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Old Tackle that should comeback

Five years ago a long-established tackleshop, knowing that I was a floatmaker, dug out a few bits of ancient floatmaking materials stock they had had kicking around a store cupboard since the 1960s - lengths of round-turned balsa mostly, but also a few, small, cellophane envelopes each containing five, beautifully lathe-turned lengths of Lignum vitae for stickfloat stems. Little works of art every L.V. stickfloat stem, much too "rare" and fine to be put into finished stickfloats now, that still get me wondering just who turned them in some ill-lit workshop all those years ago.
 
Blimey Neil, once again i have been transported back in time, i can remember sitting with Stan Bennett on the banks of the Warwickshire Avon at Anchor Meadow, watching him putting his prototype floats through there paces, in fact i think he gave me a couple, but once again some happy memories.
Brian.
 
Did anyone ever use a Newark Needle Float? I've got one somewhere but never tried to use it. I recently read an interview with the maker in an old Coarse Fisherman magazine and he put a hell of a lot of time and money into it. David Hall wasn't too impressed.

regards
Al
 
Alan Manger said:
Did anyone ever use a Newark Needle Float? I've got one somewhere but never tried to use it. I recently read an interview with the maker in an old Coarse Fisherman magazine and he put a hell of a lot of time and money into it. David Hall wasn't too impressed.

regards
Al
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I have a couple that were given to me, never used them, apparently they were not well received, but might be wrong.
 
As I hinted last night, a percentage of the floats tended to sink on their own account, quite unprompted by biting fish.
 
Bob Brookes said:
Yes, proper soft lead shot, that doesn't damage the line, in all sizes.
Before someone mentions swans, we haven't used lead for nigh on 20 years & we still get blamed for poisoning them!
Discuss.
Bob
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Mind you leaving lead is commonly practiced by lots of people in carp angling just the sizes are normally 3oz + each cast
 
Alan Manger said:
Did anyone ever use a Newark Needle Float? I've got one somewhere but never tried to use it. I recently read an interview with the maker in an old Coarse Fisherman magazine and he put a hell of a lot of time and money into it. David Hall wasn't too impressed.

regards
Al
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I used mine quite a bit as a school boy, it was actually perfectly cocked. Maybe it was the original prototype and tank tested:rolleyes:
 
Somebody please put up a pic of Newark Needle Float (I couldn't find one in a quick image-search just now), and those who have never seen one will understand why the float sank commercially. The coloured plastic tip with a slot moulded into it to take your running line was particularly nasty and likely to break you on the strike...
 
"GOZZERS"...........I was going to say that....In fact I'm going to get a couple of pigs hearts and chicken carcases, some sugary bran and milk and get some going.

The secret is getting the nocturnal 'gozzer' fly to blow the meat before the old bluebottle gets to it.


The Brotel is a good shout as well. I use mine all the time, it's as light as a small brolley but has loads more cover, it also has a flat back which is handy in tight swims.
 
Paul I think this is what you are after

a_FLOATS.jpg
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Joe Fletcher said:
I still have and use 2 Mitchell match reels with the finger dab bale arm. Which are used for my waggler fishing for Chub on the Upper Thames and after nearly 30 odd years of wear and tear are still going strong today :)
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Just got one of these off my brother who no longer fishes, but when i turn the handle, the bail arm doesn,t engage properly, it only half closes, anyone know who might service such a reel. Thanks in advance, Derek.
 
"the bail arm doesn,t engage properly"
Hi Derek,
you need to replace the notoriously feeble bail arm spring.
A simple job if you can find one.Used to have to do mine nearly every year many moons ago.
Phil.W
 
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Derek Funcks said:
Just got one of these off my brother who no longer fishes, but when i turn the handle, the bail arm doesn,t engage properly, it only half closes, anyone know who might service such a reel. Thanks in advance, Derek.
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Hi Derek have you tried giving the bale spring a spray with WD-40 . If it has not been used for a while then all it might need is a good clean . That could be your problem :)
 
Spot on advice re the bail arms , WD40 can be all that is needed . As for old gear that should be brought back . I miss the rows of porcupine quills in the tackle shops of my youth , they were very versatile and durable floats , perhaps there is a shortage of porcupines ? Swingtips , I have never seen one of those in a shop for years , in certain circumstances a very sensitive bite indicator , can make long range casting a challenge though ...Tackle shops that sell wasp grubs ..., wicker fishing baskets ,..I could be at this all day , best stop
 
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