2012 A start to a new year

I had promised to keep the blog upto date but it has just been impossible. I seem to be building more and more for the factory. Which is not a bad thing as i get to now about new product before everyone else. Unfortunately i am sworn to secrecy. One thing that is not a secret is that Leigh Tackle and Bait are now selling Harrison advanced rods provided by myself. These can be built as a factory rod or a custom build. If contact the shop ask for Derek or Steve and they will be able to give you all the information about the range.
You may have noticed that the Harrison section of the website doesn't contain any prices. This is to stop any confusion. If you would like a price then either text me what you are after or email me. If you need any guidance then give me a bell and I'm sure i will be able to guide you to the perfect rod for your needs.

That's enough from me for now.

Tight lines.
Tony

Its been a while since I last posted on the blog due in part to a lot of exciting things happening with the rod building. First we have been chosen by Free Spirit Fishing to build some of their range of rods for them. So far we have built Barbel rods. Both Hi-'s' and S-Range, Bank creepers, Boat creepers, surface creepers and Hi-'s' carp rods. This means we are now able to supply Free Spirit rods either as factory builds or custom builds.
As of this week we have also been chosen by Harrison Advanced to build rods for them. We are on with the first batch of Torrix 12ft 3.25tc blanks.

What more could a rod builder wish for.

Because of all the extra work I have not been able to get out fishing as much as I had planed at the begining of the year. This has not stopped me from sneeking the odd over nighter though.

As well as a couple of evening sessions on the Ribble. The best Barbel so far being a new pb of 9lb 6oz.

Any way thats enough ramblings from me.

Tight lines

Tony.

26th January 2011

As the wind was blowing into my favourite bank I decided it would be a good place to start. I set two rods up with running ledgers. One was baited with my favourite sardines and the other with a full mackerel. As soon as they where out the bobbins started twitching and lifting to the rod then dropping back. Unfortunately the culprit wasn't a nice plump pike, but one of the many Rainbow Trout. This can be a big problem when fishing a trout reservoir. But to stop them being hooked I use at least size six trebles.
Anyway the bobbins didn't stop twitching for the next two and a half hours till finally it lifted and the line started to peel from the reel. As soon as I struck I new it was a good fish as it powered up and down in front of me. The Torrix 3.25 tc took on a lovely fighting curve which soon had the angry pike on the end of my line tamed. One of the members did the honours with the net and the fish was mine.

Onto the unhooking mat, out with the hooks and into the weigh sling. The needle settled on 21 lb 4 oz. 

Hopefully the first of many for this winter.

Tight lines.

Tony

Torrix 12ft 2.5 TC

Well the Torrix blank arrived and was built with sic rings fuji DNPS stainless reel seat and a cigar duplon grip. I have only managed one trip out so far with it but it does feel rather nice. 5 inch herring and a 1.5 oz lead was not a problem. Even with a good punch the bait stayed on and out to around 50 to 60 yards with no problems. Only one Jack was caught. All of about 2lb so not much of fight. I will give it a few more trips and then report my findings on this rod. But first impressions are it may well become my main rod for piking at close to medium range.

Another rod that I have built is a Sage Xi2 9ft for a 9 line. This rod I also intend using for pike. It will be compared to my Harrison Advanced 9ft 10 weight which I sell on the website fully built for a bargain price of £180.00 both rods will be available to demo.

My thoughts on the Torrix 12ft 3.25 lb TC carp rod

I have been using these rods for about 6 months now. They have proved them selves to be first class long range carp rods. PVA bags on 15 lb line can be cast well over 100 yards and 3oz leads sail past 120 yards no problem. When I get some spare time I will have to get on to a local field and measure a cast. When I first built them I used them for pike fishing and they did well with fish unto 18 lb. I would say the balistas are better suited for pike fishing. But saying that I have ordered a 12ft Torrix 2.5 lb TC which I believe has a more through action. Any way back to the 3.25 lb I have so fare caught carp upto 15 lb on them from 50 to 110 yards and the action has been ideal. You play fish of the top third of the blank but if you need to stop a fish then they bend well into the but.

Another rod I have been testing is a 9ft 10 weight pike fly rod. Built on a Harrison Advanced fly rod blank it has proved itself Ideal for this demanding method. It casts big bush bunny bugs with ease and the newer bread of pike flies made from man made fibbers are an absolute dream. Everyone who has tested the rod have loved it. The ussual comment being. Can I keep it.

Any way that's all for now.