[Allan Liddle]

Yup close enough Fred although it's actually the Cassley system that start about only 2 miles from the Atlantic.
Over to you 

[Mike Barrio]

Here's one for you folks that have been long term followers of the website and forum 

Where was the original Fishing The Fly website hosted before we got the 'co.uk' address 
Clue:   www............................../fishingthefly

And in what year did the original website go live 

[Mike Barrio]

I doubt that even Hamish or Sandy will remember the answer to this one   

A wee screenshot from the early days 

[Mike Barrio]

Clue: We started this current forum in 2005, but we had two before that, a Proboards forum and an EZboard forum 

Before we had a forum, the website just had a 'Guestbook' ..... remember them?   

And I can remember staying up all night to see if we lost everything to the Milenium Bug 

[Mike Barrio]

OK, I think this one has everybody stumped, I guess I'm the only one that remembers this stuff 

Let's just say the mid 90s  and the address was 'www madasafish com/fishingthefly' 

[Mike Barrio]

Who made these reels 

[Allan Liddle]

Youngs?

[Steven Kidd]

Allcocks?

[Mike Barrio]

Good guesses Allan and Steven, you are in the right area ....... try again 

[Hamish Young]

Chris Lythe  He makes centre pins with a similar 'spindle'.

[Mike Barrio]

Another good guess Hamish, but no, this one is made by somebody else.

[Terry Coging]

Beautifully tooled reel, whoever made it. Certainly not a cheap design. Probably German or American?

[Mike Barrio]

These were/are made by a UK company.

This company also repairs and services most type of fishing reels, incuding J W Young and Allcocks.

'Braveheart' should be a reasonably good clue

[Mike Barrio]

Last clue:
Two reel models, pretty much the same basic design, one associated with 'Braveheart', the other with the song 'See my baby jive' 

If nobody gets the answer from that, it's simply because you've never come across these reels.

They are actually much rarer now than I thought  but are, I believe, still available made to order.

So probably not a good 'General Knowledge' question ...... sorry! 

[Fred Hay]

Could I suggest Diawa as the manufacturer

[Terry Coging]

Mill Gibson 

[Mike Barrio]

No, not Diawa or Mel Gibson.

I'll give it the rest of today for any more guesses.

[Terry Coging]

So it is not Mill? Maker of fine reels in Redditch.

[Mike Barrio]

So it is not Mill? Maker of fine reels in Redditch.

Yes, it is Terry 

Sorry, I missed the "Mill Gibson" bit 

Garry Mills at the Mill Tackle Company in Redditch made these two fly reel models, the Wallace and the Wizard.
They are also well known for centrepin reels.
Still some photos on the website https://www.milltackle.com/hand-made-fly-reels

Well done ..... and over to you for the next question Terry.

[Terry Coging]

OK Mike - staying on the Redditch theme.  In the 70's I visited a tackle maker in Redditch, seeking advice about a cane rod that had been built by them that had been given to me. Although I had never met him before, I instantly recognised the gentleman that came out to see me in the reception office.  His name is on the patent for a reverse taper rod design.  Who was it?

[Terry Coging]

Big clue - he presented a TV fishing programme.

[Eddie Sinclair]

Chris Yates?

[Terry Coging]

Not Chris Yates although he was a better all rounder.
Another big clue - his namesake was a character actor in films.

[Mike Barrio]

Is his first name Terry?

[Terry Coging]

Is his first name Terry?

YES!