The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Wal recently returned a rod to me on which he performed a small rescue miracle and one I am very grateful for. Just prior to their deaths my parents paid for Rawson & Perrin to build a Willow for me - it’s their modern take on a Lucky Strike. Their service was excellent but I was never entirely happy with the rod. Much of this was because I simply picked the wrong whipping pattern and colour. However, the first fish I landed with it was a hard fighting carp of high single figures which decided to take 2 maggots on a 16 hook and 4lb leader! The rod suffered badly, partly as a result of my inexperience with cane at the time. Wal described it to me as bent and twisted in several directions!

Anyway, Wal stripped her down, straightened her and re-whipped the rings in a gorgeous Peacock blue with inters, as I wanted her to look more like an early Lucky Strike. At Wal’s suggestion, I’ve put her in a rod bag with somewhat less rigid material then the one supplied and have reduced her line rating from 8lb to 6lb. A couple of weekends ago she landed several nice Bream.

Every time I take the Willow out she reminds me of my parents, both of whom taught me to fish. So, I am very grateful to Wal for making that possible.

One question to readers, does anyone else own a Rawson & Perrin coarse rod and what do they think? Pictures below:

That looks superb Duckett. Dr Cane can perform quite amazing surgery....and in my case the odd resurrection.....
Enjoy using that gorgeous rod, as for R&P, sorry I have no personal knowledge....

That looks great in the less common blue whippings

Does look nice. The background blanket you've chosen makes it look even better. I've no experience of R&P. One of their MkIV rods sold on eBay recently, hollow built. I think lots of light rods will struggle with hard fighting carp. I've been told by a very respected cane builder that a lot of fly rods look a little bent after taking fish but that they do recover soon enough – as long as the quality is there in the first place.

I guess use it, enjoy it and see how you get on together. Given the emotive attachment to the rod it's one that needs to be with you forever. I have a light Avon rod that I won't use where are I know there are carp present.

That’s a stunning looking rod. Wal can certainly do wonders, and that’s evidence of it. No idea about Rawson & Perrin, presumably a comedy double act from the early 19 hundreds.

I have seen adverts for their fly rods and the occasional custom made coarse rod, don't seem to be cheap tho!

Thanks for all of the comments. I shall be adding The Willow to the cane that does not get used at waters with carp! Thankfully, I still have access to several of that increasingly rare water!