splitcane

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Looks like the season for trout is about to begin.

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A 7ft 4wt Livingston Rod Co blank starting to look like a fishing rod.

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A 7ft 6in 3wt Tom Morgan blank ready for the river

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It was an optimistic drive past Abergavenny, the Cherry blossom was out and many of the trees were in early green leaf.

As I drove up the valley of the Usk spring slowly rolled back and by the time I crossed over in to the valley Wye it was obvious that it does take about 2 weeks for spring to make it over the Epynt and in to Wye.

There were still some signs of spring though so it was well worth a fish,the early season in Mid Wales is an interesting time to fish, the briefest of hatches can bring good fish up, although at other time times you’d swear there wasn’t a living thing the whole river.

The valley of this particular stream is quite narrow and quite steep so it takes a while for the warming sun to have an effect.  

I was surprised and pleased to see nymphs moving in the margins and birds starting to mark their territories with song. 

A few small Olives hatched around mid day but the trout remained dormant.

I suspect that will change very soon when it does the river is looking in fine condition and I’ll look forward to being back on that beat.

I fished a 7ft 4wt cane rod with a 3ft mono furled leader then about 3ft of 5 pound mono going down to 2ft of 3 pound for the tippet.

For more information on fishing the streams and rivers of Mid-Wales and beyond 

https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk  

For information on what I do and the rods that I make https://www.bannisterrods.co.uk/ 

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Technique + Knowledge + Experience = Skill

Thank you to

@joanneryall_engraver

@vrreels

@ctsfishing

@perfect_agate_guides

It is a pleasure to work with people who have put in the considerable time and effort to develope the skills that make these rods possible.

A finished Atelier rod.

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Varnish on. Varnish off. Flattening the penultimate coat of varnish with fine wire wool.

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Rod tubes nearly ready for rods.

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Starrett 166A.

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A new build. Fiberglass 7ft 6in 4wt by Livingston Rod Co of Montana. Feels like a very nice blank.

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7ft 4wt fibreglass fly rod ready for the river.

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Trying to squeeze a few more trips before the end of the torut season. Thankfully the grayling are also starting to show.

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A cane rod on a Westcountry river.

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A few 7ft 4wt cane rods underway.

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Good to get back out on the water. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze a few more trips in before the end of the season

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An Atelier rod ready for the case makers

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A few nice burr and spalted reel seat inserts.

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Silk whippings going on to a split cane salmon rod.