Vintage tackle collection goes under hammer

The biggest-ever private collection of fishing equipment goes on sale tomorrow when hundreds of rods, reels, lures, books and other items appear at auction.

The collection, which dates back to the Victorian era, will go under the hammer of Perth auctioneer Iain Smith. It includes revered names like Hardy, Allcocks, Sharpes of Aberdeen, P.D. Malloch of Perth, John Gow of Dundee and Milbro and is expected to attract worldwide interest.

“This is by far the biggest private collection of angling equipment I have ever handled,” Smith told the Evening Telegraph and Courier. “There will be more than 500 lots sold. There is sure to be interest far beyond the UK.”

The fishing tackle treasure trove was amassed over 40 years in the bedroom of the late owner, whose widow said most of it had never seen the water. Of the 200 rods in the collection, 70 of them were made by Hardy’s.

The collection can be viewed at https://auctions.iainmsmith.co.uk