THIS mammoth work on all things Mitchell is a book that will delight collectors of the iconic reels in several ways. First, it fills in most of the holes left by previous studies of the brand, and corrects a lot of folklore.

Second, it’s a chance to see for the first time the Mitchell production tables, giving precise detail on everything from total production for each model, from the world’s best-selling reel, the legendary 300 (13, 94, 576 of them) to very rarely seen ones like the 397PM (a mere 100) and the 301DL (131). At last, you can truly see just how rare (or common) the one you found in the loft or at a car boot sale really is. Those who love detail will relish the 13 pages of these charts, something never previously published and the subject of much incorrect rumour.

She looks excited about her Christmas presents, especially all that line…from a 1963 advert in La Pêche et les Poissonse

Third, it doesn’t appear text-heavy (though the word count must surely exceed by a huge margin anything previously published on and around the subject). That’s because it is lavishly illustrated with many never-before-seen photographs, from the key characters and advertisements to tackle catalogues and important letters. The book sets everything in context, starting from way before the first reel was conceived. Does the name Constance Rochard mean anything to all you Mitchell lovers? It ought to, because as the book points out: “Without her business drive and influence, it is quite possible that Émile and Leon Rochard [her sons] may never have become involved in the fishing tackle industry; may never have had the impetus to invent the straight-foot CAP reel and Carpano & Pons may never have been inspired to create the Mitchell reel.”

The Carpano et Pons story, the heart of the book, is given five chapters that start from 1927 and broken into key episodes. There is a hefty section on the main international distributors: the Netherlands, Norway, Germany and the UK, while the Garcia story stretches from 1919 (not a typing mistake) and covers in detail those times in the 1950s to 1970s that many readers will recall with fondness, and when Mitchell really ruled the fishing world.

It’s full of fascinating detail. Here’s an example from the section on Albatros, Mitchell’s Netherlands distributor. “They heard about a new spinning reel from Cluses, France, and set off on a 1000km journey, which must have been a challenge across war-damaged roads.They had to report directly to the Mayor and explain the purpose of their visit. He was satisfied that they had good intentions and took them to the Carpano & Pons factory.”

One small but significant point that will have been spotted by those who will surely have been at the front of the queue for this book. (It sold out in its first printing of 60 copies within days of publication, though a second printing is underway, I’m told.)

An opening page entitled The Keepers of the Mitchell Memory acknowledges those who have kept the Mitchell fire burning, from “pioneers” such as Dennis Roberts and Mike Read; “prospectors” (the authors’ words, these) such as Denis Roberts and Luc de Medts; and “prospectors” like former Abu boss Len Borgstrom and Doug DeSimone.

But there was no mention here of one of the key figures of recent years, the late Wallace Carney. He was a bombastic man who annoyed and antagonised a lot of people, but as the founder of the Mitchell Mates website, a hugely knowledgeable figure and a key figure in the story (perhaps for his book on the 300 alone), his contribution is a core part of this story.

That’s one of my very few gripes about a book that covers the full Mitchell story and all its aspects for the first time.True, it would have been nice to have a section on all the Mitchell lookalikes that turned up as other companies sought to ride the popularity of the marque.

Without them stealing a slice of the business, total sales of the 300 would no doubt have soared well beyond that 13 million mark.These copycats regularly turn up at tackle fairs, auctions and online, with many sellers believing that they have discovered a rarity. Alas, no.

The authors say that they intend to publish supplements “because the search is never-ending”, though it’s hard to see where they have missed anything of real note.this towering work.This book is not only a must for Mitchell collectors.It’s a fascinating read for all collectors, with a mass of information and a comprehensive record of the reel that changed the world.