Antique Tackle Observer

A depository for information on the history of fishing tackle.

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Redditch Tackle Fair

May 12th, 2009 · John Andrews, Tackle Fairs

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Sunday 17th May will see the Spring tackle fair at the Abbey Stadium Redditch and a chance to meet up with old friends again.  This is the largest tackle fair in Europe with all the stalls sold out and a chance to look and buy items from a few pence up to a few thousand pounds.

J. W. Young Book

J. W. Young Book

 

Highlight of the show will be the launch of the long anticipated book by Rupe Attwood on the story of the famous Redditch tackle company J. W. Young. Rupe will be in attendance to sign copies of his book and I know that many people are looking forward to reading this book.

Redditch Tackle Fair

Redditch Tackle Fair

For further details of the fair contact John Andrews tel 07980 274 383 or email johnandrews@btinternet.com
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Hilderbrant’s Auction

April 18th, 2009 · Antique Tackle Observer, Auctions

It has been a few years since I last attended Germany’s premier Antique Fishing Tackle Auction organised by Udo Hilderbrant. Last time it was in NordRhein-Westfalen and I went with my son, who was born not far away, to show him were we lived for three years.
Udo has moved the auction but it’s still in North West Germany and he still manages to find some nice items of tackle.

Here is a link to the site with the details of the next sale on 25th April 2009, I just wish I could go as I had three great years living and working in Germany.

For any of you considering bidding Udo speaks almost perfect English, certainly better than my German.

Udo Hilderbrant Auction- click here.

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Has Europe gone mad?

March 26th, 2009 · Antique Tackle Observer

A friend of mine asked me if I knew anything about a proposed law about to be introduced through the back door that would affect anglers?

No, tell me more. He directed me to the UKIP website, let me say politics is  something I do not usually indulge in. However this “fringe” party is the only one that is making any effort to overturn this bureaucratic nightmare.

Just picture this scene, some guy out with his children on a typical British seaside Pier catches a fish, BANG the fishing police arrive and deduct his catch from the UK’s quota - idiotic?

Click here to see what they are trying to do.

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Hardy Brothers 2003

March 15th, 2009 · Hardy Brothers, Hardy Reels

This article was first published in January 2003. 

Solid Drum Hardy Bougle Agate II

Solid Drum Hardy Bougle Agate II

  

On my drive north to visit the Hardy Facility in Alnwick I was reminded of the booklets produced by Hardy’s in the 1920’s when a couple of gentlemen toured the rod making works. I felt I as though I was treading in historical footsteps. The main difference was that I did not have a leisurely trip on a train but a four o’clock start and a two hundred and fifty mile drive up the A1.

[Read more →]

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Dingley Glen Fly Reel

March 13th, 2009 · Reels, Walter Dingley, Westley Richards

I did make a comment about various reel made by Walter Dingley after he left Hardy Brothers and eventually starting his own reel making company.
Someone commented that he had searched google and found no mention of any of the reels that I had listed, the reason? nothing has been posted consequently Google can not pick it up.
So for Willy and Google here is a picture of the Dingley Glen Fly reel retailed by Westley Richards of Birmingham who used the same name that Dingley did.
The scan is from January 1920 and the reel is only in three sizes, later, like the Hardy Unique upon which it was based it would be offerd in larger sizes.

Walter Dingley Glen Fly Reel retailed by Westley Richards

Walter Dingley Glen Fly Reel retailed by Westley Richards

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Edward Vom Hofe. Part 1

March 9th, 2009 · Edward vom Hofe

Edward vom Hofe Advert 1910

Edward vom Hofe Advert 1910

The Edward Vom Hofe tackle company was without doubt one of the worlds greatest. As reel makers they  were on a par with Hardy, Slater and Heaton. [Read more →]

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Ed Zern & The Hardy Tobique River Reel

March 7th, 2009 · Hardy Brothers, Hardy Reels, Reels

I was very interested to read the section on the Cascapedia reels in John Drewett’ s book on Hardy Brothers. I am particularly interested in the comparison  between these  reels and with  similar reels being made by the Edward Vom Hofe company around the same time.

John mentions the Tobique River reel sold at auction in America during  November 1993 and having known about it for some time I decided to do a little more investigating.

The reel was a size 2/0 and only had  two medallions, the Royal Warrant  by Appointment and  the model designation. The medallion with the  Prince of Wales feathers was omitted.

This Royal Warrant  was granted in 1931, one year before  the Cascapedia was launched in the  Hardy supplement. My guess is that the Tobique River reel was made in 1930 or even 1929, it would require many months if not years to  produce a new reel This reel is certainly the prototype or first production model for the Cascapedia.

Edward  Vom Hofe had  launched the Tobique reel in about 1928 claiming that it was the world’s first multiplying action reel with the winding handle centrally located.

Ed Zern Hardy Tobique River Reel

Ed Zern Hardy Tobique River Reel

 

 

We can only speculate as to the reaction of the Vom Hofe company on seeing the appearance of the Tobique River reel. Panic, shock, indignation – who knows?

[Read more →]

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Mullock’s Auction

March 6th, 2009 · Antique Tackle Observer

Mullock’s next auction of fishing tackle will take place at the Clive Pavilion Ludlow Racecourse on SUNDAY 22nd of March. Please note this is also Mothering Sunday so have your excuses ready.

To view the online catalogue click here

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Angling Auctions

March 2nd, 2009 · Auctions

The next auction will take place at Chiswick Town Hall on Saturday 28th March.

To view the online catalogue click here.

I look forward to seeing you there.

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Westley Richards Rolo Reel made by Walter Dingley

February 22nd, 2009 · Walter Dingley, Westley Richards

Walter Dingley is generally accepted as the inventor of the Hardy Silex reel. Having moved from David Slater’s factory in Newark sometime during the later half of 1893 he quickly established himself as a master reel maker.

Westley Richards Rolo Reel by Walter Dingley

Westley Richards Rolo Reel by Walter Dingley

 Westley Richards Rolo Reel made by Walter Dingley.

  [Read more →]

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