Angler Angst

Red Deer Fat line flotant

2011-11-09T15:51:00.014Z

Genuine Red Deer Fat based line flotant!
I now have the magic ingredient - Red Deer Fat. I can't be too specific, but it comes from English Red Deer on a well managed Northern England estate. (thanks M!)
Here's the basic material -

This is 'rendered' using traditional methods to produce this -

I have been conducting alchemy with various blends of this, with carefully chosen oils and waxes, to produce a high quality, viable line grease.

After much messing about I think I've found the answer. I believe the consistency is correct and that the mix is fit for purpose (it does not contain silicon)

Samples are currently 'out there' with friends and anglers who I trust to give an honest opinion. I hope that by the time our season starts the end product will be acceptable to all.

Of course nothing is new in this world -

Hardys were offering this in their catalogues as early as 1895.

Edit -
Now available to purchase in the sliding lid waistcoat pocket tins, as shown above:-

UK £5.70 to include Postage and packaging

Rest of World £7.20 ----inclusive------

CONTACT ME

[I can also offer the flotant without the Red Deer Fat, just a blend of oils and waxes, at £3.50 and £5.00 respectively]

Some quotes; as I said above, nothing is new:-

F M Halford, Dry-fly fishing in theory and practise

““A line dressed thus only requires to be thoroughly rubbed over with red-deer fat, and the red-deer fat to be occasionally renewed as the line is used, to be, to my mind, as near perfect as possible.”

Samuel G Camp - Fine art of fishing, 1915

“is carefully greased, preferably with red deer fat,...”

Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell Fishing: Salmon and trout 1906

“occasionally rubbed well over from end to end with red deer fat to make it float”

John Bickerdyke, Angling in salt water. 1887

“The best grease for the purpose is the kidney fat of a red deer”

Mary Orvis Marbury, Favorite flies and their histories 1892

“The deer fat makes the line float on the surface of the water”

Thank you for looking

Cadno Silk Fly Lines

2011-10-31T12:10:00.001Z

That fine wordsmith, Ernest Schwiebert, in “Trout”, says “...an English silk line is even more beautiful, and together with a fine silkworm-gut leader, it can be nothing less than poetry”

It has been traditional for purist fly anglers worldwide to use a cane rod, a classic reel and a silk line. Here in the UK we have some excellent cane rod makers and a smaller number of fine reel makers.

Over 100 years ago Mr P D Malloch of Perth was instrumental in producing the famed Kingfisher silk fly lines. Messrs Hardy and Farlow both stopped selling British made silk lines in the 1960s. The late Noel Buxton, as far as I know, last produced silk fly lines in the UK in the early 1980’s (now sold as Phoenix Lines from their base in France) Since then we have had to import our silk lines.

Today, Stuart Tod, of Cadno Tackle in the Usk valley, Monmouthshire, is producing fine quality silk fly lines.

Made in the traditional manner, from finest silk, in natural straw colour, coffee brown or emerald green. Current offerings include DT and WF lines in 4, 5 and 6 weights; but experiments are taking place with heavier weights and variations of taper.

The sample I had to test was a DT4 in the green colour. The line has 3' of level tip, 12' of taper and a 60' belly.

For the past season I’ve happily used one of Mr Koji Yano’s fine Japanese lines, also in a 4 weight. This gave me the opportunity to test the lines side by side.

The Cadno line appears marginally thicker, yet they are almost identical when mic’ed. I expected the Yano, because it has been used quite a lot, to be softer. This is not the case. The Cadno is noticeably less stiff / more floppy.

Casting – the line was tested using a 4 weight, 7’ 9” Tim Harris cane rod in relatively calm conditions. With a 4’ furled leader I was able to lay a fly down quite smoothly with consistency, and in the places I wanted it. Extremely controllable on short to medium length casts, with loops variable dependant upon my casting stop.

I don’t make any claims to be a long distance caster but the Cadno line shot as far and as straight as the Yano and I’m confidant that at 60’ I was still getting the fly where I wanted. Without turning this into a debate on casting dynamics I’m happy to say that this line is on a par with the Yano.

