The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Edgar Thurston shop..... in East Twickenham, called Edgar Thurstons. This was run by Dave Steuart a well respected tackle dealer and fisherman. I would accompany my Father from about 1963/4 onwards until it closed (very much missed!). A fantastic place, full of very knowledgeable folk. Its where I got my first new reel, a Mitchell CAP 304..

Judd's of Hillingdon for me. About 100 yards from my front door. Run in those days by Jack Harrigan (He of the swim on the Royalty). I still have one of their carp rods and use it occasionally.

Edgar Thurston's was mine as well, I lived in Strawberry Hill near Radnor Gardens. Dave was my angling mentor. I still have rods made by him - cane - glass - & c****n.

Whereabouts did you fish the Tidal?

I am not sure if it was Keane's of Bloomfield Road Plumstead or Gentry's at Welling corner. Half a pint of maggots and a small quill could have been purchased at either before we fished Danson park or Darford lakes.

Fred Gents on Stockton Road, Hartlepool. A lovely man and a great shop, full of guns, knives and fishing tackle. The window displays would keep kids happy for hours.
It was right near a bus stop as well so we often missed the bus by staring into the window and picking the gun or knife we would buy if we were rich.

Wal.

Robertson's in Plaistow in the early 1960's It was wonderfully warm, dark and secretive and the smell. I can close my eyes and instantly be back there. George Robertson was a miserable sod but very good to his younger clientele.

Not one but three, all three with my Dad

1. Coopers in Kings street Hammersmith , that was a walk away but was for cartridges as much as fishing , long gone

2. Hounslow Angling in bath road Hounslow , until 1997

3. The Edgar thruston shop mentioned above just close to Richmond bridge , picked up maggots on the way to fish off of the steps beside Richmond Ice rink, bought a seat basket in 1987 , chap behind the counter gave me grandmaster advice on fishing the tidal thames ,....keep adjusting your float with the Rosie and fall.

Happy days

Hounslow Angling where Ritchie McDonald worked on a part time basis. Bought loads of Conoflex glass blanks there for my rod building!

Cornelius in Crewkerne.A general merchandise shop that had a small fishing tackle section.Dad bought my first rod there,three piece whole bamboo (including the tip).Had a wooden handle and rod rings.I already had a Kasteasy fixed spool reel that Grandad bought me.This was later upgraded to a pink Intrepid Truspin bought from Cornelius(they had sold all the grey ones and i couldnt wait till the next delivery).Circa 1962 ish.

Funny that Tench dreamer & Olly, Hounslow Angling Centre, was another outlet nearby, as I used, as I lived in Hounslow, in St Stephens Road about two miles away or so by bike. I liked the first incarnation of the shop, when the serving counter was at the rear of the shop and the smell of nets and linseed oil pervaded.

Again another superb tackle shop, along with Edgars, that held a mountain, on Everest scale, of advice & information! Nowadays, if I need the personal touch, a chat or a cup of tea or meander around cogitating, I pop along to the nearby Yateley Angling Centre, an excellent outlet...

A blast from the past, the Legendary Dave Steuart, of Edgar Thurstons