Most of us are hopeless addicts, I know I am, you are too, if you're honest. It's why you're here...old sausage.Late 60's and I was around 6 or 7 and Dad bought me one of those dirt cheap rod and reel sets from Woolworth's. You remember the kind. They were tied to a length of cardboard carrying a 'fishy scene' and covered in plastic.
I remember the day it brought a glistening Perch to the bank and as it lay at my feet, I knew it's true meaning. That for the rest of my life I would be the one that was hooked.
I grew and so did my passion and my collection of rods and tackle and memories.
Work and life come along for all of us and there is no escape, but a kind of freedom can always be re-visited when we go fishing. A few hours stolen by a favourite stretch of water takes us all back to the carefree joys of childhood. From child-to-man-to-child, no matter how seriously we play the game.
I got a rod from my mother (god bless her) when I was fifteen. I've got it still and it means so much more than just glass, metal and cork. Just to glance at it takes me back 35 years to that birthday treat and the fishing it's gifted me along the years. It's my favourite rod and I know now that her passion fed mine.
Here's me, at work and in the workshop, rod in hand.
It's old and scratched and marked and yet it still carries it's makers legends.
'The Carp Master'
You'll note the cork handle and metal reel sleeves - like a real rod should.
I love our time together - fellow bloggers - I share your joy and your despair (and we really should treat those two imposters just the same, for isn't it the fishing we love). I read your blogs with equal delight and the internet brings us all to together, from Manchester, to Oxford to Boulder and all the way round again.
So, now it's time to show your rods and share more stories. And go fishing...
Nice rod there Alan, I hope it still gets used. I have rods that are older than me and use them regularly. They do seem to have more 'soul' than my modern carbon rod, not to mention being good fun....regards Gurn
ReplyDeleteHello Gurn,
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, come the summer the rod may well help me find a few tench and carp.
Hi Alan thats a great write up and so very true, I have had rods that were handed down to me and they now belong to young Jack the Lad, Who put them away, and said he will have a propper look at them some day haha hes old before his time haha
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog Alan,
All the best,
,,,Paddy,,,
Thanks Paddy,
ReplyDeleteAnd your story is exactly what I was getting at.
Beautiful post, Dear Alan! Your piece here is exactly what's remarkable about fishing...personal histories and memories. My rod will very soon (this next weekend, I hope!) have a cork grip, all proper like too. My "history" with it has already begun. Thank you, Alan, for reminding me of that this morning.
ReplyDeleteEMB - Delighted, as ever.
ReplyDeleteAlan
An excellent read Alan,
ReplyDeleteI can remember my first rod, also bought by my mother, we was having a day out in Wokingham at the time, when I spotted a lovely looking burgundy fibre flass rod, unbranded and looking rather lonely, sat in the window of a Charity shop, up until this point I had always been lent a rod by my father.
Upon seeing it and bringing my mothers attention to it and after much chat with the kind lady inside the shop,I had my first rod.
I never forget the first time I christened it, that was very special, it was a day spent float fishing and the first fish that was caught on it was a Gudgeon. The rod survived many trips with me as a hap hazard youngster and has outlived many other rods that I have had. It is never used now, as it is a rather short rod, one thing it is not short on though is fond memories.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteA wonderful reply, Mark. Now, we need some photo's of the rod.
Best wishes
Alan