Where Have You Been All My Life ?

Just been sorting my kit for Redmire. It's the first time I've used my Berkley Line Stripper. Three Daiwa Tournament spools stripped in under five minutes. My daughter would say, "OMG!".
I'm not one to plug a product just for the sake of it so believe me when I say that this really is a fantastic little gizmo and well worth the money.

Charlie Says......

Sixty Years Ago - The Day Angling Changed.

Allcocks - The Handy Outfit

A trip to London this week enabled a little diversion to Spitalfields Market and the Andrews Of Arcadia stall therein.
Plenty of reels and floats on display, but I parted with my hard-earned for an Allcocks Handy Outfit Tin which will become home to my float rubbers.
 I love the fact that it still bares the stain of a cigarette placed upon it by a previous owner in anticipation of the next bite.

The Mk IV Arrives

The black tube arrived, I didn't pause, one end was opened and I could see the B.James & Son logo upon an original good conditioned bag.
 I gently slid it out and proceeded to untie the black wraps.
 The first section was removed....Red button intact, cork good, transfer complete, whipping and rings in good condition.
 The top section slid out, complete and vibrant.
I had to put it together, then apart, the ferrules popped nicely.
My angling life is complete, ol' Gurn's got a goodun, and it was a bargain.

It looks to be in original, unrestored condition. A rod builder friend reckons it's the straightest Mk IV he's ever seen.

All I have to do now is resist the urge to use it before I visit it's spiritual home, Redmire Pool, in a couple of weeks.

The B. James & Son Richard Walker MK IV...Succumbing To The Inevitable..

I've fished for carp for nearly thirty years now. During that time I've used a lot of different rods but have generally stuck to the English made rods. I currently have Centurys for distance work and Harrisons for small water fishing. I like to look down at that little Union Flag, it pleases me.
 You will see from recent posts that I have become more and more en-tranced  by the beauty and just plain old fun of angling with cane rods of late. A rod has followed me in my carp fshing for as long as I remember, a legendary rod. It has cropped up in conversation, I've read of it's popularity and it's origins. A few times I have seen one and marvelled at it's beauty with deep yearning. That rod is the B.James and Son 'Richard Walker' MK IV.
 It seems strange, that as someone who loves carp fishing history, the waters, the names; that I've never fished with one.
 I did own two thirds of one once, a car-boot find, unusually short in the butt section. I bought it for £20, sold it for considerably more and kept the original bag in the knowledge that I would one day own the real deal.
 Well, as I type I am awaiting the inevitable. A MK IV will arrive at 'Gurney Towers' today. It's a gamble, unseen, ebay purchase, vague photos. Everything I have read about the right way to purchase a rod of cane has been ignored on a hunch. It's high risk and not recommended.
 The photos were sketchy, to say the least, so I asked the vendor some relevant questions. Is it the correct length ? Are all tranfers intact ? Are the rings sound? Does the ferrule have any 'knock'?
 The replies seemed favourable, I entered an offer. .After a counter offer that found some middle ground, I commited to buy.
 For the first time in my life, I have bought a fishing rod with someone elses name on it. I've overlooked the Daiwa 'DF', ESP Terry Hearn and never did quite understand the Dean Macey range! I do have an original John Wilson avon quiver, but, I didn't buy it.
 I guess there's no better angler to start with than Richard Walker, I do, of course, have much respect for the man.

 I wait then, will it be a dog or a bargain? Time will tell....


Find out what Gurn bought....HERE.

Aah, The Work Party

As darkness draws in. One man rows a boat, whilst everyone else chats about what they might do.