Rare Rods – Something a Little Special at TT

We love modern fishing rods at Thomas Turner. Modern materials and technology have given us rods that are lighter, stronger, faster in recovery and incredibly efficient to cast and fish with. There’s no denying the benefits of modern carbon.

But every now and again, something comes through our doors that makes us sit back and appreciate just how special – and rare – some of the tackle we handle really is.

That’s certainly the case with some of our latest arrivals.

We’ve just added two superb cane rods by Gary Marshall – an 11’3” Specialist Roach from the early 2000s and an 11’3” Harrington Test Trotter dating from the late 1990s.

Joining them is a Shaun Linsley Avon Wallis 11’ cane rod from 2010 and a beautifully crafted Ryan Burns Kennet Perfection 11’ cane rod from 2015.

There’s also an unusual JW Young Trotter 13’ five-piece rod, while fly anglers may appreciate the particularly lovely Hardy Phantom Palakona 6’10” #5. Dating from the 1960s, this wonderfully compact split-cane trout rod is a rarely encountered size and a fine example of Hardy’s Alnwick craftsmanship.

And while admiring these latest arrivals, our eyes are inevitably drawn to something that has been sitting on our desk for the last few months – a quite remarkable William Blacker nine-piece Valise rod dating from around 1840.

At approaching 190 years old, it’s an extraordinary survivor and a wonderful reminder that beautifully made fishing tackle has been capturing anglers’ imaginations for a very long time.

From William Blacker in the 1840s through Hardy and on to some of the finest modern cane rod makers, it’s quite a collection to have together at TT.

Modern rods may win when it comes to outright performance and practicality, but craftsmanship, history and rarity have an appeal all of their own.

Sometimes you just have to put the carbon down, sit back and admire them.