J W Youngs Trotter 13 -15

[barbelbarmy]

I have found a photograph from 2004 with the rod in use so must of been around this time that I got the rod, especially as the cork looks nice and clean.

[lutra]

I have found a photograph from 2004 with the rod in use so must of been around this time that I got the rod, especially as the cork looks nice and clean.

From googling I can't find much connection to sage and as nice as the rod has been thought out, I can't really see it in the quality either. Around 2004 Masterline seemed to be heavily involved with Javis Walker and the John Wilson rods. Which seems the most likely connection to me.

[barbelbarmy]

They were a short lived range, quite apart from the John Wilson range which I think were poor quality at the time. I viewed one of these and it had unsightly lumps of varnish all over it. The BJ float was £350 at the time. I think they did a twin top Barbel rod and some travel rods. The float rod was specified as being up to 10lb main line. When I had the top section replaced I picked it up from the headquarters and I believe they told me it was an American blank but cannot be certain now. There was a husband and wife partnership making rods at the time that used the same blanks but unfortunately my memory is vague.

 

I only saw the twin top once, at Stapley garden centre, it was by far the lightest Barbel rod at the time. It was on the basis of this that when my Daiwa Avon Specialist broke whilst casting I replaced it with the BJ. However, was not impressed with this at the time.

 

The second top section broke after the line looped round the tip without me noticing. Subsequently it got put away till recently when I come across the first section, which was only short by the part going in the tip guide and I made a spliced tip rod out of the other broken section. It weighs 190g which only just above the Daiwa amorphous and the Grey's prodigy float. Not nice at 15ft though.

[barbelbarmy]

Just come across this listing on eBay - damn missed it. Anyway he has listed as a Normark blank.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bob-James-River-Twin-Tip-Rod-Normark-blank-/142171066029?hash=item211a0e4ead:g:BggAAOSwnbZYHcTg

[lutra]

Just come across this listing on eBay - damn missed it. Anyway he has listed as a Normark blank.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bob-James-River-Twin-Tip-Rod-Normark-blank-/142171066029?hash=item211a0e4ead:g:BggAAOSwnbZYHcTg

From what I've seem of other BJ/Normark rods the quality is there and they have Normark written on them and the bag.

 

http://picclick.co.uk/track/302110419682

 

That twin tip looks like the 13/15 float with no mention of Normark on it. Going by the cheep cork full of filler and none fuji rings, I'm guessing their not Normark.

[barbelbarmy]

Saying that the BJ has never caused the line damage I get from some other rods.

[barbelbarmy]

Was doing a bit of surfing and realised made a mistake with the Sage connection. I believe it was a Seer blank that was used for the BJ float and the couple that used the blanks were Jill and Andy. Will do some more digging.

 

I have used the young's rod some more and can only describe the rod as for distance long trotting, it is very good for a long cast and picking up line at a distance but for close work is clumsy. Unfortunately still easy to bump fish off close in. Quality build and lovely finish, I really have mixed feelings on this one.

[barbelbarmy]

Have J W Youngs brought their reel manufacturing back to the UK? I have took the below from their new website:

 

 

J W Young

J W Young reels are unique. The J W Young range of centrepin reels are all hand-made in our workshops in Tewkesbury from components machined for us in Redditch, the traditional home of fishing tackle in the UK.

As much a work of art as a reel to fish with, these beautiful products are finished to the highest standard and designed to last a lifetime or more. Each reel comes in a plush lined, zip-up canvas case, carries an individual serial number and comes with a certificate of authenticity to show that it has passed our rigorous inspection procedure. Often as not the inspection will have been carried out and the certificate signed in person by Jim Young (grandson of founder J W Young) who is still a consultant to the company.

To accompany the reels we now have a superb range of beautifully finished rods. Although not made in the UK these rods are built to the highest standards, have superb actions and use top quality fittings to perfectly complement the reels.