Thomas Turner
Trade Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2017
- Messages
- 15,495
- Reaction score
- 81
Hardy began their quest for a lightweight reel back in the 1930’s, starting with the LRH lightweight fly reel. This was a light 3 1/4oz contracted reel for quick winding which was easily taken apart for cleaning (Graham Turner). The LRH stands for Lawrence Robert Hardy. Lawrence was the eldest of William Hardy’s sons.
©www.spinozarods.com
Progression in these reels saw, in 1991, the JLH Ultralite reel produced. This was the year before Jim Hardy retired. JLH stands for James Leighton Hardy who was the last member of the Hardy family to run the company.
The JLH Ultralite was a click check reel and was one of the first reels Hardy manufactured from bar stock alloy. There were six models in the range: 2-3-4, 5, 6, 7, 8-9 and salmon.
Hardy JLH reels
After Jim’s death in 2012 Hardy produced a JLH commemorative reel in the #7 size and only 85 were made. They were golden in colour.
Hardy JLH Commemorative reel
The reel above, is a special commemorative JLH for the death of Jim Hardy. This one is pre-production as we can see that there is no number stamped on the back (only 85 made). If you look at the serial number on the reel foot, this one is 302 (the last three digits are the serial number).
The Ultralite disc is the disc braked version of the JLH. The same range of sizes were produced but they were matt black in colour. They still had a pawl for the classic hardy noise. Production of these reels, around 1995.
Hardy Ultralite disc #6
A very good friend of ours, has kindly shown us an even rarer Ultralite. This disc reel shown below, was made during its final years of production but this reel was a one-off colour that never went into production.
Hardy Ultralite disc prototype
Hardy in more recent years, have produced ranges of large arbour Ultralite disc reels, for trout and salmon fishing. For example, the Ultralite CC reels were click check reels, ranging from 1000 (1,2,3 weight line) through to 4000 (4,5,6 weight line). They are very light, designed to fit onto light weight rods, 2-5 weight.
Hardy Ultralite DD reels were the ultra large arbour reels, with long lasting drag mechanism and low start up inertia and are great to use on more high-performance rods. They were made in two colours, black and titanium, the black for line sizes 3-7 and titanium for line sizes 3-10.
There are reels that go up to 10000 for the biggest of freshwater and saltwater fish, giving varying degrees of drag. The Hardy 8000SDS has a multi-carbon six-sided disc brake system that generates 14 pounds of drag. The 8000 is designed for 7,8 or 9 weight lines.
There are many different variations of these reels around, offering differing sizes and suitable for differing line sizes.
Here at Thomas Turner, we have quite a selection, across the board, of the older reels and the more modern Ultralite discs, so please visit our website and take a look!
As always, if you have any questions, or would like help making an order, please contact us on the details below:
office@thomasturner.com
Dave & Carrie Townsend – 07535 590617
Louise Baker – 07949 398867
The post Hardy LRH, JLH, Ultralite reels appeared first on Thomas Turner Fishing Antiques.
Continue reading...
©www.spinozarods.com
Progression in these reels saw, in 1991, the JLH Ultralite reel produced. This was the year before Jim Hardy retired. JLH stands for James Leighton Hardy who was the last member of the Hardy family to run the company.
The JLH Ultralite was a click check reel and was one of the first reels Hardy manufactured from bar stock alloy. There were six models in the range: 2-3-4, 5, 6, 7, 8-9 and salmon.
Hardy JLH reels
After Jim’s death in 2012 Hardy produced a JLH commemorative reel in the #7 size and only 85 were made. They were golden in colour.
Hardy JLH Commemorative reel
The reel above, is a special commemorative JLH for the death of Jim Hardy. This one is pre-production as we can see that there is no number stamped on the back (only 85 made). If you look at the serial number on the reel foot, this one is 302 (the last three digits are the serial number).
The Ultralite disc is the disc braked version of the JLH. The same range of sizes were produced but they were matt black in colour. They still had a pawl for the classic hardy noise. Production of these reels, around 1995.
Hardy Ultralite disc #6
A very good friend of ours, has kindly shown us an even rarer Ultralite. This disc reel shown below, was made during its final years of production but this reel was a one-off colour that never went into production.
Hardy Ultralite disc prototype
Hardy in more recent years, have produced ranges of large arbour Ultralite disc reels, for trout and salmon fishing. For example, the Ultralite CC reels were click check reels, ranging from 1000 (1,2,3 weight line) through to 4000 (4,5,6 weight line). They are very light, designed to fit onto light weight rods, 2-5 weight.
Hardy Ultralite DD reels were the ultra large arbour reels, with long lasting drag mechanism and low start up inertia and are great to use on more high-performance rods. They were made in two colours, black and titanium, the black for line sizes 3-7 and titanium for line sizes 3-10.
There are reels that go up to 10000 for the biggest of freshwater and saltwater fish, giving varying degrees of drag. The Hardy 8000SDS has a multi-carbon six-sided disc brake system that generates 14 pounds of drag. The 8000 is designed for 7,8 or 9 weight lines.
There are many different variations of these reels around, offering differing sizes and suitable for differing line sizes.
Here at Thomas Turner, we have quite a selection, across the board, of the older reels and the more modern Ultralite discs, so please visit our website and take a look!
As always, if you have any questions, or would like help making an order, please contact us on the details below:
office@thomasturner.com
Dave & Carrie Townsend – 07535 590617
Louise Baker – 07949 398867
The post Hardy LRH, JLH, Ultralite reels appeared first on Thomas Turner Fishing Antiques.
Continue reading...