Until now Mr Yano’s line is probably the best I’ve ever had the privilege to cast. Stuart’s Cadno (fox in Welsh) line is its equal. At less than half the price, and the fact it is British made, seals the deal for me.

Personally I’m just glad that someone is maintaining tradition and bringing back part of our heritage.

Pure poetry.

The lines are priced at £120 each. (+ £4.00 P & P for UK)

Contact me

Overseas, please ask for quote.

Special requirements/tapers/design? Ask the questions.

Yano Silk Lines

2011-04-21T18:01:00.002+01:00

Some things just politely say “quality”. Sometimes we find it hard to define, but we recognise it when we see it.

Tiffany, Faberge, Paul Storr, Chippendale, Robert Adam were all capable of gently saying “Look at me”.

Perhaps it’s not coincidence that the great sportsmen of the past all used the best tools they could got get their hands on, Zane Grey and his Hardy reels, Frederick Selous and his Holland & Holland rifles.

Fly fishers have long been fans of quality, be it water, fish, company or equipment.

On this side of the Atlantic a well kept chalk stream, Test, Itchen; or classic salmon river, Spey, Tweed, Tyne; wild brown trout, Atlantic salmon; a Hardy CC de France, a first generation Bougle reel.

Good company can’t readily be described, each to their own.

I have recently taken delivery of a Yano Silk Line direct from Mr Koji Yano of Japan. A wonderful gentleman to deal with and a line unlike any other I have used.

The line is softer than its competitors, yet feels just how you imagine the perfect silk line should feel.

Steve Lum, an extremely knowledgeable and selective tackle tart, summed it up precisely when writing on Classic Fly Rod Forum: “My first impression was that it was an incredibly smooth and soft line, but this was a broken in line with 4 years of heavy use. It was very fine compared to both the Phoenix and the Terenzio, however these were half to a full weight heavier. It was so soft, that it felt like having a lump of jelly in your hand when rolled up in coils. It did not have an effect on casting however, and it cast and shot wonderfully.”

I spent yesterday with one of England’s leading cane rod builders and lined a 4wt bamboo rod with this line.

From the beautiful 'whizz' sound as it slides effortlessly through the guides to the smooth soft landing on the water it is all an angler could want in a line. Unlike it’s plastic cousins it appears to sit on top of the water, like a water strider, rather than simply displacing water and floating – it almost looks like it’s laid on a layer of cling film over the surface of the water.

A joy to cast and accurate in the right hands I suspect it will become ‘this years must use line’

Edit - it is brilliant to use, and catches fish! (C & R, no time to pose)

Rod Tubes

2011-04-05T16:47:00.001+01:00

I recently acquired, from a charity, some nice aluminium rod tubes with brass ends.
1 1/2" internal diameter; 49 1/2" internal length.
Anodised aluminium in a grey colour. - see photos.
If anyone is interested they are £24 each, inclusive of postage (UK mainland only) £44 for 2.
Contact me for more info.

Thank you for looking

What does it mean to you? Fly-fishing

2011-02-23T15:06:00.000Z

Fly-fishing, what does it mean to you?

I’m a member of a small fly fishing club. We have a lovely home water with a couple of boats, and a boathouse! The location is stunning. We have less than 50 members so that’s fine by me. Only brown trout, none of those silly fat pigs. We get good advice on how to make our fishing better, and try to implement it.

I love being there on very early spring and summer mornings. Sometimes I’m happy just to sit and watch nature at play, not even casting a line. A couple of late afternoon hours can dissolve all the cares of the world, particularly when there’s a nice hatch. I, like most members as far as I know, practise C & R, with barbless hooks.

I fish other places but the club water is both convenient and a relaxing place to be.

It was our AGM last night, nothing contentious, fees remain the same as last year so all good.

Until someone suggested a “competition”! I was most surprised to see a couple of members actually stick their hands up.

