The Lost World of Mr. Hardy

The employees respectfully referred to their boss as “Mister Jim,” a nod to Jim Hardy, the last member of the Hardy family to work in their family business before retiring. It was Jim’s grandfather and great-uncle who, in 1873, established a small shop in the far north of England. Both avid fishermen, they created fishing tackle and began selling it. Their expertise, dedication, and innovative marketing techniques enabled them to achieve global success. For 130 years, the name Hardy’s has been synonymous with fishing. Vintage Hardy’s handmade tackle evokes strong emotions among many anglers, including Prince Charles, and these items are now highly sought-after by collectors. Although the company still exists, the craftsmanship involved in making handmade fishing tackle is becoming a lost art.