I've fallen in love again ....................with my centre pin reel!

Peter Bishop · Apr 30, 2007

Back in 1962 the first reel I ever owned was a cheap Little Kracker centre pin reel and then I went on to own Trudex and Rapidex reels before the Mitchell 300 ( I still have it)took over as my first reel of choice.

With the pin I learned how to trot, how to do a Wallis cast, and could even reach the far bank of my local canal. I loved the sense of contact it gave you when a decent fish drew line off the drum under your thumb. And there was never any curly line either.

Now years on my Alcocks Match Ariel has seen better days but I've found a new love, an Okuma Aventa, and I just love trotting or fishing the margins with it and a responsive Avon rod.

Does anyone else feel like this about one piece of tackle or method of fishing?
What single item of tackle fills you with joy everytime you use it and make the experience doubly enjoyable.

Wolfman Woody · Apr 30, 2007

Which Aventa?

Alan Tyler · Apr 30, 2007

35 years ago, chemically impaired in a North London park, I noticed a type of grass with stems like miniature bamboo, and harvested a handful for float-making (What do you need if you get an 'eadache while 'arvesting an 'andful of 'ay while you 'allucinate? - A few aspirates! (coat!)).

I've still got some of the fine-insert wagglers I made from it, fine for close-in fishng, and they take me back to happy daze... sorry, days.

Neil Maidment · Apr 30, 2007

I know what you mean Peter. I've got the Okuma Sheffield and I think it's a great piece of kit.

Forget the carp in this picture, but is the 'pin (just visible) a "Rapidex Match Special"? I loved this reel and had it from the early 1960's to the mid 80's when it was stolen!

Old Centrepin

Peter Bishop · May 1, 2007

Thanks for your replies chaps. Yet another response that makes me feel pretty invisible on here...

Peter Bishop · May 1, 2007

I know, I'll change my name to Wendy.....
Everytime she posts everyone falls over themselves to respond....

Mark Wintle · May 1, 2007

Anything you say, Wendy...

Richard Wilson 3 · May 1, 2007

The old swingtip Silstar rod does it for me Peter. I had it out last Thursday and had Tench and 1 8lb mirror on it, 5lb line on a little ?10 reel,Great sport.

keith clark · May 1, 2007

Hi Pete,know exactly what your on about,got myself an Okuma Sheffield.Used it for 1st time at weekend & loved every minute of it.
Keith

Peter Bishop · May 1, 2007

Hey up I'm suddenly visible again! Changing my name to Wendy obviously did the trick.
I know a guy who has a collection of floats he has had for years and was beside himself when he lost one in a tree.
Another uses a patched up old pole for sentimental reasons.
So what makes you all feel good when you fish, is it the tackle you use, or that favourite peg?
For years I had forgotten the Pin but since getting my Okuma all the joy has come back-you can feel every lunge. Complete connection with your quarry!

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · May 1, 2007

I've got an "old" Kevin Ashurst match rod (was it Steadfast who made them). Although showing its age in terms of appearance still an absolute joy to use,often with my 30 plus year old 506!

This cross dressing lark, is it catching, are we going to have a specialist transvestite thread to go with the ones for the chaps and chapesses? Will we all now be meeting at Paddy's Goose in Manchester?

Janet (AT) · May 1, 2007

Come on Peter. Don't have a go at Wendy's expense. It's not HER fault that you didn't get the response you were expecting from your post. Give us time! Some of us have to work, have kids to get off to bed etc, and can only post in the evening. Doesn't mean that your post is being ignored. It's a good question. It will get replies, just be patient!

Although I haven't met Wendy yet, we've had a few nice telephone conversations, and she comes across as a lovely, friendly, helpful, and totally enthusiastic (and skilful) angler, and I think it's brilliant the way most of you have rallied round to help her, and me. I wasn't aware that this forum was for males only. I thought it was for anglers.....?

Janet

PS. Some women fish. Some women are good at it. Learn to live with it!

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · May 1, 2007

Don't worry Janet,

Wendy will be having a few laughs on this one as well, just like she does when I walk into the pub with me dress on!

Posh

Bob "chubber"Lancaster (ACA) · May 1, 2007

Cant wait for the rivers to open so i can get trotting again there nothing to beat it. Split cane rod and a centre pin, god i,m in heaven

Jeff Spiller · May 1, 2007

Ooooh someone's touchy, I'm sure Peter was ONLY joking.

stikflote · May 1, 2007

I was useing my centre pin at marstons lake yesterday, i caught a 14/2 carp on 4lb line staight thru ,it was weighed on our match scales ,it just took off when i hit the bite ,feel sure i wouldnt have landed it on my fixed spool reels, my rod is the greys barbel because there are some very big carp in there bait was a small piece of bread reel was Aventa pro ,i also have the okuma sheffield

Wolfman Woody · May 1, 2007

It don't matter what you change your name to Peter, you didn't answer my question -

namely <u>"Which Aventa?"</u>

Peter Bishop · May 2, 2007

Janet, thanks for the bite.Rest assured I am only Whiplash Wendy at the weekends...

Four responses in 24 hours on here is disappointing in my book. But have you noticed how Wendys threads take on a life of their own and then go off at a tangent...the phrase 'dogs on heat' springs to mind! Sorry Wendy girl, not always your fault.

Jeff, it says on the box, an Okuma Aventa VT1002. Its bronze colour. Just love it.

Posh Paul, where abouts' is that pub in Manchester? Do they sell John Smiths bitter? Bet they have the housewives telly on with the programme about high heels!

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · May 2, 2007

Peter, can't remember name of the road but its near Chorlton Street bus station. It is a good pub used by transvestites as a meeting place, the sheer delight is that many bear a closer resemblance to those blokes who advertise that kitchen roll than Lily Savage...and they couldn't give a damn. If you can't hack it that's your problem not theirs.

Four of us have a regular monthly gentlemans' drinking evening in Manchester. One of our crowd whilst desperately trying to be be PC, is extremely conservative in his views of our more liberal cultures and is uncomfortable about his conservatism .
Therefore we always end up in a pub which confronts his problem. (Ha ha!). He seemed far more at ease last time. We were in a pub full of good working class drinking stock - just the one lady. It was when he came back from the gents and had noticed the big sign on the door saying "Be careful" that we fair widdled ourselves!!!

And please tell Woody which Aventa...he's getting desperate ;-)

Neneman Nick · May 2, 2007

I have an old fibre glass rod by milbro and a fully refurbished lindop rapide fibre glass rod.Ok so theyr`e hardly vintage and a lot of folk on here would turn their noses up at them but i just enjoy using them when the fancy takes me.I also just love using my old porcupine quills,bobbers and celluloid floats.

I've fallen in love again ....................with my centre pin reel!

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