Dog spike and rope recommendations

[Pete Collins]

Hi All I,m off to the wye at the end of the month and intend to fish a few swims with steep banks so to be on the safe side am thinking of buying a dog spike and rope ...Do any of you guys out there use one? and can anyone recommend a decent one to buy?
thanks Pete

 

[Simon Rolph]

I fish the Wye a lot. Never ever go out with out one. A standard 15” Dog spike from Amazon is good enough and I use a double length of 4m car tow rope joined by loops in the middle in case I need to split it , and the hooks are good for securing to the dog spike and adding throwing weight Just make sure the dog spike has a closed loop at the top Mine has lasted years and been well used. Also add some knots in the rope at regular intervals

 

[Cliff Turner]

to be honest I seldom use one unless its raining hard and banks are very slippery.

 

[David Craine]

I use a standard dog spike available from any pet shop with about 40 feet of rope with hand loops tied in it .
The rope is fastened to a carabiner which clips onto the dog spike in case there is a handy tree to use instead

I have never slipped using it ,but a mate came a real cropper on the Wye a couple of years ago when he didnt bother with his rope/ spike .

Cost is cheap , dont weigh much and may prevent a nasty slip or fall .

David

 

[Alan Rose]

It’s an utter necessity for the Wharfe at Boston Spa when I fish for grayling in the winter. That and a pair of crampons.

 

[Simon Rolph]

I always put mine in whenever I fish. It doesn’t take much rain to turn Herefordshire red mud to a slippery ski slope , and is an added security when fishing alone that you have something to help you out were the worst happen and slip in

 

[Neil Smart]

Any spike will do, just make sure the rope is sound.
You could of course get a hand crafted bespoke one made I guess.
I now take one every time I fish, some real cliff faces in these parts, essential piece of kit.

 

[Mike Thompson]

Always use one after getting stuck down a steep bank about 10 years ago.
Aldi had some in last week, cheap as chips.
Also carry crampons because slipping down a bank on arrival is just as bad !

 

[Andrew Jackson]

Hi All I,m off to the wye at the end of the month and intend to fish a few swims with steep banks so to be on the safe side am thinking of buying a dog spike and rope ...Do any of you guys out there use one? and can anyone recommend a decent one to buy?
thanks Pete

I bought this one made by Jack Pyke for the Severn. It's well made and the handle helps really twisting it in and out. The rope attaches to a strong ring that slides up and down the shaft. Good piece of kit.