SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I have an old split cane fly fishing rod that I had restored with new rings and eyes. It has a badge near the handle that says the name of the maker/shop on it, only the first 3 letters of the shop are visible, they are REL.... Then it says central angling supplies Leeds. 4 Wade St. Anyone any idea what this shop was called. I bought the rod off an old guy in Boston Spa over 20 years ago and was trying to put an age on the rod.

Doesn't ring a bell.Born 1960 so talk from late 60's at earliest really, but always an outdoor townie.I'm sure that "RELUM" was/is a brand of fishing tackle and Relum Tornado a well regarded air rifle.In Leeds, known shops were Kirkgate Anglers, and oppo were Linsley Bros who moved down from Albion Street (they were gunsmiths & fishing).Also a good fishing tackle shop + Barbour Clothing etc was in Grand Arcade http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Mess ... 1Gledhills (on what is now the Light) were also a good supplier.Apart from that I know there were a few out of centre Fishing tackle shops who also did airguns, there was one up by the Dock Green Harehills Rd before Stanley Rd jnct circa 1970. "....In the 1960s, when I had to cross Leeds city centre to get to school, my journey was frequently distracted by the plethora of fishing shops in the heart of the city. Their overheads would certainly be prohibitive now, but in those days, within a few minutes’ walk I could divide my attention between Ritz Angling Centre, Gledhills, Linsley Bros, and the inimitable Kirkgate Anglers. This latter was the stronghold of the Leeds match fishing fraternity and, coincidentally, directly adjacent to where I changed buses on the school run. As a consequence, I could frequently be found dawdling over the floats and paraphernalia amidst an atmosphere of Woodbines and maggot ammonia. In those days, everyone was made to feel welcome, and the store often didn’t close until the last customer had been fully satisfied..By Peter Hobson Fishing Magic, 18/11/2011"        

There is a fishing shop in Armley Leeds Angling Centre, Branch Road, Armley Weenie

I am assuming REL will be the makers name as I can't find any angling shops beginning with REL

REL could be the makers name but the badge on the rod is all in one. It also says Depot not supplies. Could it have been a wholesaler on Wade St?

In the early 60s, I did a Saturday job from school at The Ritz Angling Centre on Vicar Lane. It was owned by a Jewish couple, Morry and Lily Scott. I did 10 hours in the cellar, riddling gallons of maggots, for a quid (plus a couple of pocketsful of maggots to go fishing with on Sunday!)Every week, on my way to work, I'd buy 2 pork pies for my dinner, from Cardis's on South Accomodation Rd, before catching the 63 bus.

There was a tackle shop off Wade Lane run by a Sid Sheldon, and Kirkgate Angling Centre owned by Bob Edge.I also remember The Angler's Club, up on Beckett Street, on the way to Jimmy's.