Stuart Maxwell, a Thomas Turner customer has been in touch with a fascinating story. A rod he bought from us was built by Robert Marrs of Slamannan, Stirlingshire. We see many artisan-built rods, the history appertaining to them can be at best patchy to non-existent. After talking with Stuart, it transpires he has been chasing […]
30
Dec
Dec
Are you one of the lucky ones who will be jetting off somewhere exotic to take part in some saltwater fly fishing in the winter months? Some of the top destinations for fly fishing are also some of the most beautiful places in the world. Over the next couple of months, locations such as New […]
20
Dec
Dec
We were privileged to meet and spend time with Hugh Miles during our valuation day at the Tyrrell Ford Country Inn and Hotel in Dorset. He contacted us to try to help a dear friend who was selling her late husband’s tackle collection. This brought us to Dorset, a neighbour, only three doors away heard […]
13
Dec
Dec
BIG WATERS Longer float rods are good for tackling larger venues, such as the River Trent in this instance, where a 14-footer provides that vital extra reach to help mend the line when trotting a stick float at distance. This type of rod works well in deeper stillwaters too, especially when launching big wagglers and […]
13
Dec
Dec
A drive through the wintery lanes of Herefordshire reminded me how stunning the River Wye can be at this time of year. Stripped back foliage allows the natural contours of the river to glisten in the midday sun, even at -6 degrees. Narrow country tracks were a challenge and without road salt, there were a […]
John Bailey's weekly blogs, Thomas Turner blog, Thomas Turner Classic+ blogs
CONJURING COARSE MAGIC – BARBEL PART 3 – FLOAT FISHING
09
Dec
Dec
There’s no doubt that to the purist, float fishing is the preferred way to catch these superb fish and indeed the method is effective, challenging and always glamorous. Back a while, I travelled to the Trent with float maker maestro Andy Field and there we caught extraordinary numbers of barbel on 5BB floats and maggot, […]
01
Dec
Dec
There is nothing more tactile and decorative than a fly fishers creel. For centuries the basic fly fisher’s creel has changed little in its basic shape. Originally a soft leather or canvas bag with optional shoulder strap, it has evolved into the steamed tooled leather pot belly creel in the 1700’s we know today. Collecting […]
01
Dec
Dec
So, after blog 2, we have the outline of how I go about things. It’s all about travelling light, fishing light and fishing where the fish are. In essence I take a rod, generally now a Thomas Turner Classic+ Avon, a reel loaded with 10lb line, pouch full of replacement hooks, SSG shot, scissors and […]
30
Nov
Nov
John Stephenson from Thomas Turner will be travelling up the M6 from Staffordshire on the morning of Saturday 3rd December, travelling up the M6- M74- A80 stopping overnight in the Cumbernauld area in central Scotland. On the Sunday morning, he will be heading for Dundee and returning down the A90, M74 and M6 on the […]
John Bailey's weekly blogs, Thomas Turner Classic+ blogs
Conjuring Up Coarse Magic – Barbel -Part One
29
Nov
Nov
What a summer and autumn it has been down on the Wye with endless big chub and, of course, barbel. Despite what you read in the media about phosphate issues, the coarse fish are nowhere near as disturbed by them as the salmonids are. Nor did extreme heat put the fish off in the least. […]