Apologies missed this one! Responded to pm with John but might as well add to this post.
I was fortunate enough to win one in a competition (complete luck), so I'm not speaking from a "I've spend £240 on a rod, need to say it's awesome" scenario.
I've used the rod half a dozen times in the last month or so, for chub fishing on the tees and the wear. Fairly large rivers by nature, knowhere near Trent standard but plenty of flow in places. The rod is 3-piece, which initially I was disappointed about but if I'm honest I wouldn't have a quiver tip rod set up in a quiver ready to go, and it doesn't have any noticeable effect of the action. For Those of you who have used the acolyte plus feeder rods, this is a step up from that in terms of reserves of power. Designed for lines between 6 and 10lb, I've opted for 6 and you can really bend into a chub, giving it as much stick as you dare and netting it in good order.
First trip out I landed a chub of around 3.5lb, but had to keep it from getting in a near side raft, which it had no problem with. I have then landed a smashing 6lb 10oz tees fish using it, which is a real test I guess, but I felt in complete control. I've also added wear chub of 4lb 9oz and 5lb 4oz. I've not noticed the addition length when using the rod, but obviously it would be no good for tight swims.
The tips are slow taper, which is a shame as I prefer fast, but in use it's been fine. You can't interchange tips from the other acolyte feeder rods, these have a different diameter at the joint and are specific to the rod. As well as the standard 3, 4 and 5 oz I think you can get a 2oz and 6oz on order.
I honestly feel it could control a barbel in normal conditions, but wouldn't have it as an out and out barbel rod. I hope to try this theory out soon.
All in all, spot on!
Thanks for the blog mention,
River Angler if anyone wants a gander
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk