Floatcaster Deluxe

[PDuffield]

...To have taken these on a rod I have worked on myself was all the more satisfying.

I couldn't agree more, I really enjoy picking up rods that look like they're not even fit for holding up beans, restoring them, and then catching a few fish on them (any species, any size, doesn't matter) with an old Rapidex or Delmatic. Some of my favourite rods cost less than £40 including all of the restoration materials.

[St.John]

Here's a picture of Yatesey's just to please you Woody:

They also did a later Floatcaster deLuxe with a built cane butt and hollow fibreglass middle and top sections. A very different rod indeed, it has a soft through action and is rather nice to hold....must have been a revelation when it first came out, but they're worth little enough these days.

Nobby dear sir, any idea what reel that is?

[Haydn Clarke]

Here's a picture of Yatesey's just to please you Woody:

They also did a later Floatcaster deLuxe with a built cane butt and hollow fibreglass middle and top sections. A very different rod indeed, it has a soft through action and is rather nice to hold....must have been a revelation when it first came out, but they're worth little enough these days.

Nobby dear sir, any idea what reel that is?

Well I'm clearly not Nobby, but that reel is either a Hardy Conquest or a Richard Carter Dragonfly.

[St.John]

Cheers haydn, I Don't think its a conquest. It looks different to mine, but only subtly. Cheers mate.

[St.John]

.....although...dam, I can't tell! Think it is now. Blast! How embarrassing!

[Haydn Clarke]

Just to confound you even further, I do believe Mr Yates owns a dragonfly. I think it's the reel he used in Catching The Impossible, so chances are that picture is in fact that reel.

[St.John]

Right. They do look Dam similar. That one looks deeper than my conquest.

[Haydn Clarke]

Is there not a few different versions of the Hardy Conquest....

[St.John]

Yeah, two (not including the new thing). that'd be the later one if it is one i think. the other is essentially the same but with a drag control wheel on the front ala flick 'em's.

[The Sweetcorn Kid]

Chris showed me two Dragonfly reels and I'm sure one was silver and the other blue...