A new project for Andrew!

Andrew J. Davis Cane Rods forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
Tengisgol
Barbel
Posts: 4868
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:49 pm
10
Location: Essex Boy
Contact:

A new project for Andrew!

Post by Tengisgol »

So excited I am going to burst! I visited Andrew yesterday to have a chat about a special rod commission for a forthcoming birthday. It is still a way off (2017), but it does have a 'nought' in it, so 'book early to avoid disappointment' is my motto. So my name is in the little red book but first a few other thoughts...

...I had met Andrew a couple of times before, including a cane and pin day on the Trent, but it was a day at Redditch I particularly recall when the germ of an idea was planted. We had a chat about some rods on Andrew's stand and it was an Arun that I remember most, marvelling at the exquisite finish and beautifully shaped handle.

Two other events are important as well; holding what was once Bill Quinlan's very early Avocet which truly was a light and crisp Southwell wand and then Richard Cleavers 's eleven foot 'Artisan' made by Paul Cook - just magic in the hand.

Anyhow I went to see Andrew yesterday on the way back from Leeds and before we started talking my ideas we walked through some rods on his stand.

Carpathia no. II - chaps, this is THE most perfect cane carp rod I have EVER held and that includes catching high double commons on one of Edward's early finest creations (not my rod sadly...). I don't know who will be the owner of this rod but you have something very special. Andrew, I suspect quite a modest man by nature, could not control himself in telling me how pleased he was with the rod and I utterly agree with him.

Then we had a look at an Avocet. A heavier build than the very early one that I held, Andrew explained to me that the very early Avocets were a lighter build than this, the later rods were more with a barbel in mind and this one (whipped in green I recall) was a stunning reproduction.

We then looked at an Avon Perfection, very pale cane and light in the hand. Getting closer to my needs but this was a more all through action, so what was my brief?

- a roach and dace rod, perhaps grayling
- eleven foot six (I was thinking eleven nine but, as Andrew said, that three inches can make a difference in how it feels in the hand)
- two piece, quite a short handle
- hollow built wherever possible, as light as can be
- but as crisp as possible with a fast but progressive action
- think canal rod
- imagine hemp and tares, or hemp and caster, aiming for pound plussers!
- high bells but running down to a very small size at the tip and a nice small tip ring
- handle as per the Arun

Andrew referenced an Aspindale he had the tapers to, something that belongs to a friend and a total 'one-off' albeit my rod won't be quite so fast tapered.

A very bespoke rod is my vision but you just know, from looking at the rods in his rack, that Andrew creates magic in his workshop.

Now, I don't want to wish my life away, but...
Where the willows meet the water...

https://sites.google.com/site/tengisgol/

User avatar
AshbyCut
Honorary President
Posts: 10142
Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 1:27 am
11
Location: North Warwickshire

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by AshbyCut »

Sounds very exciting Tengisgol, Sir !!!
"Beside the water I discovered (or maybe rediscovered) the quiet. The sort of quiet that allows one to be woven into the tapestry of nature instead of merely standing next to it." Estaban.

User avatar
Paul F
Sea Trout
Posts: 4188
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 11:12 pm
10
Location: The West Country

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by Paul F »

Woo, sounds unique, I like unique :Thumb:

User avatar
OldTackle
Arctic Char
Posts: 1800
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:40 pm
9
Location: Germany, Lower Saxony

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by OldTackle »

You must be shaking still Phil. Awesome story. I can't await to see pictures of the outcome. And bank-side pictures Of course!!
< °) >>><( Christopher )><<< (° >

Paul D

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by Paul D »

Lovely... one of my dreams is to have a rod built for me, I'm sure you won't be disappointed :Hat:

User avatar
Barbulus
Tench
Posts: 2508
Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2013 1:51 pm
10

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by Barbulus »

What a great project Phil; can't wait to see the result.

User avatar
RBTraditional
Catfish
Posts: 5653
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:10 pm
12
Location: Rural Kent
Contact:

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by RBTraditional »

That sounds pretty special indeed.....enjoy the wait....you'll be like a kid on Christmas eve for a year!
" Angling is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it..."

https://thepiscatorialraconteurs.co.uk/

User avatar
Mark
Head Bailiff
Posts: 21141
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:55 pm
12
Location: Leicestershire
Contact:

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by Mark »

Nice one Tengiscol.
Mark (Administrator)

The most precious places in the English landscape are those secretive corners,
where you find only elder trees, nettles and dreams. (BB - Denys Watkins-Pitchford).

User avatar
Nobby
Wild Carp
Posts: 10975
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 2:40 pm
12
Location: S.W.Surrey
Contact:

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by Nobby »

11 foot 6" ?? ..... hmmmm Aspindale 894B perhaps? Whatever it is, I know it will be lovely. Andrew is right about the length, of course.....there's a reason the Avocet was 11' 3".

User avatar
Dave Burr
Honorary Vice President
Posts: 13482
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:03 pm
11
Location: Not far from the Wye
Contact:

Re: A new project for Andrew!

Post by Dave Burr »

Look forward to seeing this one in the flesh Phil.

Post Reply

Return to “Andrew J. Davis Cane Rods”