Got to reminisce about the good old fishing days with long time fishing friend today. We both agreed that while the fish are bigger these days the fishing is no better. The tackle was rubbish back then when compared to what we use now.
I still have the odd nostalgia day when I drag out some old tackle but if anything it makes me appreciate tackle I now use.
Does anyone apart from a few traditionalists still use any of the tackle they had 50/60/70 .
I still use the Speedia Centrepin that I bought with my paper round money in 1957, I got it from the Tackle shop at the beginning of Seven Sisters Road, opposite the Hitchin cycle shop.
I had to cycle down the North Circular road to Tottenham from Chingford, a precarious journey 58 years ago, but the Speedia was cheaper than the Trudex and that shop was the only place that sold them at the time.
As for my rods, they were made from J B Walker kits and I still use them, but when it comes to trotting you cannot beat a modern carbon rod, even if it is matched to a 70 year old Allcocks centrepin !!
But I like using old tackle, it requires far more skill from the angler to land a fish on a cane rod, they are not that forgiving as carbon and it adds to the pleasure of the angling experience.
I have landed many good fish on cane rods, 20lb+ Pike, 10lb+ Barbel, 7lb+ Chub, but never a 20lb Carp, so I still have that as a personal target and that is one of the joys of fishing, you are never to old to set yourself a new challenge !!
Bob