The Existential Angler

“European Fly Reels, a Guide”

2012-01-11T06:55:00.000-08:00

Following on from last years "D is for Dingley" book - published by Dr Todd Larson's Whitefish Press I'm now working on the provisionally entitled “European Fly Reels, a Guide”

The brief was as follows –

“Basic information would include a brief history of the maker, and then three reels per page showing the GENERAL design and style. No need to show every permutation (or reel). Footnote and reference for more reading.”

I anticipate the "brief history" will be around 500 words, dependant upon the maker; and in some cases, where not a lot of information is known, quite a bit less.
This will be followed by a few photos of that makers more collectable reels, with short descriptions.

The idea is to list only makers, not dealers. Covering a period of time from the late 19^th century to today. The reason for the start date is that prior to the end of the 19th C there were numerous makers of the ubiquitous brass reel and wooden star back. Whilst this is a specialist market, too much of the information is rather vague.

We are restricting the region to Northern European makers, for this edition, - UK, Scandinavia, Germany, Holland and possibly France. The book will be aimed primarily at the N American market; although I hope interest will be worldwide.

Part of the reason for this blog is to provide a place to send potential contributors to -

a, to read about the concept
b, to see how I'd like the photographs to look
c, solicit information

PHOTOS

Below is the set up I use indoors for reel shots

I use small spots with 'Daylight' bulbs. These are not aimed directly at the subject but bounced off the walls and top of the box. The box is 3 artists white canvases. Background is a piece of white copier paper
Camera on tripod and use self-timer.
Outdoors, similar results can be achieved on a cloudy day.

Subject - Reels
I prefer to see reels about 3/4 view and slight elevation - see below -

These are just as shot, no Photoshopping. With a couple of small tweaks these are fine for publication

Hardy Reels - The Evans' Tapes

2011-05-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

Hardy Reels – The Evans' Tapes

In 2001 the respected Hardy reel collector, and acknowledged expert, Mr Ted Evans and his son, David, produced a series of 5 video tapes outlining the history and evolution of many of Hardy Brothers’ famous reels.

This year, 2011, I have been privileged and honoured to have worked with Ted and David to transfer these tapes to DVD.

The 5 videos are now contained on a 2 DVD set. We have done some minimal quality enhancement of the data and edited out unwanted introductions and adverts. None of the important reel information has been removed.

Among the numerous reels analysed are the Perfect, St George, Silex, Uniqua, St John, Altex, Elarex etc. - also included are much rarer reels such as the Tuna, Taupo, Eddystone, White-Wickham etc.

The original tapes were designated as follows –

Perfect Fly Reels 1 & 2.

Fly Fishing Reels

Casting Reels

Big Game and Sea Fishing Reels.

DVD 1 contains Perfect Fly Reels 1 and 2

DVD 2 is the other 3 tapes.

As well as detailing the time line and evolution of many collectable Hardy reels Ted discusses and shows some of the rarer examples. Where else will you be able to see ‘how to take apart a Hardy White-Wickham’? or what a cased 8 1/2" Zane Grey looks like.

A ‘must have’ resource for any Hardy Collector.
Approx. 4 hours running time.

This 2 DVD set is available in both PAL and NTSC formats for £20.

(UK P and P - £2.00; Rest of World - £4.00;
Please state which format is required)
"Paypal" £22.00 for UK, or £24.00, rest of the world, to the following email address

Let’s Tackle Cancer, January Auction – Post script

2011-02-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

Just a few words to summarise the January Auction.

First, the response, both in terms of level and quality of donations, and the buyer’s generosity, reflects very favourably the true spirit of fly-fishing.

Second, a huge ‘thank you’ to the members of this forum - www.flyforums.co.uk. Sometimes we’re seen as pedantic, argumentative, fluffy, capricious, crude and moronic – and that’s just on a good day. But that’s just good old British irony at play.

Third, thanks go to www.flyforums.co.uk - our hosts, and particularly to Sofi and Paul for their assistance.

Personally, (and Mrtrout agrees) I’m proud of the way everyone has responded to this appeal. We’ve raised well in excess of £1000 in our first month, all of which is going directly to Cancer Charities; and we have over twice as many Lots listed for our February Auction!

With everyone’s help we can drive this forward and actually make a significant contribution in the battle against cancer.

