Field Sports Magazine - Autumn 08
Angling purists, anyone who has North East connections, avid Hardy collectors and
everyone who respects traditional craftsmanship will relish every minute of this film, a firstclass
documentary that entertains, teaches and inspires in equal measure.
With the full support of Hardy’s, filmmakers Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier interviewed Hardy craftsmen past and present, sharing over 100 years of excellence of those intimately involved in the production of Hardy equipment. Archive film, still photos and anecdotes show the development of fly fishing tackle through the early beginnings to the heyday of the 1920s when the ‘Perfect’ reels were first produced.
The production includes company director Jim Hardy, the last Hardy to work in the family business, and Terence Moore a reel assembler for over 50 years, providing just one example of service spanning half a century. Throughout the meandering, like the rivers being fished, there is lush footage of lazy, hazy summer days, blue skies, anglers casting and trout and salmon rising. There is footage too that may lay claim to be the earliest colour film of fishing in existence, of the Cumbrian Eden below the Settle to Carlisle railway viaduct, shot in 1937.
Casting from the Casting Club of France is also featured, with glimpses of tournament work
from the inter war years, a caster double-hauling from an open stance. All unique moments.
“I feel so lucky to be able to bottle and stopper something which will otherwise, all too soon be
lost,” says producer and director Heathcote. “At the end of each day’s filming Jim (Hardy) would
stand at the doorway of his farmhouse and wave us good-bye, just like my own granddad used to. It’s funny how those moments are so memorable and so touching.”
Credit must go to Heathcote and Bachelier for telling a story with warmth, enthusiasm and,
indeed for developing the idea, researching and producing on a cottage industry budget. They
have invested over two years of hard work and endeavour. Hats off, then, too, for those who
want to achieve the dream of sharing these long forgotten secrets with a new generation.
Superb editing and evocative music by renowned North East composer Stephen Daldry
makes this a joy to watch and essential viewing. As Daldry says: “Music can transport you back
to the past and propel you forward. The skills of people like fly dresser Ken Middlemist are fascinating to me and also a voice from a disappearing world.”
JASON HILL watches a new
DVD on the history of world famous rod makers Hardy's and is very
impressed.
CAUGHT ON FLM
Set aside an hour and a half of your time, close the door and settle into an easy chair. Then watch The Lost World of Mr. Hardy and savour the glorious story of how a small company from the tiny town of Alnwick in Northumberland managed to capture the very hearts and minds of anglers throughout the world.Angling purists, anyone who has North East connections, avid Hardy collectors and
everyone who respects traditional craftsmanship will relish every minute of this film, a firstclass
documentary that entertains, teaches and inspires in equal measure.
With the full support of Hardy’s, filmmakers Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier interviewed Hardy craftsmen past and present, sharing over 100 years of excellence of those intimately involved in the production of Hardy equipment. Archive film, still photos and anecdotes show the development of fly fishing tackle through the early beginnings to the heyday of the 1920s when the ‘Perfect’ reels were first produced.
The production includes company director Jim Hardy, the last Hardy to work in the family business, and Terence Moore a reel assembler for over 50 years, providing just one example of service spanning half a century. Throughout the meandering, like the rivers being fished, there is lush footage of lazy, hazy summer days, blue skies, anglers casting and trout and salmon rising. There is footage too that may lay claim to be the earliest colour film of fishing in existence, of the Cumbrian Eden below the Settle to Carlisle railway viaduct, shot in 1937.
Casting from the Casting Club of France is also featured, with glimpses of tournament work
from the inter war years, a caster double-hauling from an open stance. All unique moments.
“I feel so lucky to be able to bottle and stopper something which will otherwise, all too soon be
lost,” says producer and director Heathcote. “At the end of each day’s filming Jim (Hardy) would
stand at the doorway of his farmhouse and wave us good-bye, just like my own granddad used to. It’s funny how those moments are so memorable and so touching.”
Credit must go to Heathcote and Bachelier for telling a story with warmth, enthusiasm and,
indeed for developing the idea, researching and producing on a cottage industry budget. They
have invested over two years of hard work and endeavour. Hats off, then, too, for those who
want to achieve the dream of sharing these long forgotten secrets with a new generation.
Superb editing and evocative music by renowned North East composer Stephen Daldry
makes this a joy to watch and essential viewing. As Daldry says: “Music can transport you back
to the past and propel you forward. The skills of people like fly dresser Ken Middlemist are fascinating to me and also a voice from a disappearing world.”
©Jason Hill, Fieldsports magazine