AFTER more than 40 years in the fishing tackle industry, Jim Allen, the man who started the specialised Compleat Angler retail chain, has retired.
Starting with a single store in September 1967, Allen went on to own 10 retail stores in the 1990s. He recently sold his last store, The Compleat Flyfisher in Flinders Lane in Melbourne, to current manager Andrew fuller who has been at the store for several years. Fuller has streamlined the store’s name in keeping with its popular nickname to become The Flyfisher.
As well as services to the tackle trade Jim Allen has contributed much to recreational angling in his time as president of both the Game Fishing Association of Victoria and Victorian Fly Fishers Association and his efforts with the Australian Trout Foundation, Victorian Ministerial Advisory Body and others.
Allen continues to fight for the protection of fish habitat and conservation of fish resources and hopefully in retirement will find more time to pursue his beloved wild Tasmanian brown trout.
