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I'll bite because I'd like to know. Are these new rods from a freshly resurrected Normark brand (owned by Rapala VMC) or are they Milo Titan 2024s/Milo Titanics?

Modern EVA isn't necessarily slimline though. Even when it not, it's way more dense than old style Duplon. The modern Daiwa rods, that utilise EVA for Armlock handles, are the most obvious examples.

That may be the case. If so, I'd suspect that Duplon was the original Trademarked name and EVA the generic material. However, it's a long time since rod companies made much of rods having Duplon handles. Modern EVA is quite different to the couple of 80s rods I had with Duplon handles that I...

Are you sure it's Duplon? I'm quite happy with EVA but wouldn't touch Duplon with a bargepole. It compresses, absorbs dirt and develops a hard shiny skin over time. I avoided EVA for a long time based on my negative experiences with Duplon in the 80s/early 90s. Fortunately, I gave in eventually...

13' Plus ------------------------------- 150g 13' Specimen ------------------------- 168g 15' Plus ------------------------------- 167g 15' Specimen ------------------------- 187g For comparison 15' Freespirit Hi-S (new version) ----- 179g

I failed to mention that the break was 100% my fault. I made a mistake extracting it from a hardcase and heard something click. My fault entirely and no fault of the rod or Drennan. What's worse is that I only removed it to allow me to extract the other rod in the hardcase. The plus side, I had...

I have eight different Acolyte float rods. Despite this, they are not my favourite rods. However, they are available new, are better than any available option including the more expensive Freespirit Hi-S and Tri-Cast John Allerton. The Acolyte Specimens are probably my favourite Acolyte version...

I won't oil or varnish a cork handle, nor will I buy any second hand rod that has had such treatment, I will not use anything abrasive on a cork handle and I'm not keen on the use of any strong/caustic cleaning agent (bleaches and the like). However, I'm even more unimpressed by the ingrained...

I've got too many Acolyte float rods. Not one of them has come with anything other than bog standard two/three segment rod bags/sleeves. Acolyte rod socks do exist, but they are only supplied with tip rods.

Not exactly proof though! ;) https://www.lochnessproject.org/ I wonder whether anyone will ever let on as to how any barbel may have got into the Clyde.

As I said, I'm not convinced that barbel are indigenous to the Tees, but it is unusual for the (current) EA to allow barbel to be stocked into rivers where they aren't considered indigenous. My understanding is that DBTAA does not routinely stock any coarse fish into rivers, though they do stock...

Once you get to Cumbria/County Durham and further north, you are firmly into game fishing territory. Details are anything but set in stone, but it's often suggested that rivers flowing to the south and west coasts do not naturally hold barbel. I know that the Tees holds barbel and the Wear does...

If you know someone that's a dab hand with a needle and thread, they can be resurrected. The zip on mine started to come away (zip teeth from fabric band that they are heat welded to) so I bought a spare. I promptly forgot that I'd bought a spare:oops:. By the time the failing zip got really...

I've been told that the Daiwa Armlock patent expired a few years back. Preston didn't waste any time bringing out their version of it.

An awful lot depends on the particular river, the time of year and water temperature trends. I don't like fishing a rising river Swale. It tends to rise very quickly and it usually involves an influx of colder water. However, when an influx of warmer water does occur, it can fish well on the...

Have you had a look at the Acolyte Specimen rods yet? I bought a 13' and a 15' last Christmas for exactly the task you have in mind. They've been used extensively for even modest grayling and proved to be excellent. Since the closed season, they've mainly seen stillwater use. They've been good...

They are fine, though I must admit that I haven't used them that much. I'm not currently fishing venues or methods where they are the best option. The spreader is some king of high impact plastic. It feels like it might be FRN (Fibre Reinforced Nylon) to me. It's molded around a stainless steel...

Comparing them to my original pair, there are no obvious differences. The spreaders look the same and the shape looks the same. The old ones were a long way from the straight armed triangles that many carp/specimen nets are. Both versions look rather narrow by comparison. The glaring difference...

Overall weight = 197g spool = 127g back = 65g nut = 5g However, mine has over 100m of line and a pole elastic for line retention included in the overall and spool weight. For comparison (with similar line amounts and elastics included), Youngs Super Lightweight = 207g Hardy Conquest (a) =...

I didn't suggest that the individual concerned would be worried about admitting to owning the reel. He has done so on another platform. However, as I don't know the man, and he's not a member here, it's not my place to name him on here.