Guy I know that commutes on the same train as I do, and is an avid angler himself found 2 of these Garcia Mitchell 301 reels on wooden rods, and 2 vintage bamboo fly rods in their metal canisters. He was actually cool enough to give me one as he knows I'm into fishing myself. The reel is from the 50s made in France from what I've researched, and what's stamped on the cover. The wooden rod, I don't know because there aren't any markings on it. Could be from the 40s maybe.

Man that is really cool.  All I have ever found was a Shakespeare combo that someone threw into the woods.  Rod was fine, the reel was just amazingly backlashed, especially so for a spinning reel.  

I know people who would love that reel. Not collectors, but fishermen. I use to work with a guy who every year would go to Pulaski, NY to fish for salmon. He only used Mitchell reels. The older ones. He swears by there toughness. Good find. 

Love that - I found a Penn 10 in the trash this winter.  It looks like it only been used few times. I just took it, re-lubed it and its now currently back in action. It's actually on its way California to my brother's house to "lock and loaded" on my rod for Yellowtail fishing

 

(borrowed the image from the internet - not mine)