The House the Hardy Brothers Built - James Hardy

The extraordinary history of the most famous fishing tackle manufacturer in the world. Written by James L. Hardy, the last of the family to have been involved with the firm, the book chronicles the rise of the business from its humble origins in a small shop in Alnwick in 1872 to its present position at the forefront of the industry. The success of the firm can be attributed largely to the entrepreneurial qualities of the Hardy brothers; but it was also due to the employees, many of whom were highly skilled.

This book will be of interest to anyone who owns a Hardy rod or reel but is also of value to those interested in the history of angling over the last century. In its coverage of the developments within the company, the book also encompasses the changes in technology and in consumer demand in the wider market. Extensive appendices taken from company records log rod and reel manufacturing dates and specifications (1883 -1983) as well as production figures, reel prices, patents used, trade registrations, reel makers (and the reels they worked on), and royal warrants. This book has been reprinted with minor amendments.

Published by Medlar in 2006.

Extent: 360 pages

Size: 216mm x 138mm

Binding: Hardback with dust-jacket

Illustrations: Monochrome throughout

Get it from The Medlar Press. (£25.00)

James Hardy is the last of a long line of Hardys involved in the firm his grandfather and great uncle founded over a century ago and is the last direct link between the company and the founding family. James is the son of one of the late joint Managing Directors, William Hardy.

After finishing his education at Uppingham in 1944, he served with the Derbyshire Yeomanry in North Africa and the 15th/19th King’s Royal Hussars in Palestine. In 1948 he undertook a special engineering apprenticeship with Vickers Armstrong in Newcastle-upon-Tyne before joining Hardys, where he spent a year ‘working at the bench’ and learning the ropes in various departments. He then studied work study engineering before setting up the company’s own Work Study Department. He joined the board in 1959 as Works Director and shortly after the firm was bought by the Harris and Sheldon Group was appointed Marketing Director.

Like all Hardys, he is a fervent and very knowledgeable fisherman, having been first introduced to the sport at the age of seven. A formidable competition caster, he won three Professional Casting Championships and took thirty-five British and Allcomers Professional Casting records.

He retired from the company in 1992, after forty-four years. He and his wife Gwynne, also a keen angler, live a few miles from Alnwick, in his beloved Northumberland countryside. They have two children, Roy and Rona.

Spring is here again and fly fishing is on the mind. I have bought this book, a Hardy Smuggler rod and I'm on the hunt for a matching reel.

The book I have is signed by James Leighton Hardy. A welcome addition to my little collection of fishing books.

I look forward to reading it.