Once upon a time in Arcadia, and occasionally on a Thursday, ladies and gentlemen in search of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul and other requisites were able to take advantage of the many shops that belonged to London tackle firm Ogden Smiths makers of reliable kit since 1763. Ogden Smith had shops from number 2 & 3 The Royal Exchange in the City to 62 St James Street in Piccadilly and even as far west as 14/15 Dingwall Road in the new town of Croydon. The firm had a simple philosophy which was symbolised by the famous crossed hooks 'This business is managed by the same family to-day (as in the 18th Century), and up-to-date production methods combined with years of practical experience, are employed to maintain and improve the well-known Ogden Smith standard. Attention to customer's requirements is under constant personal supervision of the directors, who are practical fishermen'.
In Arcadia today there are sadly no more Ogden Smiths Fishing Tackle Shops but you may buy the wares that they stocked at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market on Thursdays between a half past seven in the morning and approximately three o'clock in the afternoon where I do my best to maintain their standards and drink tea on an Olympian scale.
