Brotel storm caps (at long last!)

Okay gentlemen, first I have to disappoint you. The Waterline storm caps don't fit, the Brotel requires at least 8mm & the caps were 6mm & 4mm?????
There are storm caps out there such as Keennets' or goal post adaptors which could be drilled out the extra couple of mm's but this appears fiddly.

Do not despair though those of little faith, at great danger to myself I crossed the great Watford Gap from London back to my home town of Sunny Rochdale.
In ye hallowed halls of Rochdale Angling (161, Yorkshire St, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 0DR, Tel: 01706 527604)I found something called an 'Opti Bolt'(?2.50 each). This is brass, flat @ 1/2 cm thick, @ 2 cm's big in a kind of spade shape on a standard thread. It has a hole diameter of 8mm & just fits on the Brotel stays when the end cap pulled off & the glue scrapped off (due to shape can easily be enlarged if reqired).
The edges are right angled so just to make sure I rounded them off with a file (10 mins work). For extra safety I also threaded a little cycle inner tube on the stays between the bolts & the Brotel material (which I think would be a good idea even if using proper storm caps).
I screw 1 long bankstick (powerdrive)onto the left vertical stay above my head & a shorter 1 onto the lower right horizontal stay. This enables me to have the space required to work my rod (oooerr?). Obviously left handers may find it beneficial to do the opposite. As the bolts don't have a hinge I screw an adaptable angle (the sort of thing used for keepnets etc)into the largest bank stick, the other one can be used without.

A 36" Gardner brolly pole enabled me to have the brotel 1 foot off the ground so my mother, wife, toddler & kettle could shelter under it whilst sitting on a bench in the Lake District last week.
I also pack the brotel with the pole extended so it's slightly longer than the longest stays, they then have some form of protection if its dropped or crushed.

I've used the set up but not yet in high winds. It feels pretty secure though and you can still use the guy ropes if you really want.
I think that this may be a possible solution & I'm sorry it's taken so long but I've been just as frustrated & have been on holiday.

Any questions please ask, I won't be contactable over the bank holiday. I think the manager of the shop was called Stuart?? & he said to me that he would remember if anyone asked. If not remind him of the 6'6' bloke who came in on Sat 4th August.

Now you've got the Stormcaps sussed, is the brotell what you were looking for? :-}~

I think it is.
I'm not able to get out fishing on a regular basis but when I do it's for shortish sessions & I like to travel reasonably light. What with being so tall I always had problems with traditional brollies as there never appeared to be enough room for me & my tackle. The Brotell is reasonably light & I fit in it with tackle & kettle & feel quite snug. With the super recliner I can't have the legs fully extended though & my knees do poke out slightly but I don't think that would be any different to other brollies.
Sods Law about the stormcaps, it appears that after I've eventually found something that appears to work, Carp Angler has appeared to have found some bonefide ones! I think he had them all the time & was waiting for me to find something else(Only kidding Rik).

Stuart's a nice chap in a northern type way is'nt he mate. I often pop in there to say hello and catch up on the gossip.

they went with the last post tonight, so you should get them tomorrow or Tuesday.

Dave,
I think if I was 6'4" and went through the Bennetts saga trying to sort all this out what with the damaged goods, returns, wrong items delivered and then the storm caps fiasco I would have kept my old brolly and bought a spade. :-}~

I'm kna***ed with it all. Believe it or not it almost became a morbid hobby. Next thing I want is the Chub rucksack that Graham reviewed last month, Bennetts were doing it at a good price but...... Maybe they might give me one in a way of compensation????? (See how optomistic I am, it's how I survive as a fisherman).
Mike, they do seem a good crowd in there & quite competative, Stuart gave me a good price on 2 chairs for me & the missus last year.
Thanks again Carp Angler - just back from the Lakes tonight no caps yet, probably tomorrow.

I got my chub rucker from http://www.aandifishingtackle.com/ No problem with delivery there..

Thanks Carp Angler, for the storm pole caps - I don't know how they work either. I phoned Relum & spoke to Dr Paul Garner no less (he says hello). Appears these are for the bedchair Brotel & fit in a 'pocket' but don't work for the regular Brotel. He thinks what I've done sounds fine, but for those who want the real thing (& I don't mean a coke) - Relum are having some proper metal storm caps made which should be in the shops in a couple of months.

I had cause to call Relum myself a while back....they were polite and helpful.....that just deserved to be said.....others are totally pathetic when you call!!!!!

I tried.

Dave,
just thought I'd bring this thread back to ask if you've seen any of the Relum storm caps yet? I've kept an eye out in the local shop but none yet.

I've just seen this thread and hadn't realised there was a problem with Brotel storm caps until now.I am fortunate enough to get my stuff straight from the designer who just happens to live around the corner from me (I'm still using the old Fox specialist brolly or the ultra 50 for loads'a'room - same designer as the Brotel)If you are still struggling let me know and I'll give him a bell tomorrow and see what he says. If you use pegs and storm poles you really shouldn't need guy ropes. I have had my old Fox brolly up in winds of well over 50mph.It makes a difference of course depending on the sort of ground you are on,firm river banks good, gravel pits bad.

I agree John, I don't think that you need to use ropes as well but there may be 'belt & braces' chaps out there.

Rodney, as you know I havn't been fishing for a while. I'll try & phone Relum as they told me they were on the way a few months ago. If their supplier has delivered as they were hoping the caps should be out now???????

Ahhhh Rodney, I finally remembered & contacted Relum. Unfortunately they don't appear to do them. I don't know why?

This is the message they sent me:
"Regarding our telephone call on friday 4 January 2002. Please be advised that we still do not have the storm pole adaptors available for the deluxe brotel, we are also out of stock of the brotel.
I do not have any idea on availability at this stage."

Looks like it's back to my brilliant design then!

Hi there long time no post Dave,

It's OK I phoned Bennetts for you and they assured me they have just the thing...so if you just send off your CC details and let me know how you get on < GRIN > .

Seriously, I saw an interesting little gadget in the Askari catalogue. It is like a small hook with a screw thread on a hinge, I think the hook goes over the rib (or through a loop whipped onto it) and then screw it into a storm pole. (if not I've got a great idea for an invention, but keep it quiet). ;o}~