Blimey.... had to come in from the lake, feeling a bit spacey after sitting out in the blinding sunshine, even with sunfactor 35, hat and Oakleys on*.
Posting on this thread tho 'cos I was and haz been using my recently acquired Mario Bros Cortesi centre pin reel for the last couple of days.
Last time I used a centre pin it was an absolutely dire piece of spelter **** dragged up from a junk shop somewhere when I was about 11 and just graduating from the bent pin and stickleback stage. Boy oh boy was I glad to get away from that atrocity when I graduated to my first Intrepid Black Prince, and I have (until now) never looked back since, nor had the least twinge of late middle aged nostalgia for the supposed better days of times gone past.
However....
I was most favourably impressed at the LIF fish-in this year by the way in which the CP boys, Maidmarion and Barbelgoy in particular, made a far far better fist of trotting - and especially long trotting - than I could manage with even my favourite Mitchell Quartz fixed spool reel.
Hmmmm....
Then reviewed the threads about how cheap the Mario Bros reels are, how freespinning. Temptation was conceived and fulfilment delivered on a cheeky last minute egay bid for a tenner
(Yep, unused and perfect for a tenner, read 'em and weep
).
Soooo....
have I used it as intended on running water as yet ? Nope, that would be far too obviously the sensible thing to do. I have instead been trying it out and learning to use it on the lakes opposite the front door
for the last couple of days and today.
Stillwaters, but none the less enjoyable for all that, bite a chuck and away from the horrified public gaze at my feeble efforts, tangles and round the reel foot moments.
Must say I have enjoyed it. The main difference has been the sense and feeling of immediacy and direct contact playing with the fish with light tackle (Garbolino Squad Picker 9 foot). Not had anything larger than a three pound Crucian and Tench on it yet, but both a real challenge to play and land and a very much more tactile experience throughout the fight to the net than the fixed spool.
Next stop (probably later this evening come to think of it, when the sun has gone in a bit) try it on a bit of running water. And, I suspect, tangle and swear a lot. Then on to some of the big old girls in the Carp lake (opposite and to the right a bit
).
Don't think I will ever take it up as permanent go to choice, especially for stillwater float fishing, that remains the territory of my beloved and incomparable Mitchells, but well worth the experiment and I have enjoyed it. Will continue to practise on heavy running water - my Achilles heel - with a view to trying to make a better fist of the LIF next winter. Roll on !
Mario good, does the job. Would like the Mk11 with line guard better I think, but only if another egay punt comes up unexpected trumps, (or someone who doesn't like their line guard would offer a swap ?).
Certainly not worth spending the hundreds of quid the tackle tarts spend on fabled creations of mist, light and fairy gold. But since when has any TT equipment of any type been worth it... :wh Except as works of art, the real province of such things as the Bugatti Veyron, Maserati Ghibli Spider and spindly windly centre pinny thingys from the golden age.
Rambling I know, definitely a touch of the sun. Now for a couple hours kip before venturing out to Shalford I think, I know a perfect little down the side swim there that should work for the pin....
(* must confess to a wee bit of ginge blood in the family, so not so good in the sun - don't tell Daywalker, he'll never let me live it down if there is even a smidgeon of genetic DNA connection between us)
