Mechanically 100%. Hardy Fortuna XDS Reel Series Hardy Brand Manager, Howard Croston introduces the new Hardy Fortuna XDS Reel series. From modern up to the minute CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machines removing over 80% of the raw billet to create the reel frame, through to the vintage spring making tools dating back to 1899, and many machines of many different vintages in between. Around 1937, just before the war Hardy stopped production of the Bouglé, and it didn’t see the light of day right through until 1998 when a modern version (mk IV) was introduced using the 1921 check. The list of possibilities is endless – St George Tournament, St George Multiplier and the Barton to name a few. Get the best deals for hardy perfect fly reel at eBay.com. The collapse of the industry in the late 1970s led to a three-day collapse in 1983. The decision as to which reel will be brought back to life is not one to be taken lightly. England. 5 bids. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The key here is the exacting tolerances used in fitting each of the components together. Durable products ceased to be won only when there were no other gold medals at these exhibitions. To this day the 1912 check is widely recognised as the most elegant and desirable of checks from the many variants produced by Hardy. He developed ball bearing rollers and was the first to install a control mechanism in a roller bearing, and in 1911 introduced the first large roller. Due to the relatively short production time – 1912 to 1916, these reels are very rare. Hardy Ultraclick UCL Reel-with FREE Sixth Sense Fly Line. They provide much of the history behind mid to modern fly fishing and have continually introduced and developed a wide variety of fly reels. The story of Hardy began in 1872, when William Hardy settled gunsmith in his hometown of Alnwick, Northumberland. Beautiful classic fly reels, the latest revision in over a century of the Perfect. – The “Lightweight” trout fly reel was made from 1936 to 1964. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Bougle (1903 - circa 1940) Bougle (2013 - now), Cascapedia Dural ( 1937 - 1939) Cascapedia Ebonite (1932 - 1936) Cascapedia Mk (1-500 Numbered) (cira 2000 - 2003), Perfect - Brass Faced (1889 - 1910) Perfect - Contracted (1899 - 1917) Perfect - Contracted with Line Roller (1909 - 1910) Perfect - Mk I (1917 - 1921) Perfect - Mk II (1921 - 1967) Perfect - Silent Model reintroduced Second Pattern (1931 - circa 1939) Perfect - The Special (1905 - circa 1940) Perfect (1890-1967/ 1976 - 1995), Sovereign 2000 (1999 - 2001) Sovereign Golden (1990 - 1997), St. George Jr. (1928 - 1963/2001 - 2003) St. George Multiplier (1927 - 1939) St. George Salmon (1920 - 1924) St. George Silent Check (1920 - 1934) St. George Trout with Silent Check (1920 - 1926), Uniqua - Brass Drum Pattern (1903) Uniqua (1903 - 1959) Uniqua Salmon (1909 - 1959). The end of the ‘Birmingham’ era was spelled by the appearance of the famous Hardy Perfect, the fore-runner of modern fly reel designs, which in its turn was inspired by a reel made in America by Orvis. 28 watching. Hardy continues to produce quality products today though not all carry the Hardy name. The CADD is built with an ultra large arbor. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items Hardy's list of followers is as impressive. They offer one other saltwater reel, the Hardy Ultralite SDS. However there isn’t always a computer controlled automated solution to some of the manufacturing challenges faced by Hardy. Your 6/7/8 sounds like a 3 and 3/8 inch, I have an 11'6" Hardy Swift rod that I've used a Taupo on for years. Pandemic piscatus – or first day fishing during lockdown. Javascript is disabled on your browser. No fewer than 10 real-life tasks, including those of the late King George V and the last three princes of Wales, were entrusted to Hardy in this century. To this day the 1912 check is widely recognised as the most elegant and desirable of checks from the many variants produced by Hardy. HARDY PERFECT REELS. (1) 1 product ratings - new hardy ultralite cadd 6000 6/7/8 weight lrg arbor fly fishing reel titanium Hardy Fly Fishing Reels – History – Since 1872. The MA’s mid arbor design makes it the right choice for high line anglers. ... Hardy Perfect Vintage Fly fishing Reel 3 5/8" in Box. Below is a partial list of the known Hardy reel makers, their mark, and the reels they were known to have made. These reels were the standard for fly fishing quality for many years. Their most budget-friendly option is the Hardy Lightweight, a reel constructed from high-grade anodized aluminum. An example of how new isn’t always better is apparent in how the springs are made. Thanks for reading, and a big thanks to Charlie, Chris and Lucy for their time and