Our sincere thanks

Let's TACKLE Cancer

2010-12-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

What started as a simple post on a fly fishing forum by an old friend of mine, Steven (Mr Trout), has grown almost exponentially. The original post was an offer to sell a few of the beautiful Furled Leaders which he makes, to raise funds for Cancer Research - LINK HERE

The response to the initial idea, as you can read above (and that doesn't include the PM's and e mails!), has been overwhelming. So many kind and generous people have offered donations of both goods and events.

The whole of 2011 has been covered with monthly donations of Flies, Lines and assorted bits and pieces of Fishing tackle; fishing days with BBQ's etc. with all funds going to Cancer charities (more details later)

The timing seems to have tapped the zeitgeist, and the idea is expanding daily.

We are currently discussing the idea of calling the project the "Trout Fly Foundation" (because Steven is too modest to have it in his own name!) and the campaign has already been titled "Let's Tackle Cancer".

More as it develops . . . . . . . and donations welcome.

Update 11th Dec - thanks to A we now have a Facebook page HERE

17th December - we now have days on the Derbyshire Wye and Dove, Cumbria's Eden, the Thames, Monnow and others, superb flies by some very capable fly tiers, Hardy reels, books . . . .just click the link and keep watching (we haven't even started listing items yet (planned for early January) **** Now starting in December
A big thanks to all who have contacted us so far

18th Dec - Dave has put up the 'Just Giving' links for donations -

Feel free to just donate!

Update 18th Dec - Listings started today with River Test days, Grey's fly lines, books, leaders, bits . . and growing

21st Dec. - some more listings and F & F have now given us our own sub forum, so new LINK

31st December 2010. We end 2010 with some excellent auctions up and running. Check them out on the link above.
We also have a cupboard full of very generous offers which will be rolled out throughout 2011, with many more promised.
We'd like to thank all contributors, both donors and buyers, and wish everyone a fine and healthy 2011

2011
15th January - good luck and tight lines to all the salmon chasers in Scotland.

A nudge for "Let's TACKLE Cancer" - LINK
Lots to suit all fisherfolk now listed. and only just over 2 weeks to go for the January auction. Please be generous for a very worthy cause.

19th January - Great idea from Edd & Colin - LTC Badges - get your order in here LINK.
Badges marked jointly with Flyforums.co.uk & Let's Tackle Cancer (still being finalised, but will be great!) I'll post a pic as soon as available

31st January - last day to get your bids in for the January, Let's Tackle Cancer auction - hit link to view all lots..................and thank you.

8th February - update - over 40 lots listed for February - something for everyone - hit the link above

Hardy Neroda Fly Boxes, update

2010-12-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Back in February, 2010, I wrote a piece about Hardy's Neroda Boxes. * LINK *

Today I was looking at a couple of the smaller boxes. Whilst they clearly show the 2 different colours available - referred to as "Oxblood" & "Tortoiseshell"; it was noted that the clips were different, both in type and orientation. The Oxblood box has Hardy's 'Holdtite' clips and the other appears to be standard Wheatley type clips. OK, not nuclear fusion, but another detail for the collectors and curious Googlers. see pics:

On closer inspection the tortoiseshell box does not have the Hardy stamp on the face. I know unstamped boxes show up occasionally but assumed it was a glitch.
If anyone has seen these boxes retailed by any other dealer I'd be grateful if they'd let me know.

BFFI & toys

2010-10-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

At today's BFFI were lots of things every angler "needs"!
High on my list would be these gorgeous titanium reels from Mr Leen Huisman, who was there personally for the release of this new model. A very skilled gentleman, helpful, and great to chat to.

If you decide you can't live without one of these 4 weight, or 5 weight, Titanium and highly resilient plastic masterpieces, call Mark at Alternative Tackle

Who made the first aluminium fishing reel?

2010-10-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

First, a few considerations:

At the beginning of the 19^th century aluminium was said to be price comparable with gold, some claim it was even more expensive. Napoleon is said to have had a set of aluminium plates for the use of his favoured guests.

In 1884 aluminium was used for the apex of the Washington Monument and is stated to be the same price as silver (around $1/ounce)

Between 1889 and 1892 the method of production of aluminium changed from the sodium process to the electrolyte method.

In the UK this resulted in the price falling from “half a guinea a pound” (10 shillings and 6 pence) in 1889 to 2 shillings a pound by 1892, - “comparable bulk for bulk with the cost of copper” to quote a contemporary UK newspaper.

