Simpsons of Turnford

[Fisherman1947]

Used to live across the road from Simpsons,Before that I used to live round the corner from Dons of Edmonton and also used to go Tottenham Angling centre as well,how weird is that.I did go into the new Simpsons 4 or 5 times,but the atmosphere was gone.Rudd that little shop you mentioned,i think it was called Abbey Baits,and is still there but has moved to Lea Road opp the canoe centre, only a few hundred yards from his old shop .Chris the owner really wanted that warehouse that and I think he would have done something really good with it.His new shop is a lot bigger than the old one but still has a lot of atmosphere and the blokes in there are always up for a chat.

I was told by my postman that Abbey Baits in lea road has closed I went in there last September so I don't really know if it has.

[Aitch]

The old tackle shops always had a certain smell of ammonia, old holborn, linseed and pigeon conditioner..... sad to say it's gone..... replaced by an overpowering hum of Tutti-frutti or some such other attractant..... long gone the welcoming cuppa for a good customer, a natter about the local fishing, the price of elephants and how the missus is gettin' on yer nerves... you could buy a pint of caster, a match pack of bloodworm and joker, or pint of squatts, or a pack of Lug, or Rag if that was your bag... there was a tide table on the wall and a board with all the local matches and a home phone number for the organiser's.... shops like that have largely disappeared and for that I am sad

Blimey.... nostalgia's not what it used to be is it....?

[Ian.R.McDonald]

and I think we are all guilty of missing the old tackle shops when they close- and then hitting the computer keys to buy online and drive more out of business

even for those of living out of town- I think a forum initiative to visit a "real" tackle shop on a regular basis would be good

[GhyllManor]

Hear Hear!

Do the online lot post out a pint of mixed maggots I wonder?