For all my adult life I have been fascinated by old stuff, old buildings, old machinery, old tales told by older people (even my wife is seven years older than me!) - you get the picture?  My extensive toolkit mostly dates from the first part of the 20th Century when tool steel was made to take and keep an edge and handles were of ash or beech, made to be used all day long without discomfort. So an article in today's paper caught my eye.  It seems that there is a strong revival in the art of bamboo rod making with demand increasing despite the current financial down turn. 

Chris Yates in his article reckons that the finest rods ever made are being produced right now by a craftsman in Newbury.  These rods are reckoned to be more robust than carbon rods, give a better feel when fishing and are lighter in the hand.  Not being much of a fisherman I can't comment, but the look of these little pieces of sheer art certainly appeal to my aesthetic sense.

The craftsman in question is Edward Barder whose CV includes working for Hardy's in Pall Mall.  You can contact Edward via the following address www.barder-rod.co.uk.  Is it time to bring back the bamboo? 

Yet more evidence reaches me that our wild brownies are beginning to recruit well.  A member came up this morning for a guest ticket and departed for the top end to try his luck in near perfect water.  On returning this evening I asked him how he got on.  It would seem that whilst he caught nothing up at Lodge Hall he was knocked by a lot of 6 inch fish which bodes well for future seasons.

The forecast here for tomorrow is pretty miserable which is a shame after today's warm sunshine.  The remainder of the week looks fairly grim too with heavy rain and gales forecast for mid week.  So much for summer!

Ian