I find the idea of trying to out-fish other folk completely alien. Is it just me or is competitive fly-fishing an oxymoron?

T-Rod, Massimo Tirocchi's Bamboo rods

2011-01-25T15:27:00.001Z

Massimo, a member of the Italian Bamboo Rodmaker's Association makes superb small stream cane rods; and other fine fly fishing rods.
Works of art at very affordable prices. Lots of options are available, hollow build, choice of hardware and one of Massimo's own tapers, developed to suit your own style.
Massimo's WEBSITE
I can vouch for his honesty and integrity through my own dealings with him and can highly recommend him to anyone seeking that special rod. And his English is better than most Brits!

A few photos:

To contact Massimo: - E Mail
Or via me: - E mail

Wm. Salter & Grandson Scoop Net

2011-01-12T16:56:00.002Z

A new acquisition from Andy (sincere thanks!) [Wm Salter & Grandson - link]
A few thousand words:

Stunning wood, a thing of beauty.

Silex Sunday

2011-01-09T19:40:00.001Z

Following on from the Perfects we have William Dingley's superb invention, the Hardy Silex.

Add a bonus, a very rare, spare spool with original round Leather case

Perfect Day

2011-01-06T20:02:00.000Z

Little old Hardy Perfects:

3" BFP (1896 ch) and 3 1/8" Perfects, 1896 or 'early' check; 1904 check and 1930's dup Mk 2
Need a 1912 and Mk1 please?

Reel photography

2010-12-23T18:50:00.002Z

Following the photography discussions on F & F forum HERE [please note that there is some super advice there] I have been playing and attempting to improve techniques.

and one of the "set up"

(I think I'll stick to what I was doing before) ;-)

Left Handed Dingley Reel

2010-10-28T21:15:00.000+01:00

Acquisition of the summer. A true Dingley Perfect Left Handed Reel, with correct L H check, made for Westley Richards.

Dingley reel restoration

2010-10-09T13:00:00.000+01:00

Ever wondered what Mr Dingley’s reels looked like when they left the factory? I have. I’m lucky enough to have one virtually mint small Dingley but all the others have varying degrees or wear and tear commensurate with near 100 years of handling.

There’s been much posturing, fire breathing and mumbled curses recently about ‘restored Hardy Reels’ so, without wanting to ignite that fuse again, I decided to have a couple of Dingleys “restored”. I have no intention of selling them, and, if I did, I’d be happy to disclose their provenance – I believe they’ve been given another 100 years of life.

The 2 reels restored had other issues so needed repairs to make useable (missing pawl post, etc.) Below are a few quick photos; one of the reels is original.

All comments welcome.

Hardy reels, fakes, frauds and hypocrites

2010-10-02T10:37:00.020+01:00

Classic Angling Magazine recently published an excellent article by Roger Still detailing the fake Hardy reels which have been appearing at auctions, including ebay, and have been offered for sale by dealers. (perhaps still being offered?)

Several internet forums have campaigned for a long time about the fraudsters peddling faked over reels – often aimed at the novice collector.

The so-called “Spitfire” reels have been around for many years and chancers are still using Solvol/wire wool/Nitromors/sand blasters/acid to create more.

One chap still insists on stamping a “D” in Young’s reels and trying to pass them off as Dingleys. (the next one he tries I may see if Trading Standards are interested?)

Just yesterday I noticed a Hardy Perfect on ebay which claimed to be left handed. A quick look revealed a standard early1920’s Perfect, sans agate, and with a traditional right handed check. The seller insisted it was a rare left-handed Perfect.

I used the “Ask a question” facility on e bay and pointed out to him that if it was used as a left handed reel, the faceplate would unscrew and the spool drop off (the spool didn’t have a locking screw)

He responded with "the thread on the spool to faceplate is reversed to prevent this from happening" - whatever that means? An examination of the photos revealed a spindle with the traditional right hand thread. Anyone with half a brain cell could see that if you wound the reel left handed, the faceplate would unscrew.

