Master craftsman reels in career after decades of creating bespoke fishing rods

A master craftsman who creates bespoke fishing rods for royalty and other A-list anglers is reeling in his career as he edges towards retirement.

After 50 years honing his rare skills in a Highland workshop, Harry Jamieson has donated many of his cherished tools to a local charity.

He hopes someone else will now take on the mantle.

Harry, who is approaching his 80th birthday, initially combined ski instructing in the Cairngorms with the production of hand-crafted fishing rods in Nethy Bridge.

Half a century on, and 4,000 rods later, he has decided to wind down – albeit reluctantly – as one of a rare breed.

He told STV News: “At one time, I think I found information that there were three rod makers in Glasgow, two or three in Edinburgh. Aberdeen had one or two. Inverness had a rod maker as well. But they’ve all gone. Nowadays when people want a fishing rod it’s being made in Taiwan or Hong Kong.”

Too modest for selfies with his famous clients, Harry does not have a picture album featuring his customers.

But they include King Charles and Queen Camilla, golfing greats Greg Norman and Nick Faldo as well as lords, ladies and comedian Billy Connolly.

As for Charles, he said: “He’s very, very easy going and a good listener. I remember sitting in his office. It was just me and the prince and there were also two other people, one was a soldier and one was air force but they were both looking after the prince and they were both armed – I realised that quite quickly.”

South American Greenheart hardwood is the king’s preferred choice for a rod because it is supple and considered perfect for the nearby River Spey.

Harry has recently donated much of his specialist toolkit to a local charity.

Colin Whitton, who runs the Badenoch Men’s Shed, said: “Harry’s tools are going to be very, very useful.

“We’ve been looking for donations for the last few months. We’ll make sure that his legacy carries on through the use of the tools with the guys we have using the Badenoch Men’s Shed.”

For now, Harry says he will keep his hand in. After all, the king remains an avid fisher.