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This reeLpedia segment on Australian vintage fishing reels describes CROUCH general purpose fishing reels made in Fairfield Melbourne Victoria, during the 1930s until relocating to Dunolly Victoria, in 1951.

 MELBOURNE HISTORY
During the 1930s, Jack Crouch, instrument maker residing in Melbourne, made some fly reels in his fully equipped home-based workshop in Fairfield. Below is a visual presentation of the progression in the development of the Crouch general purpose multiplying drum fishing reel as it evolved during the time Jack Crouch Sr was based in Melbourne. The visual display is in chronological order beginning from the first ever manufactured general purpose reel to the last model prior to Jack's departure to Dunolly Victoria. The rows of displayed images below are are marked with anagram "C" for "Crouch", and numbered: C1 to C15, to mark their chronological order.

Jack's first Multiplier, that appeared -c.1937, was marked by its characteristic flat brass nickel-plated crank handle and a brass saddle (foot); threaded aluminium alloy removable side plate; stamped on the crank face side THE SPORTSMAN KING. The aluminium alloy body was machined from solid stock bar, with a diameter 3, 7/16’’.  A second CROUCH model, produced later was branded J.T. CROUCH MAKER MELBOURNE -c.1939. Its distinguishing features are very similar to the Sportsman King, except that it is not stamped as such, but on the threaded back-plate the stamp signifies J T CROUCH MAKER MELBOURNE. A minor difference, however an important factor in the historical evolution of this model.  The third version of the CROUCH Multiplier appeared in 1940. The dominant characteristic of this particular variant, is its brass machined bar stock; removable threaded back side-plate, which at times was nickle-plated or un-plated; and a folding crank-handle. Understandably Jack used brass or bronze, as the material of choice, given that aluminium became scarce during the war. In the fourth version, the main distinguishing feature was the a bronze nickel-plated threaded side-plate. Then, there was the 5th version, which appeared after the World War II. Clearly, Jack had reverted to use of aluminium alloy, as it is evident in this particular reel’s body. Two unique identifying features of this version are: 1. the stamping of the CROUCH logo on both sides; and 2. the diameter of the reel being 3.5’’, which then became the standard diameter for all manufactured CROUCH reels.  All together there are thirteen known different versions of the CROUCH Melbourne multiplying fishing reel. The very last model produced by Crouch in Melbourne was stamped “J T Crouch & Sons Makers Melbourne”. It was not long after this last Melbourne production, in the early 1950s, that Jack and his sons moved their manufacturing business to Dunolly, Victoria.

             (This reference was verified in 2013 by engineer Jack Crouch Jr, senior of the Crouch brothers).

Crouch 'Dual Braked' vintage fishing reel recently found.  Crouch reel enthusiast Trevor Brown who is the founder of the “Old School Vintage Fishing Gear and Treasured Pieces” Facebook Group, focused his sharp eye on an unusual early Melbourne Crouch fishing reel, during one of his Crouch hunting endeavours and promptly purchased his find with enthusiasm. The reel had an unusual braking system and Trevor telephoned me seeking my thoughts about his new seemingly unique acquisition.

We made arrangements to meet at my home in the outer Yarra Ranges Eastern Melbourne, on the morning of 17 October 2020. Upon arrival Trevor was clutching his treasured Crouch reel and when he passed it to me I noticed the reel had an unusual braking system.

The nickel plated brass side plate was delicately unscrewed and we carefully examined the internal dual braking mechanism. My first observation was the brass screw that activated the secondary brake pad looked to have been professionally made, displaying the workmanship of what one would expect from the instrument maker Jack Crouch Sr, who started fishing reel manufacture in the 1930s. The usual 3-pronged star spring was fitted to the back plate which was a standard fitment on the Crouch multiplying reel.

Trevor and I discussed the reel at length and we both agreed that this was a very early reel bearing all the characteristics of Crouch’s workmanship. We also concluded that the reel is indeed a prototype experimental reel produced by Crouch. At this point in time it is not known if this particular prototype had ever reached production stage or whether it was custom-made by order from Jack Crouch Sr.

To date there are several “Dual Braked“ Melbourne Crouch reels known to be in the hands of collectors.

​

'Dual Braked' Crouch initially designed for Tournament Casting.

In reflecting on my memorable meeting with Melbourne based Crouch enthusiast, Trevor Brown, when we examined his “Dual Braked Crouch”, I recalled seeing a similar Dual Braked reel, when I came across one, in 1999, at the Victorian Lakes Entrance Market.  At that time, I had not seen or had any knowledge of a 'Dual Braked' Crouch and foolishly commented to the dealer, who was asking $500.00 for the Crouch, that the secondary brake mechanism was not Crouch factory produced! Hence, I believed that his reel, offered for sale was not in original condition, and therefore it had no collectable interest for me.

In 2005, a Melbourne based author and ‘Fly Tier’, Mick Hall, emailed to me images of his Crouch, seeking information pertaining to the unusual ‘Dual Braking’ system. Upon reflection of the Crouch seen at Lakes Entrance, I realised the similarity and commented to Mick:  “I’m not sure if the Dual Brake was Crouch factory produced and I had seen a similar version.” Without personally carefully examining Mick’s reel (something that I should have done with the Crouch seen in 1999 at Lakes Entrance) I simply was not sure of the reel’s originality, although from his images I started have doubts about my original assessment of the 'Dual Braked' Crouch seen at the Lakes Entrance Market!

It was not until after my meeting with Trevor Brown in 2020, when we thoroughly examined his ‘Dual Braked’ Crouch’, that I realised the possibility that this unusual reel, could have been  produced by Jack Crouch for competition.  I recalled Jack Crouch Jnr, commenting during our one of several meetings in 2013, that: “Some reels came with two brakes, that dad made for competition casting.”

I remembered that we were initially discussing various materials used for the removable side plate for the Melbourne made Crouch (e.g.. Bronze; Brass; or Aluminium). Then, Jack Junior made this critical comment, which at the time upon hearing it, I made a note, but  did not think much of it at the time.

Recently after reviewing my segment on the Dual Braked Crouch reels, it dawned on me that all three 'Dual Braked' Crouch reels that I had seen (initially at the Lakes Entrance Market; followed by the images of a similar reel sent to me by email from Mick Hall, whom I later met in 2021; Trevor Brown’s reel, and my previous discussions with Jack Crouch Jnr; and together with gathered documented data pointing to the fact that during WWII, as a member of Fairfield Angling Club, Jack Crouch Snr became interested in tournament casting); it dawned on me indeed, that the reel was made for this purpose. I therefore concluded that the ‘Dual Braked' Crouch was purpose-made for tournament casting, by Jack Crouch Snr, around 1940.

There is no factual documentation as to how many Dual Braked Crouch reels were made. To date there are four Dual Braked Crouch reels known, to be in the hands of collectors and there is a possibility that more Dual Braked reels could be found!

Crouch Dual Braked  Metal revolving drum multiplier. Maker J. T. Crouch, Melbourne Vic. Specifications similar to C13  Dual Brake Crouch -c. 1940. Very rare. Image  seven features well known Fly tier and Author Mick Hall, holding far right of image his Crouch made Dual Braked multiplier.

 Recently found Dual Braked Crouch.

C15

Crouch Dual Braked  Metal revolving drum multiplier. Maker J. T. Crouch, Melbourne Vic.

Specifications similar to C13  Dual Braked Crouch -c. 1940. Very rare.

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