London fishing Rod and Reel Manufacturers.

[Duckett]

Perhaps they used "special rod blanks from a very well known source"??!!

Anyone remember the shop? Or seen where it was?

To paraphrase Walt Whitman, “Oh captain! My captain! ............... My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still .........”.

Phil

[Catfish.017]

I have a very nice rod retailed by J Pales of Bow St. A three piece all split cane Avon Deluxe 10' 6" very dark cane. Don't see many from this source.

I think you will find that J. Pale were a North London shop in Station road Wood Green London N22?

Just had a good look at the decal on the rod. Not Bow St, but below the Wood Green address is Bow. That's where my confusion stemmed from! It's definitely J Pales though.

[Olly]

The “BOW” on the label refers not to Bow in east London but to an old fashioned 3 letter area code for part of London – the part being the Bowes Park area of Wood Green. So, the company is actually J. Pales of Wood Green""

I think it may refer to the original telephone number BOW - my local one all those years ago being POP - Met Police = WHItehall 1212!

Look here:- http://rhaworth.net/phreak/tenp_01.php

[Mr B]

Thank you all for your replies thus far, always interesting.
To answer the Question from Tonkin Wand..
The time period I was thinking about was from around 1930’s up until the time they closed down or were taken over.
I am really no expert on these things but enjoy learning and have a background knowledge far inferior to you aficionados.
I know there must have been many more rod makers than reel manufactures, eg,
Speedia (Shepard’s Bush)
Strikeright, well They were on the outskirts as were Intrepid
Most of the reel manufacturers I know were not in London, but north of London, but there might have been some specialists makers?
I have a nice J Peek & Son Rod, called “The Thames” (Greys Inn Road) and a friend of mine has a nice rod made by Bill Rudd’ from his his shop in Albany Road Peckham... now sadly gone.
I know of three Rod Makers in Bromley, that is now a London Borough, but at the time when they were manufactured it was in Kent.
I imagine many tackle shops probably brought in the blanks complete with ferrels and finished the rods themselves and put there name on it?
I’m not expecting you to do the leg work for me but you might know of lists already on the forum...
Thank you
Mr B.

[Deaf Cat]

See Lea Dweller’s post above.
20 Station Road, Wood Green.

[Tonkin Wand]

Hi all, Just a few lines of comment re London Rod and reel makers.... The subject is not clear cut; its easier to list the mid Victorian trade than the 1930s onwards. By 1930 the trade relied upon the large volume suppliers of reels in all the various giues. MANY added their own name, logos,or transfers to give the impression of 'made in house'.The sports department stores being a typical examples.Rods even more clouded.Yes the small shop with a few employees did produce own brand or bespoke items retailed at source.However some feed into the trade without their name, to be added by the retailer. Large firms with multi pull shops manufactured off site (eg. Ogden Smiths). Some rods were serialed no but often obscured towards date order.! All very confusing to establish who was active in manufacture or not.....IF I AM WRONG PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME..... kind regards Tony

[Olly]

22 has gone! Now it seems an office block?

[Mr B]

Thank you....
I have done some research on it and it’s not a simple as I thought...thanks for your input though gents.
A funny thing happened yesterday.. well not funny..not even sure what word to use..
I picked up my latest reel (Speedia) from the little sweet shop I send my parcels to ( often miss the postman at home) I couldn’t wait to open the box so I opened it in my van out side... just down from the shop.... I was parked outside 1 Chatterton Road Bromley... the site of Dawson’s Rod makers... only about 100 yards from 48 Addison Road.. again, Rod makers.. Constable’s...
As I relished the opening of the box I wondered how many Anglers have felt the same way in the direct vicinity...
It just made the collection a nice experience.
Just thought I would share it.

Mr B

[Olly]

I visited 'Strikeright' factory - on the edge of Hounslow Heath - Hanworth Road I think.

[Mr B]

Yes... 442 Stains Rd.
That must have been great! I would have loved to have made a visit!
I have a few of them.. the first proper centre pin I owned.. still got it..
Tuff as old boots!