New river, new rod

[Ash Gould]

you might consider the Harrison 11ft GTI , I think its 1.75 TC through action stepped up Avon

As above.

The 11ft Gti is an excellent all round small river rod. This is all I use in the Great Ouse nowadays when chubbing or barbelling (unless Im on the flake for the chub).

It is like an extension of your arm, not over gunned for chub and not under gunned for barbel.

Mines battered but I love it.

This is making me want to get it out.... Ive not wet a line in the rivers yet this season..

 

[Darren Hawen]

you might consider the Harrison 11ft GTI , I think its 1.75 TC through action stepped up Avon

I had one off these for a short time and couldn’t get on with the action and feel of the rod, a really soft action that just felt odd, to me anyway - much prefer the 11’ Torrix 1.75.

 

[Bob Gill]

Bob
Out of interest how would you describe the differences between Torrix and Chimeras?
I have several of the lattter and love them to bits but clearly the Torrix has a huge fanbase
My go to rods are Chimera 3 2 1/4tc
Thanks

Hi Paul - I loved my Chimera 2 (1.75 12') rods and used them for a few years to replace my Harrison Interceptors (which replaced my TriCast ML3-8's and CM 6-12's). There were other cut down specials and other rods but that was pre barbel boom.

I tried the Torrix 1.75 12' when it first came out and instantly fell in love with it. However, still rated my Chimeras highly.
The main physical differences was that the Torrix blank was lighter in weight, thinner walls on the blank and higher in diameter at the fore grip. The weave of the carbon on the butt was 'finer' on the Torrix when compared to the Chimera 2.


Cheers
Bob

 

[Tom Brown]

Thanks again for your sage advice, I agree with Richard, although any rod bought from eBay would get the bait to the correct spot I also enjoy the ownership of something nice, indeed I always enjoy using my cane even when not getting any bites!

 

[Richard Parsons]

Thanks again for your sage advice, I agree with Richard, although any rod bought from eBay would get the bait to the correct spot I also enjoy the ownership of something nice, indeed I always enjoy using my cane even when not getting any bites!

You can still spend a lot of money, for a very nice rod (cane included), on Ebay. So don't really see you're point. Someone mentioned cheaper rods earlier in the forum but that's another point entirely. A few years ago I bought and 1.25 Hexagraph Avon from Ebay for £400 - it's still my 'go to' rod, is very pleasing, aesthetically. I also use cane from time to time - I assume you're referring to rod and you're not a schoolmaster?

 

[Mark Swaby]

Good Luck down there Tom, i think i know where you are going to be fishing,you are a lucky man, it does seem to produce some very big Barbel. I will look downstream from Britford and dream.

 

[Andy Bebbington]

have a few barbel rods i have bought off the shelf from a Drennon power barbel which i`m currently using to an old Trefor west barbel rod and a korum Neoteric. Caught hard fighting doubles on the all and all performed great.
Andy

 

[John McGough]

I've fished the Avon for over 30 years.
Harrisons are great.
Mark Tunley's craftsmanship superb as is Chris Wards from Waterlooville, Hampshire.....
You don't need a 1.75lb especially as you intend to roll meat.
Go for the 1.5lb, this will be more than capable of rolling meat or swinging a 4oz lead out underarm on any stretch of the Avon in winter and capable of landing any chub, barbel or rogue carp you come across.

 

[Nick Coulthurst]

I agree with John, I always used 1.5lb test curve rods on the smaller rivers such as the Kennet and Loddon in summer and full flood, with no problems, even when attached to very big fish. I use a 1.75 torrix on the Trent with no problems either. Playing fish on over gunned rods takes the enjoyment out of it for me, and no I don’t take ages to get them in, I’m just not frightened of putting a bend in the rod.