Garcia Mitchell Match – (No 440 on reel) 1968-1976 Quantities Unknown
Garcia Mitchell Match L – (No 441 on reel) 1968-1976 Quantities Unknown

In the late sixties Garcia and Mitchell created their first Match competition reel marketed to the public based on the popular 440 automatic series. These new series reels were marketed in The UK mainly for two reasons. One being Match competition fishing was (and still is) very popular there. The other was Garcia was opening up distribution in The UK during this same time. Prior to this, Garcia only distributed Mitchell reels in North America.

This ONLY version “Match” though similar to the 440 had distinct differences. The most obvious was they did not have any model number and was just called the Garcia Mitchell Match or Match L with a right-hand-wind. Special competition extra-small spools were also made but the big difference was unseen. Quality control on these reels was increased in all operation aspects but mainly in precision gearing and the bail assembly, what they called “Match Grade”quality!

Below you will see pictures donated to our museum by an Englishman, Trevor Flack, with serial number E175406 made in France in 1975. We’ve been unable to find one like this “complete” with even the special order box it came in. We are very grateful to Trevor who inherited this from his father along with another just like it. Trevor’s father, an avid Match Competition fisherman, bought two of these at the same time. One was used, this one never had to be used.

A GM Match “L”with Serial Number C053371 that was made in France in 1973 is also show. All GM Match reels came in these black and red plastic clamshell boxes with yellow trays. Note: These reels were painted "Midnight Blue" which almost appears black until in sunlight or especially when flash photographs are taken. You will also see small black speckles which are original making these impossible to repaint!

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