The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Well noticed, could it be just the way he liked it positioned or could it be because it decreases the angle of the line from the bail arm to the first eye which may or may not increase line twist?

Most handles were far too long so as to fool the customer into thinking the rod was much lighter than it actually was. General reel position on a general coarse rod if made to measure is wherever it sits when the end of the handle is in the armpit, so that the handle can be moved easily around the body whilst playing a fish. I prefer it shorter for trotting a float and touch legering though.

Have to say Shaun I have never fished with a rod under my armpit, am I doing something wrong? I have always fished a rod as an extension of my arm and have always had 4 or 5 inches past the elbow on a rod butt to be comfortable.

4 or 5 inches below your elbow should still comfortably pass under the arm from side to side when the arm is extended on most people.

This is probably a bit of a tenuous post (pictures of Peter Stone) but bear with me.

Here are a few pictures of Wolvercote Mill Stream which runs into the Thames at Port Meadow in Oxford, a spot I love to fish. I have seen pictures of this stream and where it meets the Thames in Peters book "Coarse Fishing" Illustrated Teach Yourself Series. On page 22 of that book I think is a picture of a young Peter Drennan fishing just below the confluence of the Mill Stream and the Thames.

Anyway, the Mill Stream - currently very low: There is a small road bridge you can sit under when the level is this low: But what is lovely about this spot, is the lovely plaque that the Barbel Society have put on the bridge: I was quite taken aback when I first saw that plaque a few years back.

To Peter the Great.

What a lovely plaque.

Here's a few pictures of the unveiling of the plaque. There was quite a gathering on the day with the like's of Fred J Taylor, Pete Drennan, John Everard, Dave Steuart, Bernard Cribbins, Fred Crouch .......

Brilliant, thanks for that Dave.

Fantastic Dave! Many thanks for showing how the plaque got there - what a wonderful turn out too.

Well that the man should be remembered. Thanks for sharing that.