Victorian Tackle Retriever.

[John Milford]

Another variation on the theme, I have this old weed cutter with twin folding blades.

It has a thread for attaching to a landing net handle, plus a rng for throwing it on a cord.

Made from steel and brass, there are small remnants of green paint on the shaft reminiscent of Efgeeco, but there are no maker's marks on it.

Screenshot_20230909-123132_Photos~3.jpg

[JAA]

I had one of those but the plastic bit broke, so I 'fixed it'.
I admit I prefer that Victorian one!

I have one similar to your one... no plastic but dreadfully soft blade... bent the first time I used it! I wish my old man was around... he worked with iron all his life, he would have made me one, would have been a peace of cake for him.
Like you said... the Victorian one looks great!
I know there would be some of out TFF craftsman who could knock a tackle retriever up for sure.

Mr B

The blade is this one is really very good steel - I also have an old fashioned screw-in gaff head for hooking branches down

Yes, when I took a second look at your one I could see it was home spun.. the blade did look good and I could see the welding.
I was thinking of doing something similar.
Thanks for posting mate.

No welding there - it's the shank of a steel bolt, I drilled two holes through it to match the ones in the blade, used a 3/8 bsf tap on both ends, cut a slot in one end of the rod, then rivetted the blade in place using pieces of 3" nail. I ran the tap over the thread on the 'blunt end to clean it up, then Loctite'd both nuts in place...

[Mr B]

Mark, I have a similar shaped blade, probably made in Sheffield before the WW2, I have had it since I was 5 years old, it’s still going strong, I first used it for bringing down a high blackberry branch that had more berries than the lower branches. It’s also proved excellent for trimming a few branches or reeds. I will have it with me when we fish in October.

Thanks for posting that Martin, very interesting and a far cry from todays 5 year olds!!! Unfortunately most at that age are already dab hands pressing buttons. But hopefully some have Old TFFr's for grandparents so we can reach them "The Ways"
Your one looks a good solid one and set nicely at an angle..
lots of uses from blackberry picking, weed cutting, retrieving the miss cast windblown, or eagerly struck dip of the float!!!!
A must have for any traditional angler wort his sorts.
Yes... looking forward to our day in the bank, hopefully we wont need to use it.... who knows, last time I nearly took your eye out with an over zealous strike... ok a bit of an Exaggeration...but a good tangle!!! but what a never to be forgotten day.
Mark aka Mr B

[Mr B]

Another variation on the theme, I have this old weed cutter with twin folding blades.

It has a thread for attaching to a landing net handle, plus a rng for throwing it on a cord.

Made from steel and brass, there are small remnants of green paint on the shaft reminiscent of Efgeeco, but there are no maker's marks on it.


Screenshot_20230909-123132_Photos~3.jpg

Thats a interesting one from Efgeeco by the sounds of it... that 3/8th thread really dose come into its own!
The other home made one to looks very useful... trying to get to get size in my mind of it.,,, fitting it in a rod ring as well??
Looks a well thought out designed.

[MWithell]

If all else fails.

[OldRod]

I can't find mine, but I made one like below when I was learning to fly fish on the upper Hodder many moons ago.
I caught a LOT of trees!

[Mr B]

I had one of those but the plastic bit broke, so I 'fixed it'.

I admit I prefer that Victorian one!

Ahh, zoomed in closer..... yes, nice job I can see the rivets.
You put some work into that.
Great stuff
Old Rods drawings look interesting too!
Light weight and what a simple to use.

[John Milford]

A modern twist on the old bladed 'crooks' is this one in stainless steel from Leeda. You can find them for just over a tenner.

I've had mine a year or so and it has dealt with reed fronds without difficulty and sawn through low growing 'suckers' sprouting from semi-submerged trees, albeit I had to get up close whist dunking the family jewels. Brrrrrrrr!!

[Old Man River]

I constructed this one earlier this year, made for a certain pool that really needs its attention in some areas .

I honestly never considered it to be a tackle retriever , it was made soley for making an access to overly weedy swims.

It extends to 10 feet but I have additional sections so could reach much further if needed, or just screw it into a net pole.





The blade is extremely hard, bring constructed from a hardened steel commercial circular saw blade shaped with a lazer cutter . A bit of 3/8 bsf studding welded on , a brass net pole attachment , fitted and a lot of sharpening and the jobs was good one.

David