Who made this blank?

[Ralph Harris]

Many years ago before such a rod was popular, I wanted a rod for float fishing for barbel. My local tackle dealer offered me a Kevlar blank, so you now know it was really some time ago because they were still adding Kevlar to carbon rods then. It was a 12ft Kevlar Avon 1 1/4lb test curve. Although it does not have a typical float tip to the rod I ringed it for float fishing, but I had little success. There are now far better powerful float rods so I want to repurpose the Kevlar Avon. However, it would be nice to know who originally made the blank and what it was made for originally.
Does anyone recognise the blank and can tell me anything about it?
Not much to go on but the typeface is quite distinctive as is the blanks weave and colour.
I think it was supplied with a part finished butt with a fuji reel seat, but I cannot be certain, since I built this rod I have washed my brain in red wine and bitter so I’m likely to forget.

 

[Alan Palmer]

I had Kevlar Avon rod many yrs ago made by North western rods….lettering looks the same from memory and also the weave, but their blanks also had the NW rods logo/words so can’t be sure!?
It was a lovely through action rod I used for tenching

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I had Kevlar Avon rod many yrs ago made by North western rods….lettering looks the same from memory and also the weave, but their blanks also had the NW rods logo/words so can’t be sure!?
It was a lovely through action rod I used for tenching

I would of guessed north western too Alan

 

[Ash Gould]

Ive got a very similar looking rod and when it went off to Dave Lumb for re-ringing he reckoned it was a North Western Avon.

Floppy action and excellent fun to play fish on.

 

[Steve Kenchington]

Agree, North Western. I have the barbel quiver and whilst a different blank the lettering and weave are identical.

 

[Ralph Harris]

Many thanks for your thoughts, I too was thinking it might be North Western Avon and nothing else has been suggested, so I guess that’s what it is.
The term floppy action sounds a bit unkind, but I cannot deny that it is an accurate description. It was certainly hard to hit sharp chub bites at distance.
I will take the float style rings off and put on rings more commonly seen on rods of this style. Then perhaps I will look for a close range tench to try it on. I’ll enjoy it for what it really is, rather than keep it as something it has always struggled to achieve.
Thanks once again for your comments.