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Free spirit River Tamer 11ft 1.5

M

Mark Evans 2

Senior Member & Supporter
Hi guys,

I think I've decided to try out a FS River Tamer, I'm going for the 1.5lb version first and will add a extra 2oz glass tip for clubbing. I have been using a 11ft Drennan twin tip duo which I find very light and well balanced so hoping the FS will be similar

Fishing the W.Avon around Bidford

Just wondering from anyone who has this version how they get on with it for chub and small to medium sized barbel?

I love 11ft rods so if I like it I may add the 2lb version at a later date

Really dislike the current range of so called barbel rods from the likes of korum, drennan etc, even the 1.75 rods just seem heavy and unbalanced, I wouldn't use one if I had to hold the rod or any length of time, they seem built for sitting on pods style of fishing.
 
I bought one recently. I fish the same river and the same beat, and bought it for many of the same reasons as you - mainly as a roaming chub rod. I'll probably also add 2oz glass, but not until the rivers slow down a bit. Were we separated at birth? 😄

I previously used a 1.25lb Drennan Twin Tip Duo that I thought felt clunky; even though the FS is 1.5lb it seems to have more finesse while still being robust. I also have a Barbel Tamer 1.75, so I can switch the tips between rods. Only used the River Tamer once so far and had small chub and roach on it... it didn't have the Drennan's 'sledgehammer to crack a nut' feel to it. The handle diameter of the Tamers is thin and I have big hands, but I've got used to that. I'm totally happy with these two FS rods.
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Thanks Kevin,

I've had a few of the Darent Valley branded rods before so I'll be used to the very slim handle.

Sounds like it will be perfect for what I'm after.
 
Nice rod, very soft and sensitive. I also have the 11ft 2lb barbel rod, also very good. The only problem I have is the handle, like Kevin said, it’s thin, I think it even thinner than darent valleys. But maybe you will get used to it.
 
Thanks,

I'll take a chance on one, I've been looking at them for quite a while, I've since found my perfect rods in the Shakespeare Solitudes but i have a gap in-between the 2 test curves I own and would also like a quiver section so will pick a FS up and see how I get on with it.

Thanks guys

Happy new Year!
 
Mark Evans 2 said:
Thanks,

I'll take a chance on one, I've been looking at them for quite a while, I've since found my perfect rods in the Shakespeare Solitudes but i have a gap in-between the 2 test curves I own and would also like a quiver section so will pick a FS up and see how I get on with it.

Thanks guys

Happy new Year!
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I have the solitude light quiver rod, I am well impressed with it, and the quiver is interchangeable with FS quiver.
 
I almost went for the light quiver but wasn't sure how light it actually was, I see the tips it comes with are under 2oz, is it too light for some Chubbing? Still going for the FS but could be tempted to get the Solitude also
 
Mark Evans 2 said:
I almost went for the light quiver but wasn't sure how light it actually was, I see the tips it comes with are under 2oz, is it too light for some Chubbing? Still going for the FS but could be tempted to get the Solitude also
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It's not that light, I think it is between 1-1.25lb TC. The light tip is definitely not too light for chubbing, I always use 1oz tip in the winter with FS rod. The tip doesn't involve too much when playing a good fish because of the through action, when the rod bends, the tip is almost straight.
 
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