Test Curves.

[Mr B]

Wal makes an excellent point about line refusing to break when a rod is bent progressively. Sudden snatches may break it as will the slightest touch of something solid against the line but, a well-balanced outfit and no snags will allow anybody to tire virtually any fish. Of course, once the fish is beaten and lying doggo under your feet, will your rod lift it off the bottom?

Test curves and cane are pretty much irrelevant. Take a Harvey Torbett rod, below the last three feet or so, it becomes a sturdy beast but, the tip is light and great for float fishing. So, would you cast a 2oz lead on it and expect the tip to remain attached? No, of course not, you cannot abuse a cane rod tip unless you are at the broom handle level.

Dave, wasn't it Harvey Torbett himself who tried to stop a swimmer with a cane rod. I cant remember the outcome or where the hook was attached for that matter.

wal.

I think Dave's tried it with Canoeists, Wal

All very interesting stuff...
I think it was Jack Hargreaves with the swimmer.. ended up breaking his rod.. ohhh, the mind can play tricks... Bernard Venables?? Oh, I think Les Moncrief to might have been involved.,,,
And... Charlie Drake!!! It was one of my post I think a few years ago????

[Wallys-Cast]

Wal makes an excellent point about line refusing to break when a rod is bent progressively. Sudden snatches may break it as will the slightest touch of something solid against the line but, a well-balanced outfit and no snags will allow anybody to tire virtually any fish. Of course, once the fish is beaten and lying doggo under your feet, will your rod lift it off the bottom?

Test curves and cane are pretty much irrelevant. Take a Harvey Torbett rod, below the last three feet or so, it becomes a sturdy beast but, the tip is light and great for float fishing. So, would you cast a 2oz lead on it and expect the tip to remain attached? No, of course not, you cannot abuse a cane rod tip unless you are at the broom handle level.

Dave, wasn't it Harvey Torbett himself who tried to stop a swimmer with a cane rod. I cant remember the outcome or where the hook was attached for that matter.

wal.

I think Dave's tried it with Canoeists, Wal

I think that was Daves bait boat Jeremy. More traditional than those lectrik things.

Wal.

[Dave Burr]

Dave, wasn't it Harvey Torbett himself who tried to stop a swimmer with a cane rod. I cant remember the outcome or where the hook was attached for that matter.

wal.

I think Dave's tried it with Canoeists, Wal

I remember Jack Hargreaves doing a bit on Out of Town where somebody was stopped by a cane rod in a swimming pool but, I don't recall who held the rod though, it did have a test curve of 12 stone.

As for canoeists, I haven't fished the Wye for nearly a year so, my blood pressure is pretty good for August.

[Mr B]

Mr B, may we add in the Marco Standard Carp at around 1/4lb (maybe a bit less) please! Regards Cat

Yes of course! Thats light for a Carp rod?

[Cat]

I think it's probably more like 1 1/4lb's, just feels like a quarter if something significant is hooked! However, beautiful rods, but better for tench, chub, etc.

[Mr B]

I think it's probably more like 1 1/4lb's, just feels like a quarter if something significant is hooked! However, beautiful rods, but better for tench, chub, etc.

Yes, I did wonder if it was a sausage finger typo.. I often do that despite going over my post before oosting.. sorry posting!
One thing for sure, we all like curves in rhe right places!
Mr B

[Olly]

After several attempts I have found possibly the source of 'test curves' - but not described as such:-

It is in Foster's 1895 Guide - to be found in 'CATALOGUES Splitcaneinfo.com'. Quite fascinating the bending of a rod with a simple scale!
They are testing the difference between a steel-centered rod with a steel-ribbed rod. With the results!

It may also partially account for intermediate whippings!

[Rod Fisher]

Dave, wasn't it Harvey Torbett himself who tried to stop a swimmer with a cane rod. I cant remember the outcome or where the hook was attached for that matter.

wal.

I think it was Jack Hargreaves with the swimmer.. ended up breaking his rod..

It was indeed Jack Hargreaves, Mr B, in his first appearance on film.



There's actually a long history of these angler versus swimmer contests. They date back to the 1880s, and anglers like J. J. Hardy, F. W. K. Wallis, and David Slater all took part in them. I have put together an article on the subject I'd be happy to share with anyone who drops me a private message. The story has a fishless aquarium, a human cannonball, a boxing kangaroo, a Wimbledon tennis champion, and more. It's worth a read.

[Kev D]

Hmm. It does rather look as though that rod was rigged to break . What with "Angler Har-graves" keeping his hand over an obvious weak spot for most of the fight.

[EricW]

I think it's probably more like 1 1/4lb's, just feels like a quarter if something significant is hooked! However, beautiful rods, but better for tench, chub, etc.

I'd agree entirely. I use mine for tench wherever a carp is likely to turn up. Not really an out and out carp rod by today's standards but can cope if needed. Mine is nicely matched with almost identical un-named Rodrill.