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The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:49 pm
by Wagtail
I was going to ask if this rod was actually made by Hardy, but Nigel's recent post has at least confirmed that for me
![Hat Off :Hat:](./images/smilies/icon_takehatoff.gif)
It bears the date code for 1938 stamped on one of the reel bands.
Bought at a boot sale (along with a Hardy Popular (greenheart?) fly rod for the combined sum of £5
![eyebrow :eyebrow:](./images/smilies/icon_eyebrows.gif)
) it is in dire need of refurbishment, all of which I'm happy to attempt apart from straightening the bamboo sections
But before making a start can anyone tell me anything about the rod? "It does what it says on the tin" springs to mind but does it do it well? Should I bother, or should I use the nice original agate tip and butt rings on other projects? If you have one of these rods, can you post pictures for me? I'll put some up when I get the chance to photograph mine
![Hat Off :Hat:](./images/smilies/icon_takehatoff.gif)
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2019 9:04 am
by Paul F
Hi Alex,
This is the page from my 1937 Bottom fishers catalogue
Also attached is a copy of Hardy Coarse rod dates I prepared and shared a while back
Hardy Coarse Rods.pdf
They were made from 1924-53
Not a common rod, and worth restoring
Paul
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:17 pm
by Wagtail
Thank you for the information Paul, another one to add to my 'to do list'
![Thumbs Up :Thumb:](./images/smilies/icon_thumpb.gif)
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 11:17 am
by Banksy
I have one, I'll take a few photographs this afternoon.
The date code stamped on one of the reel bands indicates that it's from 1937.
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:48 am
by Banksy
IMG_1822.jpg
IMG_1647.jpg
Hardy Label.jpg
Very spidery script!
Hardy Bros Ltd
Maker
Alnwick
England
The Match Roach Rod
The rod is perfectly straight with popping ferrules, and is beautifully light and balanced.
I had it preserved rather than refurbished, by Adrian Richardson from Nottingham. Most rings had to be replaced, but he has "distressed" the new whippings to match the sound original whippings.
A superb job, but than I broke about 2cm off the tip, the first time I used it.
![hairpull :hairpull:](./images/smilies/icon_hairpull.gif)
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:09 pm
by Wagtail
Thank you for the pictures Banksy, Sir
My rod is currently away with Wallys Cast who has very kindly (and in my opinion very bravely!) straightened it out for me. Once it's back I'll make a start on the refurbishment. Yours looks lovely and I hope to achieve something similar, but it will have to be a full restoration as the original green whippings have been overpainted - badly - with red enamel paint
![doh :doh:](./images/smilies/icon_doh.gif)
and all of the intermediates are either rusted or missing too.
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:13 pm
by Wagtail
I have received the rod back from Wal, who has made an amazing job of getting it back on the 'straight and narrow'
If the weather is not conducive to fishing then I will make a start on restoration over the Christmas week, though secretly hope to go fishing rather than stay indoors
![fishing1 :fishing1:](./images/smilies/icon_fishing1.gif)
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:50 am
by Jeremy Croxall
Well done on finding that rod Waggers and well done Wal for getting it straight! I saw the rod in question and it can't have been an easy one to do.
Look forward to seeing pictures of it post restoration
![Thumbs Up :Thumb:](./images/smilies/icon_thumpb.gif)
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:47 pm
by Wagtail
Jeremy Croxall wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:50 am
Well done on finding that rod Waggers and well done Wal for getting it straight! I saw the rod in question and it can't have been an easy one to do.
Look forward to seeing pictures of it post restoration
Wal described it as being "not quite straight but good enough for fishing". It came back straighter than most of the rods I use
![Hat Off :Hat:](./images/smilies/icon_takehatoff.gif)
Re: The Match Roach Rod
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 6:20 pm
by Jeremy Croxall
Wagtail wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:47 pm
Jeremy Croxall wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:50 am
Well done on finding that rod Waggers and well done Wal for getting it straight! I saw the rod in question and it can't have been an easy one to do.
Look forward to seeing pictures of it post restoration
Wal described it as being "not quite straight but good enough for fishing". It came back straighter than most of the rods I use
That's our Wal
![Thumbs Up :Thumb:](./images/smilies/icon_thumpb.gif)