Hello All,
Firstly, here is Dick Walker's account in a letter to Maurice Ingham talking about carp, taken from the first edition of, 'Drop Me A Line', (Pub. MacGibbon & Kee, 1953) P 16:
"I have another reel, blood-brother to the one Michael Traherne ('BB') speaks of in his latest book,
Be Quiet and Go a-Angling, which is used when monsters are expected and snags are numerous. It is really an oversized version of Hardy's 'Eureka' bottom reel - 5 3/4in. diameter, 3/4 wide in the drum, with finger-operated brake lever in addition to the optional check and exposed flange. This carries a plaited line with a breaking strain of 18lb. and is used for attempts on Mr. Buckley's record."
Secondly, 'BB's' account from 'Be Quiet.' (Lutterworth Press, 1949) Pp 62-63:
"The reel which I use exclusively for carp fishing was made for me by friend, R.W. (Dick Walker), and is a lovely thing. He made it himself in his own factory at Letchworth. He tells me that when he managed to get the block of duralumin and was turning it on the lathe, the shavings caught fire. He was enveloped in a mass of flames. If he had let the metal cool it would have been ruined, so he kept at his lathe while everyone else was rushing round trying to put out the fire. A reel which had such a fiery birth is surely destined for great things."
Now 'duralumin' swarf is not known to self combust, but magnesium does have that reputation. I can't recall reading, but my memory is undoubtedly 'dodgy' at best these days, Dick Walker saying the reel was turned from magnesium nor, indeed, duralumin, or that it was used for trotting.
'BB' had recently learned that Bernard Venables' Dick Walker-made MkIV rod had recently been sold at auction for the then massive sum of £2000, and asked me if I could furnish details of the auction house, etc. Not one to miss such an opportunity, I replied, "Why not sell to me, and save the commission?" 'BB' said, "If you are willing to pay such a sum for my rod, I'll include my Dick Walker-made reel as well." Having no idea where I'd get the money from, the deal was struck there and then.
Here's a few pictures of the reel taken today:
I did on occasion take the 'BB'/Dick Walker MkIV and reel back to Redmire, and had my picture taken with them together with a Redmire common.
Besties,
Len.