Try a new to me rod, 9' Allcocks #6 weight split cane rod (made in England) which had spent most of it's life in Canada and was on the "to do" list of a very good maker of new cane rods before he decided to send it to me. It was badly delaminated (glue given way and the six strips of cane were no longer joined as one), the guides were still there but badly rusted and near fell apart when stripping off. The reel seat was very corroded. So I had a major rebuild. Having done this before, spending a bit of cash and a lot of time on a similar rod that broke at the mid male ferrule on the first fish hooked I was determined to do this one cheap and sort of rough n ready. If it breaks first time out it wont be so bad.
Reel seat was replaced with one off a broken glass Kilwell rod (NZ make), guides were a stripper off the same broken rod and any snakes that were laying around spare, some English twist and some not! Thread is Sylko sewing cotton and it got two coats of varnish over the wraps followed by two over the entire rod. No prize winner, but it should fish ok.
I matched it up with a Medalist CJ 1495 1/2 (American design made in Japan) with an unknown WF line (came on the reel but probably American) that weighed out as a #6 to 6 1/2 weight. Leader is knotted Maxima mono (Germany) and not the usual factory tappered I usualy use.
So with minimal gear, (rod reel line and net) I headed for a quick trip to the Mataura above where the Waikaia runs in as it is cleaner above. Also along for the trip was the new Panasonic DMC FT 4 digital camera. The net by the was is from Tasmania Australia.
The trout are also from Tasmania originally, but could be considered local.
So that is Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, America, Japan, Germany, Australia and New Zealand all involved in one little fishing excursion.
