The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I finally collected from a relative in London an Aspindale's `The Gemdale' 3-piece ten and a half foot split cane rod. It seems to have been reconditioned very nicely with jasper twist, and a dark reddish brown for the intermediates (was it anyone on this forum?). It has a nice waggle to it and should fish very well with my Rapidex or Match Aerial. Does anyone else have a Gemdale, or an estimate of its date of manufacture? I am guessing there is no River Gem, and that it was possibly a one-off for someone. Any information on this rod would be appreciated greatly. It's my first piece of cane!

G. B.

It's one of the late rods, made by the late Peter Aspindale, as it has the black and gold badge. I had thought this a sticker, but yours does look like a transfer. Tony Croft and Peter parted ways about 1971 so I suppose it must be made after that date. Until then Peter had been an office-wallah and hadn't actually made any rods as far as I am aware, but his father had made superb rods prior to Peter being very badly injured in an accident, having learnt his craft at Milwards pre-WW2.

A fine piece of cane Sir, welcome to the club

Dear sir,I did have one from an eBay seller a year or two ago but it was very sloppy and badly restored so I sent it back

Here's mine an eBay success very pleased with it.

Super little grayling rod







Happily joined The Aspindale club

Well done - some lovely rods - and a few duff'uns - though not the fault of the makers! I have a Swiftdale which I use for similar purposes.

Olly

Thanks - Looks like all original? - or if it's been restored
at some stage, its a tidy job.

Either way well pleased no other bidders on eBay, so I was lucky with the price.

Looking at the inters they are the same as my Swiftdale's. Judging from the rings it is original. The Swiftdale is 6 in longer at eleven feet!

Olly wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2017 4:12 pm Looking at the inters they are the same as my Swiftdale's. Judging from the rings it is original. The Swiftdale is 6 in longer at eleven feet!

Thanks Olly - thats what I thought, the whippings are so subtle reckon it to be original.

Thanks for posting that, NiceRoach, and welcome to the club.

Now we know there are at least two Gemdale's in existence, and that mine wasn't a one-off. Any idea if the `Gem' refers to anything in particular? Mine has the same jasper whippings on the rings, but a reddish brown for the intermediates in exactly the same patterns. I think it must have been restored, and based on the similarity between yours and mine, I'm wondering if it was the same restorer. This rod is ideal for light float fishing and ledgering. With that fine tip section, it doesn't take much to put a nice bend in it.

Enjoy your new rod!

G. B.