The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

The tackle shop run by the Polish was either the same or very near unit that was Edko all those years ago.

Romford Angling Centre was a proper tackle shop run by Keith (?) and Johnny Gilmore (I probably made your tea, I worked there on Saturdays). Colin was the really good match angler in there. One of the other youngsters was Kevin Ellis who a couple of years later, in 1986, caught the first massive French carp at 76lbs from Cassien.

Specialist Tackle was owned by Pete Henwood who had a lot to do with the Barbel Society and was close to Fred Crouch back then. Originally a little shop at Petits Lane, they later moved to larger premises at Collier Row which ultimately failed. That's the Keswalls shop now after they got moved out of their premises at Woodford Green. Specialist Tackle just didn't quite capture that 'everyone welcome, here to help everyone' approach that a great shop needs. I fell out with them when I asked them to get in a particular stepped up fifteen footer for fishing the far bank of the Avon, for my girlfriend to collect, and they sold her a thirteen foot canal rod. When challenged they wouldn't replace for the one I asked for without taking a re-stocking fee...! That cost them a few quid over the years!

Picked this up last year a Boreham car boot sale last year with a trudex in it for a tenner. The case was alot better than the trudex.

Remember Keswalls having a large open bin of groundbait from which you served yourself. Next to it was a pram with a baby in it. Many years later went to the 'new' shop in Woodford Green only to be served by a very attractive lady who turned out to be the baby in the pram!

Tony.J.Newman wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2017 6:23 pm Remember Keswalls having a large open bin of groundbait from which you served yourself. Next to it was a pram with a baby in it. Many years later went to the 'new' shop in Woodford Green only to be served by a very attractive lady who turned out to be the baby in the pram!

I wonder if that was Harry's 'Karen'!

Well if I'd have pursued the lass a tad more keenly I'd probably be a part owner of Keswalls, as her husband ran it for a while... I know that Ray and his wife went to Australia or New Zealand (can't remember which) Karen is a lovely lass, certainly very pretty in her youth... sometimes you wonder what might have been....

But then I look at my good lady (Jackie) and appreciate what I have now

Tony.J.Newman wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2017 6:23 pm Remember Keswalls having a large open bin of groundbait from which you served yourself. Next to it was a pram with a baby in it. Many years later went to the 'new' shop in Woodford Green only to be served by a very attractive lady who turned out to be the baby in the pram!

I still think of Woodford Green as the "new" shop!, must be our advanced age Tony. Still using a Mitchell 300 from the original shop.

Not memorised Tengisgol, but on a list of fishing tackle shops in London and the South East that was drawn up by the late Clive Young of Youngs of Harrow.

Living in Harold Hill, I used to go to Specialist Tackle - Another tackle shop was 'Bowlers' in Dagengam

I still use both Keswalls in Collier Row and Robertsons in Dagenham for my tackle, Also Basildon Angling Centre. I do buy things online but like to support the local shops when possible

Mercman - Likewise, Basildon Angling Centre used to be a favourite of mine too