Dick Walker was once asked, on a talk show, what he’d like for Christmas and replied Gina Lollobrigida!
I’ll try to keep my New Year Wish List more focused on angling!
Fight pollution
I know the ACA would greatly appreciate more members. The fight against pollution and other environmental threats affects all anglers, as well as those also interested in the well being of our rivers and lakes. If you are already a member then recruit a friend or two or three. If not, send a cheque for £ 15 to Anglers’ Conservation Association, Eastwood House, 6 Rainbow Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8DQ. Other rates apply for fishery owners, syndicates, and clubs etc. email admin@a-c-a.org. The website is www.a-c-a.org.
One tactic that helped me recruit a couple of new members was by selling them some unwanted floats for £ 15 explaining that it would be sent to the ACA. So dig out an old bite alarm, reel or whatever and gently twist their arm.
Give the ACA a New Year to remember, they’ll be delighted to hear from you.
A Perfect Trotting Reel
Graham Marsden had a dream for a perfect rod. As a float angler I have a dream for a perfect fixed-spool trotting reel. I currently use Mitchell Matches but these are prone to tangles, have a poor bale roller, and wear out quickly, becoming noisy.
So my perfect trotting reel would be based on the dimensions of the old Mitchell 300/Match, with an automatic opening bale arm (this should be an option), with modern gearing and clutch, tangle-free, and must not weigh more than 6 ounces. Modern reels, though beautifully engineered, have spools that are too narrow and long, and much too far from the reel stem. The many ball bearings add weight.
All of the above is achievable.
I have a full spec awaiting a reel manufacturer willing to listen.
More about this dream in an in-depth article next week.
A set of accurate scales for weighing dace, roach, etc.
I’d like a set of scales that are truly lightweight, accurate, robust and able to weigh down to 1/8 or
