The Reel‑Ezy Story

About Reel‑Ezy

Earle Garratt was born on 6 October 1940 and raised on the North Shore of Auckland. He enrolled as a pilot straight after college with the Royal NZ Airforce and was very well regarded as part of an elite Canberra bombing squadron. He left the Airforce and trained as a commercial pilot with the NAC which is now called “Air New Zealand”. He flew for Air New Zealand for over 25 years and was one of the first to fly the Boeing 747. His favourite part of his flying carrier was flying direct to LA and Training pilots in the 747 in the early 80’s. He used to talk about how fantastic a 747 was with only three people on board - with no luggage.

He was forced to retire because of rheumatoid arthritis. Following retirement, he started up a signage company in Silverdale which is where his inventing began. He had equal passions for fishing and problem solving. With his hands and wrists - in his own words - 'munted' from the effects of arthritis, he found it very hard to hold a rod. The Reel-Ezy fishing rod arm brace was born. The prototypes were made and developed in his garage, and the product has not changed from its first production run in 2003. The product was granted an NZ patent in 2001.

Unfortunately in 2006 Earle Passed away suddenly due to an unexpected medical event. His legend lives on strong in our hearts. He was an inventor, family man and a do-it-yourself, give it a go true Kiwi entrepreneur. Stand strong. Reel easy.