LES WILSON

Hall of Fame Inductee 2013

Established in 1946 by Leslie Wilson, starting as a small manufacturing business that made swivels on the kitchen table of the family home.

Recognising a need for rod building components, and being a fitter and turner by trade, Les began producing ferrules, reel seats and guides for Butterworth rods.

During this period between the late 1950s and late 1960s, L. Wilson & Co. were the largest manufacturer of rod building components in Australia and were one of Australia’s largest buyers of brass tubing. It was also during this period that Les developed the much-copied rolled ferrule, a ferrule design that had a rolled lip to allow easier insertion of the male portion of the ferrule.

Les was entered into the AFTA Hall of Fame in 2013 for a lifetime contribution to the fishing trade sector and the broader recreational fishing community.