Harrison's Hooks - Garren Wood

Harrison’s Hook Reference

1. The Beginning: Richard Harrison (c. 1840–1860s)

The company’s roots lie in Redditch, England, the global capital of needle and fish hook manufacturing in the 19th century.

Founder: Richard Harrison.
Early Years: Richard Harrison originally worked in the needle trade (a common starting point for hook makers). By 1855, he was formally listed in trade directories as a “fish hook and tackle maker” located at Fish Hill.
Growth: The business grew rapidly during the mid-Victorian boom in angling. By 1865, the firm operated out of the Metropolitan Works on Hewell Road, Redditch, employing skilled workers to hand-forge hooks.

2. The Golden Age: Harrison & Bartleet (1870s–1902)

This is the era most relevant to classic fly tying. The firm evolved through a key partnership that cemented its reputation.

The Partnership: Around 1876, Arthur Greame Bartleet (of the famous Bartleet needle-making dynasty) became a partner. The firm eventually became known as Harrison & Bartleet.
Reputation: They became famous for their Salmon and Trout fly hooks. Their hooks were hand-forged, “Japanned” (black lacquered), and featured elegant, sweeping bends that are aesthetically pleasing to this day.
The “Bartleet” Bend: While the Bartleet family had their own separate needle concerns (W. Bartleet & Sons), the Harrison & Bartleet partnership is often credited with popularizing the specific “Bartleet” style salmon hook—a graceful, sweeping curve that doesn’t kink the hook shank, prized for classic Spey flies.

3. The Amalgamation (1902)

Like many Redditch family firms at the turn of the century, Harrison & Bartleet faced pressure to modernize and consolidate.

The Sale: Following the death of the senior partners, the firm was sold in 1902 to Henry Milward & Sons (another giant of the Redditch trade).
Consolidation: Milward’s eventually merged with other companies (like Allcock’s) to form the Amalgamated Needles & Fish Hooks Ltd. The specific “Harrison” manufacturing identity began to blur as production was centralized under the Milward umbrella.

4. The Present: Legacy and Revival

Today, the original “Harrison’s Hooks” company no longer exists as a standalone manufacturer. However, the brand has a distinct status in the modern angling world:

Distinction from “Harrison Rods”: It is important to note that the modern UK company Harrison Advanced Rods (famous for carp and specialist rods like the Torrix) is a separate entity founded in 1989. They are not the same as the Victorian hook maker.

Vintage Collectibles: Original packets of “Harrison & Bartleet” hooks are highly coveted by collectors and classic fly dressers. A vintage “Harrison Bartleet” blind-eye hook is considered one of the finest canvases for tying traditional Atlantic salmon flies.

Modern Reproductions: The specific shapes developed by Harrison are so iconic that modern boutique makers often reproduce them. For example, the brand Gaelic Supreme (sold by specialist fly shops) manufactures a “Harrison-Bartleet” style hook that mimics the original vintage dimensions and bend for modern tyers.

Summary Timeline

Era	Company Status	Key Details
1840s–1850s	Richard Harrison	Started in Redditch as a needle & hook maker.
1860s–1890s	Harrison & Bartleet	The “Golden Era.” Produced high-quality japanned salmon hooks.
1902	Sale to Milward’s	Company absorbed by Henry Milward & Sons.
20th Century	Brand Absorption	The name faded as a standalone company but patterns survived in Milward catalogs.
Present	Legacy Brand	“Harrison-Bartleet” is now a descriptor for a specific, classic hook style used by vintage fly tyers.