The Alternative Angler

Never mind smelling the flowers, don’t forget to take time out to see the satirical side of fishing life and grab a laugh along the way as well. So here’s a regular column from Kevin Perkins to remind us that life is for laughing at, or taking the p*** out of, whenever we can.

Following on from an article I did about long distance casting a while ago, I sent off some of my thoughts to a famous tackle manufacturer in Tewkesbury. I carefully expounded some theories on single purpose rods, twin-tipped distance rods etc, etc, politely asking for any comments they may have on the subject. What I got back was a blank, but not the kind I can use for fishing. Customer service – I think not!

Whilst they appear more than happy to take our money for their products, are they not prepared to listen to what we might actually want? To illustrate, I worked for a major sportswear manufacturer who would send out (unbranded!) prototype football boots to clubs, for them to try in matches and then comment on. The feedback from these sessions was seen as vital to the development of the boots, and the company would not dream of launching a new product which had not been thoroughly field tested and approved.

Whilst I am sure that some of the more specialised tackle makers will enlist input from respected anglers I am not so sure that the endorsements plastered over some items are not just that. The company is purely using the ‘name’ to sell the product.

The scenario is more likely to involve the angler in question being asked if he likes the rod that is carrying his name, rather that the angler going up to the manufacturer and saying “What is really missing from the market is a xxxxxx – can we knock one up for me to try?” Or is it that with ever-shrinking margins, the manufacturers have to play safe and only market rods that are a compromise based heavily in favour of marketability over design requirements?

In the first place, is it just me, or is the market awash with rods, and isn’t there just too much choice? Who is it that is demanding lower prices all the time, with discounts being offered on nearly everything? Surely, some of these ranges could be rationalised to give us less choice, but far better quality. Do any of us really need to have ten rods, (sorry, that must be twenty, as we have to have matching pairs, don’t we?) of 1.25. 1.5, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.5lb TC, etc, to cover every eventuality?

I am not suggesting that we have one rod that can cast everything from a 2BB waggler to a 6 oz spod, but do we have to have so many options? My personal requirements for rods number 4 (sorry, that must be eight!) are as follows:

1. 1 x 16m pole – if I want shorter lengths I just take sections off, thus covering every pole need from 3 metre whip to a weapon for poking cormorant nests out of bushes on the far bank of the canal. Plenty of spare sections in case some cyclist runs over it!
2. 1 x 10ft Avon/leger rod with two tips and 2ft dolly section. With this weapon I can fish rivers for roach, barbel, zander, and chub. I can fish lakes for tench and carp, and I can even spin for perch and pike (Well, John Wilson seems to!).
3. 1 x 12ft, 3.5lb TC specimen rod to tackle everything else that swims. Carp, pike, catfish, spod launching, bass and flatfish from the shore.
4. 1 x 11ft match rod, again with 2ft dolly section for all float fishing needs.

So, easy as that, then. I would be more than willing to put these prototypes through the rigorous testing processes required to ensure that they are suitable for you, the angling public. I will endure the loathsome task of hunting tarpon and bonefish in Florida. The pole would have to be matched against the very best continental opposition in France and Italy. I understand their most able anglers reside in Cannes and Venice respectively, so I will just have to go there. The specimen rod can only be tried against the best, so I am afraid I will have to travel all the way to Ontario to battle the fearsome muskellunge. And I now understand that the cream of float fishing is to be found in New Zealand, so I am prepared to drag myself over there – on your behalf, of course. Whilst I am doing all this, I might as well take along a six man camera crew to record this arduous and sustained tackle testing and research.

So perhaps that’s where the entire development budget gets swallowed up, rather than trying to improve the product.

A little cynical, perhaps? Let me give you just one example of a product that may have not been fully developed before its launch – ‘Centerline’ rods – the answer to all angler’s prayers, the rod with no rings. Less weight, nothing to snag on, less friction (still not quite sure about that!) Oh, you might just note that on the pike version in particular you had best not use it in cold weather because it will freeze up solid on the inside. Ideal rod for summer dead baiting, apparently, then you put it away when October comes along!