In the US of A, the cost was £2-10-0 a pound in 1886, when the countries total production did not exceed 3000 lbs (most of which was used in steel production). By 1897 the metal could be obtained for 1 shilling 4.5 pence per pound, with US production being around 4,000,000 lbs weight.

By 1900 aluminium was still twice the price of copper per pound, but it is less than one third the density.

During the last decades of the 19^th century, the huge demand for copper to service the expansion of both electrical and telephone distribution systems saw copper prices rise rapidly. This continued in the US until the Government introduced price limits during WW1.

Anyone producing fishing reels during this period would have been aware of most of the above. Brass reel makers would watch as their raw material was becoming harder to source and increasingly more expensive, and simultaneously the price (and quality) of aluminium more viable; not to mention the weight consideration.

We understand that Hardy Brothers of Alnwick, the famed fishing tackle makers, were experimenting with what they called their “Hercules metal” in the late 1880’s. (I should note here that some of these were made for Hardy by David Slater and possibly Malloch) This is basically an “aluminium bronze” and, to quote an early Hardy catalogue, contains “three to twelve per cent aluminium” [not to be confused with some pre 1900 “Hardy Hercules reels” made of Aluminium, these are rare animals] What I'm trying to find is the first true aluminium reel.

Some UK reel makers obviously saw a future for the metal. It was recorded in the Birmingham Daily Post in April 1893 that Mr Reuben Heaton had filed a patent for “Aluminium Solder” as early as 1892.

Jess Miller, in his Dunkeld Collection book, describes the Combined Fly/Spinning reel thus: “It was certainly one of Hardy’s earliest alloy reels and was made between 1894 and 1898.”

On the other side of the Atlantic, in a similar vein, various makers were also experimenting with this new metal which, to quote an 1892 English newspaper “greater uses would be found than any that had yet been discovered”.

. . . .I posted the query on ORCA's board - read here

Further research reveals this article by Dr David Harris which suggests the first ever aluminium casting (a statue of Diane de Gabies, by Paul Morin) was produced between 1858 & 60.

My answer to the original question is that I don’t know who made the first aluminium fishing reel. It is not impossible that, in the manner of Napoleon’s plates or one of the mid 19^th century solid silver reels, someone made an early, and expensive, toy reel.

It is a fair assumption that the first commercial aluminium reel was produced around 1890. Now all we have to do is prove which reel and who made it.

The Lost World of Mr Hardy - extra scenes

2010-08-18T00:49:00.000-07:00

More scenes from a fabulous film. Superb images, SBS, Tarantino, and finest quality fishing kit.
All HERE

Enjoy

Hardy's Anglers' Guides, (1899, For Sale)

2010-05-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

or Hardy catalogues, or catalogs for my friends over 'there'; or even Hardy's Angling Specialities as some of the earlier ones were called.

These are fascinating insights into piscatorial history and compulsory reading for Hardy collectors. As well as the rods and reels there are articles on angling around the world and lots of amazing little pieces of kit which you didn't know you needed, until you see it in the catalogue.

Below are a some images from the 1899 edition.

Early images of the world's most famous reel

Hardy marketing at its best, don't try this with your graphite!

The 300+ page 1899 Hardy's Angling Specialities is extremely rare and worth well into 4 figures (U.K. Pounds)

I was fortunate to have a copy and retained a first generation 150dpi scan of all the pages. This has been converted into a PDF and is available on CD for £20 per copy, inclusive of world wide postage.

To obtain a copy contact me via e mail

Fly Photos

2010-05-01T03:31:00.000-07:00

I've been experimenting with different backgrounds for fly photos. These were for a, now disappeared, topic on Flyforums.co.uk, as well as my own curiosity, so I'll post them here instead.
I'd appreciate your comments on which work best.
Happy to do photos for others, when I'm not fishing ;-)

Hardy Neroda Fly Boxes

2010-04-29T04:04:00.000-07:00

Another piece of fishing kit to collect. These Hardy Bakelite boxes are things of beauty. I've got a few although it's not an extensive collection.

During the winter blues I did a bit of research into their history - published HERE

If anyone can add information please feel free to contact me

Hardy South African Surf Reel

2010-04-24T02:27:00.000-07:00

A year ago I posted this (LINK) on Clarks forum. I'd never seen a Hardy South African Surf Reel except in catalogues so it was an opportunity to share.

