Edgar Sealey & Sons Hooks

Edgar Sealey & Sons is one of the “lost giants” of the British tackle industry. While they are often overshadowed today by contemporaries like Partridge or Mustad, they were a powerhouse of the Redditch hook-making tradition for nearly 50 years.

1. The Golden Age (1930s – 1950s)

Founding: The company was established around 1930 by Edgar Sealey in Redditch, Worcestershire—the global capital of needle and fish hook manufacturing at the time.
Location: They operated out of the Brookhill Works on Hewell Road.
Family Rivalry: Edgar’s brother, Bernard Sealey, operated a separate, competing hook-making enterprise (often associated with the “Tudor Works”), though Edgar’s brand ultimately became more commercially dominant.
The “Octopus” Brand: This was their flagship trademark. If you see a vintage yellow or green box with a multi-legged cephalopod logo, it is a Sealey product. The “Octopus” name was initially applied to their high-quality hooks but eventually expanded to cover their line of split cane rods and gut-snelled hooks.
Reputation: During this era, they were known for producing robust, reliable hooks that were affordable yet high quality. They were a staple in the tackle boxes of British coarse and fly fishermen.

2. The Corporate Era (1960s – 1970s)

The 1960s brought a wave of consolidation to the British tackle industry, and independent makers began to disappear or be bought out.

Dunlop Acquisition (1960): At their peak employment (around 100 staff), the company was acquired by Dunlop Sports (the massive rubber and sporting goods conglomerate). Under Dunlop, they shifted from a pure manufacturer to also acting as a major distributor.
The Gladding Connection: By the late 1960s or early 1970s, the company became part of Gladding International (an American conglomerate that also owned the Intrepid reel brand). You will often see rods from this era labeled as “Gladding Edgar Sealey.”
Innovation: Despite corporate ownership, they remained innovative. They released the “Glane” rod series—a hybrid name for Glass + Cane—which utilized early fiberglass technology (fibreglass shafts with brass ferrules), helping bridge the gap between bamboo and modern materials.

3. Decline and Closure (1980s – Present)

The Move to Falmouth (1981): In a final bid to cut costs or restructure, the manufacturing operations were moved from the historic home of Redditch to Falmouth, Cornwall, in 1981.
Dissolution: The move did not save the brand. Production effectively ceased shortly thereafter as cheaper manufacturing from Asia undercut the traditional British makers.
Partial Survival: While the company dissolved, some of their hook-making machinery was reportedly purchased by Vince Green and used to manufacture Sprite Hooks, keeping a small part of the lineage alive.

Collector’s Legacy & Notable Patterns

Today, Edgar Sealey is a “vintage only” brand. However, their hooks are highly sought after by classic fly tyers for their unique profiles and high carbon steel quality.

Rods: Their split cane rods (like the “Octofloat” and “Octoplus”) are still used by coarse fishing enthusiasts who enjoy retro angling, though they generally command lower collector prices than Hardy or B. James rods.

Pattern 1762B: This is perhaps their most legendary hook among fly tyers. It is a heavy wire, long-shank streamer hook that is prized for tying classic featherwing streamers (like those by Carrie Stevens). Tyers hunt for these on eBay because modern hooks rarely match the specific weight and bend of the original 1762B.

Octopus Snelled Hooks: You will frequently find these in antique shops—hooks pre-tied to gut or nylon, still in their original paper envelopes.

Edgar Sealey & Sons Hook Reference

Summary Timeline

Era	Status
1930s	Founded in Redditch by Edgar Sealey; “Octopus” brand launched.
1950s	Peak production; employed ~100 workers; strong competition with Mustad.
1960	Acquired by Dunlop Sports; began transition to distributor/manufacturer.
1970s	Became part of Gladding International (“Gladding Edgar Sealey”).
1981	Factory moved to Falmouth; shortly followed by total closure.
Present	Defunct. Hooks are collectibles; machinery lineage survives via Sprite.