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Andy Sliwa 10' barbel

Alec Hague

Senior Member & Supporter
Being a fan of barbel rods I noticed that occasionally the above appeared for sale, quite reasonably priced. One came up 10 miles away, new, so I bought it. I got in touch with Andy( a delightful friendly and informative guy by the way) and he told me he made just 8 on batson steelhead blanks. It's really a lovely little do anything rod, maybe around 1.1/2 but feels like a shorter version of my peregrine Avon. If you see one listed anywhere, it's very worth while having a look . One of my favourites very quickly.
 
Being a fan of barbel rods I noticed that occasionally the above appeared for sale, quite reasonably priced. One came up 10 miles away, new, so I bought it. I got in touch with Andy( a delightful friendly and informative guy by the way) and he told me he made just 8 on batson steelhead blanks. It's really a lovely little do anything rod, maybe around 1.1/2 but feels like a shorter version of my peregrine Avon. If you see one listed anywhere, it's very worth while having a look . One of my favourites very quickly.
I believe Andy makes most of the rods on evoke blanks, and Harrison sometimes. No doubt, his work looks lovely.
 
I believe Andy makes most of the rods on evoke blanks, and Harrison sometimes. No doubt, his work looks lovely.
I bought another of his barbel rods, used, last year as I liked the 10 so much. It was a 2.1/2 on a pacbay euro carp specialist blank which he made 10 years or so ago. Cracking rod too, sorry I sold that so definitely not letting the 10 go! .I keep looking out for his rods. Great quality builder!
 
Andy asked me to post this on his behalf:

Hi guys. Due to outrageous shopping charges, I have had to cancel my order of the 10’6” blanks. The cost of the blanks has almost doubled, instantly making them not viable at the moment. Hopefully the situation will change at some point. All the best and tight lines, Andy Sliwa
 
Andy asked me to post this on his behalf:

Hi guys. Due to outrageous shopping charges, I have had to cancel my order of the 10’6” blanks. The cost of the blanks has almost doubled, instantly making them not viable at the moment. Hopefully the situation will change at some point. All the best and tight lines, Andy Sliwa
That's sad. I watch some German sites, selling Sportex, their shipping to UK is often more than the item. Can't see many buying!
 
Lovely little rods. Definitely a players action in the 10ft 6 barbel rod. To me it feels like a powermesh Avon with a fraction more power in the butt
 
Lovely little rods. Definitely a players action in the 10ft 6 barbel rod. To me it feels like a powermesh Avon with a fraction more power in the butt
I have his 10. Bought sold as a stalker but feel is so like my 11 Avon that I like fishing them together as a pair. a steelhead blank
 
I have the one with the metal and wood reel fitting, a Dave Mason river rod. Not sure what a steel head blank looks like, but this is a grey ground blank. I assume the Harrison is x weave. This is a IM6 american blank I believe.
Very light rod and just shouts take me fishing 😄
 
I have the one with the metal and wood reel fitting, a Dave Mason river rod. Not sure what a steel head blank looks like, but this is a grey ground blank. I assume the Harrison is x weave. This is a IM6 american blank I believe.
Very light rod and just shouts take me fishing 😄
That’s the same one my son has.
Such lovely rods
They are a ground blank and have this satin type coating over them. Bet they are great fun taming a double
 
I have the one with the metal and wood reel fitting, a Dave Mason river rod. Not sure what a steel head blank looks like, but this is a grey ground blank. I assume the Harrison is x weave. This is a IM6 american blank I believe.
Very light rod and just shouts take me fishing 😄
 
Mine has a Batson steelhead blank. Just a matt grey blank . The reel seat is very unusual, in fact I never seen it anywhere else. It has a cork reel seat!
screw down black reel holders but cork between. Wye butt and fuji SIC smoke anti tangle rings, maybe could say satin finish. Classy looking rod but more importantly fishes so well.
Andy said he made just 8 around 2012.They are as cheap as chips on ebay. probably saw 2 or 3 listed before |I grabbed and that was only because it was local with no carriage needed . Wonderful bargain I think., bought mine, new 2 years ago, 10 miles away £45. Great price but that aside a gorgeous and brilliant little rod. To me, admittedly a hugely enormously experienced pillock, it a 10' avon. I use the both the 10 and the harrison 11 avon with polaris floats and they match with them perfectly.
 
I read quite a bit about those when I was thinking about the sliwa. Big following for the 10.6. Dont sell it!
 
Is IM6 pacbay? I bought andy's rod made for Jerry Gleason that was a pac bay rings and eurocarp blank.. Bit too stiff for my needs so regretfully parted with it.
 
This is my Dave mason rod
 

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Yeah as Richard said these are the standard reel seats on the Dave mason rods I’ve had a few of these over the years and they have all been the same. as far as I know they havent got a rated TC but what I will say they could handle and barbel that swims they realy got things spot on when they designed this rod just my opinion though 👍
 
That’s the same one my son has.
Such lovely rods
They are a ground blank and have this satin type coating over them. Bet they are great fun taming a double
Tbh Rich I haven't used it that much since I bought it on here a few years back, the two biggest barbel at over 15lb have been on the 11ft 1.25 Torrix. Have had decent Chub but not really a test. The Torrix has been Stella, picked it up as mint for £60, same price paid for the Dave Mason.
Perfect rod for your lad
 
Tbh Rich I haven't used it that much since I bought it on here a few years back, the two biggest barbel at over 15lb have been on the 11ft 1.25 Torrix. Have had decent Chub but not really a test. The Torrix has been Stella, picked it up as mint for £60, same price paid for the Dave Mason.
Perfect rod for your lad

This is my Dave mason rod
Stop it just stop it....so nice with a pin.
 
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