The owner has now decided to sell this reel so if anyone is interested in acquiring an extremely rare piece of Hardy History please contact me and I will put you in touch. It is understood that there were 56 reels made in this, 6 inch, size.

**Edit: This reel was sold in May 2010 for approximately £1000 **

Music

2010-04-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Bowie was just singing “♪ Ziggy played guitaaaarrrr ♫” . . . . . there was a small bow wave amidst the ripples near where my fly was supposed to be. Silk whizzed through rod guides, Kings of Leon went into “♪ Sex on fire ♫”, little Mr Dingley played a loud tune. This boy wanted to play and not surrender. The joy of using barbless hooks is that you learn that if you ease up, he’ll back off and go, so cane was bent and line sang. Adrenalin hit receptors (his and mine).

Fish, energy, net, release . . . . and that self satisfied feeling when you watch him swim away, almost hoping that he’ll look back over his shoulder and say “Hey, was fun, must do it again sometime”

Fly fishing!

Firsts

2010-04-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Firsts

A day of firsts: -

First day fly fishing this year.

First tangle . .

First time I’ve used my tiny ‘new’ (to me) Dingley with its silk line – I’d forgotten how great that ‘whizzzz’ sounds as the silk floats through the rod guides.

First reminder this year of how sharp hooks can be . . . .

First ‘Fishing days’ photos.

First time out for my winter acquisition ‘ATH Traun’ – for the uninformed these reels do not catch fish, make you a better caster or even make you sexually attractive to cute lady dog walkers . . . . If you’re stuck with any Ari Hart reels I have a locked room where I can keep them from spoiling other anglers’ days.

First reminder of how my eyes aren’t getting any better, or leaders are getting finer and fly eyes getting smaller (?)

First live use of Steven’s knitted string tapered leaders – excellent.

First time, of many to come, when I've said to myself "I must tidy the junk out of my fishing bag" . . .yet, when I look in that bag I get a warm smiley feeling . .

First day wearing my floppy old hat this year.

First snagged tree; no grass though . .

First fishing day smiles . . .
Not the first reminder of why we do it.

Best wishes to all in the same boat, . . . . or bank, . . . . or waders

Hardy Reel checks

2010-03-04T03:29:00.000-08:00

The expert reel makers at Hardy Brothers of Alnwick created many check mechanisms over the years. These were then copied by several other reel makers and versions are still available in contemporary reels. For the uninitiated the check is the "Clicker", the noisy bit that creates resistance so that line does not free-spool off the reel.
As well as neat pieces of engineering the check is also a useful means of dating early reels. Below are photographs of a few with, where relevant, some indication of date first produced.

Early or 1896 check

1906, (sometimes called 1905 -11) check

The beautiful 1912 (most likely 1st used 1911)

Mark 1 check or 1917

2 versions of the Duplicated Mark 2 check

Some say 1922, some disagree

(note: "Duplicated" is assumed to mean that parts were interchangeable, not that there was a spare set within the reel)

Post war (1950's) check which introduced the ability to change from Left to Right hand wind

The 2 parts of the transverse (edge on) Golden Prince check from the 1980's

Hardy JLH from 1990's with what they called the "compensating click check"

Reels for dreams

2010-02-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

For all you tackle tarts (see below :-) ) some images that prove that good design is still out there.

From the minds and workshops of Leen Huisman of LH Design Alex Kaplun of Megoff and the famed Ari 't Hart for Exclusive reels (. .. more to follow)
If, and who doesn't, you would like some of this art please ask Mark - Here (link)

The 'Amber' - titanium with translucent amber

L H Series E Sapphire : #4/5

ATH Designed Trilogy

Celebrating the 50th Anniversay of the Remco

Coming soon

TACKLE TART

2010-01-24T10:45:00.001-08:00

TACKLE TART

tackle, noun,

· equipment, apparatus, or gear, esp. for fishing:

tart, noun,

promiscuous, of easy virtue,

A mildly derogatory term traditionally used in a self-mocking manner, or for good-natured abuse of friends.

Anglers have always wanted the best toys they could get to practise their sport and this phrase came into the lexicon of angling to jokingly (usually) refer to those who abused that privilege.

From Elfric the Abbot writing in his “Collequy” in the tenth century, via Dame Juliana’s “Treatyse of ffyshynge with an Angle” in 1496
to most contemporary writings, magazines, blogs and forums we have come to believe that we need to get better kit to be a better fisherman. A large proportion of today’s fly fishermen are “Tackle Tarts” or, as they prefer to be called - “Collectors”.

