Theft

I appeal to anyone who may be able to help with retrieval of these items. Obviously I would like everything back, but realise the chances of that are rather slim. I'm told by the police, however, that because of their scarcity (meaning that the majority of stolen rods are easily identifiable), I can live in hope.
At the top of my returns wish list are two precious (to me) Barbel Master rods. There are approximately only 50 of these rods in existence, owned by a few anglers countrywide. Because the manufactures cannot locate a special material incorporated into one of the twin tips, the rod is no longer commercially available. Being of my own design, these rods carry a label that reads 'Steve Stayner (small text) Barbel Master (large text), Hand built by Harrison Advanced rods'. Should this be removed, the rod can still be identified by the emerald green coloured blank that has a 1K woven finish. Most easily identifiable, however, is the tip incorporating the 'soft top' technology, which allows the final nine or ten inches to bend more quickly than the material below it. Uniquely, the action rests somewhere between a quiver tip and conventional rod top, but there in no splice.

Being the very first and last models to be built, I value both of these particular Barbel Masters far beyond their retail price. One is brand new and therefore totally unused. Because I always take extremely good care of my tackle, the older one shows minimal wear, notably by the possible absence of the Fuji reel seat sticker, and the addition of a little dirt around the stainless steel handle button. Even if I never resume fishing, I would like these rods back. In particular, the older one holds memories of a few wonderful captures.
Moving on to list other stolen items.
Quorum Rod. Unlabelled 3-piece prototype rod with two butt sections, both of which are fitted with increased diameter handle grips, making them easily distinguishable from run-of-the-mill fittings. Not many manufactures produce rods with two butt sections, least of all with fat duplons attached.
Specialist 12' rod. Two Piece. Again fitted with unusually fat duplon grips, this may well be offered with three separate tips. One is a straight 2lb top. The second has a spliced in quiver-tip (sprayed fluorescent white/yellow, with two light attachments whipped on). The other contains the very first soft-top ever to be built, so therefore has the quiver tip-like action with no splice. The blank is dark grey and has my name written of the underside.
10ft Stalker. Prototype unlabelled blank with full cork (soiled) handle with sliding Roberts reel fits. Looks like it's had some stick this one. Very slim dark grey blank.
10ft Stalker: Blank only with maybe two tips. I guess few of us are ever offered rod blanks. Easily remembered if you are asked if you want to buy one - especially for next to nowt.
Digital Camera. Canon Powershot A80. Has a rotating display screen, enabling self-protraits to be easily composed from the front of the camera. Cameras like this are ideal for anglers. This model was discontinued around two years ago and replaced with the A95. Both models look virtually identical.
My stolen A80 will be offered with rechargeable batteries (usually not supplied by Canon) but no software. The case in which it was kept also has a couple of spare compact flash cards and some standard alkaline batteries in it.
Please note that I have so far notified the angling weeklies and the Derby Evening Telegraph about the theft. Any information leading to the recovery of any of my property will be greatly appreciated and may even be rewarded - especially concerning the Barbel Masters. Thank you very much for your time.

The above an appeal from Steve Stayner regarding a recent burglary from his home.If anyone can help then please do so on the number on the end of this message.

Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 3333, who appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information about these rods to come forward.
His private number is available but mail me.

.

Fred, e-mail Chavender, he's in the Derby area, and seems to have his finger 'on pulses'.

Duly noted, with Freds permission I will print copies of his posting and get them posted prominantly around the area, I live in the middle of the Dove/Derwent/Trent triangle and will keep a lookout out in the usual dumping grounds/boot sales. I am sure Chavender will do the north side of Derbyshire.

Tom, he needs all the help he can get.
I got this from the Barbel Society site.

No problems Fred, I will spread the word out fast, these shits want stamping on and hard.

I have now cut and pasted your posts and put them on the Derby railway Forum as well.

Don't forget to keep an eye on ebay.

Does anyone think it would be an idea if someone started a register of stolen gear..?

One thing I've noticed over the years is when the police put out press releases about stolen stuff, there's rarely enough detail to really identify anything.

You usually get something like:

Fishing tackle stolen in shed break. Three Shimano rods, two poles by MAP, seat box, reels and nets.

I know fishing tackle's usually fairly generic and lacks serial numbers etc but people's outfits are usually fairly individual.

A few years ago someone in Plymouth started doing something similar, he produced a magazine featuring pictures and details of stolen antique urniture etc.

why is fishing tackle the only things not to be serialled numbered ?

and doesnt matter what I buy Im not offered a receipt...........I have to ask

Well Cakey, for some reason they obviously don't want back what you've bought...

it's because it's smelly when he's finished with it.

and the last bag of pellets he tried to take back had all melted in the water.

hope he gets the stuff back, at least there's some chance of identifying it with it not being run of the mill stuff.
personally i'd check your local cash converter.
a friend was burgled recently and all her stuff turned up there.

"why is fishing tackle the only things not to be serialled numbered ?"

Abu rods use to have a little gold sticker on with a serial number on it and it was then varished over, certainly on earlier rods. I don't think manufacturers really give a damn about it, cost too much I suppose.

There is of course the Security Marker Pen,if they are still available,to mark all your gear.
It can only be seen with a uv light.
Having said that I'm talking myself out of this method,because I seem to recall,direct sunlight has a bad effect on their use!
Anyway,I like the idea of Chris's,of a register.
I take it there has been no sitings on this weekends boot sales.
Tom thanks for all your efforts,not mailed Chavender yet.
Can anybody tell me how to search the members area for him?

Fred you have mail

There is a new system of security marking any item with a type of liquid called "Smartwater". Local schools in my area are using it to mark all their electrical, and other valuable goods..it does not mark the item, does not wash off, cannot be seen by the naked eye,and can be read with a special viewer..basically the system has millions of small forensically readable "DNA"type things that are painted into any nooks and crannies of your gear.. handles, rings, inside the butt cap,reel bodies, spools, etc etc.. you have a unique serial number ..if your gear is stolen, the Smartwater can be read, it cannot be duplicated to any other person..
Seems like a good idea.. check out Smartwater on Google .. No I dont have shares..it just looks like a good idea.

i dont like the ideas of markers they can be modified or added to !

Jeff say it would cost to much but we pay enough for rods reels etc