New Member says Hello
Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 8:55 pm
Hello everyone!
I'm Chris and have been an angler for over 40 years. In that time, I've dabbled with traditional tackle and I've got the bug again. Due to a misspent youth, (I learnt rod-building at school!), I enjoy building my own rods and refurbishing old ones.
The traditional interest started in the mid 80's when I acquired a 1936 Hardy no.1 Wallis Avon, which was, in my opinion, a pretty awful rod. I sold it promptly. Then I got hold of a B James MKIV Carp. I've handled several of these and found that they vary considerably. Some are nice and crisp and steely and others feel a bit soggy. Typically, mine was a soggier one! However, I did use it to land a 17lb Redmire common. With that provenance, someone made me an good offer and I was glad to see the back of it. I'm now considering building one from scratch on a Chapman blank. I still have my Chapman MKIV Avon, which I built myself and is the best cane blank I've ever handled. Also a George Wilkins float-avon-type rod which I'll post about again and hopefully someone can give me some information. Finally, my new toy, a Tom Watson "Wasp" which I'll tell you about in the appropriate section.
Reels, a couple of Speedias and Aerials that I can't pick a favourite from.
As for fishing, well my enthusiasm for carp has waned now that the "circus has come to town" and many once lovely waters are now spoiled. So, it's back to the rivers this year and the barbel, chub and roach and there are some overlooked small ponds that I'm going to explore. It's going to be a busy year.
Nice to meet you all.
Chris
I'm Chris and have been an angler for over 40 years. In that time, I've dabbled with traditional tackle and I've got the bug again. Due to a misspent youth, (I learnt rod-building at school!), I enjoy building my own rods and refurbishing old ones.
The traditional interest started in the mid 80's when I acquired a 1936 Hardy no.1 Wallis Avon, which was, in my opinion, a pretty awful rod. I sold it promptly. Then I got hold of a B James MKIV Carp. I've handled several of these and found that they vary considerably. Some are nice and crisp and steely and others feel a bit soggy. Typically, mine was a soggier one! However, I did use it to land a 17lb Redmire common. With that provenance, someone made me an good offer and I was glad to see the back of it. I'm now considering building one from scratch on a Chapman blank. I still have my Chapman MKIV Avon, which I built myself and is the best cane blank I've ever handled. Also a George Wilkins float-avon-type rod which I'll post about again and hopefully someone can give me some information. Finally, my new toy, a Tom Watson "Wasp" which I'll tell you about in the appropriate section.
Reels, a couple of Speedias and Aerials that I can't pick a favourite from.
As for fishing, well my enthusiasm for carp has waned now that the "circus has come to town" and many once lovely waters are now spoiled. So, it's back to the rivers this year and the barbel, chub and roach and there are some overlooked small ponds that I'm going to explore. It's going to be a busy year.
Nice to meet you all.
Chris
