Lot 45
Dick Kefford’s Hardy Hollingworth or 'whopper stopper' rod
21 July 2007, 10:00 BST
Henley on ThamesSold for £336 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistDick Kefford’s Hardy Hollingworth or 'whopper stopper' rod
with two letters from Dick Kefford to Mike Oyez about the rod and gifting it to him. Dated Aug.31st 1979 part reads: 'I have a rod made by Hardy’s and termed the 'Hollingsworth'. When I first took up the big carp game in the late forties, there were no specialist carp rods until Dick Walker constructed and patented his Mark IV. I therefore wrote to Hardy’s and asked them to send me a rod as near as possible to suit the purpose required. This rod I took on my very first jaunt to Redmire, and it successfully landed the only capture of our trip – a little 5 pounder, which at the time was one of a group of 20-30pound fish!!!! Dick termed the rod your 'whopper stopper'. The second letter dated 6/X1/’79 includes 'You are very welcome to my whopper stopper; it is most unlikely that I should have used it again. But I cannot understand it apparent historic worth to you'. And later 'In comparing the relative history of the two rods you now have, I think the only comparison, if comparison is at all noteworthy, is the fact that during that first year (1952) of the C.C.C. fishing at Redmire, the Hollingsworth (w.s.) landed the smallest carp, and Dick’s Mark IV the largest!' A Hardy the 'Hollingworth' best quality spinning, live baiting or trolling rod with whole bamboo butt and middle section and two greenheart tops, universal reel fittings, lock fast joints, bridge intermediates with agate lined butt and tip rings No. G 26644
full length 11ft or 9ft.6in for live baiting
full length 11ft or 9ft.6in for live baiting