Roach & Carp On A Milbro Rod & Winfield Reel

Just one session this month. After not fishing at Longford Fishery for a few years, I was back on Carr Wood Lake, float-fishing a Milbro rod and Winfield Spinfisher reel.

I fished dead maggots and sweetcorn in the margins and was soon into some good Roach.

Unfortunately, I had a few unwelcome catches, including this Signal Crayfish, which had some nasty-looking claws that I managed to avoid retrieving my hook.

After a chilly start to the day, the weather improved, and it went quite warm in the afternoon before cooling down again.

I had a few hook-pulls and lost some larger fish during the afternoon, and then about 15 minutes before it was time to pack up, I landed a nice Mirror Carp after a good tussle taking me all over the place.

A lovely day starting with a delicious breakfast cob and ending with a nice bend in the rod. You can't ask for much more on an early October afternoon as the leaves fall off the trees.

I've also bought some rods this month courtesy of my brother visiting some antique fairs.

Firstly, a 12' Marco Medway De Luxe Elasticane split cane rod, unfortunately, with a broken tip section. This repair is beyond my skills, other than shortening the tip section, so I'll sell it to someone who can do a proper job and wants a good winter project. Otherwise, the rod is in good condition; however, one line guide on the middle section needs replacing.

The name Marco comes from Modern Arms Company Ltd of Bromley, Kent. Elasticane was specially treated split cane designed to be lightweight and flexible for coarse fishing. The hollow-built core reduced the weight of the split cane with a balanced float-fishing action. Traditional whipping, agate butt and tip rings, and a cork handle with alloy fittings. The brands registered trademark was a sporting fisherman in plus fours from the early 1930s and was used on later products of the company Sundridge Tackle Ltd, which later acquired Marco.

Also, a 9' A E Rudge & Son of Redditch split cane fly rod, in very good condition, complete with what looks like the original bag, which I'll also sell as fly fishing isn't my thing. I'm sure someone will appreciate this and maybe treat themselves to an early Christmas present.

Plus, a 10'11 and 9' combination, Allcock whole-cane rod. This rod was a mess when my brother dropped it off, and I cleaned it up, including the brass, which is when I discovered the Allcock name. I re-whipped the snake line guides, agate line guide and tip rings and gave it a new coat of varnish. I was going to keep it; however, I couldn't think of when I would use the solid, 3-section 9' rod, probably for boat or pier fishing in the sea, so this will also be sold to someone who appreciates it and can use both combinations as it was intended.