Spindle

I highly recommend the John Wilson Avon Quiver that DavidP mentioned. They are cracking rods that will cover tons of situations - possibly the best all-round rod for course fishing (IMOP). The quiver is a good "medium" quiver - possibly too heavy for small-fish (gudgeon, whales, that kind of thing), but ideal for rivers or slightly bigger fish (bigger gudgeon, sharks!). The avon is good for all sorts - float fishing, legering, even light spinning. If I was to float fish all the time, I think I'd rather a slightly longer rod - say 13ft, but if you like to mix and match like I do - this rod does it all (which means less to drag to the bank!) I've got two of them and I've had carp to 15lb on them. They are rated for lines 3lb-6lb, so are ideal for tench, bream, barbel etc. but I've seen John use them on TV with 8lb, and I use them with 11lb braid without problems. They have a test curve of 1 1/4lb so you aren't going to cast big bombs to the horizon, but it doesn't sound as though this is likely to be your thing anyway. He has two main types - I have the cheaper "signature" model that you can pick up for about £50, and there is a "heritage" model for about twice that. I've never used the heritage model, but I'd happily buy another "signature"! I'm a big fan of JW's rods (does it show?), but I know others who aren't, so if you are one of them, then look at other tackle manufactures such as Daiwa, who also have twin tip rods of about the same length and test curve. I'm fairly sure they do similar types which are slightly longer at 12ft, which you might prefer. Anyway, sorry to rabbit on... Let us know what you pick. Cheers

I highly recommend the John Wilson Avon Quiver that DavidP mentioned. They are cracking rods that will cover tons of situations - possibly the best all-round rod for course fishing (IMOP). The quiver is a good "medium" quiver - possibly too heavy for small-fish (gudgeon, whales, that kind of thing), but ideal for rivers or slightly bigger fish (bigger gudgeon, sharks!). The avon is good for all sorts - float fishing, legering, even light spinning. If I was to float fish all the time, I think I'd rather a slightly longer rod - say 13ft, but if you like to mix and match like I do - this rod does it all (which means less to drag to the bank!) I've got two of them and I've had carp to 15lb on them. They are rated for lines 3lb-6lb, so are ideal for tench, bream, barbel etc. but I've seen John use them on TV with 8lb, and I use them with 11lb braid without problems. They have a test curve of 1 1/4lb so you aren't going to cast big bombs to the horizon, but it doesn't sound as though this is likely to be your thing anyway. He has two main types - I have the cheaper "signature" model that you can pick up for about £50, and there is a "heritage" model for about twice that. I've never used the heritage model, but I'd happily buy another "signature"! I'm a big fan of JW's rods (does it show?), but I know others who aren't, so if you are one of them, then look at other tackle manufactures such as Daiwa, who also have twin tip rods of about the same length and test curve. I'm fairly sure they do similar types which are slightly longer at 12ft, which you might prefer. Anyway, sorry to rabbit on... Let us know what you pick. Cheers

If you read the magazines, it seems just about everything is caught on Active-8's, but I've never used them. Personal fav's are Mistral Rosehip Boilies. On the canal where I usually fish for carp, these seem to outfish others I have tried, though it may just be the carp have got used to them. It always seems that there is an "in bait" and a "blown bait" on many waters, but I reckon a blown bait, fished in the right spot at the right time will still probably outfish an "in bait" in the wrong spot. Sadly I always seem to fish a blown bait in the wrong spot!

If you read the magazines, it seems just about everything is caught on Active-8's, but I've never used them. Personal fav's are Mistral Rosehip Boilies. On the canal where I usually fish for carp, these seem to outfish others I have tried, though it may just be the carp have got used to them. It always seems that there is an "in bait" and a "blown bait" on many waters, but I reckon a blown bait, fished in the right spot at the right time will still probably outfish an "in bait" in the wrong spot. Sadly I always seem to fish a blown bait in the wrong spot!

I agree with Peter - the only thing the spool does have is a tiny hole which you can feed the line through when it's off the reel. I think the old 300's had the same thing.

I agree with Peter - the only thing the spool does have is a tiny hole which you can feed the line through when it's off the reel. I think the old 300's had the same thing.

