There are fly reels… and then there are Abel reels. For decades, Abel Reels have occupied a unique place in the world of fly fishing — combining exceptional engineering with distinctive American craftsmanship and some of the finest finishes ever applied to a reel. Built in California and admired worldwide, Abel reels have become as […]
Category Archives: General articles
28
Apr
Apr
From the earliest days of transatlantic trade, British tackle has held a special place in American angling. Names like Hardy, Farlow’s, and Allcock have long been associated with craftsmanship, heritage, and a certain understated quality that continues to resonate today. It’s something we see daily—whether it’s a finely made split cane rod, a classic reel, […]
Collecting, General articles, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog, Uncategorized
The Zulu Principle: What Fishing Tackle Collectors Can Learn from Jim Slater
15
Apr
Apr
How specialist knowledge turns passion into expertise in vintage, retro, and antique fishing tackle. Some of you may remember Jim Slater, best known for Slater Walker, the asset-stripping firm he established with MP Peter Walker in the 1960s. Beyond the world of finance, however, he was also a devoted salmon fisherman. Slater purchased a number of prestigious […]
Collecting, General articles, News & Events, Reels, Rods, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
🎣 Introducing: Thomas Turner Tackle Tailoring™
01
Apr
Apr
Following our annual stocktake (and a week spent rediscovering some truly exceptional pieces), one thing became clear — anglers don’t just want great tackle… they want their tackle. So, we’re pleased to introduce a new in-house service: A bespoke finishing service designed to bring a new level of personalisation to rods, reels and accessories. […]
General articles, News & Events, Rods, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
In the Nymph of Time: Perfecting Your Drift
11
Mar
Mar
Pick up any European fly-fishing magazine this month and there will be an article on nymph fishing. ‘Czech nymph’ fishing has become one of the most effective techniques in modern European-style fly fishing. Developed by competitive anglers in Central Europe, it focuses on presenting weighted nymphs close to the riverbed where trout and grayling feed most […]
Collecting, Ephemera & Misc., General articles, Rods, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
William Blacker
18
Feb
Feb
We have something special to share with you today. Just in from Germany a scarce and highly desirable early multi-section split cane valise rod by William Blacker of 54 Dean Street, Soho, London, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1840–1845. William Blacker (1814 to 1888) was a notable London-based fishing tackle dealer and fly dresser in the 19th […]
Collecting, General articles, News & Events, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog, Uncategorized, Wanted
Not Quite a Bonanza, but an Encouraging January for TT
04
Feb
Feb
January has been a remarkably encouraging month for us here at Thomas Turner. Despite the ongoing challenges of exporting to the USA—particularly tariffs affecting aluminium and steel—we’ve seen a sharp rise in trade. Our January Sale certainly helped, but there were also several exceptional individual sales. The standout highlight was the sale of a 2½” […]
Collecting, Ephemera & Misc., General articles, Hardy, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
ULF NORDSTROM – A MAN SERIOUS ABOUT SALMON
28
Jan
Jan
Given the scale of the collection of rods, reels and, in particular, fully dressed salmon flies assembled by Ulf, we felt it would be interesting to look more closely at the man behind it all. The following notes come from Freddy Johannsen, a great friend of Ulf’s, who was bequeathed the collection. “Ulf Nordström was […]
03
Dec
Dec
As we approach Christmas — a season of goodwill and reflection — I wanted to highlight one of our most precious yet often overlooked natural resources: our freshwater fish. In an age of increasing pollution, excessive water extraction, and growing predation pressures, many UK fish populations face enormous challenges. That’s why I was proud to help […]
Collecting, General articles, Hardy, News & Events, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
When Gothenburg Called: The Story of an Extraordinary Collection
19
Nov
Nov
Every day I scan through the various collections offered to us via our online “Sell to Us” forms. Much of it is fairly routine, but one recent submission from Gothenburg immediately caught my imagination: “Would you be interested in purchasing 40 Hardy and Bruce & Walker rods, 40 Hardy reels including Perfects and Gold Sovereigns, […]