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 Doublegun |
Hardy "Golden" series of reels |
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Posts: 37 06/29/2009 09:57 |
Recently I picked up a Hardy "Golden" Featherweight, which I have become pretty smitten with and so I am starting to look around for other Hardy
"Golden" reels. Will someone please fill me in on the "Golden" series and any other info you know about them?
Thanks |
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fishnbanjo |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 6080 06/29/2009 10:28 the Canefather |
There were Golden Prince, Princess, LRH, JLH Ultralite and UltraliteSalmon and Featherweight that I am aware of............
banjo
Fly fishing is my Quisisana (the name is Italian for "place where one heals one's self.") "...... SLG Visit my website about Bamboo rods... Fishnbanjo's Place |
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 tedgolden |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 2914 06/29/2009 10:30 Moderator |
I think they were produced in the 90's in sizes Flyweight thru St. Aiden. They were an upgrade from the standard Lightweight Series as the finish was
anodized rather than enamel. The reels are slightly heavier than their standard equivalents due to the brass foot. The capacities and dimensions are the same.
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Doublegun |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 38 06/29/2009 10:33 |
So how is the re-sale value, compared to the standard Hardy reels?
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FWdB |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 470 06/29/2009 10:42 |
Their resale value isn't up to the same level as with other Hardys. Why? My guess is that the gold accents aren't to everyone's taste. Also the
finish seems to wear relatively easy, so they just don't age very well.
Wilfred de Bruijn
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enigma309 |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 712 06/29/2009 11:08 Reclusive! Like J D Salinger |
They do tend to lose finish through use but I've fished this one a lot and never experienced any problems.
Interesting that the spool can be 'palmed'. The foot is, I'm sure, anodised aluminium. I think I've posted the check before but for those who didn't see - it's at Right angles to the norm.  
 
Brian |
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freestoner.fiberglassflyro... |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 260 07/06/2009 03:31 |
Doublegun, I'm guessing that's the one you got from me...if so, the finish is still in pretty good condition as I recall.
Knowledgeable people around here have suggested putting a coat of paste wax- like Butcher's, or the acid-free Renaissance wax- on the paint finish on Hardy reels, in order to add a protective layer against wear or chipping from routine use. The finish is fragile, as with a lot of enameled reels. Tough to find a fishing reel of any sort without at least some rim wear or boat rash at the edges, if they actually get used as a fishing reel. Even when scrupulously taken care of...that seems to come with the territory.
"I stare into the deepest pool of the river which holds the mystery of a cellar to a child, and think of those two track roads that dwindle into nothing
in the forst. I have this feeling of walking around for days with the wind knocked out of me." --Jim Harrison
Last Edited By: freestoner 07/06/2009 03:33.
Edited 1 time.
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Serendipity |
Golden Oldies | #7 | ||
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Posts: 1309 08/24/2009 23:33 |
I've become interested in the golden Hardys. Some models, like the Prince, are fairly easy to find and the prices are reasonable given their qulaity. The
lightweight series reels with this finish seem to demand a premium if you can find one in very good condition. I think this little flyweight looks great on
6' cane.
richard |
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bow river |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 1631 08/25/2009 00:36 |
richard
that is a very nice looking reel for your rod , i have always liked the light brown colour of them reels , and with that check in brians reel i think for the money it's a pretty good fishing reel , they always seem to bring less money then most other hardy reels ,
Rich
For vintage fly reels & bamboo rods , guided float trips on canada's # 1 best trout river , i have a special for our bamboo forum members www.bowriveradventures.com |
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customline |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 80 08/25/2009 04:11 |
I have very recently acquired Hardy Golden Princess and as a result I went through my Hardy catalogs. Just found out that Hardy introduced Golden Lightweight
series reels in 1989. Unfortunately I don't have late 90's catalogs to check when production ended. Anyone knowing this?
Catalogs I have don't list Hardy Golden Zenith. Such a reel doesn't exist? -Jukka |
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Serendipity |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 1310 08/25/2009 08:22 |
Hi Richard & Jukka,
The Prince and Princess series of reels seem to bring less than most other Hardys in general, but I haven't found the Goldens in the Lightweight series to cost less than the standard single screw Lightweight series reels - at least not those that are in excellent condition. But since I am looking for them, I hope you are right.  Jukka, I think I saw a Golden Zenith for sale
somewhere but your claim/question got me looking and I couldn't find one. Your dating of the the reels is interesting because I think the Golden release
may have suffered from poor timing. The Goldens are pretty subdued and the models with larger arbors antedate the wide acceptance of that style.
richard |
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oldfishbrain |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 1383 08/28/2009 15:59 |
I like their looks. Here are two, a Featherweight and a Flyweight in mint condition:
And yes they do look perty on a six foot lightweight rod. Here is the Flyweight on a Leonard Baby Catskill: 
Maker of light line nodeless bamboo fly rods
avardanis@sympatico.ca |
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8xtippet |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 75 08/29/2009 08:11 |
I really like the look of the goldens on a bamboo rod, and the normal colored ones an plastic. That's just me. I recently picked up a #020 Golden
Flyweight that's just about mint. When the extra cash comes around I'll look for a Golden Princess.
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WatercolorMan |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 1459 09/28/2009 11:54 |
I just saw this thread and I'm a little late but I thought I would add a photo of the one I have. It's the JLH 5 golden ultralite. I love the clean
design of the drag knob, it an easy reel to use in the field. Its a modern design and thus less popular with our group than the lightweight series. This one
is a dual click and pawl reel not the disk style you see so often, makes that great sound going both ways.I really like the palming ability it offers and the
color matches well with the darker cane rods.
Alan
Last Edited By: WatercolorMan 09/28/2009 12:33.
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