Croix

Anyone know where I might get an Ocean Kayak Ambush, tried a few places but they have no stock and say it has now been discontinued. I'm hoping to find a dealer that may have one left, or a secondhand one. Is there a similar version available ?

Jon, can't tell you much about it I'm afraid but I sent for a ticket a few days ago. Looks like the've got a decent stretch of the Trent and a nice bit on the Dove.

Ken, just remembered I have Ron Thompson 'Steelhead' 7' 5-20g rod somewhere, not a bad rod at the price. I can dig it out if you want a real budget rod.

Ken, I find that's the case with the vast majority of spinning/lure rods that are available in the UK, the actions are really pathetic. I've had loads over the years from the main UK tackle companies and never been satisfied with any of them. Now I tend to stick with American rods, mainly St.Croix (if I'm on a budget) or Loomis (if funds allow), properly designed fast action tippy lure rods. The St.Croix PS70MLF2 is a great 7' two piece spinning rod, rated 1/8 - 1/2oz, it can cast the top end of this range with ease and has plenty of power lower down the blank. Reasonable price too if bought from the US, even after taxes.

I've never fished that stretch Jon, but I've done reasonably OK between Milford and Little Eaton, also on the 'Pride' stretch between Draycott and the point where it meets the Trent. Nothing big but quite a bit of action, some nice chub too.

Disappointment in terms of size or quantity Jon ? I've always found it OK for quantity but a bit lacking on size.

I'll be chucking lures for pike on Pitsford, just hoping it's not going to be a windless warm day.

Well my Prion 9200FD reel arrived on Tuesday, and got sent straight back as it had a cracked rotor, Marsh Tackle replaced it no problem, good service. Anyway the reel is OK but I'm certainly glad I didn't pay full (£90ish) price for it, nowhere near as smooth or balanced as my similar sized Shimano, the Penn reel is said to have 10 bearings ........... it doesn't feel like it, but it may get smoother with use, hopefully. If you spin the reel you can feel the rod/reel wobbling from side to side with the forces of this unbalanced reel, no real movement at all with the Shimano. It also has a tight spot on the mechanism that moves the spool back and forth, again this may ease with use. I guess you get what you pay for and overall it has to be worth the £30.00, but I'd be disappointed if I'd paid any more. {2008 Editor's Note - please click here to view Penn Prion rods and reels for sale}

Withdrawn from sale. [ 15. May 2005, 09:45 PM: Message edited by: Croix ]

Cheers Elton, just ordered one.

Thanks Anthony.

Anyone know which club controls the fishing on the Trent in the Wychnor/Alrewas (Staffordshire) area. Thanks

Thanks for all the advice, I've now ended up with 3 different set ups 9'6" #7/8 for the large stillwaters. 9' #5 for the river and small waters. 9' #9 'cos I fancy trying a bit of Pike flyfishing too. Cheers

Hi, I've just bought a very nice secondhand 8'6" #5 rod for fishing my local river but now need some suggestions for a reel, no more than £50 and as light as possible. The less clicky the better as that noise drives me mad. Cheers

Cheers for the advice, the more I look into this I think I may be better going for two different set ups to cover the types of fishing I intend to do rather than compromise and have a set up that is not really suited for either. Stillwater fishing would probably range from 10 acre fisheries to 700 acre reservoirs, the river fishing would mainly be on the Derbyshire Derwent which isn't very big. Trying to find one rod to suitably cover that is going to be near impossible I would have thought. What sort of rod should I look at for the larger stillwaters (bank & boat fishing), 9'6" #7/8 ? Maybe a 9' #5/6 for the small waters and river ? Thanks

Cheers Jon, I'll probably go to Walkers on Tues and have a look, I think the customer service there depends on who serves you, some of the staff are excellent, others are tossers. PS, Is there any downside to having a multi piece rod against a 2 piece one ? [ 27. March 2005, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: Croix ]

Hi, Looking for some advice/recommendations for a suitable allround fly rod for medium rivers and stillwaters, I'm thinking of something around 9' or 9'6" probably around a 7 weight. I have very little experience of fly rods or fly casting and would value some advice on the action of the rod - medium, medium/fast, fast, etc. Are the more expensive rods easier and nicer to cast with ? I know from using a variety of spinning/lure rods over the years that the better quality rods for this type of fishing are certainly nicer to cast with and play fish on, I pressume the same applies in fly fishing ? Expecting to spend upto £200ish, so not really looking at Sage, Loomis, etc. The Greys GRX (£90ish) has been recommended to me, any views on this rod ? Thanks for any help.

Jon, checked today, it still has a closed season.

Sent you a mail Jon.

Cheers Jon, I'll give 'em a ring in the morning.

Anyone know if Staunton Harold Res. near Derby still has a closed season or whether it's open year round ? Thanks

All sorted now thanks.

Hi Chris, I'm after a decent med/fast action rod of decent quality, probably upto £100 secondhand. Do the lines you can get have bass bug type taper or are they normal taper WF's.

Wanted - decent quality 9 foot fly rod rated for 9 or 10 weight line. May also be interested in suitable fly reels, lines, etc.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated. I'll let you know how we do. Cheers