A Review Of The Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII From J. W. Young and Sons.

Having watched fishing maestros like John Wilson and Matt Hayes fish the centrepin, while extolling the benefits and pleasures of this more traditional method of fishing on their television programmes, I have long wanted to not only try this “pure" form of angling for myself but to acquire a centrepin for my own reel collection.

The centrepin or Nottingham reel as it is called, having been invented in that particular English County for fishing the River Trent back in the 1800‘s represents for me British angling at it’s best.

The J. W. Young and Sons "Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII"

Trotting the centrepin on flowing rivers for chub and barbel while carrying the minimum of tackle makes for a more relaxed and uncomplicated day out than either carp or match fishing can offer.

However it would be foolish to confuse the words uncomplicated and simple with easy or unchallenging. The centrepin while certainly more simple in it’s construction when compared to say the latest baitrunner is, it has to be said, a somewhat difficult reel to master. There will in all probabilitly be a steep learning curve of tangles and missed strikes. But for those who persevere and master the “pin” the rewards are great.

Superb presentation in flowing rivers and direct contact with the fish make centrepin fishing sublime. Not only will the angler have near perfect control over the float but it is the pressure of the anglers fingers on the reel rim that will act as drag slowing the fish down and tiring the quarry during the fight, not the slipping of a pre set clutch. There is an immense sense of satisfaction to be had catching fish on the pin that is totally unique to this style of fishing.

The Back Plate

When searching for a centrepin for my collection I set certain requirements that would ensure, for me, my ideal reel.

1. It had to be British.

2. It had to be machined billet.

3. It had to be a usable fishing reel and not just a talking point or “tackle sculpture”.

So having ticked all the pre requisite boxes I ordered the Ray Walton Rolling Pin Mk2 in the particularly handsome black finish.

Engineered from a solid billet of aluminium the ventilated spool and gold lettered back plate and six nickel silver plated spokes make it a beautiful thing to behold.

The ventilated spool is built around the centre hub of the reel which is supported by the six nickel silver spokes, this hub also contains the two stainless steel bearings. One of the spokes mounts the quick release latch and the spoke directly opposite the micro adjustable drag system.

The reel also has an easily accessible click check which can be turned on and of by a switch mounted to the top side of the backplate.

The Reel turned 90 degrees on it's mount for casting.

Is my reel perfect? The simple answer is no. It is, most certainly, beautifully engineered but the drum does not revolve quite as smoothly as I had hoped. While the drum will spin for just over 45 seconds there is a slight vibration and a perceptable grinding sensation which must inhibit the drums ability to revolve as freely as it should. This may improve with a little graphite grease we shall see and I will update the review accordingly.

The click check spring was'nt completely straight and this pressed very slightly against the rear of the drum, in the off position, leaving a slight rubbing mark. The spring must have also been inhibiting the revolution of the drum to some extent. It was however quite a simple task to remove and straighten the spring. But in such an expensive reel this really should not have been necessary. Although I do appreciate that Young centrepins are hand built and this may have simply escaped the attention of quality control on this particular reel.

The other niggle is very minor and only cosmetic. The lettering on the back plate, which looks to have been screen printed, seems to have been a little “ink starved”. Therefore the lettering is not quite as clear as it could or should have been. I agree that it may be a very minor point but again this is a reel that has a recommended retail price in excess of £320.

These three flaws make this a good reel rather than a superb reel. The faults do not diminish the overall pleasure that is to be had from using the Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII. But they are present and it would be remiss of me not to mention them in this review.

The inner workings of the J. W. Young and Sons

Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII

With the prestigious House of Hardy now producing centrepins to their legendary quality and Kingpin manufacturing exquiste reels, in the UK, to exacting standards and employing exotic materials such as Ivory, onyx, Ox Horn and Briar. Youngs now have some serious competition in the high end centrepin reel market. In my opinion they will have to improve their quality control, if my reel is a typical example, should they wish to remain a contender in this niche end of the fishing tackle market.

It is the most expensive reel in my collection to date. But for sheer fishing pleasure it is well worth the investment, if only for the challenge, of playing big fish on the centrepin.

Although an expensive piece of tackle (RRP is in excess of £320), the J. W. Young and Sons RAY WALTON ROLLING PIN MKII is so solidly engineered and has so few moving parts that it should last a life time or more of fishing. You just have to look at some of the antique centre pins still around to see that quality lasts. Now if I could just find an Avon rod good enough to partner it with....

The complete package

J W YOUNGS & SONS LTD

RAY WALTON ROLLING PIN MKII


RRP: £325

Weight: 270g

Drag system: Spring and thumbwheel on spoke

Ratchet check system: Lever on side of back plate

Drum size: 3 3/4 inches

Width: One inch

Ball-bearings: Two

Line guard: No

Anodised: Yes

Colour choice: Yes: Aluminium or Black

Extras: Supplied with a presentation box, canvas pouch, certificate of authenticity signed by Mr J R Young and stamped with a unique serial number which corresponds to the covenant in the certificate of authenticity.