Bruce and Walker - British Rods Beautifully Made

The partnership of Jim Bruce and Ken Walker was unique in the British tackle industry.

Jim Bruce served his apprenticeship under his father, also James Bruce, who reversed his names and became B James & Son of London.

By 1959 Jim Bruce Jnr. could see that cane days were numbered He and his family moved out of central London to the village of Upwood, Cambridgeshire. Here he met businessman Ken Walker and together they made a sound partnership of solid engineering experience, fishing aficionados, and most of all, friends.

Between them they manufactured the first British made fibre glass fishing rods. They were world pioneers in the development of carbon fibre, and for years Bruce & Walker 15’ salmon rods were regarded as the very best any salmon fly fisherman could use. In the early 1980’s Ken Walker’s daughter and husband, Brian Potter, joined the family business. Both keen fishers, Kay still holds the family record of a 26½ lb salmon, caught on Lower Newtyle on the Tay.

Jim Bruce passed away in the millennium year. In October 2000, Ken Walker handed over the business to the third generation, his daughter and son-in-law.

Photograph above shows Kay Potter, Ken Walker, Jim Bruce and Brian Potter.