New fishing rod handle

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 26

New fishing rod handle

Fishermen, technicians and salesmen have combined their knowledge to develop a new concept in fishing rod handles. Manufactured by Arjay Plastics, Ltd, the handle is made from a combination of high-impact acrylic butane styrene thermo-plastic rubber and nylon. Previously, cork hand grips with plastic caps and a metal reel seat were the accepted thing. This changed to moulded plastic, or sometimes wood, with the same metal reel seat. Later, the soft ethylene vinyl acetate

hand grips were developed

All these were small but important changes and adaptations. However, one problem which had to be overcome was the cold metal reel seat which could be a severe drawback when fishing on cold mornings or in wet conditions. If this could be overcome it would also rule out another problem — that of corroded reel seats.

Eventually, Arjay Plastics in conjunction with the New Zealand Fishing Tackle Company, Ltd, designed a handle with no wearing parts. The “Arjay” handle will fit

any threadline reel. The reel seat is moulded on to the glass blank, which ensures strength and eliminates any reel seat slippage which sometimes occurs with the conventional reel seat. The lower, or butt section, is then screwed on to this to clamp the reel firmly into position.

The handle has colour-con-irasting rings and caps, and

the actual grips are moulded from thermo-plastic rubber which gives a soft yet firm grip. All the components in the handle are manufactured in New Zealand.

Recent developments have seen the handle being accepted on the Australian market. Plans for other designs and types of handles are also under way.