Martin James Match Rod
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 2:33 pm
Some years ago I took an old motorcycling friend fishing. He had never caught a pike and this was on his bucket list.
We achieved it during our first session on the Thames, in Benson Weirpool. About 12 lbs, he was well pleased!
A few weeks later he turned up with a rod and reel, the kit he had as a boy in the early 1950's. He gifted them to me.
A Youngs Rapidex, working order, gentily shabby but solid and a 15 foot Martin James Spanish Reed/spliced in split cane tip match rod in its original bag.
Edward Barder supplied me with new rings and whipping silk. I shall make a start soon.
Not very suitable for big stuff I imagine, Reed had a suspect reputation when I was a boy.
In its favour is it is very straight, no defects easily visible bar dull brass fittings and a perished rubber button.
Any idea on post renovation value? It is not a rod I am likely to use so if it is of interest perhaps it should be offered to a collector.
Not the Rapidex though - I like that!
We achieved it during our first session on the Thames, in Benson Weirpool. About 12 lbs, he was well pleased!
A few weeks later he turned up with a rod and reel, the kit he had as a boy in the early 1950's. He gifted them to me.
A Youngs Rapidex, working order, gentily shabby but solid and a 15 foot Martin James Spanish Reed/spliced in split cane tip match rod in its original bag.
Edward Barder supplied me with new rings and whipping silk. I shall make a start soon.
Not very suitable for big stuff I imagine, Reed had a suspect reputation when I was a boy.
In its favour is it is very straight, no defects easily visible bar dull brass fittings and a perished rubber button.
Any idea on post renovation value? It is not a rod I am likely to use so if it is of interest perhaps it should be offered to a collector.
Not the Rapidex though - I like that!