In the recent massive collection of 500 rods, I have come across another interesting maker.
This 15’ three-piece greenheart salmon fly rod is engraved to the butt cap “J.Jackson, Maker Dumfries”. Who was he?
A little research shows John Jackson listed in the 1911-1912 Post Office directory as a Fishing Tackle Maker at No. 4 Queensbury Square, Dumfries. A prominent set of buildings in among some fine architecture. Who did he supply?
I know local and travelling anglers fish the Nith which runs right through town and the nearby Esk. Both famous for huge fish in days or yore but I had no idea of the fantastic variety of waters also available in the Dunfries and Galloway area ; namely Water of Ae, River Annan, River Bladnoch, Cairn Water, Carron Water, Dumfriesshire, River Cree, River Dee, Galloway, Dryfe Water, River Esk, Dumfries and Galloway, Water of Fleet, Water of Ken, Kershope Burn, Kinnel Water, Kirtle Water, Liddel Water, Lochar Water, Water of Luce, New Abbey Pow, River Nith, Polharrow Burn, River Sark, Scaur Water, Shinnel Water, Tarf Water, Wigtownshire and the Urr Water, Wigtown Harbour
With so many retail opportunities why don’t we see more of John Jackson’s products?
This rod is still fishable today. 100 years old plus, with all original fittings, and providing you calm yourself down, this will cast really well, present a long line delicately, and with a sizable reel to give some balance it is a joy to catch fish on.
Many years ago, I travelled to the O’Laughlin Sportsman Trade shows in Portland, Oregon in the good ole USA. As a guest of the company, I was employed to give daily fly-fishing demonstrations wearing my kilt and using antique Scottish tackle. Objective: to give a talk on the old gear and its uses and catch a rubber ducky in the casting pool. Using a 20’ four piece greenheart rod, 6” Malloch brass fly reel, and silk line I used to call it the Scottish ladies outfit, some things never change.
Check out our other greenheart rods. They are certainly not just for decoration, they were hand-built to fish and you should do just that.