The ubiquitous internet has allowed forums to develop, and that other modern affectation, the blog, where people can show off their fine fishing kit; this, of course becomes the ironic form of ‘encourager les autres’.

The “Fly Reel” is one obvious avenue for collectors As a man (grown up boy) and one time engineer, who has spent the past twelve months researching one of the early makers for a forthcoming book, I now, more than ever, appreciate these fine pieces of the craftsman’s art.

When one looks at the stunning products of late 19^th and early 20th century makers like Slater, Heaton, vom Hofe and Dingley and on to contemporary craftsmen such as Bogdan, Ari t Hart, Mohlin (pictured right) and Hermann it is easy to understand the attraction.

The internationally famed Hardy Brothers of Alnwick alone have such a varied selection of models, styles and variations of fishing reels to keep some collectors searching for a lifetime. A pair of Hardy White-wickam big game reels made around £50,000 a few years ago and there are, allegedly, even rarer Hardy reels still to be unearthed. Another consideration is the investment value of these items. The White-wickhams, of which there are only three known to exist will never be worth less than the £50K paid for them, as this has become the benchmark.

In the past 18 months alone we have seen that most collectable of reels, the Hardy Brass Faced Perfect (or BFP as it is commonly known, left) effectively double in price on the open market.

The internet has moved collecting on, the specialist auctions, which were once only known to, and attended by, the select few, now offer the facility, via the ‘net or telephone, to bid live from anywhere in the world. The few dealers who published and posted their regular catalogues to the same select band, now publish online to an international market. The wiser collector was there in the early days of ebay and picked up many bargains. As the internet has developed so has the sophistication of collectors and as well as more specialist dealers with an online presence there is now a network of worldwide collectors who deal among themselves and advise others by acting as ‘spotters’ on the various auction sites.

Sadly; some may say that it’s a result of the Blair legacy that one can lie, and profit from it, if one is devious enough; the growing band of collectors has also created a market for the frauds and fakers. Some have aped the old time antique ‘restorers’ by taking a modern copy and ‘aging’ it – sand blasting a modern replica reel and adding a chemical ‘patina’ can increase the value of a reel by 50% or more – these are usually aimed at the novice collector. As they say, “A little knowledge is dangerous”. That even more blatant creation, the so called “Spitfire” reels; middle range reels which have had all the original finish removed and then highly polished; are aimed at those of us who like shiny things!

As with all things it’s a case of ‘caveat emptor’ - buyer beware. Investment in good quality specialist books and time spent on research can save a lot of heartache and frustration, and prevent that feeling of utter despair when one finds out that he has been conned.

The cynic will say that these reels are merely pieces to wind your string on to, and he’d be correct. But, a man who adopts that attitude fails to understand the true philosophy of “Fly fishing”. It is no mere attempt to catch fish; swim feeders with maggots will achieve that much more productively. Fly-fishing is more of an art form. It is one of those pastimes where the more one learns about it, the less one realise he knows.

Reel Porn

2009-12-17T07:52:00.000-08:00

Some reel pics to share:

Hardy Brass faced Perfect 3"- 1896 Check, approx 1900

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Hardy Perfect 3" (3 1/8") - 1896 check, approx 1903

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Dr Paul Hermann, Baby Trout

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Bo Mohlin Mini Trout

_________________________________________________________

Hardy Bougle Lightweight lll (3)

Enjoy

Hardy Silex

2009-12-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

A friend has just sent me these photos of a rather beautiful Hardy Silex - here's what he says about it (edited)
"Hardy 4 ¼” Silex Major (1928-30) with auxillary brake in very fine condition. The reel comes in a block leather case (not Hardy), and with the original 10 page manual for the reel. Additionally, a spare spool in a scarce original (Hardy) leather case. I have a long written provenance for this reel – back to its birth, through the previous owners (a Scandinavian Earl) death in 1947, a copy of the 1948 auction catalog of his tackle – incl. this reel – where it was sold to the person who has had the reel until I acquired it some 2 years ago."

[If anyone can advise on possible value we'd be very grateful]

Hello

2009-12-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

If perchance anyone should happen on this page and wonder what it's all about . . . I don't know . . but I'll try to develop it over the coming months, decades even . .