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The closing of Guides and Blanks ( part of Hopkins and Holloway) was a big loss for those of us that tinker around with rods. I have a Chimera 1 that I bought from Walkers of Trowell ( going cheap). The handle is far too long for my taste and has the standard short cork shoulder above the reel...

My 'River Specialist' hasn't been right since I bought it. I finally sent it back for Chris to look at. Back within a few days. I could see immediately what he'd done. There's much more tension now on the spring. The ratchet is much more positive. Thanks Chris! I think I've just been unlucky...

I had 3 good Chevins on my first trip out. 5.06, 5.13 and this one of 7.01, a thick set fish that, like the others that were much leaner, had spawned. A real submarine for June! 🙂

Hooks are a very personal thing I know that. Last season I used the Gardner Target Specimen in size 10 and found it excellent. It's a small hook for its size and I found it just right for much of my fishing as I tend to use fairly small baits. It's very strong and having pulled a double figure...

I know the common method of overcoming drifting weed and other rubbish when fishing at short range on rivers like the Hampshire Avon is to stick the rod top under the water and wait for the reel to spin. Fair enough. It certainly works. All the same I prefer to watch the rod top if at all...

Yesterday on the Avon (Hants) it rained.....and rained. Centrepins don't really work for me when it's really wet. I find they grate when you wind and are hopeless for trotting. The ratchet pawl on my new JW Youngs river specialist slipped and rendered the ratchet useless as well. Luckily, I took...