 7” overhead game reels. Picture

1936

Bakelite a thermosetting plastic was used to mould 3” and 4” diameter spools. Some 4” backs were also moulded. Picture

1937

Charles Alvey & Son produced their first catalogue.

1938

The outbreak of World War II prevented the production of fishing reels as the factory equipment was utilised in the war effort.


1945

Material shortages following the war resulted in the use of the local timber. Camphor Laurel for the spools of the 3”,4” and 5”reels. Backs on the 5” were rolled Brass. Picture

1946

Bakelite was used on spools up to 5” diameter. Increased demand for larger reels made it necessary to replace Camphor Laurel which had an inconsistent grain, with the finer grained Cedar. Initially Cedar was used only for the 6” to 7” spools. It soon replaced other timbers in all sizes of reels. Backs on reels of 5” and larger diameter were rolled Stainless Steel with a Gunmetal support. Picture


1960

Marine grade Maple Bondwood was used for the larger boat reels up to 12” diameter spools. Picture

1965

The gunmetal supports on the stainless steel back were replaced by Stainless Steel supports which were spot welded to the backs. Picture

1970

With the acquisition of several 100 ton compression moulders,spools could be manufactured from Phenolic Resin and Fibreglass.

1974

As a result of the damage caused by the Brisbane River flood wooden spools ceased to be manufactured. A new material mix of Polyester and Fiberglass replaced the use of cedar.

1978

The factory was relocated to the present site at Carole Park.

1988

With the introduction of Injection Moulding the spools were manufactured using Valox a polyester fibreglass mix.

1992

New injection moulds allowed the production of 4” and 5” diameter Graphite backs with Easy Cast indexing mechanism.

1993

Another injection mould was developed for Graphite backs to suit the 6” diameter spools.

1994

A lever drag clutch set up was produced & made available as an alternative to the conventional star drag on a number of models.

1995

As 75th anniversary model as 6 ½”diameter full graphite backed model was launched with special Pad Printing.

1997

A fully vented blue water saltwater fly reel was added to the range in two models to replace the older metal back series.

2000

Introduction of vented spools & back plates in the 6500 & 6000 models.

2002

A fully vented 8” boat reel all injection moulded construction was added to the range of deep sea reels. A version as a mini winch was also developed.

2003

Rapid Retrieve handle plate system introduced to 6500 & 6000 series surf reels.

2009

Turbocast a new injection moulded index mechanism, was introduced on the 600 and 6000 graphite backed series.



Alvey Reels Australia


2-6 Antimony Street Carole Park Queensland 4300
✆ +61 (7) 3271 2844
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