champ

I can add that in a mid 50 s Allcocks catalogue it states that the rod was ideal for an 8lb bs line for salmon,grilse,pike and sea trout.I use mine for pike fishing with plugs and spinners. .

Hi bromley,with regard to the rods that you mention i know a little about two.The Modern arms company, later M A R C O rod sounds like it might be the "Test" a coarse rod suprisingly .The Mordex rod the "Ideal" i havent seen and the E Sealey rod could be one of the Octopus ESS rods .Called the "All Rounder"i would guess that it is a coarse rod with a good through action to handle a wide range of fish. They would certainly have been "good"rods when they were made and had to compete in the day with lots of other makes and styles to attract the tackle shop owner to stock them and hopefully sell!. I am not sure what to say about refurbishing any of the rods.It depends on what you want to do yourself and the condition of them.If they are in reasonably good condition and straight and look ok apart from the rings.It may be worth offering them on e bay.You should get your money back at least, probably more especially if you can offer good pictures. If you fancy the work refurbishing a rod can be an absorbing and rewarding hobby.The reward is not in the monetary way.Taking an old rod that you have brought back to life to the bank-and then catching a fish with it can be a bit special,its a little difficult to describe here.They just look and feel nice!.Its worth checking that the cane is sound before you attempt a refurb.The rod should return to straight whe set up and pulled into a reasonable curve from all directions.Look carefully for any "sets"or pieces of the cane de laminating. Hope this helps Pete.

Hi Dave,yes i had a good afternoon last sunday on a local club lake.Three carp hooked,two landed.Best one was thirteen pounds eight ounces.All took bread on the surface and were landed on my new("old")rod.A vintage split cane Allcocks carp/avon.The biggest was the best fish to the rod.I was absolutely delighted with the fish and the way the rod bent!.It was in the method of fishing that i found the enjoyment-and of course landing the fish!.

The original reserve was £300.Apparently someone told the seller that an Edward Barder refurb would be around £450......The reserve then jumped to £750. ..

I have an Allcocks Viking.Mine has a whole cane(bamboo) butt and middle section with a greenheart top.it has a cork handle with sliding reel fittings.The rings are whipped in a "colourful"yellow and green stripe. .The name of the rod is in a gold oval transfer.The cane is stained nearly black. Because it has a greenheart tip i wont use it for fishing.I do plan to restore it as although it is one of the more basic Allcocks coarse rods it will be useful in a collection. In a 1953 catalogue it is listed as a popular priced bottom rod.Price for a 10 feet 6 inch rod is 45 shillings.There is one rod cheaper this one is not named.The Wizard which is six models higher up the range is priced at 127 shillings and sixpence.So by all means refurbish the rod for interest or historical reasons but the tip may not stand much use and i doubt if the rod would be valuable. This is my own personal opinion only and hopefully others may help.How good is the transfer?.Well worth a mention,its important for restored rods to have as good a transfer or inscription as possible.Hope this is useful. Pete.

Those lovely pictures bring back fond memories of Ballan wrasse fishing from the rocks off Hopes nose in devon.Once hooked it was a tug of war to keep the fish out of the weed and rocks.They certainly can pull HARD!!! ........

I have one of these.I bought mine for tench fishing on a large lake.I thought it would be fairly heavy for trotting and planned to float fish with the rod in rests while waiting for bites.I was happy to find that it is a beautifully balanced rod and i now use it on rivers as well.The extra length of 12 foot 6 inches can be useful at times.Most of my cane rods are shorter,10 foot six being the norm.With a handfull of 11 footers. I wasnt aware that Edward Barders rod was modelled on this one.I wouldnt like to use it for large barbel myself.This one is obviuosly aimed at collectors.It will be interesting to see what happens.I wouldnt sell mine for £300(i paid a little less)and it didnt belong to the great man. The FJT is two equal sections of cane with a seperate butt section.There is a similar Chapman rod.the"Hunter"which is three equal sections. ...

Its a nice looking fish seemingly in good condition.Nice girth.I would say near to 4lb if it was a Stour fish myself.It is very difficult to guess though.The youngster has caught himself a cracking chub whatever the size .

