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Normans Reel
Fittings - Normans at that time,
and especially in the seventies. Where
supplying the bulk of the UK Tackle
Industry with reel fittings and
components. Photo
of the famous Modalock Boat fitting made
by Normans Began
Rodmaking - At the end of the
1960's Agutter began making his own rods
and carrying out many repairs for his
friends in Angling. At that time some of
his older customers gave him cane rods to
repair and this was the start.
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| In
his spare time he read about cane and began to
understand the making of it. He took a part time
position with Going Bros Rodmakers to learn more
about his new trade. |
| The Americans Were
Better - Picture left of Tom Dorsey
of Thomas & Thomas. Going
Brothers undoubtedley were in many
peoples eyes the best finishers of rods
in the UK. Agutter working with Martin
Ashby of Goings introduced him to
American fittings and finishes. The
difference between the UK and our
American Cousins for finish was more than
obvious. They were better! |
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| From
the Father of Cane in the USA - Paynes Rodmakers
to Hardy's in the UK an emergence of individually
skilled Rodmakers. |
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A Cane Rod was becoming a
working piece of Art and the finishes in
the USA especially unparralleled anywhere
in the world. Picture Left - Father of
Cane Rods in the USA Jim Payne. |
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| Working
Pieces of Art - In the United States
Rodmakers were developing their Skills to a
different level. Leonards, T&T, Orvis,
Paynes, Garrison, Paul Young & others were
well a head compaired to the UK. |
| However, with poor
political relationships between the USA
and China in that period, Tonkin Bamboo
was very hard to obtain. Picture right of
Thomas & Thomas Rods USA. |
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| The
Politics in Rodmaking - In this period
of the middle 60's to early 70's in the UK,
Hardy's and Sharpes were still manufacturing the
bulk of Split Cane Rods, |
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planning traditional
standard tapers by hand, on timber or
metal formers by a huge work force. Even
though, Bamboo was easier to obtain in
the UK via European Importers. (Picture left of
Graham using Timber former and cane being
planned by hand at Agutter's)
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