A depository for information on the history of fishing tackle.

The 14th European Tackle Show will take place in Eindhoven Holland on Saturday 31st October with collectors and dealers from all over Europe attending.

I look forward to seeing many old friends and having a drink.

For further information and details click here!

I was so excited when I saw the catalogue that I had to arrange some extra money.

I will be setting out early to take a careful look at 3 items I will hopefully buy.

Here is the link to the online catalogue.

http://www.angling-auctions.co.uk/index.php

This article was written by Ted Evans for The Antique Tackle Observer and I thank him for the update.

The majority of this article was first published in issue 43 of the ‘Antique Tackle Observer’ during 2005, It was later published on the ‘Classic Rod Forum’ for the members of that website. Publication generated a number of queries asking if the article was definitive for the Lightweight / LRH Lightweight, my answer was no – the article sought only to chart the progress of the development of the reel from its introduction up until its final incarnation. This answer prompted the further the query, “ if this isn’t definitive what else is there”?

Hardy Lightweight 1st Model.

The reader is invited to read on and discover the dateline of 1939 does not mean there is a lack of variety, rarity, or interest to be found amongst later reels. We wish to show this is untrue and there is much to learn from – and appreciate in – Hardy’s post war output. [Read more →]

Saturday 11th July will see the summer auction of fishing tackle at Mullocks Auction at the Clive Pavilion Ludlow. This sale is normally characterised by the large quantity of good usable fishing tackle. This time we have some  classic reels with some high price tags to accompany them.

Hardy Bougle 1912 Model

Amongst which is the two Hardy Bougles, one of my favourite Hardy reels which I have had the pleasure of using in the past. 

Another fine reel is the Hardy Houghton in alloy, some people think that the Houghton was first sold as a brass faced 2 5/8 inch model only but this reel was originally all brass and later models being alloy. It’s the size which dictates the Houghton- 2 5/8 inch.

Hardy Houghton Reel.

 For further information and to view the online catalogue click here.

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

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

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.

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.

This article was first published in January 2003. 

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.

Solid Drum Hardy Bougle Agate II

[Read more →]

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 offered in larger sizes.

Walter Dingley Glen Fly Reel retailed by Westley Richards

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 →]