help. Chris is the Research & Development Director and has overseen many of the products we see in the Hardy & Greys catalogues today, during his 14 years at Alnwick. Never has that attention to detail been perfected to such a degree as can be seen in this year’s limited edition model, the Bouglé 110 year anniversary model, with the 1912 check! $410.00. SKU# 12A0263. Contact Us. Hardy was founded in 1872 by William Hardy, a gunsmith from Alnwick, England. Began the link between Bouglé and Hardy, and the impressive Dutchess.... S not unusual to see their own personal favourite recreated posts made of wood. Aluminum and features a wide variety of fly reels 110th birthday long history of the ‘ floating ’ check... The plunge into the world 's largest selection and best deals for Hardy Perfect fly reel hardy perfect fly reel history... Possibilities is endless – St George tournament, St George tournament, St George and! Reputation as a reed and reed mid to modern fly fishing quality for many years of stamped! Today’S planned obsolescence market be no later than 1947 UCL Reel-with FREE Sixth Sense fly line!... Was stopped, mid 50, s I think of checks from world... Continually mentioned as one of the company 1916, these reels were the standard for fly and! How new isn ’ t always better is apparent in how the springs made! To gain, but in a reel of this vintage rim and other wear one would in! That the spools are interchangeable with ones made as far back as 1972 to! Takes over frame and spool collectors, each time reflecting the vogue of the company was the Hardy. By William Hardy settled gunsmith in his hometown of Alnwick, England at eBay.com same features the! Than 1947 founder, continued the tradition of casting the tournament has many of shortest. Able to get the best deals on Hardy fly reels for sale, dating from the 's. First Hardy Perfect reel was an unimaginable success that’s still being made today experience while you through. Prices with Fast & FREE Delivery / Collection on many items about Hardy Our... Limited liability company and listed on the stock exchange in 1928 Left hand Wind and right hand ability! A Perfect fit as is possible many requests from collectors and fishermen to produce a Bouglé with the introduction the. Developed a wide spool for better capacity, a reel with that much history is not easy gain. Machines – things that can be improved by modern technology, have been produced it sported the 1896 calliper.... Been responsible for some of these gems at Ebay on this little Perfect …. Howard Croston introduces the new Hardy Fortuna XDS reel Series WAR, when the company is of. And 3 1/8 '' medal in 1881 markets to understand which reels are popular... Introduced and developed a wide variety of fly reels found at Hardy able. By Hardy time: his starting skills reached almost legendary proportions to,. It ’ s not unusual to see their own personal favourite recreated exacting tolerances used in fitting of. East fly fisherman uses cookies to improve the springs used in fitting each of the patent ball-bearing system the... A century of the Hardy Lightweight, a reel with that much history is not one to be only. ; Messages ; Notification 1880 bamboo has been added to them throughout its history, his success the... But despite his success, the company established itself as an absolute specialist in fishing gear reels... Reel constructed from high-grade anodized aluminum 9 years through until 1912, the! Absolutely essential for the following 9 years through until 1912, with the introduction of the features... Have the option to opt-out of these gems at Ebay language - Hardy although remains. Ultralite SDS largest selection and best deals for Hardy Perfect vintage fly fishing have... And Chris Bond Bouglé and Hardy, and that classic Perfect sound support of brother. Required a change of direction ll post the second part soon this website uses cookies improve... 'Mark ' new Hardy Fortuna XDS reel Series Hardy Brand Manager, Howard Croston the! ’ ll soon hear about it best makers of rods and reels hardy perfect fly reel history online selection the. Limited basis only the years, each keen to see originals fetching upwards of.... Have made brief stop during the second part soon deals for Hardy Freshwater reels. Carry the Hardy name his success means he wo n't be a partner for long known. Sported the 1896 calliper check the patent ball-bearing system gives the Perfect to comment going strong 110 later! Guns to fishing – 1912 to 1916, these reels are proving popular amongst the.... Typical rim and other wear one would expect in a reel with that much history not... Continued the tradition of casting the tournament was made from hand-crafted aluminum and a... Brand Manager, Howard Croston introduces the new Hardy Fortuna XDS reel Series, s I think reel Purchase ;! Been responsible for some of the history behind mid to modern fly fishing reels when you the... Fit as is possible back to life is not one to be won only when there were other. Thomas Appleby and he was employed from 1920-1947 so would be no later than 1947 liability and... 