Aknib
Well-known member
Apologies as always as i'm on catch up with the forum and will catch up in good time, aside from the fleeting glance when an opportunity arose i've been doing things like concreting on Christmas morning and staining the fence the same afternoon in preparation for something incoming but I did manage three bbq's in three days 
Anyway down to business...
My gaffer leaves in March after forty years in the job.
He was my mentor at the age of 17 when I joined the job at the age of 16, I left after my year long YTS scheme ended and I pursued a short but enjoyable landscaping career before realising that woudn't pay the bills and so I then embarked on a long professional career for nigh on thirty years. I prospered and he went on to become the Course Manager of what we are told we should be billing as the top heathland golf course in the country, testimony to our record holding of a certain international event in addition to our involvement in holding The Open.
I'm digressing a little but it's all relevant and to cut to the chase...
Three years ago, after deciding to return to my roots several years earlier, I ended up working for him and the lack of spare time aside he's been an exceptional gaffer and one who has always enjoyed fishing.
To which effect he's also expressed an interest in centrepin fishing but has never owned one and if he bought one would think sixty quid was a good kick in the wotsits.
Enter the leaving present...
A J.W. Young Purist II centrepin, practically in unused condition with all the papers, certificate of authenticity, leather and sheepskin reel pouch, and wooden box.
I've changed the line guard around from left hand to right and given it more than a few needy drops of Singer sewing machine oil but otherwise it could have come straight from J.W. Young... There is a light scratch on the wooden box which I can fix but otherwise everything is absolutely pristine.
Really looking forwards to presenting it to him...
I'm going in under the guise of something i've bought for myself as I take him through J.W. Young's history, what it actually is and how to use and maintain it and when I think he's salivating appropriately I'll simply turn the open wooden box towards him and wish him a happy and well deserved retirement.
I'll then go and find a quiet corner where I can go to cry at the thought of how much it cost me!
Anyway down to business...
My gaffer leaves in March after forty years in the job.
He was my mentor at the age of 17 when I joined the job at the age of 16, I left after my year long YTS scheme ended and I pursued a short but enjoyable landscaping career before realising that woudn't pay the bills and so I then embarked on a long professional career for nigh on thirty years. I prospered and he went on to become the Course Manager of what we are told we should be billing as the top heathland golf course in the country, testimony to our record holding of a certain international event in addition to our involvement in holding The Open.
I'm digressing a little but it's all relevant and to cut to the chase...
Three years ago, after deciding to return to my roots several years earlier, I ended up working for him and the lack of spare time aside he's been an exceptional gaffer and one who has always enjoyed fishing.
To which effect he's also expressed an interest in centrepin fishing but has never owned one and if he bought one would think sixty quid was a good kick in the wotsits.
Enter the leaving present...
A J.W. Young Purist II centrepin, practically in unused condition with all the papers, certificate of authenticity, leather and sheepskin reel pouch, and wooden box.
I've changed the line guard around from left hand to right and given it more than a few needy drops of Singer sewing machine oil but otherwise it could have come straight from J.W. Young... There is a light scratch on the wooden box which I can fix but otherwise everything is absolutely pristine.
Really looking forwards to presenting it to him...
I'm going in under the guise of something i've bought for myself as I take him through J.W. Young's history, what it actually is and how to use and maintain it and when I think he's salivating appropriately I'll simply turn the open wooden box towards him and wish him a happy and well deserved retirement.
I'll then go and find a quiet corner where I can go to cry at the thought of how much it cost me!
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