The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Last month I was fortunate enough to purchase this rod from a lady at Studley, Redditch, for a song. I bought it sight unseen and collected it when I visited the May tackle fair. To say that I was pleased is a gross understatement. From the single, out of focus photo, I actually thought it may have been a glass fibre rod, but it wasn't. It has a whole cane butt section and a built cane top and was in untouched condition. It had been well protected by copious amounts of varnish.

By good fortune Wal (Dr Cane) and Lorraine were our house guests that weekend and so Wal took it back with him for refurbishment. The cane was found to be in good order, as were the tip and butt rings. Even the ferrule stopper was original. The intermediates were replaced as were the reel fittings, which were showing some corrosion. The writing says Aspindales, Redditch, England, so it is likely to be a very early rod according to experts who have given me their opinions.

It is a powerful rod but does have some action and I guess that it was made as a pike rod. It will make be a good stalking rod for carp or even for barbel in 'hit and hold' swims. One way or another it will get used.

Does anyone know of another?

Wow...utterly gorgeous! My compliments Wal, another superb restoration
Congratulations on its acquisition Bob, a rare rod has been preserved and our angling heritage has benefited from its discovery and preservation
It would be interesting to discover if it is as rare as I think it may be?

Jeremy Croxall wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 7:16 pm Wow...utterly gorgeous! My compliments Wal, another superb restoration
Congratulations on its acquisition Bob, a rare rod has been preserved and our angling heritage has benefited from its discovery and preservation
It would be interesting to discover if it is as rare as I think it may be?

One thing that is rare about this acquisition was the asking price of £5. I didn't try to get a discount.

A lovely rod. Either a pike or even a salmon spinner. No name on it?

Wal will correct me but I think the whole cane butt gives it a tippy but more powerful action than built cane all through?

Olly wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2019 12:46 pm A lovely rod. Either a pike or even a salmon spinner. No name on it?

Wal will correct me but I think the whole cane butt gives it a tippy but more powerful action than built cane ll through?

You are absolutely correct Olly, a very powerful rod and I would think designed for deadbaiting for Pike from a punt or boat. It would even double up as a light pier rod.
Someone asked about a cane rod for big Catfish and I think this one would cope no problem.

Wal.

Oooooh! That is a nice-looking rod. Nobby can probably narrow down its build date from the handwriting just above the handle.

G. B.

It was a good pike rod too! So far I have only used it the once, the best I caught was this one of 22.14. It performed impeccably, despite the pike being hell bent on tangling me around the mud weight rope. It will definitely be my 'go to' pike rod when fishing from a boat.

Stonkingly good fish - what a beaut.

Well done Bob, that's a great pike on a great rod. I like the boat as well.

Handsome and the pike ain't that shabby either

Well done Bob