Greys Bewick centrepin reels...

[Robin West]

Just putting new line on my two Greys Bewick centrepins. I love these reels!
Lin bought them both for my birthday in 2003 and was lucky enough to get them discounted from my local shop which specialised in the usual carp stuff and couldn't sell them...
Hardly ever see one whilst I'm out fishing.. And very little on the internet either.
Any of you out there use them?
Mine are the first model which was criticised for sharp edges on the inside of the spokes and lack of an adjustable end float screw, both of which were addressed in the second version.
However, the first version was made by hardy Bros in their factory at Alnwick and the second version in the far east somewhere, not that that's an issue really but I do like the fact that mine were made by Hardy's.
I've caught countless fish on mine; loads of margin carp and lot's of barbel and chub too over the thirteen years I've had them, and the end float is the same now as when new, i.e. barely noticeable play, so that issue wasn't really one at all as far as I can see.. They Wallis cast very well too.
Anyway, enough of my thoughts on this reel. Do any of you have an opinion?

 

[Joe Winstanley]

I really like mine, it was the first pin I owned and learnt to use, although I can't say I've learnt to Wallis cast on it...

I use mine for trotting for silvers, it's lovely and light and although it's nowhere near the most free spinning of the pins I own (around a minute at best) , it requires very little to set it spinning which makes it great for trotting in slower flows with lighter stick floats. I can't see me ever parting with it.

 

[Chris Jones]

I liked the reel well enough until it came to retrieval. As my pin use has developed, I've come to find that I prefer a bigger reel. If the Bewick was at least 4.5" and had a shallower arbour, I'd happily have another.

 

[Robin West]

Chris I agree that a slightly larger diameter version might have been a good idea, but as I mainly leger with mine the slower retrieval rate isn't a particular problem for me other than the odd occasion when I roll meat at longish distance..

Yes they are very light Joe, which is very helpful of course if your holding the rod all day.

I use plain old 3 in 1 oil on the spindle and find this just right for Wallis casting light leads and feeders a good distance if required. The light spool seems to spin and slow up in a different, smoother, more controlled way to my other reels with ball races, resulting in very few overruns, even when pushing for long distance.

Thanks both for your input. Nice to see there others out there who appreciate them..