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In praise of the Harrison 11' Avon S/U

A

Andrew Jackson

Senior Member & Supporter
This blank, as many of you know, has been around for a very long time now.
I bought a SEER Rover from Andy and Jill Orme more than 20 years ago now (built on the standard Harrison Avon blank I believe) and have caught some good Barbel on it over the years.
Recently retired with a bit of time ( and money - not that much!) I decided to get the S/U blank from Guides and Blanks to build a rod as a little project.
That was getting on for 4 years ago and I've hardly used it since.
I decided it was time I did so took it to the Severn for close in fishing with a centrepin where practical. I have to say I was not disappointed. The blank has a nice easy action and you get a good bend for your money with a nice steely feel to the butt when leaning into a Barbel. I would describe the action as more of a traditional action and certainly different to the Chimeras and Torrix's.
I built the rod with a shortish 21" handle which includes a 3" section above the reel seat that I prefer when fishing with a pin. I didn't do a particularly good job of the whipping. I used too fine a grade thread so there are a few gaps but not enough to make me want to re- do it. Not yet anyway.
I will certainly use it again for close in work and would definitely recommend the blank to anyone that likes the more traditional through action blanks.
 

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If you have rods based upon both the Avon and the Avon SU, how do you feel about the performance of each? I have an Avon and I sometimes feel it was the wrong choice, since it feels a bit soft. The SU on paper has only a few ounces greater test curve and I know test curve certainly is not an adequate description of a rod. But does the SU feel more powerful in the hand?
 
Hi Ralph. Yes I would say it does. It is less whippy and noticeably firmer. It is quite a powerful rod once you bend into it. It all depends what you want it for I suppose but for anywhere where there's a chance of bigger fish or where you need to hold them more firmly I think it is a better choice. You will still get a good bend with smaller Barbel and Chub.
 
My go to roving rod is an 11' S/U Avon Special made by Harrison for Davies Tackle (Christchurch) some years ago. It's a great rod and it's caught me quite a few good chub and the odd barbel on the Hants Avon. With regards to Ralph's comments on the TC I may be wrong but I believe it is 1lb 10oz.
I also had the standard Avon which I sold a couple of years ago as I considered the S/U felt just a little more powerful and I didn't need two 11' rods.
It's teamed up with a J W Young's S/L Rolling Pin and for me it does a great job both static legering and rolling meat.
By the way Andrew I still have my Seer Rover 10' 6" or !1' 8" with the quiver that has caught me some good fish in the past though never felt as powerful as I thought it should be, maybe because the average barbel size was lower then.
 
Mike Window said:
My go to roving rod is an 11' S/U Avon Special made by Harrison for Davies Tackle (Christchurch) some years ago. It's a great rod and it's caught me quite a few good chub and the odd barbel on the Hants Avon. With regards to Ralph's comments on the TC I may be wrong but I believe it is 1lb 10oz.
I also had the standard Avon which I sold a couple of years ago as I considered the S/U felt just a little more powerful and I didn't need two 11' rods.
It's teamed up with a J W Young's S/L Rolling Pin and for me it does a great job both static legering and rolling meat.
By the way Andrew I still have my Seer Rover 10' 6" or !1' 8" with the quiver that has caught me some good fish in the past though never felt as powerful as I thought it should be, maybe because the average barbel size was lower then.
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Yes Mike. I believe you are correct about the t.c.
Yes, I guess the size of fish has played its part but before the days of the Trent it was less common to be swinging such great leads about which must have a bearing on the switch to heavier test curves. I was never happy playing Barbel on the Teme with my SEER Rover which I guess is surprising considering it was where Andy Orme was fishing at the time. I would have no such qualms with the SU version though. I have all sorts of rods but I think if I am honest I prefer the Avon type action. I do like to see a good bend in the rod! 🙂
 
Andrew Jackson said:
Hi Ralph. Yes I would say it does. It is less whippy and noticeably firmer. It is quite a powerful rod once you bend into it. It all depends what you want it for I suppose but for anywhere where there's a chance of bigger fish or where you need to hold them more firmly I think it is a better choice. You will still get a good bend with smaller Barbel and Chub.
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Andrew, Thanks for your opinion on the rod. One day I will treat myself to a new Harrison rod. I have just about settled on an 11 ft 1.75 Torrix, but I have always thought of the Avon SU as a possibility. I have a Stef Horak "Great Ouse" 11ft stepped up rod. It has a lovely action possibly like the Avon SU. Unfortunately the reel fitting has signs of rust and the butt is the abbreviated style. I think there was a cork butt option on this rod when new so perhaps I’ll rebuild it to that standard, and put off the new purchase.
 
Ralph Harris said:
Andrew, Thanks for your opinion on the rod. One day I will treat myself to a new Harrison rod. I have just about settled on an 11 ft 1.75 Torrix, but I have always thought of the Avon SU as a possibility. I have a Stef Horak "Great Ouse" 11ft stepped up rod. It has a lovely action possibly like the Avon SU. Unfortunately the reel fitting has signs of rust and the butt is the abbreviated style. I think there was a cork butt option on this rod when new so perhaps I’ll rebuild it to that standard, and put off the new purchase.
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The Torrix is a fine rod but very different in action to the SU Avon. Having used both I find the Avon better for use with the pin and the Torrix the opposite. Something to do with the feel when playing a Barbel. Both have their merits. Just my personal preferences. 👍
 
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