I have a book, called "Floatmaker's Manual" by Bill Watson, which is the only book I've ever seen which is dedicated to float making. I don't think it's likely to be published now, but it's ISBN number is: 0 510 22522-1 or 0 510 22524-1 Hardback.

I have a book, called "Floatmaker's Manual" by Bill Watson, which is the only book I've ever seen which is dedicated to float making. I don't think it's likely to be published now, but it's ISBN number is: 0 510 22522-1 or 0 510 22524-1 Hardback.

Anybody know where you can get spare spools for the 300X (perhaps other than the sizes that it's supplied with, such as a shallow match spool)? Are they interchangeable with other Mitchell Concept reels? By the way, I highly highly recommend the 300X Pro... smooth as a smoothy smooth thing that has recently been fed through a smoother! And quite lovely looking too! Kind of like my wife Aaah

Anybody know where you can get spare spools for the 300X (perhaps other than the sizes that it's supplied with, such as a shallow match spool)? Are they interchangeable with other Mitchell Concept reels? By the way, I highly highly recommend the 300X Pro... smooth as a smoothy smooth thing that has recently been fed through a smoother! And quite lovely looking too! Kind of like my wife Aaah

Personally I'd like to buy my fishing license by Direct Debit, like I do my TV License. That way, I don't have to worry about rushing down to the post office to queue up for half an hour to find out they've run out, or they don't sell them here etc. and I know I'm always covered. It's something I always buy, every year, so why not by DD?

Personally I'd like to buy my fishing license by Direct Debit, like I do my TV License. That way, I don't have to worry about rushing down to the post office to queue up for half an hour to find out they've run out, or they don't sell them here etc. and I know I'm always covered. It's something I always buy, every year, so why not by DD?

Am I right in thinking the Tackle Exchange is (or was?) run by John Stephenson, who wrote the books Rosewood To Revolution (on centrepins) and Understanding Threadlines (on fixed spools)? If so, did he ever write the third book - Brass Winches or something like that?

Am I right in thinking the Tackle Exchange is (or was?) run by John Stephenson, who wrote the books Rosewood To Revolution (on centrepins) and Understanding Threadlines (on fixed spools)? If so, did he ever write the third book - Brass Winches or something like that?

Was that one of the old 300's?

Was that one of the old 300's?

I've just ordered a 300X Pro on the strength of pretty pictures, good reviews, being a mitchell fan, and having money to burn. Any opinions? Is the Pro much better than the standard model? I've seen a picture of it on a french website and it had a nice wooden handle - is this the same model we get in the UK? I always wanted, but never did get, the old 300Pro, so hopefully this will make up for it. While on the subject of mitchell reels, something I've always wondered about the Predator Electric and other such "electronic bite alarm reels". Assuming the reel sounds an alarm when line is pulled from the reel... what happens if the run is a drop-back? Nothing? Is this not dangerous with regards to deep-hooking and missed runs? :confused:

I've just ordered a 300X Pro on the strength of pretty pictures, good reviews, being a mitchell fan, and having money to burn. Any opinions? Is the Pro much better than the standard model? I've seen a picture of it on a french website and it had a nice wooden handle - is this the same model we get in the UK? I always wanted, but never did get, the old 300Pro, so hopefully this will make up for it. While on the subject of mitchell reels, something I've always wondered about the Predator Electric and other such "electronic bite alarm reels". Assuming the reel sounds an alarm when line is pulled from the reel... what happens if the run is a drop-back? Nothing? Is this not dangerous with regards to deep-hooking and missed runs? :confused:

While messing about at the fly tying bench, I made up what ended up as the perfect maggot imitation. I made it out of an underbody of yellow wool, with a stretched condom body. I've never tried it, but might give it a go on the river... plenty of daft dace that should look at it. I wonder if it's worth trying other variants, such as a baby-doll type trotted for perch?

While messing about at the fly tying bench, I made up what ended up as the perfect maggot imitation. I made it out of an underbody of yellow wool, with a stretched condom body. I've never tried it, but might give it a go on the river... plenty of daft dace that should look at it. I wonder if it's worth trying other variants, such as a baby-doll type trotted for perch?