Historically in the tackle manufacturing world makers get together to do what they do best. Sportex UK was arguably one of the best fibreglass rod manufacturers of the 60’s and 70’s era. Bronson USA claimed accolades for their spin casting reels at the mid- to budget end of the market. So here we have a […]
23
Nov
Nov
Mr C Evans in 1946 was granted Patent 608-454 for his stationary spool reel. These light alloy and Bakelite reels are quite scarce and come in left and right hand wind in two slightly variant forms. Made by the Esher Manufacturing Company Ltd, 87 Snow Hill, Birmingham. I know this because it is embossed on […]
23
Nov
Nov
In the vintage tackle collecting game we see many side casting reels. Pre-1900, no spinning reels as we know them today existed, so drum reels were the order of the day. Casting with a drum-type reel can be a nightmare. I know this having been hit on the forehead with a high speed returning lead […]
22
Nov
Nov
In celebration of Prince Charles 70th birthday we thought we should showcase our own Monarch. This one is from the Ken P Morritt stable of die cast alloy reels. Surely every young angler in the UK owned one of the Intrepid range. This one from the early 1960s cost approx. 19 shillings. Built in the Intrepid […]
20
Nov
Nov
If there was ever a truly mad invention in the fishing reel game this is it. Mr J.G.A Kitchen designed a belt driven, free spool reel with a level wind device, getting his Patent application granted on January 30th1920. Patent 163,088 applies. In brief, it took two full pages to describe its function and form. […]
17
Nov
Nov
One of the most unusual brass reels for any collector is the Fishing Gazette Winch. It was designed by R B Marston, the editor of the Fishing Gazette magazine (est. 1877), an angler and serial tackle inventor. Marston was skilled in both game and coarse angling, inventing a Patent fly in 1899 with a celluloid […]
17
Nov
Nov
Can it be done? Yes! Vintage fishing reels can sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds, but can you collect on a budget? A small budget? A really small budget? Yes! It’s a popular misconception that you need deep pockets to collect. The image here shows a collection of vintage reels dating from the 1920s […]
15
Nov
Nov
Hardy were experts in innovation, so when the customer who bought the Hardy Perfect reel asked for additional braking control they got it, in the form of a brass frame brake system. Hardy Auxiliary brakes were factory added to all types of drum reels, fly, spin, trolling and big game patterns. The one here is […]
14
Nov
Nov
You know your company advertising works when a collector offers you a rare Farlow China teapot. Many collectors do have ephemera of related fishy items to decorate their shelves, this I thought was ideal. The seller was convinced this was a genuine Farlow tea pot but the plot thickens. The 10 Charles St address on […]
13
Nov
Nov
This Hardy St George salmon reel is a low production reel dating from c. 1920-24. Available in ‘take it or leave it’ 4-1/4” diameter only. Somewhere between approximately only 80 – 100+ reels were produced in two patterns plus a variant or two along the way. The reel was priced around 15% more expensive than […]