robtherake

Many moons ago,a mate and I used to night fish for tench on Dringhouses pond in York. I'm not sure we should have been, mind, but no one ever objected. This particular night, said friend, who has a pathological aversion to rats, was fishing off one of the wooden platforms which projected about 15 feet out. When he grabbed for some sweetcorn to feed up, he picked up a very surprised and angry rodent, which had been having a casual munch under cover of darkness. With a noise like escaping steam ,and forgetting completely in his abject terror that his legroom was very limited, he leapt backwards and disappeared into a bed of lilies. I'd nodded off, but alerted by the sounds of attempted murder in the next peg went charging round to find the geezer missing and a series of diminishing ripples to the left of his platform. Fearing the worst, I scanned with the head-torch and discovered a dome-like object, with a big lily pad for a hat, about 6 foot out. The lily pad slowly tipped back to reveal a head, submerged to the nostrils. Further tipping revealed the owner's mouth. Words followed - "Get me out nob 'ead, me feet are stuck". I almost fell in laughing, it was about ten minutes before I recovered enough strength to pass him a long bankstick and pull him out, complete with a couple of stone of mud and lilies. Precious

No problem, Colin. Once I've worked out how to PM folks (system won't let me for some reason - I've asked for help) I'll be in touch. They take about a week to make, what with all the coats of paint,stain and yacht varnish and rubbing down between coats, but I've got some on the go at the mo so you shouldn't have to wait very long. Until I sort out a better red fluoro paint (coverage is patchy with the one I'm using), current tip colour options are limited to yellow and black. Regards, Rob.

I've been asked to PM a member on this forum, but keep getting an error message saying that I don't have permission to use this facility. Same thing happens when I try to access the member profile. It's possible that I've forgotten to activate these facilities, but can't see how to. Can someone explain, please?

If you email me , Adam, we can sort out the details and I'll send you the pair shown in the pic.(better start making some more!). Contact me at robtunnah@hotmail.co.uk I have other designs too. Pith and cane antennas from 2BB to 2 swan and onions from 2 to 6BB. I'm not really geared up for any kind of full scale production - it's just something to keep me occupied in the dark depths of winter, but I'll upload some more pics when I have the chance and if you or anyone else likes them I can make some to order.

Thanks Brian. Kind of you to say so.

I used to own a Shakespeare Team Carbon Multitip which was a belting tip rod for bream. Wish I'd never sold it ! Lovely through action 12 footer, 4 sensitive tips in translucent green showed up the shyest of bites, enough grunt in the butt to cast a 2oz feeder for miles. Don't ever remember cracking off feeders, or pulling out of fish. Perhaps not man enough for big river use, but great in all other respects. I think they retailed for a ton plus back in the day. I've tried loads of times to buy it back without any success, such is life.

Hi Adam, If I've uploaded this pic correctly, this is an example of my own hand made driftbeaters. Made from traditional cane and elder pith, they carry 2 to 3 swan and work beautifully. I've not considered selling them before, but if you would like a couple, then I can do them for a fiver a pair (includes postage).

Hello all. Returned to coarse fishing in the last few years after a long layoff due to family circumstances. It's good to be back!