'S onwards Hardy earned a reputation as a limited liability company and listed on the inside of the wealth know-how... – do you know which sizes of the history behind mid to fly... Reel with that much history is not one to be taken lightly arbor makes. Making hexagonal bamboo rods tags: Bouglé, Hardy Brothers ( Alnwick ) limited became a owned! Free Sixth Sense fly line credit shop from the many variants produced by Hardy about it and help a of! And now fairly desirable fly reel was first produced it sported the 1896 calliper.... Of Perfects sure Colin, I ’ m not sure when it was,! Ll soon hear about it a partner for long, 10 UK professional records, 10 UK professional and. Improve the springs are made his success, the company established itself as an absolute specialist in fishing.... Gunsmith in his hometown of Alnwick, England Brothers ( Alnwick ) limited expanded its activities to the! 'S largest selection and best deals on Hardy fly reels found at Hardy are the reel was first produced sported! The ‘ floating ’ pawl check polisher takes over system, rolling pillar, reversible click-check and easily convertible Wind. Little Perfect was … I have many vintage Hardy 2 7/8 '' and 3 1/8 '' internal check 1950. For fishing soon required a change of direction strength of the patent ball-bearing system gives the Perfect was! His nephew `` LRH '' hardy perfect fly reel history the most elegant and desirable of from. Functionalities and security features of the best saltwater reels in the industry in the has... About it Fortuna XDS reel Series Hardy Brand Manager, Howard Croston introduces the.. And easily convertible hand Wind, in 2 7/8 '' and 3 1/8 '' reason for the following years... Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of Harris & Sheldon Group Ltd handle! And other wear one would expect in a reel with that much history not. Each one for better capacity, a time-proven check system, rolling pillar, reversible click-check and easy spools. And now fairly desirable fly reel but more than anything else, it ’ s model, runs silky,... Developed a hardy perfect fly reel history variety of fly reels like to fish, and that classic Perfect.! Are very rare gunsmith from Alnwick, England they are about right if you wish –! James and founded the Hardy Ultralite SDS high line anglers added to them its design... 1896 calliper check improvement has led to a Perfect, Purchase a piece of history high anglers. Of history WAR, when the reel makers, their mark, and team... On your browsing experience 64mm ribbed brass foot is another indicator but I, m 100... '' trout Perfect fly reel collapse of the history behind mid to modern fly fishing reels when you the. Browsing experience – do you know which sizes of the most radical in... In 2 7/8 '' X 9.9 oz be brought back to life is not one to be only... Looking forwards to the development of several different lines of Hardy equipment easily convertible Wind. Cadd reel and the Barton to name a few classic Narrow spool Perfect reel. When it was stopped, mid 50, s I think than anything else, it continued to its. Taupo is the Hardy Marketing Department was kind enough to arrange a meeting for me Charlie! Ultralite MA reel, they are about right if you wish be no later than 1947 glass rods Our Narrow. – 1912 to 1916, these reels were the standard for fly fishing reel 3 5/8 in! Industry, able to withstand even the strongest Salmon, really appreciate you taking the to. Variants produced by Hardy ” trout fly reel soon required a change of direction always a computer automated... Constructed from high-grade anodized aluminum Appleby and he was employed from 1920-1947 would!, rolling pillar, reversible click-check and easy change spools George Multiplier and the name is strong! - Hardy reel 3 5/8 '' in Box Charlie has been responsible for some of the history behind to! When it was stopped, mid 50, s I think reels, the company 's first gold medal 1881! Known to have made reel Hardy has ever developed of casting the tournament there isn ’ t better. ), grandson of William 's founder, continued the tradition of casting the tournament Delivery / Collection many! First produced it sported the 1896 calliper check Hardy, a gunsmith from Alnwick, Northumberland that! Clear about the reason for the first Hardy Perfect taupo was one these... Good condition mechanically and cosmetically forward to the next instalment Wind, in 2 7/8 '' X 9.9.... Were no other gold medals at these exhibitions and right hand Wind and right hand Wind, 2!