A very nice reel thanks.I like the Wallis wizard with it.I have one myself.Mine has the wooden handle,originally painted black. Pete.

That looks bad Alan.My son did the same when he was about 15.It was a smaller hook about size 2 i would guess.One of the hooks from a treble on a bass lure.It needed a casualty visit -and it was only when they raided the toolbox of on site workmen that they could find cutters strong enough to cut through the hook bend and push it through.He was jumping around on the bed which was a little worrying at the time.The gas they gave him obviously worked.He couldnt remember any of it afterwards.

Its a real pleasure to see the wip on your reel.I have no metalworking skills,let alone the engineering experience that must be needed to make a reel!.I can use them though .Mine is the Milbro pelican pat 9 type,also three and a half inch dia.Still loaded with 15lb mono from the last river piking trip in march.Have you made other reels Worms?.

Can anyone suggest a lightweight umbrella for summer use please?.My wife has started fishing with me on some trips.She likes to sit in shade,and keep dry!.I dont use brolleys much if i can avoid it.The only one i have is an old Wavelock Nu brolli from my Nash brolly overwrap bivvie days.Its a great winter brolly-nothing gets through it,but its very heavy.

Much cooler here today(somerset/dorset).On the river early afternoon-dark.Ive been out in the heat as well, theres always somewhere to wet a line .

OOPS!!!!...............I reckon that i may have made a big mistake.I had two Match Aerials.I sold one a while ago and part traded the other recently.I always found them a little to wide(diameter)for easy use and casting.They were perfect for trotting though.I always thought that i could replace with a FC.I have never handled on and assumed as a "copy" they were much the same.Seems i was wrong. I had better start saving for a replacement .I never found that the paint came off mine.They had plenty of use and got covered in groundbait etc.I did clean them well after each outing though.

Well done Rusty.I havent caught a barbel for a very long time.Nearest were about 50 miles from me.Your pictures have spurred me on to have a go for them this season!.Great shot of the river by the way .

I havent used a keepnet for years.Its my own personal choice and i am not against other anglers using them if they wish.I am happy to let my catch go after landing.A picture is sometimes needed of course and weighing if its a big un.I sometimes carry a small carpsack and would put a couple of decent roach or single bigger fish in for photos.I would "contain" fish for these purposes so i suppose its the same thing really?.I am never sure wether putting fish straight back has any effect on my catches or not though.

I must be lucky.My favourite river stretches are relatively rubbish and undesirables free.They arent free areas but the club licences run from£14-£35 for a season which is pretty cheap.Public footpaths run along or close to fair lengths of all of them(ive joined three this season).My main complaint is that i see far too many dogwalkers and hikers.The hikers arent much of a problem but the dogwalkers seem to think that their favourite canine friends have free run up and down the bank,In the water-sometimes in my swim,and that bait is free food!.This is of course very annoying but i usually smile and put up with it.I honestly dont think that they realise its a problem.In contrast twenty years ago i hardly saw anyone other than anglers.I suppose as more and more people realise what beautiful places our riverbanks are there can only be more "users" that we will have to share with.

Very nice pictures and interesting stories.Ive caught a few Roach over two pounds but a half pound fish from a new water is a delight to me, your lovely 1-14 is a cracker!.

I use Aerial populars in 3inch,3 1/2inch,and 4inch dia for most of my pin fishing.I like the wide drums,i find that it helps with casting.And they suit my rods.I have sold/swapped most of the rest as the pops fill the need.My son has an Okuma Sheffield it spins forever and is fantastic value imo.

Hello all,a little info about my fishing.I suppose i am an "allrounder"though mainly do coarse fishing.As a traditional angler i havent so far fished during the close season for coarse fish.This is where trout fishing on my local reservoir for rainbows,and streams for brown trout keeps me busy. Sea fishing from rocks,piers,and the beach during summer evenings is good fun.The Dorset coast is about 30 mins away!. My passion is collecting and using vintage tackle,especially split cane rods.I have a modest collection and enjoy putting a bend in whichever one i take out on the day.River fishing would be my first choice.I had better stop before i put my reader to sleep.The rest will have given up already... . Pete.