T.H. Bate’s Hook History
The History of T.H. Bate & Co. (1822–c. 1970s)
The history of the T.H. Bate company is effectively the history of the American fishing tackle industry itself. Starting as an importer of English needles and hooks, it evolved into one of the most prestigious tackle houses in the United States, eventually becoming the legendary firm Wm. Mills & Son.
1. The Redditch Roots & Foundation (1820s–1830s)
The story begins in Redditch, England, a town historically famous as the needle and fish hook manufacturing capital of the world. Two brothers, Thomas and James Bate, were skilled hook makers who saw opportunity in the growing American market.
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- 1822 (The Beginning): The brothers immigrated to New York City and established T. & J. Bate. They set up shop at 73 Maiden Lane, initially focusing on the family trade: manufacturing and importing needles and fish hooks.
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- Early Reputation: They were among the very first to bring high-quality, English-style hook manufacturing to American soil. Their hooks were renowned for their temper and sharpness, setting a standard for “New York style” tackle.
2. The Era of Thomas H. Bate (1840s–1850s)
As the business grew, the leadership shifted to the next generation. This era marked the company’s expansion from simple hooks to a full-scale tackle manufacturer and dealer.
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- Name Changes: The company name evolved as partners changed.
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- 1843: Renamed T. & T.H. Bate (likely bringing Thomas’s son, Thomas H. Bate, into the fold).
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- 1853: Became Thos. H. Bate as Thomas H. took full control.
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- The Serpentine Spinner (1855): One of the company’s most famous contributions to lure history occurred during this period. In 1855, they introduced the Serpentine Spinner, based on a patent by Charles DeSaxe. It featured a spiral blade that spun around a central wire—a revolutionary design for its time. T.H. Bate branded these lures, and they are now highly prized by collectors.
3. The Mills Partnership (1859–1875)
The most significant turning point in the company’s history was the arrival of William Mills, an English immigrant who would eventually define the company’s future.
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- 1859 (T.H. Bate & Co.): William Mills was made a partner, and the firm was renamed T.H. Bate & Co. Mills was a shrewd businessman and expanded the company’s reach, securing exclusive rights to sell emerging high-end tackle.
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- The Leonard Connection: Under this partnership, the company began its relationship with Hiram Leonard, the father of the bamboo fly rod. They eventually became the sole agents for Leonard rods, cementing their status as the premier high-end fly fishing retailer in America.
4. Wm. Mills & Son and The Golden Age (1875–1970s)
By the 1870s, the Bate family’s direct leadership had waned, and the Mills family took over completely.
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- 1875: The company name was permanently changed to Wm. Mills & Son. However, the “Bate” lineage remained in spirit—the company was led by Thomas Bate Mills (William’s son and likely James Bate’s grandson), keeping the bloodline alive.
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- The “Standard” of Tackle: For the next century, Wm. Mills & Son (located at 21 Park Place, NY) was the “Tiffany’s” of fishing tackle. They sold the finest bamboo rods, English reels, and their own line of “Mills Standard” hooks.
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- Closure: After over 150 years of continuous operation, the business finally closed its doors in the early 1970s. The remaining inventory, including historic Bate hooks and Leonard parts, was famously purchased by collector William Cushner.
5. Present Day Status
Today, the T.H. Bate company no longer exists as a manufacturer, but its legacy survives in the antique market:
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- Collectibility: “T.H. Bate” marked reels and the original “Serpentine Spinners” are exceptionally rare and valuable.
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- Hooks: Vintage T.H. Bate hooks (often found in small paper packets or japanned tin boxes) are collected by fly tiers who specialize in dressing classic salmon flies, as the old English steel is considered superior to many modern wires.