Many keen collectors, enthusiasts, dealers, auction houses, etc. are trying hard to get the whole collecting experience cleaned up. If people are claiming to be honest collectors yet still blatantly bluffing their fake wares on ebay we still have a way to go.

An English Beech Wood

2010-08-13T16:12:00.000+01:00

On a rainy August day. Are there many finer places to be?
A few thousand words:

And the same place back in Spring:

Hedgie in property development

2010-07-05T09:42:00.005+01:00

All this talk of angling leads us naturally to Hedgehogs.

[EDIT: Knowledgeable friend later pointed out to me that Hedgy is an unmarried mother-to-be and it was a nursery she was building - Duh!! . . ]

[Edit #2 - she went on to have 4 babies - I will post photos as soon as I can get all 4 together!!]

A couple of nights ago my next door neighbour's daughter nearly ran a hedgehog over in our street. It was around midnight so he should have been asleep (OK OK I know). Anyway, she picked him up and put him in her mum's back garden.
Next morning I saw he was trucking around mine. Her garden is extremely sterile, the Lancashire take on Japanese Austerity Gardens. (The truth is that she has a 'gardener' who can only fill in the numerous hours he spends there by destroying things) I ramble. My garden is proof that nature is more powerful than man. Hedgy likes it!
Today he moved into property development. He spent several hours, he's still at it, gathering up leaves and old flower heads from one end and making an apartment under a rose bush - pics, 1000 words etc:

Update, August 2010
Mum had 4 babies. They grow up quickly and are now exploring far and wide.

Update 23rd August 2010
Piglets have all left home, and I think mum left last night. She has been going out but returning to her nest for the day time, and her cat food of course. There are lots of green spaces out of the back and woods and fields are only a hundred yards away. I'll miss her.
Of course now I'm the local Hedgie "expert" - Friday afternoon a friend and neighbour brought a bloated hedgepig round (looked a bit terminal to be honest) I made it a bed and wrapped it up, gave it some food. Saturday morning she was just laid in the middle of a flower bed, huffing a bit, and hadn't eaten anything.
I took her to the local Hedgehog rescue (I didn't know they existed until I googled)
A lovely lady not too far away, she said bring her around.
A hedgehogs skin is not actually attached to it's body, rather like a body suit. if they get attacked (probably a fox in this case) the gap between skin and body fills with a gangrenous gas. Lady inserted large syringe under the skin, with a little water in, removed the plunger and squeezed the hedgehog - - amazing - - the water bubbled and she deflated the hedgehog!! it immediately looked and acted better - and juvenile (perhaps one of mine??)
Small hedgehog was let down, and joined the 300 others she had, ["Hedgehogs are solitary creatures"] I left a donation, I was so impressed.

Something new learned

Hardy's Anglers' Guides - Reel sections, 1899 - 1934

2010-07-02T20:12:00.002+01:00

I can offer for sale a PDF, on CD, with images from the Reel Sections of early Hardy catalogues. (1899, 1912, 1921, 1925, 1928, 1934)
TEN POUNDS per copy, shipped anywhere. Contact me for details

Most fishing reel collections include a few Hardy Brothers of Alnwick reels in their collections. Dating these reels, understanding their evolution and researching their history is all part of the fun.

Hardy Brothers have issued Hardy’s Anglers’ Guides from the late 19th Century until today. The early catalogues are increasingly hard to find and change hands for many thousands of pounds. Pre 1930’s catalogues regularly cost hundreds of pounds. These are fascinating insights into piscatorial history and compulsory reading for Hardy collectors.

As an aid to collectors and historians we have edited and scanned the reel pages from the 1899, 1912, 1921, 1925, 1928 & 1934 catalogues to create this PDF.
185 pages of mainly reel pictures which includes several Perfect and Silex variations, Bougle, St George, Fortuna, Zane Grey, Cascapedia . . .. and many more. **Please note that all images on CD are in black and white, and of the complete catalogue page**

Fishing Crows

2010-06-16T14:27:00.001+01:00

Whilst fishing this morning I noticed this chap only a few yards up from me.

