Hello all - newbie again!

First off, our first new fish of the year. Went to Beaver's Farm Fishery in Surrey and had a nice haul of small rudd, in absolutely beautiful condition. Incredibly red fins and some of them a great golden colour.

Not a lot else was biting on the lake we were on though, so we moved for a couple of hours to another lake. No joy with our floats, but we threw out a ledger with a bolt-rig and trusty luncheon meat which after about an hour yielded a really pretty gold coloured carp, about 4 1/2 lbs. We decided it was a koi-common hybrid, but after looking at the photo we took, it may have been a very unusual coloured common. Really pretty fish.

I'll post a picture when I remember to bring the camera to work!

Now.. please help me! It's my husband's birthday in a couple of weeks and he's a huge fan of Chris Yates and his style of fishing (and dressing!). I'd like to buy him some antique tackle to give him even more of a fishing challenge. Preferably something like an Avon rod and possibly an old centrepin - hopefully for trotting. I'll consider anything though.

Does anyone know a good online source for antique tackle?

Help!
Thanks,
Emma

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E.Bay!

I'd thought of e-bay, but I don't think I know enough about vintage tackle to know whether or not I'm being ripped off/buying something good.

I was hoping someone knew of a reliable place that wouldn't take me for a ride!

Antique stuff of the type you may be interested in, of good quality, can be very expensive indeed. It may be worth going to a supplier of new tackle in the old style, especially if you only have a couple of weeks.
There are many advocates of centrepins on anglersnet, who'll reccomend reels like the Lewtham "Leeds" which is very reasonably priced, an excellent introduction to 'pin fishing. But if an older style (more Walker/Yates style),
Youngs (now distributed through Masterline) make lovely new centrepin reels, which in my mind are quite hard to beat, for future collectability.
The John Wilson Heritage, is a stunner, but they also make others equally as nice.
Most tackle shops can put you on the path.
Rod wise, I don't reckon you can fault Norman Agutter for quality and affordability combined.
Have a look at http://www.normanagutters.com

Sorry, http://www.norman-agutters.com

Thanks for the advice.

Go on then... I've never used a centrepin, so can someone recommend me a reel?

He has an old one that he uses on lakes and rivers. I've heard him muttering about wanting one that's good for trotting on rivers.

I guess I can budget up to about £200, but if it cost less, but was still good I could buy him other things too!

Emma

A reel for £200ish is sorted then!

But a rod, ummm, double it!

Then I'm afraid he just gets the reel!

'fishing elf' why not scrub the antique stuff and buy him a modern centrepin outfit, something practical that that he can use. Easily done for £200. the problem with split cane is that it tends to have novelty value only, after you've used it once or twice. Nice to bring out and show people but not always practical to use. Its heavy and expensive compared with modern carbon rods and theres a good chance that it will be confined to a cupboard after a few months never to be seen again and you wouldnt REALLY want him walking around looking like Chris Yates. Think of the neighbours. Besides a half decent cane rod from Norman Agoutter is likely to cost the best part of £300 and Ebay is bit of a lottery unles you know what you're looking for.
Theres a recent thread on here about 'pins which concluded that the best value for money reel around is the Okuma vt1002. Cost about £90. That leaves you around £110 for a rod. More than adequate for a nice new carbon float rod. Someone on here should be able to recommend one. One nice birthday pressie. If you use the 'search' facility at the top of the page, type in 'centrepin' or 'centre pin' you'll find some of the earlier threads. Try typing in 'float rods' you might find a recommended rod within your budget. Failing all of that, your local tackle dealer should be able to help.

Thanks argyll. I like the look of that 'pin. I may well go for it.

And as for looking like Chris Yates, I fear it's too late to do anything about that!