A 'Swim' in the City

Once upon a time in Arcadia and especially on a Thursday, lady and gentlemen anglers in search of a haven in the City and who did not wish to spin for rats in the River Fleet could take a foot tunnel up from the Underground Railway at Liverpool Street to Ogden Smiths who had been 'Makers of Fine Tackle Since 1763' and had premises in the Royal Exchange at No. 2 and No. 3.

Today, you may still spin for rats in the River Fleet should that be your fancy but if you emerge from the foot tunnels of the Underground Railway at Liverpool Street you are advised that the only haven for anglers in the City now exists not at the Royal Exchange - for Ogden Smiths is long gone - but upon my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market, where, on Thursdays only I sell Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.

Efgeeco Bait Boxes

To be found residing and for sale at the 'Old Friends' Counter of my website a couple of nests of original Efgeeco Bait Boxes from the years known in Arcadia as Post-War.

Kempton

A quiet morning at Kempton after a long night of rain with the only find being an empty Trout Bag with a dry fly oiler 'Made in England' attached to the strap by a standard issue button.

May-Day in Arcadia

It is May-Day in Arcadia. Wherever you find yourself this morning whether it be be-tweeded or duffled up may you lose yourself in dreams of monochromatic wonder.

Wimbledon Car Boot Sale

Found this morning at Wimbledon Lake Car Boot Sale a small collection of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul and related items including a tin of Kalium, from the inventors of the Modern British colours known as Piercing Yellow and Atomic Red.

Spitalfields

A most convivial day at Spitalfields yesterday which passed swiftly upon a swollen sea of market tea and to the boisterous chorus of tales of monstrous bass off the Kentish coast.

Brought to the stall for sale by a discerning and avid collector of all things London and bought gratefully without hesitation, a couple of enamel badges, one for Lychnobite, the printworkers' angling club founded in the year 1893, and the other for Abbey Cross A.S affiliated to the L.A.A. in the decade known as the sixties.

The Fishing Hut, St. James's Place S.W.1

Once upon a time in Arcadia and especially on a Thursday, from the year 1959, ladies and gentlemen abroad in the district known as S.W.1 were able to take advantage of the facilities rendered to them at The Fishing Hut which stood at No. 39 St. James's Place and was the creation of Messrs. B. James & Son of Ealing.  Within the walls of the Hut it was possible to have rods tailor made including each of the B. James Richard Walker range and the B. James Esmond Drury.  The Hut was a popular haunt for anglers all of whom were greeted with a cheerful smile by the manager Mr. J.E. Beauchamp.

Should you be abroad in the district of S.W.1 or any other district of London and discover that it is also a Thursday you are advised that being the year 2012, The Fishing Hut on St. James's Place is no longer open and that should you wish to purchase rods made by B. James & Son of Ealing and to be greeted with a cheerful smile you are advised to hurry quickly to my stall at Spitalfields Antiques Market in the district of E1, where, between the hours of a half past seven and three o'clock on Thursdays only I sell Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.