Now crows in the UK are usually a lot more wary than this so I kept an eye on him and became fascinated by his behaviour. He was fishing! And more successfully than me!
After I'd put my gear away I spent a while watching and photographing him, and his mate, who joined him later. Unfortunately I only had my little camera but I plan on returning with something slightly better.
He'd stalk down to the waters edge:

Then he'd stand and watch:

This area is thick with minnows/small trout (I'm not sure if you can see in this photo):

Then he'd walk into the water and strike:

Here he is with his catch (really!)

Over an hour or so I saw him catch several small fish - up to 2 inches long, wander up the bank, and eat them. He could sometimes be seen sitting on an old branch which projects over the water like a very big kingfisher!
If anyone has broadcast quality Digi video . . . .

Angler 0 - Trout 0; Trout win on penalties

2010-06-16T14:09:00.000+01:00

Early morning fishing for Brownies. Too sunny.
This guy kept cruising up and down the shallows, passing within 3 or 4 feet of me. Like an old man out for his morning stroll he'd go up, then come back about 5 minutes later - he did this for a couple of hours!

They're not the best photos but he was big for this water, about 18 inches. I placed flies in front of his nose, floated a mayfly across his line of sight (he did give it a cursory glance then continued on his way.) but he chose to ignore them. Occasionally he'd flick his tail and do a little burst into one of the many groups of minnows/baby trout which occupy the shallows. It was more like a power thing than an actual attack, almost like he was rounding them up, keeping them in their place.

Books

2010-06-15T17:57:00.002+01:00

"Books are great. It’s like someone has copied and pasted web pages onto paper and deleted all the toolbars n stuff."

Another day in the office . .

2010-05-27T13:23:00.000+01:00

The drive to work:

Down to the car park:

Stroll to the office:

At least the sun is shining:

My desk:

The view:

This story was going to end with a nice photo of a 14" Brown trout, caught on a delicately placed Mayfly. Whilst going to net him I slipped. I landed and released him whilst kneeling in 3" of mud!!! He laughed, the camera just didn't seem like a good idea at the time (nothing broken . . pheww)
[writing this while washing machine gets gunged . . .shhhh]

Tough job but it has to be done . . . . .

Mohlin Salmon reel

2010-05-22T16:12:00.001+01:00

Whilst tidying my photos I found some images of an ex.

Nirvana and brown trout

2010-04-27T15:10:00.001+01:00

Some places have a special sort of karma. They instil peace from the moment you get there.
This morning I had a little personal business to do on the other side of town. It seemed silly not to throw rod n reel into the car. Business sorted I arrived at the waterside and went through the ritual - assemble rod, sit a moment and watch the water and nature playing its games, fix reel. Since once being clumsy, catching the sliding ring and ending up with a rather nice reel at my feet, fortunately undamaged; I now wrap a strip of insulation tape above the ring.
Sit a while longer, ponder a little - some thoughts are not for sharing. Thread line and pull through until fly line appears. Attach fly, start with a little black number, (kindly donated last year by a fine rod maker, thanks) - they seem to work well here. I was stood just outside the boathouse door with a couple of rams who own the field, a friendly crow, a blue grey sky and the sound of a southerly breeze. the swallows were skimming the surface and I saw this years first butterfly.

First cast, well, probably third by the time I got every thing, including my mind, going in the right direction - there was a knock on the line. I was too slow, but it is always promising.
A few more casts interspersed with moments of stillness, fly and line at my feet, rod leaning against bank - funny where the mind goes at moments like this - old girlfriends, cars, silly days with friends, other countries where I've lived, shoot days, letters I should write, unicorns - don't ask :-)
Dry fly, strange how the little fingerlings, all less than 2 inches long, attack it while I'm sorting line out and it is floating barely 2 feet from the edge of the water. Nice cast, but carried near the edge by the wind, and a gentle tug. Retrieve line slowly by hand, it's a beautifully coloured little brown, barely six inches long but pretending to be a big boy. No time for photos, I want him to get back home to mum and be there again next year. Quick release and with typical youthful bravado, he swears at me as he swims away. The good news is that little brownie is a native fish, born and raised here, we have a few nice old feeder streams where they go to spawn.

