reel bag.

[Splitcaner]

Recently purchased two intrepid elites from ebay a bit expensive but nice condition. They arrived today well packaged in a very nice zip up reel bag,written on the bag "Roach Fishing Tackle" I wonder if anyone can throw any light on the name. Are they an old tackle shop or a manufactor of tackle, I have looked on the net but could not find anything, If its any help the seller comes from Ware, could have been a shop around that area. Any help appreciated. John.

[John Milford]

I have a Roach Tackle reel case too John. Black and tan leatherette, with a gold printed logo.

Not a well-known maker with a large range of tackle as far as I know. I think accessories, such as reel cases, are typical of the kind of things they made?

[Splitcaner]

Thanks for the quick reply John.

[Wallys-Cast]

I have had a couple of "Roach" rod holdalls. Very similar to the Stephens of Birmingham ones with zip tops.

Wal.

[Rod Fisher]

Recently purchased two intrepid elites from ebay a bit expensive but nice condition. They arrived today well packaged in a very nice zip up reel bag,written on the bag "Roach Fishing Tackle" I wonder if anyone can throw any light on the name. Are they an old tackle shop or a manufactor of tackle, I have looked on the net but could not find anything, If its any help the seller comes from Ware, could have been a shop around that area. Any help appreciated. John.

It was a Rochdale-based firm run by the Farkas family: Stephen Farkas (managing director, and a Hungarian refugee from the Hungarian Revolution of 1956), his wife Doreen Farkas (director), and their daughter Dawn Dignan-Farkas (sales/company administrator). They employed around 25 people and sponsored the local Todmorden Angling Society match team.

Stephen and Doreen initially sold rod bags they made themselves in their newsagent's window. In 1972 they went into fishing tackle full time. Stephen cut out the patterns, and Doreen did the sewing (she was a trained dress-maker). As the business grew, they took on outworkers, and then premises in an old chapel, where they expanded from rod bags to reel cases, holdalls, and seat boxes. From 1979 until 1990 they operated from Baillie Street East in central Rochdale. In 1990 they moved to new premises in Sladen Wood Mill in Littleborough on the outskirts of Rochdale. By this point they had changed the name to Roach Sports and Accessories to better reflect their output which had diversified to include thermal wear and sportswear. They went into liquidation in 1992.

[Wallys-Cast]

Thanks Rod, great information as always.

Wal.

[Rod Fisher]

Thanks Rod, great information as always.

Wal.

Ain't google wonderful...

[Splitcaner]

Thanks to everyone who replied, great information. John