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” […]
Category Archives: Thomas Turner blog
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 […]
Collecting, Ephemera & Misc., News & Events, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
Major Albert Smalley – inventor of the elder pith float?
19
Dec
Dec
Within the remarkable Peter Wheat collection—much of which has yet to be catalogued—are a number of fascinating elder pith floats made by Major Albert Smalley. Peter Wheat has written extensively about both these floats and Smalley himself, in Angling magazine and in The Pelham Manual of River Coarse Fishing. The assertion that Major Smalley was the inventor of […]
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, […]
Collecting, General articles, Hardy, News & Events, Reels, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Uncategorized, Wanted
Hardy Gold Sovereign Reels – Still Reigning Supreme
12
Nov
Nov
Few modern Hardy reels have achieved the same cult following as the Gold Sovereign series. First introduced in the late 1980s and running through the 1990s, these reels represented Hardy’s dedication to precision engineering and luxury finish at a time when traditional craftsmanship was meeting modern technology. Available in both trout and salmon sizes, the […]
Hardy, News & Events, Rods, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide
Hardy Demon Rods – Power, Precision, and Performance
05
Nov
Nov
If you’re looking for a fly rod that blends Hardy’s famous craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, the Hardy Demon range is well worth a look. These rods sit in the sweet spot between performance and value — perfect for anglers who want quality gear without stepping all the way into flagship prices. The Modern Hardy Demon […]
News & Events, Rods, The Thomas Turner Collector's guide, Thomas Turner blog
Thomas & Thomas Contact II – The Ultimate Czech Nymphing Rod
29
Oct
Oct
For anglers serious about Czech or Euro nymphing, the Thomas & Thomas Contact II offers unmatched precision and control. Designed to deliver sensitivity, balance, and reach, this rod excels at detecting subtle trout strikes while maintaining perfect drift on every cast. Available in 10’ to 11’3” lengths and 2–4 weights, the Contact II’s medium-fast, progressive […]
22
Oct
Oct
Established in 1955, Trout & Salmon has now been delighting readers for an impressive 70 years. In a world where many print publications have faded, this magazine remains a rare and welcome arrival on my doorstep each month—one I still read from cover to cover with genuine enjoyment. As current editor Andrew Flitcroft reflects in his […]
15
Oct
Oct
Exclusive to Thomas Turner, we have acquired these brand new Thomas & Thomas Contact II rods, inbuilt with their latest technology. We are offering four different sizes in the 10′ range with line weights from #2 – #6. After purchasing directly from Thomas & Thomas in the USA, this represents a unique opportunity to acquire […]