William (Bill) Fitch – History

Game fishing rose in popularity in Australia during the 1930s, and Australian reel makers followed closely behind this growing interest. As documented by Bob Dunn in Australian Fishing Reels (AFR), first published in 1994 (p. 59), Dunn writes:

“One of the first reel makers was E. W. (Bill) Fitch. Fitch trained as a mechanical engineer with the Cleveland Foundry in Townsville, Queensland, before enlisting with the Australian Army in World War I. After serving in Egypt and Gallipoli, and later in France where he was gassed, he rehabilitated in an English hospital until after the end of the war. Returning to Australia, Fitch tried several business ventures on the New South Wales south coast before settling in Sydney in 1926. In 1931 he started making game reels and terminal tackle under the brand name BARRIER for Cowles & Dunn.

 Bill Fitch’s interest in game fishing dated back to his youth, fishing on the Great Barrier Reef for sharks and other species with primitive tackle. Later, he fished the New South Wales south coast around Bega and Tathra and was successful in taking large game fish.”

 Fitch is acknowledged as the producer of the BARRIER reels, which were of original design in the single-action, non-reversing star drag style and made in sizes from 5 to 8 inches. He also manufactured a revolving drum multiplying Tournament Casting reel, described with detailed images below this reference section (Ws 39), as well as a calibrated machine instrument (Ws 40) used to measure the breaking strain of fishing line, which he made for several game fishing clubs in Australia.

 Among Fitch’s notable angling achievements, his first game fish was a 12.7 kg bluefin tuna, caught on 9 kg line. This capture sparked a lifelong passion for taking the largest possible fish on light tackle. As a member of the Sydney Game Fishing Club, which he joined in 1955, he landed his first black marlin off Port Stephens — a capture that became an Australian game fishing record. Over 17 years with the Club, he held many positions and was awarded Life Membership in 1967.

 Over the ensuing years, Fitch became known throughout the country for his expertise and success in light-line rod-and-reel fishing. One of his greatest achievements was landing a 50 kg marlin on 5.5 kg line in 1966. In 1972, he moved north to Cairns, Australia’s game-fishing capital, where he worked on charter boats, established a reputation as a rod builder, and continued pursuing light-tackle fishing.

 In the years that followed, there was little in the fishing world that Bill Fitch did not pursue successfully, including work as a fishing consultant and editor with a large international publishing house. He held at least 13 Australian game fishing records. He later returned to Sydney and, in 1981, completed a three-year course in Marine Biology at Sydney University while living aboard his 30-foot ketch, Mistress May, in Pittwater. He eventually settled in Kingscliff with his wife Muriel, living out their retirement.

ReeLpedia® — 31/1/2026