Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

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Brian K. Shaffer
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Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#1

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

No longer will your reel fall off while playing a fish!

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" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer

Use the SEARCH for justification and reasoning.

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jhuskey
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#2

Post by jhuskey »

Nice Brian, thanks for the Hardy information!

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oddsnrods
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#3

Post by oddsnrods »

I have a few salvaged sets of these which I use for spey type rods, it should be said that they are tricky to fit. The original Hardy rods had wood sheathes around the bamboo blank under the handle into which the n/ silver screws of the pocket were screwed into, the purpose of the wood was to stiffen the handle section. Some long Hardy spinning rods would feature two sliding screw fitting (no pocket) so reel can be be placed at various positions.

The screw fitting was used into the late 1970's by Hardy, initially called 'W' fitting, latterly 'Universal' fitting, some had sliding band/ pocket, some were screw/ pocket. Were the screw types as 'fool proof' as claimed, not always. I use a rubber 'O' ring for extra insurance, but they are beautifully made.

Malcolm


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jhuskey
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#4

Post by jhuskey »

More great information, and a wonderful photograph! Thank you Malcolm.

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oddsnrods
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#5

Post by oddsnrods »

Thank you. I still prefer my 'old' Fuji FinePix 5.1 mega pixel camera..for softer images plus the typically 'full' Fuji colour.

I found an image of the wooden 'sheath' previously mentioned and a Hardy sliding reel fitting with the 'Universal' pocket it came with, probably from the early 1960's, which I incorporated on my double handed version of a 10' Hardy Rogue River.

Malcolm


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Brian K. Shaffer
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#6

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

Uber cool Malcolm... neat stuff you got there... threaded.

What in tarnation is the spear for exactly ?

I have no idea on Earth why a spear would be introduced into a fly rod.

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" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer

Use the SEARCH for justification and reasoning.

NewUtahCaneAngler
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#7

Post by NewUtahCaneAngler »

Brian Shaffer wrote:
08/11/21 17:51
Uber cool Malcolm... neat stuff you got there... threaded.

What in tarnation is the spear for exactly ?

I have no idea on Earth why a spear would be introduced into a fly rod.

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Probably for quick dispatch of the catch. Some will say to keep the rod off of the ground, but I believe that the spear would need to be longer to support a long rod with a reel heavy enough to provide some balance to the rod.

Cheers,
Joe

bluesjay
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#8

Post by bluesjay »

Hi Guys, I believe the 'spear' is to stick in the ground to hold the rod upright while working on tackle. Someone should correct me if I'm wrong, huh?

Jay Edwards

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oddsnrods
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#9

Post by oddsnrods »

James Hardy wrote in his book - 'The House the hardy Brothers built', concerning the 'spear':

'From 1889 onwards, Hardys fitted a spear attachment, neatly stored in the butt cap, which allowed the rod to be stood upright in long grass to avoid being lost or trodden on.'

Malcolm

Pictures from the Hardy catalogue 1937.


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Trussy
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#10

Post by Trussy »

Have owned this rod for quite a few years but have always been stumped by the brass fitting pat 14137. Never seen a brass one and always thought the rod may be a prototype with a rosewood section etc - it’s an 11ft 3 piece. Just wondering if anyone could help me shed any light on it ? Many thanks
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kakaryan
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#11

Post by kakaryan »

Looks like someone had modified it this way.....

Palakona123
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#12

Post by Palakona123 »

When Hardy introduced the screw grip reel fitting, they would also rebuild rods that had the old style «w» (sliding ring) fitting.
This was offered at a fixed price in the anglers guides. The «universal reel fitting» would then be mounted as on your rod. If you have a 1920s anglers guide, it will be described there.


Some C numbered salmon rods have screw grips made out of aluminium and brass, I don’t know, but I would imagine that some trout rods might have been built with brass too. It is also typical for some hardy wood rods to have rosewood spacers. To me it looks like a Hardy Aydon greenheart rod that has been rebuilt with a screw grip.

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oddsnrods
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#13

Post by oddsnrods »

I also am of the opinion that the 'Universal' lower part/pocket was a non factory modification, judging by it's somewhat awkward placement, plus overly large screws.

Examples of both Hardy "W" and later "Universal" reel fittings I have seen, correctly fitted, had been carefully screwed to the handle with screw slots each aligned with the others.

Malcolm

kakaryan
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#14

Post by kakaryan »

For some of the older Hardy that has the W pocket but a sliding ring instead of the screw lock (pic below for example)

Can the sliding ring be simply replaced by the screw lock, by swapping and putting the screw lock part from the top of the cork grip?

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JoeBolt
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Re: Hardy Screw Grip Reel to Rod Fitting (illustration circa 1926)

#15

Post by JoeBolt »

Fascinating.
Brian produces yet another page turner.
Stunning rod, I know nothing.

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