QLD Icon: Alvey Fishing Reels Closes Down

Fishing reels from throughout QLD's fishing history - Alvey Reels inside their QLD headquarters.

After nearly 100 years and hundred of thousands of fish reeled in, the legendary QLD fishing icon, Alvey Fishing Reels is closing its doors this week.

Citing low sales as the reason for their close, the family run business from Ipswich in QLD posted the devastating news for anglers on their facebook page; "To our wonderful customers over many, many years. It is with great sadness I have to announce that Alvey Reels Australia will be closing down."

Third generation Alvey, angler and business operator - Bruce Alvey made an interesting point about their fishing reels, that shares common ground with almost every consumer product in production today. "When we were growing up, you bought something that was of value for money and you expected to get a better life out of it, and that's what we've made, and that's what we live by," he said. "I see a lot of things in the market these days and the longevity is just not there - that's what's been the downfall of our product … it lasts too long."

Fishing reels that last TOO long. Now there's a sales pitch that few could argue with. But unfortunately, like the days of Holden and Ford manufacturing cars in Australia. Another one bites the dust. Going down with the company are 17 long term staff members, and thousands of fans who will be holding on to those Alvey Reels for as long as they last. Which is a long time!