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King fisher chub specialist blanks only

Dropped off my blank today along with the spec to Dave Kelly at Trafford Tackle Repairs. Dave has done a few repairs and rebuilds for me over the last few years his work is A1.

Fifteen minutes discussing my requirements and tweaks to personalise the rod I left the blank in his capable hands after buying some Chenille for my Abu 506M.

I would like to thank Huanzhou, Gary Wagstaff, Martin James, Mick Crone and Carol Holgate for getting me anywhere near this rod. Finally Mick Holgate for building the masterpiece in the first place. Sounds like an Oscar winning speech that :)
 
Tony Koziol said:
Dropped off my blank today along with the spec to Dave Kelly at Trafford Tackle Repairs. Dave has done a few repairs and rebuilds for me over the last few years his work is A1.

Fifteen minutes discussing my requirements and tweaks to personalise the rod I left the blank in his capable hands after buying some Chenille for my Abu 506M.

I would like to thank Huanzhou, Gary Wagstaff, Martin James, Mick Crone and Carol Holgate for getting me anywhere near this rod. Finally Mick Holgate for building the masterpiece in the first place. Sounds like an Oscar winning speech that :)
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Mick Holgate was just the nicest guy I've ever had the pleasure to ask build a rod, just a shame the poor chap is no longer with us.

Tony would love to know the spec you've decided upon, to give us a few ideas of what we could start thinking about buddy 👍😊
 
Micks original design has remained the same for my spec I saw no reason to tamper or bastardise a rod that was no broken, I had spoken to both Martin James and Mick Crone and they both agreed nothing needed changing. What I did do was personalise the rod. The rod is not intended to be a Kingfisher Chub Specialist as it can never be that for obvious reasons however what it can be is a personalised copy based on Micks design.

Spec was 11'6" 3 piece Harrison grey ground blank (original blanks were green the next batch were mixed grey or black as the paint manufacturer had gone bust so no more green blanks were available), handle 22" long in total, cork end section 15" long, Fuji reel seat then 2" of cork at the top with a butt cap and collar in gold (not real gold) and one 20mm butt ring on the butt section and a fixed hook keeper. All guides are Kigans as close to the originals as possible.

Middle section has 3 Kigan guides.

Top section has 6 guides ending with a 6mm tip ring, between tip and first guide the blank is to be painted white and orange for additional visibility.

I did think about sliding reel fittings as this would give me handle length options and I did consider a threaded tip ring to accommodate either a quiver or swing tip but decided I was moving too far away from the original design

All whippings to be in gold non metallic thread, with decals in gold, my initials underneath the blank at the top of the handle and the name of the rod " Alcedo Atthis" at the top.

I hope I don't look like Liberace on the river bank with all that gold:)

Thank you for reading
 
Tony Koziol said:
Micks original design has remained the same for my spec I saw no reason to tamper or bastardise a rod that was no broken, I had spoken to both Martin James and Mick Crone and they both agreed nothing needed changing. What I did do was personalise the rod. The rod is not intended to be a Kingfisher Chub Specialist as it can never be that for obvious reasons however what it can be is a personalised copy based on Micks design.

Spec was 11'6" 3 piece Harrison grey ground blank (original blanks were green the next batch were mixed grey or black as the paint manufacturer had gone bust so no more green blanks were available), handle 22" long in total, cork end section 15" long, Fuji reel seat then 2" of cork at the top with a butt cap and collar in gold (not real gold) and one 20mm butt ring on the butt section and a fixed hook keeper. All guides are Kigans as close to the originals as possible.

Middle section has 3 Kigan guides.

Top section has 6 guides ending with a 6mm tip ring, between tip and first guide the blank is to be painted white and orange for additional visibility.

I did think about sliding reel fittings as this would give me handle length options and I did consider a threaded tip ring to accommodate either a quiver or swing tip but decided I was moving too far away from the original design

All whippings to be in gold non metallic thread, with decals in gold, my initials underneath the blank at the top of the handle and the name of the rod " Alcedo Atthis" at the top.

I hope I don't look like Liberace on the river bank with all that gold:)

Thank you for reading
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Sounds fantastic Tony and I love the sound of those personal touches to make it entirety to suit you.
 
Before the threads about the Kingfisher Chub Specialist were started I knew a little about the rod as Martin James had made me aware of its existence and his input into its status so when collecting my blank from Mick Crone last Saturday, he gave me more of the history of the rod and its development. I asked him to put this in writing as I would then pop it on the forum as I was sure people would be interested, Mick duly obliged and sent me this :

"After speaking with Tony when he collected his blanks, I have decided to put together a brief history of Mick Holgate and the Chub Specialist rod.
I met my mate Mick when we were both at school aged 15 and we remained close friends, fishing at many different venues over the years until his untimely death aged 62.
Mick started Kingfisher Rods in 2012. Always helpful and kind, the reputation of Kingfisher Rods grew. At that time Mick was fishing regularly with Martin James,both using Greys chevin rods and Mick wondered if he could produce a modern version. So he took a Chevin rod to Harrison's to discuss the possibilities.
One Christmas Eve, while fishing on the River Douglas, Mick gave a prototype rod, with guides fixed with insulation tape to myself, my son Andrew and John McLennan to try for an hour each - the feedback was promising!
After the field testing I spent many Sunday evenings at Micks discussing handle length,guides, whipping thread etc and the Chub Specialist was born.
The first batch of 12 rods were green and all numbered. Martin James reviewed the rod and said that it should have been called the 'All Rounder' and having caught everything from barbel to gudgeon on the Chub Specialist I understand why.
For the lucky few who own this rod,use it and enjoy it.
That's what Mick Holgate would have wanted."
All the Best and Tight Lines,
Mick Crone
 
Tony Koziol said:
Micks original design has remained the same for my spec I saw no reason to tamper or bastardise a rod that was no broken, I had spoken to both Martin James and Mick Crone and they both agreed nothing needed changing. What I did do was personalise the rod. The rod is not intended to be a Kingfisher Chub Specialist as it can never be that for obvious reasons however what it can be is a personalised copy based on Micks design.

