The Feast of St. Valentine in Arcadia

In Arcadia, as in some other districts, today is the Feast of St. Valentine, a celebration of love and union, as witnessed in these photographs of a salmon fishing holiday in the sun, taken in the year 1935 and sold to me by reputable dealer in photographs.   For the record the scales at the Glenalovan Hotel weighed the fish in at 9lb 4ozs.

Via Subtopia

Up early and off with the Empress in the van via Subtopia to look at a collection of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul that belonged to a gentleman.

Country Life

Once upon a time in the Indian Summer known locally as autumn, I had the pleasure of a day on the River Thames at Sunbury with Mr. David Profumo, Mr. Luke Jennings and his son, Rafe. You can read about our day in Mr. Profumo's splendid column 'Reel Life' on Page 68 of the February 8th edition Country Life Magazine.  It begins, 'As they passed Sunbury church, the clock struck seven', wrote Dickens of the housebreaking expedition on which Bill Sikes takes Oliver Twist, adding: 'There was a dull sound of falling water not far off.'  As I stood outside the Edwardian boathouse of Geo. Wilson & Sons opposite St. Mary's at 8am on a late-autumn morning, I could hear that faint noise from the weir upstream'.

Snowbound

For all those snowbound in Arcadia the brilliant 1963 Geoffrey Jones short film entitled Snow about how to get to remote Car Boot Sales in inclement weather, broadcast on Caught by the River on the day it first snowed last winter.

Spitalfields

Another cold day on the stall at Spitalfields yesterday warmed by the visits of many heroes and heroines of Arcadia including the artist and lady Lucy Pope who brought provisions from her kitchen and some splendid prints of careworn salmon flies from the stall, made once upon a time with supplies from a feather dealer on the Clapton Road.

Messeena of Clapton

Once upon a time in Arcadia, and most frequently upon a Thursday, when the mercury froze and the curtain lining stuck to the window, ladies and gentlemen's minds might turn to an evening of fly tying in front of a roaring fire.  Prior to this they would have sent a stamp addressed return envelope to Messeena's of Leamington Spa who sold 'Everything for the Amateur Fly Tyer'.  Messeena's of the Spa were related to an outlet in the district of London known as Clapton where in February of 1923 Mr. Saul Solomons, a 'feather merchant', changed his name by deed poll to Saul Solomon Messeena.

Should you wish to change your name by deed poll I suggest that you visit me at my stall on Spitalfields Antiques Market where I am to be found every Thursday selling Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul and where I can give you a roll call of choices, most of which will be names of lost fishing tackle dealers and brands including Messeena.  To this effect you are reminded that Sportex and Speedbarb are already taken.

K. Dowling & Sons, Wembley

Found in the shadows at the beginning of our Arcadian winter, treasure from the district of London North West known as Wembley, in the form of a K Dowling & Sons 4 Inch Centre Pin Match Reel.  Now residing in the 'Just in, Sir' room of my website where it is for immediate sale to a person of immaculate taste and distinction.