They grow into this:

Fly fishing huh?

Salmon Flies

2010-04-24T15:34:00.000+01:00

I've recently been selling some lovely old Hardy (most likely) Salmon Flies. They photographed quite well so here are a few:

Ari t Hart Reels

2010-04-03T12:08:00.000+01:00

Wanted to buy ATH, Ari Hart reels in good order.

If you are considering selling your Dutch Ari Hart reels please contact me. I'm particularly interested in the F & S series, Remco and Aras reels but have friends who are serious collectors of most models.

Contact me (in confidence) E Mail

Hardy Barton Reel

2010-03-27T18:13:00.002Z

Today I'm kicking myself.
I recently spotted a Hardy Barton for sale and left a commission bid . . .then. . .you must know the feeling . .I kept telling myself "Increase your bid" . and didn't. So few were made and so very hard to find, these 3 1/4" reels with the asymmetric foot and the chunky line guard are on every Hardy collectors list. I seem to recall that a Left hand one hit approx £7,500 not too long ago. A friend in Europe told me that the last one he'd seen sold went for around £4000.
Follow the LINK to see what it's all about, and why I'm kicking myself.

18th century Game Laws - a poem

2010-02-23T18:56:00.000Z

Draconian18th century British Game Laws meant that fish and game now had 'owners'. The common man was no longer able to hunt game or fish for the pot to supplement their poor diet and offences were severely punished - sometimes the sentence was Transportation, up to 1770 to America and after that to Australia - how awful!
It has been said that "It's safer to kill a man than a hare" . . all this is a preamble to a quaint little poem from 1765 (remember that 'f' is really an 's' )

Furled Leaders

2010-02-09T15:06:00.000Z

A friend made me some furled leaders.
I'd read good things about them but had never really been convinced that they were essential. As it's that time of year to sort out lines and reels for next season I thought I may as well give them a try. Talk about Damascene, far more important than that! With these 5' leaders, greased with a couple of coats of Red Mucilin and attached to a 6' tippet - I can drop a fly almost where I want to . . it turns over like you see in all the good demonstrations and books. (and I'm a mediocre caster at best) - I believe!
I've tried to take some photos of these leaders to give you an idea of what they look like. If anyone wants some I can ask aforementioned friend . . but no promises.

Wm. SALTER & GRANDSON

2010-01-25T16:44:00.005Z

On the shelf there are a teardrop Bougle, several Dingleys, fine examples of Messrs Mohlin and Hermann’s work, a BFP and a nicely worn Uniqua, among others. All get used, and they all make me smile, some may be considered ‘investments’ but I still believe that if I had a 250GTO Ferrari I’d still want to drive it occasionally.

Yet, this year, to blatantly steal a Fast Show catchphrase, “I shall mostly be using” my new Salter 3 1/8” fly reel.

The first thing that got my attention was the name and the mental image it conjured up of old Bill Salter and his grandson fishing the River Avon, a reason for another smile and wondering why there wasn’t a warm sepia photo on the box showing the old man teaching the youngster the art of fly fishing

The next good thing was the fact, and anything beyond this would be irrelevant if it wasn’t the case, that the reel fits and balances my rods. Very comfortable on my 7’ – 9” Tim Harris. It also looked great on a Hardy Perfection, somehow appearing to be perfectly at home on the 70-year-old cane rod.

I admit to trying it on a Graphite rod too, a 9’ – 6” Hardy and I have to admit that this could be its spiritual home.

