Significant ABU Friends

Simon Shimomura:  Mr Ambassadeur   

A Little Giant, Ambassadeur 2500C was born in 1975.

Let me introduce you an Ambassadeur 2500C model among my collection.

Many of collectors may be surprised that I have selected this model in this column instead of some other tough models.

There are a few reasons I chose this model for my first column.

Ambassadeur 2500C model was born as totally a unique model among Ambassadeur models in 1975.

Being as a fisherman not so young any more and suffering from some physical problems, Ambassadeur 2500C model has been my good friend in recent years.

This model was initially equipped with high speed gears of 4.7:1 ratio just like the other Ambassadeur models such as 5500C, or 6500C. This model has repeatedly been produced up to day but accessibility is limited to some markets in the world.

 In its light weight body of 260g, it is loaded with a surprising power.

My main interest of fishing is to catch some trout in the river. I enjoy both fly fishing and baitcasting technique. I have some spinning reels but I do not usually use them.

In order to cast small size lures, 4500C and or 5500C models with their heavier spools are not the best suitable choices.

Often I ended up with some 20~25” (60cm~75cm) spring steelhead while playing with small 8 ~12” brown trout. 2500C shows a reliable power to handle these strong fish. I enjoy using a small twin handle instead of a counterbalance handle. This style of handle was available only in 75~76 production year as an option. (Of cause it was anodized in gray at that time.) One of my favorite items is 2500CDL that I have assembled from their dead stock parts I picked up at ABU factory in Sweden.

I am pretty particular in parts design. A starwheel, and a short twin handle with gold pins are some favorite styles that I chose and created as custom items for my own use. Original 2500CDL does not come in these styles.   

During their original production period, it has been anodized only in gray and silver.

Dramatic change has taken place when reproduction has started.

Black, red, green, burgundy, maroon, orange, pale gold (champagne), dark blue, and CDL in black and gold are some few line ups of their color.

There were no other Ambassadeur models that were produced in this vast variety of colors. The only except can be my own classic Ambassadeur models I have been supplying to Pure Fishing as Simon Shimomura’s Classic Ambassadeur Casting Reels.

Simon Shimomura,

Collector, historian, Author of the official collector’s guide book “The Ambassadeur and I”, “The Ambassadeur and I Final Chapter”,

and an official supplier of “Simon’s Shimomura’s Classic Ambassadeur Casting Reels” to Pure Fishing

My webpage References:

http://www.purefishing.jp/product/abu-r09-shimomura.html

http://www.mrambassadeur.com/

If you are a person that has significantly had an effect on design/development/testing of ABU equipment over the years please contact me  wayne@realsreels.com  if you wish your contribution documented for posterity and the immediate interest of the ABU fans worldwide!