Tony Fordham needs no introduction whatsoever as far as rod design and rod building are concerned. He was doing a magnificent job of this in Dick Walker’s day when split cane was THE rod making material. His skill is no less with today’s modern materials such as carbon kevlar.
It is this material, manufactured by Sportex that the Fordham & Wakefield Tench & Barbel rods are made. These are powerful rods made for powerful fish, but though the blanks are extremely high-tech the handles are semi-traditional, in that they are cork, but with a screwed reel fitting – comfort and security in one package. I’ve recently been using one for catching river Dove barbel, which are the hardest-fighting barbel I’ve ever come across, and it did the job superbly, being sensitive enough to register the initial pluck before the surge, and then controlling the barbel as they headed for snags. A rod should have three virtues. It should do the job it was designed for, feel good, and look good. The Fordham & Wakefield rod I used is spot-on on all three counts.
There are various models available for all species and methods, all built with Fuji rings and fittings and finished to the highest standard. See the range at your nearest supplier, or mail order agent.
Otherwise contact Fordham & Wakefield direct. Telephone or Fax 01892 863153.
