The sale room I mentioned in the last post, was the source of some entertainment. Auctions are a great venue to study human behaviour as well as holding an atmosphere of intense anticipation and drama, if you've never been I recommend it but sit on your hands! As I'd left a couple of bids on the viewing day I didn't buy a 'card' to enable me to bid on the day which was probably a good idea, the urge to have a punt is so strong it can cost an awful lot for those lacking will power. I did however miss a couple of real bargains but not to worry, I got my rods and was delighted. So I came home with a 'Sabina' float rod in very good condition and an Edgar Sealy Rover that needs some tlc but which shows promise, an absolute bargain at £47 the pair.
This evening I was very keen to give my 'new' rods a trial. I decided to have a short trotting session with the Sabina and finish the session with a spot of chubbing with the Rover. Of course I got to the river later than I expected but went ahead with the plan and set up the float rod matched with a Trudex centre pin that used to belong to Peter Stone. It took a while to get a bite but once I did it was one a chuck and I started to bring little chub and dace to hand. They were all tiny but I was enjoying myself and there's always the anticipation that the next bite could put a proper bend in the rod. It didn't.
I was going to stick to the float as the sun was dipping behind the trees but then thought, 'make the effort' and I set up the rover with a newly acquired Allcocks Delmatic. Now I'm not usually one to trust old reels but this one has a story which I may go into some time in the future, anyway, I set up the rod with a paternoster to a light lead and a size 8 with a couple of pellets. I cast it to where I'd been drip feeding pellets and set about taking a picture of my float rod.
I looked up to see the rod tip bend and stay bent! I tightened into a heavy weight and I smiled as I realised I was into a barbel. Despite issues with the reel seat and straggly bits of whipping flapping in the breeze the old rod did me proud and playing that fish was a genuine pleasure although I was forced to backwind rather than use the juddery clutch on the aged reel.
It wasn't a big fish by any means, just five pounds or so but one which gave me great pleasure and saw me pack up with a satisfied grin etched on my face. As I left the fishery I was treated to one of the finest sunsets of the year, a perfect finale.
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ReplyDeleteNice to see the use of those rods. A bit like me, old but still of use if handled carefully! I've picked up a couple of lovely split cane jobs at car boots, one unmarked the other an F T williams "Esher". I also managed a beautful Armstrong of Newcastle salmon rod. I'll keep that to look at but hope to use the others regularly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for looking in Dave, catching on cane is a wonderful pass time :-)
ReplyDeleteTop stuff mate, a cane of some sort will be on my list soon i think.
ReplyDeleteI had a lovely cane rod a while ago but i was scared to use it and so when i did use it i did not enjoy it. Perhaps i should not be quite so precious in the future.
It doesn't have to cost a fortune Tom there's some cracking cheapies out there but you do have to go and look for them. Have a read of http://www.traditionalfisherman.co.uk/ there's a wealth of knowledge to glean information from on there.
DeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteDave has fished with said cane rod this Feb just gone, it didnt scare him at all.
I was a bit :-)
DeleteWhat better way is there to christen a new rod Dave. I'm always a bit superstitious when using a new piece of tackle for the first time, usually expecting the old blank jinx to kick in before eventually catching.
ReplyDeleteSome rods take a while to learn what they were bought for Mark, they just need time and patience ;-) I've always gone with 'change your rod change your luck' and found that new rods do quite well for me.
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