Bamboo

Yesterday was a proud day. The Boy (my son Neil), completed the final exam of a three year course at Sparsholt College. With a bit of luck and a following wind, he will come out of it with a science degree and hopefully, a chance of gaining meaningful employment in this recession hit world.

He did have a job and was busy going nowhere when, at the age of 25 he dropped everything he had and went back into education. I gave him three months before he quit. I am very happy to admit that I was very wrong.

So what has this got to do with bamboo? As a 'well done' we had a splitcane rod made for him. Neil has had a fascination with cane for some time, a result of reading my Chris Yates collection no doubt. He used one that I had borrowed and loved it. He now has his own and it is an absolute gem.

Andy Sliwa has been making cane rods as a hobby for about fifteen years, he's got really quite good at it. Andy's a lovely bloke and we talked at length about what sort of rod would best suit the Boy's needs. Andy came up with a Legerstrike copy, or at least a similar model but very slightly heavier. Whatever the design it has been beautifully put together and the action is a dream. I am very jealous!

Neil's face was a picture when he unsheathed his new weapon, he says that it surpassed his highest expectation. I think angler and rod have a long and happy relationship ahead of them and I am certain that some of those escapades will feature here.