The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I've just visited Edward Barders site and noticed he's in the process of bringing out a range of non cane rods, the C word..

http://www.barder-rod.co.uk/carbon%20fi ... intro.aspx

Whilst acknowledging cane rods are his main concern, times, are they a changing?

Horiffic news, he’ll be making bait boats next!

I'm pretty sure he's been building these for a little while. Although I'm not sure it's ever been an off the shelf option. I'm assuming he'll buy the blanks in then build? I'd expect the price to reflect this.

I can only imagine that he will buy in the blanks, then make his money on the whippings, fittings, plus the Barder name?

British blanks - or Chinese? Made to Barder's own tapers?

I noticed those recently.
Probably doesn't sit too well with us trad types, but it's a business at the end of the day.
How about adding Barder Bivvies? Made from silk with hand stitching and optional chandelier.

I spoke to him about these a few weeks ago when I visited him.
They are very limited in numbers (he only makes about 25 rods per year in total and most are fly rods) and these non cane rods are due to demand.
He has no intention of moving away from cane.

Mr barder has the prestige ,people are going too want the best .weather its the best bespoke carB*n rod or best cane rod .

I can't think why - surely there's a cane rod for every situation (which is the company's marketing argument for carbon)?

The very thought of it..
I rather suspect the cane he really wants is becoming hard to get.