A well made, anodised aluminium reel, machined from 6061 bar stock, with adjustable spring pawl check

This echoes all those great traditional British fly reels from the likes of Young, Heaton, Dingley, Hardy et al – at an affordable price. Reversible for left or right hand use, with a rather nice neoprene case the reel will take a DT5 with enough backing for me and during the season I’ll probably try it with a DT4 and lots of backing (we can but hope). I’m told that a WF7, whatever that is, will also fit.

Wm. SALTER & GRANDSON

MERCHANTS

BIDFORD-ON-AVON

WARKS.

Sad Sale, Hardy Elarex

2010-01-17T16:05:00.002Z

NOW SOLD :-(

Selling, reluctantly, my stunning Hardy Elarex bait casting multiplying reel.
Asking ****, UK shipping included, if you're from the colonys please contact me and we'll work out a price.
I'm always interested in a swap . . .no, no, . . quality fly reels . . small diameter Hardy's, Dingley's. . .??
Photos: (ask for more and I'll arrange asap)

Got a spare Million pounds?

2009-12-18T15:16:00.000Z

Some rather nice fishing available, River Tweed

Block leather reel cases

2009-12-17T22:23:00.001Z

Wanted to buy - Block Leather Reel Cases, preferably early Hardy.
As long as the leather is in good condition I'm happy to repair the linings.

Hardy reels

2009-12-16T16:36:00.005Z

I suppose the purpose of this post is to serve as a digital "Classified ad."

I collect old Hardy, (and some other makers) Reels.
I'm always interested in acquiring fine examples of pre war, leaded finish or brass faced, Hardy Perfects, St Georges, Uniquas and any of the rarer Hardy reels.

If anyone is looking to sell any vintage Hardy reels please contact me in confidence and remember that advise costs nothing. I am not a dealer, just someone with an interest and some good connections with other collectors around the world.

I am also more than happy to advise anyone on what they may have. I can usually find buyers for most pre war models that I don't want for myself.

You can contact me via e mail

Hardy St George Reels

2009-12-14T11:35:00.004Z

As a small time player in the reel collecting field I am often asked to help find a particular reel.
This years, and almost certainly next years, "Most Wanted" reel is the 3", 3 screw latch, leaded finish, Hardy St George.
I'm also looking for early ATH, Ari t Hart, reels. All of the following are of interest: Remco, Aras, Traun, Orbigo, LA, Mach and other variants.

If anyone has knowledge of ones looking for new homes (both Right and Left hand models wanted) please contact me by e mail

Angler angst

2009-12-14T11:25:00.000Z

More ramblings about fishing . . and . .stuff . .

Angler Angst

Red Deer Fat line flotant

““A line dressed thus only requires to be thoroughly rubbed over with red-deer fat, and the red-deer fat to be occasionally renewed as the line is used, to be, to my mind, as near perfect as possible.”

“is carefully greased, preferably with red deer fat,...”

Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell Fishing: Salmon and trout 1906

John Bickerdyke, Angling in salt water. 1887

“The best grease for the purpose is the kidney fat of a red deer”

Mary Orvis Marbury, Favorite flies and their histories 1892

Cadno Silk Fly Lines

Yano Silk Lines

Rod Tubes

What does it mean to you? Fly-fishing

T-Rod, Massimo Tirocchi's Bamboo rods

Wm. Salter & Grandson Scoop Net

Silex Sunday

Perfect Day

Reel photography

Left Handed Dingley Reel

Dingley reel restoration

Hardy reels, fakes, frauds and hypocrites

An English Beech Wood

Hedgie in property development

Hardy's Anglers' Guides - Reel sections, 1899 - 1934

Fishing Crows

Angler 0 - Trout 0; Trout win on penalties

Books

Another day in the office . .

Mohlin Salmon reel

Nirvana and brown trout

Salmon Flies

Ari t Hart Reels

Hardy Barton Reel

18th century Game Laws - a poem

Furled Leaders

Wm. SALTER & GRANDSON

Wm. SALTER & GRANDSON

Sad Sale, Hardy Elarex

Got a spare Million pounds?

Block leather reel cases

Hardy reels

Hardy St George Reels

Angler angst