Harrison Chimera 3 rods? Alternatives?

[Joe Winstanley]

I echo what Paul R has just said. C3’s are excellent rods -more powerful than the test curve suggests and because they bend thru’ the middle section they tend not to pull hooks out.

where I barbel fish now there is a very real prospect of hooking extremely large carp - so I fish accordingly.

Recently I bought an old pair of 3lb test Chimeras (very cheap). IF the C3’s are not powerful enough (which I doubt) I will try those.

Another option would be some old Harrison Ballista rods in around 2.5lb test.

I think the Chimera carp blanks in 2.75 and 3lb TC are belting rods, and very unlike many modern carp blanks in that they bend! I know a couple of pike anglers that use them in the 3lb TC. I gather Harrison have ceased the production of Chimera Carp rods which is surprising.

 

[Tim Marks]

I think the Chimera carp blanks in 2.75 and 3lb TC are belting rods, and very unlike many modern carp blanks in that they bend! I know a couple of pike anglers that use them in the 3lb TC. I gather Harrison have ceased the production of Chimera Carp rods which is surprising.

That’s why I have just bought a pair of 3lb Chimeras. They are old but the blanks are sound.

Cost £50 for the pair !

Sold 2x Torrix 2.75 to make room for them.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

That’s why I have just bought a pair of 3lb Chimeras. They are old but the blanks are sound.

Cost £50 for the pair !

Sold 2x Torrix 2.75 to make room for them.

That’s a steal. Modern blanks like Chimera’s won’t soften up like older tech carbons either, ideal for rebuilds if needed.

 

[Paul Richardson]

I think the Chimera carp blanks in 2.75 and 3lb TC are belting rods, and very unlike many modern carp blanks in that they bend! I know a couple of pike anglers that use them in the 3lb TC. I gather Harrison have ceased the production of Chimera Carp rods which is surprising.

I use a 2.75 and 2.5 for river piking and short range pits - lovely playing rod
I got a couple of X1s of lumby earlier this year but only used them once but they seem to have a similar feel to them

 

[Richard Isaacs]

That reminds me ……. Must dust cobwebs off the p2’s soon

 

[Bob Gill]

That reminds me ……. Must dust cobwebs off the p2’s soon

Take it you mean DL 11' P-2's rather than the 14' P-2 Harrisons......

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Take it you mean DL 11' P-2's rather than the 14' P-2 Harrisons......

Yes 11 foot 2.5 pike rods.

 

[Terry Simner]

Bleedin' tarts

 

[Adam Wylie]

Bleedin' tarts

 

[Dave Quinn]

There’s a set of three 2.75 Chimeras on eBay at the moment.

A bit pricey and they look like they’re ringed for Carping but you might be interested

 

[Bill Walford]

Evoke Big Water Barbel 12' 2.5

If Bob is recommending these must be worthy of a look. Anyone using ?

 

[Steve Sorrell]

There'a set of 12 foot 2 and 3/4 free spirits on barbel society's tackle page.
Bargain at 200 quid.

 

[Richard Parsons]

If Bob is recommending these must be worthy of a look. Anyone using ?

I haven't handled one but have heard they're top knotch.

 

[Joel Pasley]

You can still get Chimera 3 Blanks. I've just had one built by Chas Burns in York.

 

[Joel Pasley]

Just picked it up today.

 

[Marcus Ruoff]

Real beauties! Can you send pictures of the handles please? What guides were you using and hows the guide spacing? I think mine was spaced like a long range carp rod...which doesnt seem to be correct but they fish fantastic anyway.

Maybe I should sell all the other rods and get myself spare Chimera 3s and some in 12ft 2.75 or 3lbs for pike and carp?

 

[Joe Winstanley]

Real beauties! Can you send pictures of the handles please? What guides were you using and hows the guide spacing? I think mine was spaced like a long range carp rod...which doesnt seem to be correct but they fish fantastic anyway.

Maybe I should sell all the other rods and get myself spare Chimera 3s and some in 12ft 2.75 or 3lbs for pike and carp?

How many rings Marcus?

8 + 1 rings on my C3's works well for me.

 

[Joel Pasley]

10 plus tip on this build. I had it built same spec as a pair of 2lb Torrix, that Chas also built for me. Nothing fancy, no bells and whistles, just an out and out fishing tool. Butt ring is 25mm, guides are Kigan anti tangle, I believe.

 

[Jon Frisby]

Chas Burns v good and genuine rod builder from York. Made in Yorkshire too

 

[Andrew Pickering]

My first post here so a big hello to everyone !

I have read a lot about the Harrison Chimera 3 rods here and have contacted a few UK rodbuilders reg. these rods. Seems they are either out of stock or not produced anymore. At least thats what I hear from some.

If they are available I wonder if they are the right tool for what I need them. The requirements are quite special:
- fast flowing, rather shallow river with lots of drift weed about 30m wide
- lots of big trees in the water on the opposite bank where the fish reside and bite
- Barbel up to 4-5kg so not totally huge but big
- quite a few super-strong carp up to 15kg which I want to be able to catch as well
- lost most carp due to either hook pulls or line breakage so hook and hold situations do occur when they bite

I have bought the Free Spirit Barbel heavy water in 12ft 2.75lbs and they are great rods.
Have the Kodex 12ft Qx-i which are too light for the carp in that spot.

Basically I am looking for the very best rod suitable for the fishing above but that might be nice also for fishing the more quiet, smaller and less snaggy spots on the river for smaller fish.

Should I just continue using the 2.75lbs rods in the snaggy spots and the Kodex in the more open water?

Or would the Chimera 3 or any other great rod you could recommend be strong enough for the snags and carp but also be pleasant for the open water?

Thank you very much for your advise! Have a nice day!

I was looking at the kodex 12/13 withe the stated casting of 6oz on the plain blank and other uses with the lower tips ,and at a price, making others especially the free spirit and chimera, I'm wondering if it does what it states on the tin