A refurbished rod - Clayton of Boston, by Jason White.

[BendSomeCane]

Sometime late in 2016 Pennine lad sold me an unnamed 3 piece 11ft light enough for trotting.

My inexperience thought it was Spanish reed butt and spliced mid section with a spilt cane top.
The rod was light and soon became my favourite for light float work.
I sent a few pictures to Jason White as my knowledge of all things cane is very very basic.

Jason suggested it was a Clayton of Boston rod and probably made from American ‘white cane’
Which is something I’d never heard of,

The rod which can be seen below with a lovely roach and rapidex.



Or after a lovely Navvi Roach



I decided to have Jason refurbish the rod and make it a little more bespoke and suited to my style. I’m not a dealer or seller of rods- I’m a user and as such it didn’t bother me if it was tweaked.
I asked for an extra 3 inches on the butt and an extra ring on the top section.

The whipping was done sympathetically to the original style. I chose a blue thread and hope for something special.

I have received the rod today and Jason hadn’t let me down. I’m thrilled to bits with it and can’t wait to use it on the tidal Don next week.

I’d recommend Jason’s work every time.

Here is the finished rod.




Bendsomecane

[Bobby Marlene]

very nice! Bobby

[Jeremy Croxall]

That's just lovely!

[TraditionalAngling]

I have had many rods of Jason work over the years and I must say you cannot fault.I have just sold two Clayton rods to another TTF Member that had been restored by ourselves.

[Lea Dweller]

A lovely job, well done!

[Crucian]

Nice photo's of the roach, lovely job of the refurbishment too.
Was the makers name added as part of the refurbishment? it's very nicely done.

[BendSomeCane]

Thanks all of you .. having looked at many fine and not so fine examples of these rods I became convinced that it was from these rod makers.

Interestingly what Jason said about the cane was thoughtful. These were generally made in the middle part of last century and due to the war the ability to obtain Tonkin became scarce rod makers used American cane or other names White Cane or Florida cane.
This is natural light cane and stronger than Spanish reed..

All this is new to me .. another wonderful story on how rods were made.

I’m sure when Pennine lad sold it me for £20 he didn’t know what I’d make of it .

Bendsomecane

[BendSomeCane]

I’ve managed to dig out some older photos prior to refurbishment

Bendsomecane

[Penninelad]

Tell them what you paid for it! I think you took advantage of an old man and you in a position of trust as my "Carer"!

[Wallys-Cast]

That is a lovely finish and really looks good in dark blue.

The original colour scheme has the look of a Bill Norris rod but I think all his rods were signed "W H Norris. Leamington Spa" and had a bit more decorative whipping..

Is it ferruleless ?

Wal.