Hardy Lightweight LTW Fly Reel

The Hardy Lightweight LTW belongs to the current Hardy Bros Lightweight family. It retains the traditional form of a fly reel developed for fishing trout and salmon rivers. Its appeal lies in a straightforward click-check mechanism, classic spool operation and direct connection to the tackle, with an uncomplicated layout suited to anglers who favour established mechanical design.

Each reel in the series is made in Alnwick, England, from high-grade 6061 bar-stock aluminium. The frame and spool have an anodised finish that adds surface durability for regular use. Construction is deliberately restrained, combining aluminium components, an open frame and a proven mechanical check while preserving the light, recognisably traditional profile of the Lightweight family.

Construction and series character

The open frame carries a spool with a conventional, standard arbor. This geometry gives the reel its compact outline and the traditional line-winding character associated with classic Hardy designs. A metal line guard secured by a single screw controls the path of the line and is one of the distinguishing details of this generation. Porting in the frame and spool reinforces the functional, visibly mechanical appearance of the series.

The Lightweight LTW uses complete, interchangeable spools. Hardy supplies dedicated spare spools matched to the individual reel models, allowing alternative fly lines to be stored separately and selected before fishing. Retrieve can be converted easily between left- and right-hand wind, so the reel can be arranged to suit the angler’s preferred way of handling the rod and line.

Resistance is provided by Hardy’s precision click-check mechanism. Its operation produces the clear audible feedback associated with traditional click-and-pawl reels, while the direct mechanical layout gives an immediate indication of spool movement as line is taken. The result is a simple river-reel arrangement centred on controlled mechanical resistance and straightforward operation while playing a fish.

• Application: a traditional river fly-reel series covering trout and salmon fishing.
• Construction: 6061 bar-stock aluminium, anodised finish and manufacture in Alnwick.
• Frame and spool: open-frame layout, standard arbor and a single-screw line guard.
• Mechanism: precision click check with convertible left- or right-hand retrieve.