Reefs on fire from P28
a lot of casts and the same result with a little curly tail grub. The lure that scored hits on every cast though was a tiny little prawn pattern. Some of the fight time on the larger models was of course extended on the light gear, but what great fun. At least my one and only trip for the month was a full of action. With the westerly wind now kicking in, a bit of close fishing is on the cards. I love a night with the beanie on, catching jewfish and snapper in close. A stack of ground in close off the Brunswick and Tweed rivers is very fishable in a westerly. Go a few miles offshore and you’ll get your head blown off, but stay in close and, as long as you can keep warm, you’ll be in with a shot. Of course, on those days when a high-pressure system is over us and the surface is glassed out, the deep
water beckons and it’s time to chase reef fish or arm stretchers such as yellowtail kingfish or amberjack. These days, most boats are equipped to head to the shelf and chase deep water species – cod and flame tail snapper. In the estuaries, bream are as thick as I’ve ever seen them. Take the kids down and have some fun, or perhaps dedicate a night session to chasing the big ones. Mullet season is hit and miss so far, and the bad weather hasn’t helped. Bad weather has kept a lot of people away from tailor fishing and I don’t think the dirty water has helped the situation either. With the water starting to clear now and the westerly pushing the swell offshore, the next few weeks will give us a better indication as to the tailor situation. Hopefully it all comes together and things head in the fishos favour for a change.
Matt and a quality harbour bream. Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing July 2022
Jack Alvey with an enormous tailor and an Alvey reel inset.
Alvey closes after 102 years
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CONIC Australian brand Alvey Reels will close after more than 102 years in business creating its signature fishing reels. Announcing the shutdown in emails to shoppers and on social media, the company said “drastic cost increases” in raw materials as well as global supply chain issues were proving to be too expensive to remain in business. Alvey will cease production at its Carole Park facility in Queensland on June 30, where it has been since 1978. Major shareholder Con Athans said, “After announcing in 2019 that Alvey Reels was going into its centenary year of 2020 with a bright outlook and emerging global markets, Alvey Reels has seen significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion.” “The ability to source raw materials together with drastic cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and coupled with COVID-19 disruptive staff shortages, Alvey Reels has made the difficult decision that production at the Carole Park facility is no longer sus-
tainable and to cease manufacturing.” The business said it was sitting on “significant supplies” of stock, which it will sell the entirety of. Phones at its Carole Park facility will be diverted to an answering service while warehouse, dispatch and administration staff will remain on roster until early 2023 to help fulfil the business’ final sales. In a statement, Alvey said, “We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and while we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers.” “On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.” The demise of Alvey comes almost five years after the business was saved from the brink of collapse. In July 2017, Bruce Alvey – a direct descendant of Charles who founded the business in 1920 – announced that Alvey Reels would be closing down due to low sales.
An outpouring of nostalgia and support following the announcement filled enough orders to keep the business alive for another 12 months. When the company came near to collapsing in 2017, many theorised that because the original reels were built so well, customers never needed to buy another. It then attracted investment from businessman Con Athans, who revived the business and expanded its product line to include different types of fishing reels and high-end apparel. A uniquely Australian product, the iconic sidecast reels produced by Alvey – occasionally dubbed the ‘dog’s dish’ or ‘knuckle buster’ – were renowned for their durability and longevity. Unlike high-end spin and overhead reels, Alveys could be dropped in sand and water without affecting their operation, proving popular with beach and rock anglers. If fishos were unlucky enough to break their Alvey, a call to the business would often be received by a descendant of Charles Alvey himself.
www.bnbfishing.com. au
