List of Articles on antique and vintage tackle
Here you will find a list of articles on antique and vintage tackle. Click on any link below to read the full article.
- Hardy Eureka No 2 Reel
With John Drewett’s book “Hardy Brothers” published, the chance to say anything new about Hardy reels has virtually disappeared. Fortunately, I found a reference to Ed Zern’s Tobique River reel for the last issue. I would never have expected to find another “new” reel cropping up so soon. The Hardy Eureka No 2 Reel.
- 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.
- Ed Zern & the Hardy Tobique Rivers Reel.
I was very interested to read the section on the Cascapedia reels in John Drewett’s book on Hardy Brothers. I am particularly interested in comparing these reels with similar reels made by the Edward Vom Hofe company around the same time. John mentions the Tobique River reel sold at auction in America in November 1993,
- Mörner Fly Reel
Gothenburg is the second largest town in Sweden, and a few miles on its outskirts lives Bengt Mörner. This engineer has two great loves: Jaguar cars and fly-fishing. His favourite salmon water is a small river near where he lives called Rolfsån. The best salmon pool on the river is located just upstream of a bridge supported in the middle by a concrete column. Catch a salmon, and one thing is sure, once hooked, it turns and heads downstream on the opposite side of the river and the wrong side of the concrete column. The inevitable result is that the salmon breaks off as the leader snags on the rough concrete.
- 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
- Ustonson Fishing Winch/Reel
An Ustonson antique fishing reel retailed by Ustonson with a reversible handle, 3 1/2 inch diameter, all brass engraved 'Ustonson Maker to His Majesty Temple Bar London'. It has a knurled retaining disc that, when removed, allows the handle to be reversed, perforated foot, and raised check housing. This dates the reel pre-1837.
- Spring & Lever Hooks
The first patent for a spring-loaded hook was issued in 1846 to Theodore Engelbrecht and George Skiff of New York. It consisted of a hook fitted with a spring-loaded lever curved and sharpened at one end. One year later, another patent was granted to Stanton Pendleton from New Haven, Connecticut, for his improvement to the Engelbrecht-Skiff patent by offering the chance to change the hook.
- 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.
- Victorian Registration Marks
Shortly after I started collecting fishing tackle, I came across my first Victorian Diamond Registration Mark. I remember asking a few people what they meant, but I remember clearly that no one could give me a precise answer. I might not have asked the right people. Later, I came across another set of letters and numbers that started REG, followed by numbers and REGD Again, I asked more questions, and after a time, I had formed an idea of what it was all about.
- Collecting Fishing Tackle
Having had many discussions with dealers, collectors and others involved in this hobby during the last few months, I should get some thoughts and ideas on paper regarding collecting fishing tackle. I will be covering the following topics; ●Trends ●What to collect ●When to sell ●Definitions
- Zephyr Floats
It is no accident that the name Zephyr was applied to the paper floats made by Ernest Talbot. Many people have speculated that the name had something to do with David Slater's Zephyr reel, and more than one person has been disappointed when I told them there is no connection. Without the First World War, we would not have seen the invention of the Zephyr float. The Zephyr car was originally designed and manufactured in 1913 to test the Zephyr patent pistons.
- Wyres Freres Display Cases Paris Shop
At Christie’s auction house in South Kensington, we finally saw the El Helou collection of fishing tackle and related items. I had heard various stories concerning the collection, particularly the display cases from the Wyers Freres Paris retail shop.
- Army & Navy Co-Operative Society
In 1871 a group of officers formed a Co-Operative Society to look after the needs of army and navy personnel. The Society intended to supply “articles of domestic consumption and general use to its members at the lowest numerative rates”. On 15th February 1872, the Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd. Opened its first store at Victoria Street, London. As befits an organisation with a solid military background, the addition of a gun department soon followed, quickly followed by others for outdoor and sporting pursuits.
- John Brown Moscrop & his InnovativeFly Fishing Reel.
Moscrop invented and patented the steam and speed recorder for spinning machines that was soon adopted by every textile mill in England. Various other patents followed, and it would not be long before he turned his attention to his hobby – fishing.
- Hardy Super Silex Casting Reel
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. This reel also has a brass ratchet regulator with two ivorine moon indicators or gauges.
- Coming Soon
- George Mortimer Kelson The Salmon Fly
In the obituary section of the Times on April 3rd. 1920 there was an entry that started: “Mr George Mortimer Kelson, a famous Kent cricketer of a bygone generation, died on Tuesday at Surbiton. So far as can be remembered, he played his last big match in 1873.” It then went on to list the highlights of his time with Kent, including that he was the county’s best batsman for the year 1863. 1864 and 1865. In 1863 he played the innings of his life. Kent required 192 to beat Surrey at the Oval, which they achieved with George Kelson scoring 122. He was a brilliant fielder and a good change bowler. The last line of the obituary read, “Mr Kelson was also an ardent fisherman.”
- DAM Rekord Lure
When I received the catalogue for Angling Auctions' spring sale this year, I was intrigued by the description for lot 57. "A scarce DAM nickel silver 2½" dazzler style bait, the fish-shaped lure with five revolving sections, centre spindle and spring lock swivel to head, rear flying treble, stamped goat logo £100-150."