New river rod!

[mark brailsford 2]

In a few weeks I have got a bit of a bonus coming from work and I really fancy a top notch avon rod and was thinking on the lines of a rod with a Harrison blank.
Who does the best rods? I am looking at spending up to about £250

Mark

 

[redgils]

If i had the money i would definetly do the same mate, i use greys prodigy specimen rods which are great but will be looking into harrisons for my next upgrade.

 

[Weeman]

I've recently treated myself to a Harrison Torrix 1 1/4lb TC Avon twin top (quiver top takes drennan push in tips), built by Johnson Ross / Vic Gibson.

I can wholeheartedly recommend it - what a rod! Harrison blanks really are superb and well worth the outlay in my book.

 

[tigger]

I must be the odd one out...I don't like harrison blanks at all.

 

[bankside]

Mark,save yourself £200 and get an original JW Avon Quiver,the one with 2 tops,a hell of a lot of fun for not a lot of money.........

 

[sam vimes]

I must be the odd one out...I don't like harrison blanks at all.

Not the only one. Overrated, outdated and relatively heavy. That said, they are by no means bad, just not quite as good as the wall to wall hype would suggest.

Mark,save yourself £200 and get an original JW Avon Quiver,the one with 2 tops,a hell of a lot of fun for not a lot of money.........

However, give me the worst Harrison rod ever put together over JW Avon. A rod that epitomises the effect of publicity.

 

[barbelboi]

You'll never convince me that I don't like my Harrisons Sam
Jerry

 

[Weeman]

Nor me…..the torrix is my second Harrison and I absolutely love em.

Hope to add a pair of torrid carp rods to the collection next.

---------- Post added at 19:03 ---------- Previous post was at 19:00 ----------

Ooops torrix not torrid - bet the Harrison sceptics liked that one

 

[sam vimes]

You'll never convince me that I don't like my Harrisons Sam
Jerry

I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Ultimately, They're generally damned good rods, as they damned well should be for the money. I'm just not convinced that they are quite as good as they're cracked up to be.

 

[alan whittington]

Mark,if your intent on a Harrison rod,take a look at Davis tackle's(Christchurch) website and look at the dt avon 11ft 1lb 6oz t.c.,its probably the only Harrison i like(its more to my liking,action wise),you dot have to buy it there,but its where ive seen it,i havnt got one,yet,i'll wait till summer hols,but my mates got a pair,lovely,ive got a Sulis,its ok,but i'd agree with Sam in general,i prefer a more progressive action.

 

[S-Kippy]

I've yet to pick up a Free Spirit rod that I didn't want to take home with me so they are worth a look, Mark...think they might be built on Harrison blanks too. Someone will know.

Whatever you get I hope you're not going to put that bloody BLUE thing on it. !

 

[mark brailsford 2]

I've yet to pick up a Free Spirit rod that I didn't want to take home with me so they are worth a look, Mark...think they might be built on Harrison blanks too. Someone will know.

Whatever you get I hope you're not going to put that bloody BLUE thing on it. !

I have a few nice black and green reels to use, the blue one is for my match rods!!

Mark

 

[mark brailsford 2]

Mark,save yourself £200 and get an original JW Avon Quiver,the one with 2 tops,a hell of a lot of fun for not a lot of money.........

Sorry, but in my honest opinion the JW rods are one of the most overrated rods of all time. People only bought these because of the name, these rods are just another endorsed marketing ploy and frankly are not worth the money!
Just look at all those soft folk that keep those celebrity chefs in Aston Martins...By buying those (Cheap) sets of knives with the famous cooks name on them!!
PS: sorry Jamie Oliver but these things have to be said!

Mark

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

I've yet to pick up a Free Spirit rod that I didn't want to take home with me so they are worth a look, Mark...think they might be built on Harrison blanks too. Someone will know.

I have a Free Spirit rod I wished I'd picked up first, because if I had I wouldn't have it now. I made the mistake of reading the spiel and buying it MO based on what people were saying, it's design looked good too, but looks can be so deceiving. Oh it catches fish OK and has quite a bit of power I'll grant you, but on its own, in your hand, it just feels like a ..... stick. No life, whereas a Harrison and even a Sulis feel alive, an extension of your arm, you can almost feel the fish on already and you haven't taken it near water yet.

However, you can't buy a Sulis now, and I'm not so sure as to what other rods Harrisons have got in stock or if they'll take any orders. Brilliant technology, dreadful marketing and supply. Shame as it's BRITISH! Don't think the Free Spirits are made in this country and they're NOT built on Harrison blanks or at least my Advanced Specialist isn't, I know.

 

[S-Kippy]

Free Spirit rods have improved significantly IMO. I wasn't fussed with the earlier models but the latest top end float rods I think are fantastic. TBH I've not tried any of t'others but this was a brand I'd dismissed which I think has improved.

Unlike the JW Youngs where I am in total agreement with Mark. Horrible things.

 

[sam vimes]

Unlike the JW Youngs where I am in total agreement with Mark. Horrible things.

Whilst I don't disagree with your assessment of the JW Youngs rods, I rather think it was the John Wilson Avons that were being discussed.

 

[S-Kippy]

Then I was not paying proper attention Sam.

Dont like them either...there are better around now.

 

[mark brailsford 2]

Free Spirit rods have improved significantly IMO. I wasn't fussed with the earlier models but the latest top end float rods I think are fantastic. TBH I've not tried any of t'others but this was a brand I'd dismissed which I think has improved.

Unlike the JW Youngs where I am in total agreement with Mark. Horrible things.

I meant the John Wilson masterline rods, but yes, the youngs rods are **** too!

MARK

 

[alan whittington]

I meant the John Wilson masterline rods, but yes, the youngs rods are **** too!

MARK

The Wilson rods are great in that price range,but Harrisons,or most top of the range gear is light years ahead.

 

[S-Kippy]

I meant the John Wilson masterline rods, but yes, the youngs rods are **** too!

MARK

The original Wilson Avon was a great rod in its time and like nothing else available then. I had one and happily used it for everything from barbel to roach to chucking big feeders. But there are so many better rods of that ilk about now. If it was that good I'd still be using it...I'm not.

And I am speaking solely of the quiver top...the Avon top was a disgrace.