I took my very much abused Avondale which was rescued from a Redditch Tip by someone I knew to Peter Aspindale some years ago and his wife Audrey kindly restored it for me.The rod originally bore the Avondale name in indian ink written by Peter but this was lost in the restoration. Peter was not able to re-do the script so the rod now bears a Dalesman sticker although it was an earlier rod.Nobby wrote:Since Peter Aspindale once said that he thought all their rods were hollow-built, I'd expect your Gemdale to something like my slightly earlier Avondale, Reelmaker .... and it is indeed a lovely roach rod. Judging by the late transfer on your rod it will be one made by Peter himself so surely hollow-built.
Perhaps not as quick to strike or mend line as a modern carbon rod it should feel very light in the hand. I know a couple of other folk with Avondales and nobody is selling theirs.
I'm not sure how the Avondale name came about...it is no Avon rod at all being clearly designed for close-in light fishing in gentle rivers. Perhaps that explains why Peter's 10'6" rod has another name...?
The rod is hollow built bottom and middle section and handles much better than I expected. It is not an Avon type rod being somewhat lighter but still is very nice to use.
