Good to know. I think the Hardy brand has done quite well under Pure. I think it's great that they took manufacturing for many of the reels back to the UK--not necessarily an improvement in quality (the Korean ones I've handled were nice), but what the consumers wanted and apparently are willing to pay. So I applaud that. And my experience with the repair center though not extensive (a good thing!) was quite favorable, beyond what I expected. It used to be possible to speak to the repair center (in Iowa I believe) directly and a person or two who I spoke to there were helpful with questions I had, but last time I tried I could no longer find a direct number and the person who answered the Pure line at the "call center" said it wasn't possible to transfer my call. So no doubt Pure has many knowledgeable people behind the veil, I just found it astonishing that a person manning the general/sales line had never heard of a Bougle. Forget the history, it's still a current offering (at the time the Heritage). Perhaps it was the guy's first day on the job. Anyway, I think highly of both my vintage and current Hardy reels and recent rods.
