The Hardy "Ben Screel" 9'9" #7 is an uncommon model from Hardy's first-generation Neo Glas era, introduced in 1966. Despite the "Ben" name, it is not a cane rod—it is a fibreglass (glass fibre) fly rod. The confusion often arises because Hardy also produced Neo Cane rods during the same period.
Key details:
Model: Ben Screel
Length: 9 ft 9 in
Sections: 3-piece
Line rating: Approximately AFTMA #7 (originally rated under the older letter line system).
Material: Fibreglass (Neo Glas), not split cane.
Year: 1966 only, according to Hardy rod catalogues.
The Ben Screel was named after the hill on the Isle of Eigg, following Hardy's practice in the mid-1960s of naming many glass rods after Scottish mountains and landmarks
