Tackle made in the UK

[John Keane]

TBH I don’t really care where things are actually made if the label is that of a British company and the product helps out a British firm. I’ve got a Hardy 14’ salmon fly rod, a Hardy Demon cassette salmon fly reel, a pukka Harrison rod and a MAP rod built on a Harrison blank, a Nash chair, Frenzee brolly, Guideline wading boots, Greys waders, JW Young Purist 2 ‘pin, 2 Darent Valley Specialist rodslots of Daiwa stuff with the Union Jack or thistle logo, etc, etc. Shimano make the best reels (IMO) so you’re always going to go abroad if you are a serious angler. Harrison’s outsource the total manufacture of some of their rod ranges and have been doing so for some time.

 

[silvers]

Both my Daiwa long poles and tournament whip
I suspect my late 80s and early 90s Daiwa feeder rods are as well, harrier and amorphous.
Four tri-cast float rods from the late 80s
3x AS1 seat boxes
A Leeds centrepin by lewtham engineering.
And all of my Image floats ... constructed in a unit in Kempston.

 

[Another Dave]

Daiwa is ultimately a Japanese owned company, right?

 

[S-Kippy]

The rod is highly doubtful. The reel is a definite no.



By that time, I doubt that there was even any assembly going on at Alnwick, at least not for the Marksman coarse rods. I'm struggling to remember when it was that I knew the Hardy/Greys main marketing man. The closest I can get is mid noughties. Anyway, by that time, which was about the time that the original Marksman coarse rods were about, the factory was just about done. There was still a small number of really high end fly rods and reels being made there, but you are talking really low volume and strictly limited stuff.

I think you're probably right, Chris. They bumbled about a bit at Alnwick for a while but, as you say, serious production stopped there a while before the factory actually closed for good.

I remember calling in at Alnwick in 1996 ( I was on holiday) ..I needed a replacement leather strap for me Hardy trite carryall. I got one but was a bit miffed to be charged 75 pence for it. And it looked awful on the bag because it was brand new and t'other was battle scarred.

Jeez...I've just seen how much those bags are now...over 200 sovs ! I paid £35 for mine . I must be even older than I thought !

 

[markcw]

Daiwa pole, 2 daiwa rods, 6 drawer boss box with fiberglass base ,ASI box, tricast rod. Allcocks centre pin, The seatboxes are for sale if anybody is interested

 

[mikench]

It would appear that only my Daiwa and tricast rods are made in the UK. I’m relaxed though as I like them all. Are Drennan made in China.

 

[sam vimes]

Daiwa is ultimately a Japanese owned company, right?

Daiwa was definitely a Japanese company to start with. In these days of holding and equity companies (and similar) who knows whether it's still really a Japanese company.

Are Drennan made in China.

Drennan have their own factory in Mauritius. However, it's never been made particularly clear where Drennan rods originate.

 

[markcw]

It would appear that only my Daiwa and tricast rods are made in the UK. I’m relaxed though as I like them all. Are Drennan made in China.

Have the daiwa got a Union Jack on them Mike, ?

 

[markcw]

It would appear that only my Daiwa and tricast rods are made in the UK. I’m relaxed though as I like them all. Are Drennan made in China.

Have the daiwa got a Union Jack on them Mike, ?

 

[Molehill]

Quite a few Harrison rods, both coarse and[SUB][/SUB] fly, all custom built from blanks by me. A few Centrepins - Ariel, carter, traditional angling - can't think of much else unless I include home molded leads, floats and swimfeeders.

Edit. Just remembered some fly reels, from British fly reels and think before they also headed for China (2004?).

 

[mikench]

Have the daiwa got a Union Jack on them Mike, ?

Yes they have Mark. Mind you I'm not bothered either way.