Once again, our Thomas Turner valuation day at Sportfish, Reading turned out to be an absolute cracker right from the start!
No matter what time we arrive at Sportfish, no matter how early, there are always a number of keen customers waiting for us, to get in early and unload their tackle! The office upstairs was opened for us and we set up as quickly, so we could deal with our waiting customers!
Now this was probably the best start we have ever had. The gentleman stood in front of me produced some rods and what he described as an ‘old Hardy brass reel’. To my surprise it was a exceptionally rare Hardy Pomeroy West Indian all brass Tarpon reel with Silex details. What a beautiful reel, even though it weighs a ton! After a short discussion a deal was done and Thomas Tuner had made its first purchase of the day!
It was time to put the kettle on! Will our son is always a great help and asked the waiting customers who would like a tea or coffee.
Next in was a lady with a box or reels and some other tackle. First out of the box was a lovely Hardy 3 7/8” Perfect Taupo with line guard, made to start with in 1958 this reel was the wide spool version of the class contracted Perfect and was designed for larger trout and salmon particularly in New Zealand whereby the reel was named after the Lake Taupo Fishery. Lovely reel and becoming very rare. We don’t often get these in.
While William put the kettle on and handed out the teas and coffee’s a gentleman came through the door with a couple of Sainsburys carrier bags with various reels. The various reels turned out to be a host of newer Perfects with the smoke red line guard to include a very rare 3 5/8” left hand wind version. I’ve always liked the look of these reels as well as to use them. Good, honest, durable reels that we sell over and over again.
The tone of the day was set as usual from the very start and we bought very well including other rods by Hardy including some Smugglers, Loomis, Orvis and some nice Sage examples as well as the normal ‘Traveller’ types which we are always on the look out for.
All of this tackle and more will be available on our website, over the coming weeks! So, please, keep checking our site.
A big Thank you again to our hosts at Sportfish, Jonathan Randall and his team always making us feel very welcome and to Will my son for keeping everyone watered and helping in with all the tackle! we look forward to returning again Saturday 18th October 2025!
