The year 2020 is unlikely to be forgotten, for most of us we’ll remember the ravages of the global pandemic. But for Chris Miles and his partner, Vicki Haines, this was the year they decided to take the plunge and buy the J.W. Young and Sons brand.
Chris and Vicki had a goal: to maintain and grow the great British heritage of J.W. Young reels and supply the finest, handcrafted centrepin fishing reels in the world. Chris and Vicki are the custodians of this ethos: 130+ years of hand built excellence that has earned the brand its place in the history of British fishing. Buying and owning a Youngs reel, is buying into this rich angling heritage, that certain something that is sadly missing in mass produced reels.
Chris has been involved in the fishing industry for nearly 30 years, starting when he was 17, he worked under the supervision of two of the finest reel makers, Jim Young, grandson of the founder, James William Young, and Gary Mills. Chris, a master reel maker knows the importance of every part of the rigorous design, manufacture, assembly and testing process. He builds, inspects and signs off every reel that comes out of the factory, every reel is unique with its very own story.