The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair - Sunday 19th November 2023

[Fredline]

Good to meet up with some of the TFF Massive... We had to leave early as it was a near 300 mile round trip for us...
Bought a few bits (for my Christmas prezzies according to my good lady)...
Which means I'm not allowed to play with my new bits for another 6 weeks or so...

I play with my bits on a daily basis.

[Lea Dweller]

Good to meet up with some of the TFF Massive... We had to leave early as it was a near 300 mile round trip for us...
Bought a few bits (for my Christmas prezzies according to my good lady)...
Which means I'm not allowed to play with my new bits for another 6 weeks or so...

I play with my bits on a daily basis.

It seems that nobody noticed at Redditch John!

[Shropshire Lad]

Highlight for me was seeing Chris Yates MKIV avon that landed the Bishop, Andrew pointed out the spliced tip that Chris did as a repair when it was broken and Richard Walkers faint signature, also the BB and Thorndike reels that walker made that were on display some real angling history there and to think the Thorndike reel could have been lost forever if it wasn't for Fredline. I did purchase a nice box of mayflys for next year as i am running short and was going to buy a lovely float tube off old man river with an owl on it but when i returned to his stall someone else had bought it, note to self do not procrastinate.

[Old Man River]

Highlight for me was seeing Chris Yates MKIV avon that landed the Bishop, Andrew pointed out the spliced tip that Chris did as a repair when it was broken and Richard Walkers faint signature, also the BB and Thorndike reels that walker made that were on display some real angling history there and to think the Thorndike reel could have been lost forever if it wasn't for Fredline. I did purchase a nice box of mayflys for next year as i am running short and was going to buy a lovely float tube off old man river with an owl on it but when i returned to his stall someone else had bought it, note to self do not procrastinate.

If you behave and stop using long words, I could always put another together for you, my main problem is that only today I went to contact my bamboo supplier, and he has stopped trading and folded the company !

My bamboos stock is at rock bottom as they say , so at the moment it is just not possible.

There are suppliers at the opposite ends of the country, but the cost of a courier is , well, extortionate !

David

[Wakou]

Even for a trucker, the 433 mile round-trip from Chelmsford was a bit of a marathon. (This did include a detour on the way home to N. Norfolk, to pick up a Gum-Tree purchase "Job-lot of seven old rods, including Sealey, Farlow's etc: £35.00" of which perhaps, more later!)
Right by the entrance the smiling and welcoming fizzog of Mr Fredline, and next to him, Lea-Dweller!
I had promised myself NOT TO SPEND LOTS OF MONEY, and largely kept that promise.. (I get the feeling that Fredline thinks I am an utter tightwad, I promise this is not true! I honestly did not have change, your honour!) I bought a new(ish) Mitchell 300 in its presentation box, a very battered and "pre-loved" early Narrow-spool Speedia, a cane swing-tip (? is this a thing, or a later "mock-up?).
From the notorious Del-Boy of the tackle world, Mr Surgoy (?), I bought two leather float-tubes, in which to store some works of art kindly gifted to me by the above-mentioned member of this parish when I met him on the bank some time ago..
There were many things I desired, but I have spent A LOT recently on various items....
I met the legendary Garry Mills who was every bit as kind and patient and delightful as everyone says he is.. we discussed an old reel I wish to refurbish. He suggested I send an email! It is widely known that Mr Mills, for all of his shining qualities, is not exactly on-the-ball when it comes to the new-fangled interweb. I'll phone him and post a cheque!
Now I have a problem in that although I "know" many of you from this forum, I do not know what you look like or your real names, etc. I have met John a number of times, and Bob, and Aitch, and Moley and Tensisgol and Grumpy etc.. from the Wally and a couple of Essex meet-ups. I am sorry to have missed you! I did accost a gentleman wearing a TFF badge, twice. The first time, he did not hear my "excuse me, excuse me, excuse me!, the second time he shook my hand and seemed completely uninterested in any further intercourse...
I must get one of those badges!
The old Speedia, despite its shabby looks is the smoothest and free-est running "true pin" I have ever encountered, I am looking forward to using it, even though it does not have a drag.... clickety-click it will be!

[Dave Burr]

... I did accost a gentleman wearing a TFF badge, twice. The first time, he did not hear my "excuse me, excuse me, excuse me!, the second time he shook my hand and seemed completely uninterested in any further intercourse...
I must get one of those badges!

Anybody willing to own up? My badge read "I have no idea what I'm doing" so I'm in the clear.

[OldRod]

Good to meet up with some of the TFF Massive... We had to leave early as it was a near 300 mile round trip for us...
Bought a few bits (for my Christmas prezzies according to my good lady)...
Which means I'm not allowed to play with my new bits for another 6 weeks or so...

You'll just have to be content with playing with your old bits then Aitch!

[Aitch]

Can't seem to find me old bits as readily these days...

[Lea Dweller]

Can't seem to find me old bits as readily these days...

You could always ask Jackie to help?

[Jeremy Croxall]

Good to meet you Aitch, and Mrs Aitch of course, and thank you for your courier services