Articles
Hardy Brothers
Of all the companies who have ever been involved in the manufacture and supply of fishing tackle, there is no doubt that Hardy Brothers of Alnwick stand out as the foremost maker. Now, this is a sweeping statement that certainly will be challenged by many people.
John Brown Moscrop
John Brown Moscrop was born in Bury close to Manchester in the county of Lancashire in 1830. After starting his working life as an articled clerk to a firm of Architects he realised that it was not for him and left. His chosen profession was that of a cotton spinner.
A Town Like Aberdeen
Many people have an eclectic tackle collection, others will specialise in one make, or only reels, or a specific area. I know one collector who only collects Hardy split cane rods under 8 foot.
Some collect within time lines and other, like Colin Innes collect tackle from Aberdeen
Hardy Super Silex
The Hardy Super Silex began life in 1928 as a reel very similar to its stable mate the Silex Major. It is a reel with an internal drum and a cut-out rim to allow palming of the reel. I have personally seen 6 examples of the first supers, and all are jewelled and have both leaded spool and cage. This reel also has a brass ratchet regulator with two ivorine moon indicators or gauges. This form of Super Silex is very collectable but not desirable for angling….
The Patent Meteor Reel
In 1909 Percy Wadham & Percy Scott patented the Meteor reel suitable for various types of angling.
Manufactured and marketed by the Dreadnought Casting Reel Co. Isle of Wight, and so far, 14 variations of the reel have been identified.
Spring & Lever Hooks
At the last Phillips auction, I was surprised to see the appearance of a spring-loaded hook. This particular one was Swedish, and I first came across this hook in the early 1970s when I was doing my arctic warfare training in Norway. The idea was to bait the hook with a small baitfish, lower it into an ice hole and wait for a large pike to take the offering. Thus providing a meal was the theory.