Rare collection of fishing tackle to be auctioned

One of the finest single collections of fishing tackle to be sold at auction for 15 years, which was seized by government agents as suspected proceeds of crime, will come under the hammer at Moore Allen & Innocent’s Norcote Salerooms.

More than eight hundred items, including antique reels, flies, lures, floats, rods, landing nets, knives and books, which were amassed by a single collector over a number of years, will be sold at a special sale on Tuesday, March 11.

The collection was seized by the Assets Recovery Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Our team of Valuers agree that the collection – with a combined estimated value of in the region of £150,000 – includes some of the most collectable and historically important pieces of tackle to come on to the open market in many years.

“This is a terrifically important collection,” said fishing tackle expert Bill Matthews, because it contains so much top-end equipment. “This collection was built by an individual who had a good idea of where to invest his money.

“All the big names in antique tackle are here and through the collection you are able to track the progression and development of tackle from the sport’s infancy to the equipment anglers use today. It’s a fascinating collection and many collectors will be keen to get their hands on these very rare items.”

Among the gems are a number of Hardy Brothers reels from the late 1800s to the 1950s. Brand names like Farlow and Allcocks are also represented. Some of the most valuable items are a collection of Hardy tournament casting reels, which carry estimates of between £3,000 and £4,000.

Hundreds of Victorian flies, made from the feathers of exotic birds, including golden pheasant and jungle cock, also form part of the collection. The flies were made to imitate the insects on which fish would feed, so fishermen would carry a selection and create a fly to mimic the insect life on  the stretch of river he wanted to fish.

In some cases, fishermen would take a fly-making kit on a trip, containing everything they needed to make a fly, from feathers and coloured wool to hooks and the implements to assemble the fly. One particularly fine example is a fly tiers compendium, in an oak lined box concealed in a leather travel case by Bambridge of Eton-on-Thames. The compendium carries a guide of between £500 and £700.

Similarly, hundreds of lures are contained in the collection. These dummy fish, designed to attract larger predators, can range in size from half an inch for a trout to over 10 inches long for attracting sharks when sea fishing.

There is a fine display of early lures by Edkins which features 49 lures, including glass faced lures and spiral baits of gold bound silk. The display carries an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000.

The accessories section of the sale will feature 86 antique fishing rods – by renowned manufacturers including Hardy, Farlow, B James and Pezon et Michel –  eight fisherman’s knives and number of landing nets, gaffs and line driers.

Meanwhile, the collection of books and catalogues features the beautiful and comprehensive British Fresh Water Fish by the Rev’d William Houghton, naturalist and fisherman. The book, published in 1897, features 41 colour plates showing fish against their natural background.

“It is unusual to find a copy in such good condition,” said Bill, “as in many cases the plates were cut from the book to be framed and hung on a wall.” This book is estimated at between £500 and £700.

A spokesman for the Assets Recovery Agency said: “The agency recovered property alleged to be the proceeds of crime and the money raised from its sale will be recycled into the fight against crime.”