[Allan Liddle]

Good idea H, but we'd need to call him the Stik (ref to being a rod tester?) Some say he can float on water in a big canvas bag and only ever walks backwards.... All we know is he's called the Stik

Some say his loops are tighter than a trumpet players arse when he hits a high 'C', and that he can cast 100 yards into a hurricane, all we know is etc

Some say he smells silghtly of mothballs, and he can tye a size 32 Greenwell Parachute with his bare hands in the dark.  All we know, aye you get the idea.    

[Rob Brownfield]

You'd probably prefer the Top Gear role to the Tackle Testing role too Hamish ..... especially when it came to Italian models

Cheers
Mike

Lol...we have the same issue Mike..The Alfa is a shockingly badly built car, we are on the second gearbox, third respray, 3rd lot of suspension, all in under three years...but we would not get rid of it (ok..maybe trade in for another new one) for anything!

[Loxiafan]

This months Trout and Salmon has a tackle review of fourteen 10' #5 rods. Might be worth a read.

Cheers Rob, I have seen that review, but I am ideally after a 9 ft #4.

Lindsay

[Ben Dixon]

Used a 104 Access for trout lined with a #4 SLX, superb outfit for fishing traditional from either a boat or a tube.  Rod has enough length to work the flies close up and the line carries even the chunkiest loch flies very well.  Also fishes a single #14 dry sedge on a long leader perfectly in flat conditions. 

Helios 966 and #6 Rio Outbounds for sea trout in the sea and also for the imaginary mackerel.  Smooth rod which copes very well with fast sinking heads (Access 966 is very similar in action) and the Outbounds are perfect for the job except for the odd tangle in the running line.

Helios 909 for pollock with a T11 custom cut Outbound trimmed to 33'.  Brutal but effective, carries a big fly 35-40 yards and takes it down deep.  The Outbound required more space to use well than the Airflo the others were using but it is much smoother to cast and will fly a little further, downside is that Outbounds are not particularly tough and are expensive.  When it dies I don't think I will replace it, I'll use the Airflo as the first one I buy will probably outlast me.

Reels for above were Orvis Enounters, the new plastic jobs.  They bounce when thrown against rocks or boats (I've tried throwing them, they don't break), superb drag and retail for under £40 with a spare spool about half of that.

Okuma Astral 16'6" 5 - 25g telescopic dapping rod.  Very light and great from the tube, superb value at about £40 from GAC.


Cheers

Ben