Spec was 11'6" 3 piece Harrison grey ground blank (original blanks were green the next batch were mixed grey or black as the paint manufacturer had gone bust so no more green blanks were available), handle 22" long in total, cork end section 15" long, Fuji reel seat then 2" of cork at the top with a butt cap and collar in gold (not real gold) and one 20mm butt ring on the butt section and a fixed hook keeper. All guides are Kigans as close to the originals as possible.

Middle section has 3 Kigan guides.

Top section has 6 guides ending with a 6mm tip ring, between tip and first guide the blank is to be painted white and orange for additional visibility.

I did think about sliding reel fittings as this would give me handle length options and I did consider a threaded tip ring to accommodate either a quiver or swing tip but decided I was moving too far away from the original design

All whippings to be in gold non metallic thread, with decals in gold, my initials underneath the blank at the top of the handle and the name of the rod " Alcedo Atthis" at the top.

I hope I don't look like Liberace on the river bank with all that gold:)

Thank you for reading
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Nice touch with the Latin 'Alcedo Atthis' might incorporate that in memory of Mick, or the Latin 'omnia rotundiora' meaning all rounder, since the guys originally said the rod was useful for that reason. 😊
Might see if I can incorporate some of the kingfisher colours in the thread whipping around the butt section of the rods too, without it looking distasteful. I brought two of the matt grey blanks, so was thinking black whippings throughout the rest of the rod & light (weight wise) black rod rings to keep the weight down.

Am contemplating using the sliding bands on the rods for my pre ordered Chris Lythe Centre Pins which just so happen to be that anodised grey colour too.
 
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Gary Wagstaff said:
Thanks everyone all 10 blanks are sold
Tremendous effort from the BFW members.
Gary
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No thank you Gary! From what I've heard you've been a tremendous help, & have made Huanzhou a very happy chappie! 😂👍

Looking forward to some build suggestions/ideas now, looks like I've possibly lined up Graham from buzzard rods to do my builds, subject to costs etc.

Who's using who?
 
Julian Griffiths said:
No thank you Gary! From what I've heard you've been a tremendous help, & have made Huanzhou a very happy chappie! 😂👍

Looking forward to some build suggestions/ideas now, looks like I've possibly lined up Graham from buzzard rods to do my builds, subject to costs etc.

Who's using who?
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I couldn’t let it go so bough one of the blanks, haven’t the money right now to finish the build.

I’ve source the original thread albeit from America green and gold. I’m going to set it up for use with a centre pin sliding bands etc. want to use it for ledger and live bait for perch etc as a nostalgic rod
Will have ether Nick Buss or John from tackle box build it.

Want to keep it fairly simple with the following logo on hook keeper and rod name etc.

Once there all done we should have a yearly outing somewhere with the rod be a nice touch only a suggestion mind ☺️
 

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Daniel Earl said:
I couldn’t let it go so bough one of the blanks, haven’t the money right now to finish the build.

I’ve source the original thread albeit from America green and gold. I’m going to set it up for use with a centre pin sliding bands etc. want to use it for ledger and live bait for perch etc as a nostalgic rod
Will have ether Nick Buss or John from tackle box build it.

Want to keep it fairly simple with the following logo on hook keeper and rod name etc.

Once there all done we should have a yearly outing somewhere with the rod be a nice touch only a suggestion mind ☺️
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Really appreciate reading about your quest and it's brilliant success guys! Well done. Looking forward to hearing how they fish when built too.
 
Alec Hague said:
Really appreciate reading about your quest and it's brilliant success guys! Well done. Looking forward to hearing how they fish when built too.
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Definitely a social weekend somewhere would be a lovely idea, great way to meet new faces, maybe an annual event? 🤔👍
 
Julian Griffiths said:
No thank you Gary! From what I've heard you've been a tremendous help, & have made Huanzhou a very happy chappie! 😂👍

Looking forward to some build suggestions/ideas now, looks like I've possibly lined up Graham from buzzard rods to do my builds, subject to costs etc.

Who's using who?
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I am so happy that my enquiry end up like this, not just I got the blank I want, but also more people will enjoy it. Big thank you to Gary and Mick Crone for their great help.
 
Huanzhou Zhu said:
I am so happy that my enquiry end up like this, not just I got the blank I want, but also more people will enjoy it. Big thank you to Gary and Mick Crone for their great help.
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Of all the negative things that prevail in our sport at the moment - predation, loonies and facebook warriors - what a relief to come across two blokes who just have fishing at heart. It will come as no surprise that I am referring to Garry Wagstaff and Mick Crone.
All I can say is a massive thank you, not only for sourcing a rod I have wanted for ages, not only for the amount of effort and time they have both put in to find the blanks, which may have otherwise disappeared for ever, but for keeping a part of history alive.
As for the build, my preference will be to build as near the original specification as I can. As for the builder, it will be Chas Burns,York.
Thanks again Gary and Mick.
 
Hi guy's.

Would like some advice please.

I've lined up Roger Hurst primarily to do these chub rod builds, & Buzzard Rods is also happy to undertake the builds. Just wondering if anyone has good or bad experiences with any of these two.

To be fair, both guys look like they do great jobs! 😊
 
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