I received a email today form a non forum member who has kindly asked me to pass this message onto Reedling.Reedling wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:02 pm I went to the bootfair today and picked up this nice little rod. It is a few inches over 11 foot long and has written in ink on the butt section.. 'Trent special' and 'For Bert Coley' there is no makers mark or transfer so was probably hand built by a tackle shop or individual. I thought it rather unusual as this type of whole/split spliced cane type of rod is normaly made in three sections such as is the case with Sealey and Martin James rods, amongst others. The tip and butt rings are of the clear agate type but the high bells are all rusted, which is a shame as the whips are all in pretty good shape. I look forward to restoring this one and see how it performs as a two section rod. Reedling.
The information is that in the mid 1960's when I was a nipper we used to visit a traditional fishing tackle shop/pet shop on "The Green" in Kings Norton, Birmingham, which was owned by a well known match angler of the time, Bert Coley. He was known as a bream/leger specialist in common with the members of the Lifford Angling club of which he was a member. The shop was furnished with glass cases containing specimen fish and I can remember that distinctive fishing shop smell. I think that it is highly likely that the rod originates from this source. I think it is possible that the rod was made in Redditch which is just a few miles south of this location and provided much of the tackle and accessories for the Birmingham fishing tackle trade. Sadly the shop is no longer in existence in common with the vast majority of Tackle dealerships in the Birmingham area.
I would be grateful if you could pass this information on to "Reedling" for me.
Many thanks
Steve