Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

The Hardy Reels forum.
User avatar
Paul F
Sea Trout
Posts: 4188
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 11:12 pm
10
Location: The West Country

Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Paul F »

I am a big fan of the quality of Hardy coarse fishing tackle, some of the reels are so simple yet so practical, the Wallis Avon No1 reel is a fine example in case.

Since collecting one reel has been on my hit list, the Hardy Match Fisher's reel, but rarity kept the price high and out of reach, until the last couple of years a Match Fishers reel would cost you £1200.

How times have changed, and when my friend Allrounder found one at a good price, I thought it was time to scour the market and see if I can find my own reel.

It is an early Christmas present from my dog Dave, he knew it was a reel I wanted to have and was happy to oblige with the pennies from his piggy bank.

These reels were only made between 1937 and the start of WWII in 1939, and it is reputed less than 100 were ever made, so with reels damaged and lost in time, there must be only around half that number still in existence.

It is classed as a turntable reel, it is RH wind, and to cast you turn the spool on the pivot foot, make a cast, turn it back loop the line over the line guide hook, and fish it as a centrepin.

The reel I found does not appear to have seen much use, as there is very little wear to the faceplate around the handles, it also spin quite freely, and a modest stream will pull line from the reel to achieve a gentle trot.

It is not a reel I will use much, but I will get it out for the occasional trip to the river.

Image
Image
Image
Image

User avatar
Lea Dweller
Pike
Posts: 6007
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2013 1:58 am
10

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Lea Dweller »

Well done Paul, you are right about the pricing being so high a few years ago. They are rare, so you have done well! :Hat:
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall!
Confucius

User avatar
AshbyCut
Honorary President
Posts: 10142
Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 1:27 am
11
Location: North Warwickshire

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by AshbyCut »

"Envious ??? Moi ???" Yes indeed !!! Well done, Sir. :Hat:
"Beside the water I discovered (or maybe rediscovered) the quiet. The sort of quiet that allows one to be woven into the tapestry of nature instead of merely standing next to it." Estaban.

User avatar
Duckett
Tench
Posts: 2865
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 2:42 pm
6
Location: Stratford E15

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Duckett »

I appear to be drooling! My congratulations.
From "... the wilds of the Wirral, whose wayward people both God and good men have quite given up on ...".

User avatar
StefanDuma
Grayling
Posts: 503
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2017 6:11 pm
7

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by StefanDuma »

Well done Paul.

User avatar
Pallenpool
Zander
Posts: 3698
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2016 2:04 pm
7
Location: North Norfolk

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Pallenpool »

An absolute cracking reel Paul - may it bring you many many fishes.

:Hat:
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.

Heraclitus


www.thepiscatorialraconteurs.co.uk

User avatar
AllRounder
Brown Trout
Posts: 1398
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:43 pm
8
Location: Warwickshire

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by AllRounder »

Well found Paul and a real bonus to find one in that condition. A great addition to the collection 👍
I would imagine Dave will be lying next to his bowl for the next few days enjoying his endless supply of treats :Hahaha:

User avatar
Silfield
Brown Trout
Posts: 1455
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:31 pm
5
Location: Norfolk

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Silfield »

Lovely, what a find.
“There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.”
Washington Irving

User avatar
Crucian
Eel
Posts: 2283
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:20 pm
9
Location: Watchet, Somerset.

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Crucian »

Delightful Paul, you're very lucky to have such a generous dog...

User avatar
Liphook
Barbel
Posts: 4701
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 6:21 pm
5

Re: Hardy Match Fisher's Reel Too

Post by Liphook »

Never even heard of these until very recently and now we've seen two in quick succession! It's the Hardy rarety bus :Chuckle: Dave truly is that man's best friend :Sun:

Post Reply

Return to “Hardy Reels”