Dom Andrew

25 year old Benson fit and agile at 64lb 2oz - not bl**dy likely. That sounds like obese to me. Benson should have gone on a diet then she might have lived a lot longer. I blame these anglers who pile in the bait.

Chub, maybe it's this guy's euphemism for fish in general.

Alan, which mags do you like. I like 'Waterlog', and 'Classic Angling' but, the former lacks any how to artickles and, the latter, well you have to be a playboy millionair to be interested in some of the stuff. Basically what I would like to see is a continuation of 'Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing'.

Yes, it is for that article, but if in doubt go to the shops and have a quick flick through the mag. Anything to do with traditional angling is ok in my book.

Thanks everyone, and thanks Chavender, the photos were really useful. I've taken off the back and, yes, I think the pawl is missing . All I can see is that small stubby pin amost hidden under the cog. I'll e-mail the seller and see if he still has it. If he hasn't I'll look for one on ebay, and if no luck there I'll be back to you chavender - thanks for the offer of one of your spares. Dom.

I bought an old ABU 506 reel off eBay, but there doesnt seem to be a stop mechnism to stop the handle from turning. Is this as it should be?

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll certainly have a look at the Drennan but, due to the cost, I think I'll probably end up buying the Keenets Powestretch telescopic landing net. Dom.

Hi everyone, Ecuse my ignorance but, do telescopic landing net handles have to be used fully extended or, can they be used with intermediate lenghts? Dom.

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your answers. I now know that a Roach rod would not be suitable for me for I'm into medium size fish such as very big Roach, big Perch, big Chub and big Tench, etc, and maybe small Barbel and SMALL Carp. I'm not into monsters . Tight lines . Dom.

Can anyone tell me what the difference is, if any, between a match rod and a roach rod?

Thanks everyone for just the sort of comments and suggestions I was looking for . Those Browning Syntec Match Rods look just the ticket, and I'll check out that Shakespear Excelsior rod too. By the way, my first rod, bought by my parents for my 8th, or 9th birthday, was a midd-blue metal rod with a black wooden handle. It was a toy realy but, it caught me loads of roach and many big chub and perch at Bray (on Thames) where I used to live as a kid.

Thanks everyone. I'm new to all these forums and still feeling my way around. I wasn't quite sure what the response would be? It's nice to know that some of you are on my wavelength . I'm from the Crabtree era . I started fishing in the 60's. Though I've never owned a cane rod, I was surrounded by them and always hoped to be able to afford one eventually. Of course, technology has moved on unfortunatly and, I'll be too self-concsious to fish with one now. The sort of price range for an all-round float rod (which doesn't look like an aerial as Chris Yates says) would be around £60 to £80 mark, or cheaper . I suppose I could get myself an old fibreglass rod from ebay, they are usually brownish.

Hi everyone. I'm looking for an all-round float rod which is green or brown in colour, or any other colour so longe as it is not black . I'm not looking for anything multicoloured or gaudy but, somthing that will blend in with nature . I'm aware that Hardy have a new range of coarse rods which are moss green but, they are way beyond my budget. Any sugestios anyone? Dom.

Hi everyone. Just joined yesterday. I'm returning to fishing after many decades away from the river bank - I'm from the Crabtree era . Though not quite a Chris Yates, traditional angling does appeal to me. I hope this post gets through this time - I've tried before several times but nothing happened for, I'm not quite sure what I'm doing - just like my fishing