layer carbon outer strip, to a compatible high

The Bruce and Walker Hexagraph Multispin 10 100″ Two piece, with one top. Hexagonal carbon with solid carbon fibre spigot ferrule. Hexagraph rods have been around long enough for most anglers to know what they look like: a curious but pleasing amalgam of split cane appearance, with underlying leading edge technology. It is a carbon rod with split cane six strip hexagonal construction. Briefly, what Bruce and Walker have done, is to marry a multi-layer carbon outer strip, to a compatible high-impact filler layer. This two-ply composite is then machined into the six tapered triangular sections that when glued up together, form the familiar split-cane form. Bruce and Walker claim that this new process is infinitely superior to tube, due to the absence of an uneven “spine” effect, and the total elimination of ovality in their product. I have to say that I have found these problems to be more theoretical than actual in top quality modern carbon rods; nevertheless, if the problem exists, it’s not a concern for Hexagraph owners. True to its hybrid appearance, the rod behaves with the easy good manners of an old Hardy LRH, but with much greater immediacy, and backbone. Anglers like me, who love the forgiving through action of their venerable split cane spinning rods, and who cannot abide the girder-like action of some modern carbons, will probably feel that the Hexagraph is a very good compromise. In the way of cane, it takes on a near parabolic curve as pressure is applied, but the power of the lower rod is immense: just the power that is required to put strain onto a powerful fish. Of course, there is a huge saving in weight over the old material, an advantage that will not be lost on those who ply their art for more than an hour or two. The 10 Hexagraph Multispin is rated as a salmon spinning rod. There is no doubt that it is ideally suited to that purpose, but with a line rating of 8 20 lbs., this is a very adaptable rod. It serves perfectly as a pike rod, or as highly capable weapon for most saltwater and freshwater species around the world that can be taken within those line classes. In other words, there isn’t much for which this rod would be over or under gunning. At the lower end of it’s range, the limiting factor is probably a slight disadvantage with lures under about * oz. Medium and heavy lures are thrown into the middle distance with an ease bordering on contempt. The rod is tied in dark red thread over the cane coloured blank, and the overall finish is matt. Nine Fuji lined rings (guides) are fitted. The Hexagraph Multispin is probably at its best with a multiplier of ABU 6500 size, but it will also accommodate most fixed spool reels. The screw reel fitting is placed as standard at 20″ , which suits the majority of anglers, although on these top quality products Bruce and Walker will make up handles to specified dimensions. The fitting itself is made from aluminium, deep gold anodised against corrosion, with a smart wood insert. The handle is made from top quality extra flor grade corks, 29″ overall. Like their original split cane hexagonal forebears, these rods are hand made by highly skilled Bruce and Walker staff. Such aesthetic and technological wonders do not come cheap. The de luxe version of the Hexagraph Multispin, with pretty intermediate whips will set you back £320. Those who recognise quality will recognise that this price is entirely reasonable. A Hexagraph rod is tough enough to last a lifetime. It also has enough bankside credibility not to need replacing every three years – just to keep up with the Jones’s. For those for whom such things matter, it should be noted that Hexagraph owners are the Jones’s. Not designed for tuna fishing, but it landed a 20 pound longfin that had done everything but pull me out of the boat. The ABU Ambassadeur Mörrum Series Multipliers This is a dumbed-down World. There are thousands of anglers who have never experienced any reel other than a fixed spool. They miss so much: the delights of a centre-pin, the accuracy and skills attaching to the use of a multiplier. My advice to you all is look beyond the ordinary, avoid the mundane, and seek for new skills. Thirty years ago I took the time to learn to use a multiplier. It was an ABU Ambassadeur 6000, and I still have that reel, working as flawlessly now as it did when I was a callow youth. We all thought then that there was nothing that could be done to improve upon the perfection of the 6000, but ABU introduced the Ultracast fixed axle system (which is brilliant,) and their trade rivals, Shimano, later brought out their excellent Calcutta, which was for some years the best multiplier. I say was, because this new ABU Mörrum is better still. You really have to hold one of these Swedish engineering masterpieces to appreciate the perfection of its construction. Inside and out, it exudes the flawless air of a Rolex watch. For the technically minded I’ll quote some details of the reels specification. The most obvious mark of the reels quality is the frame, which is made as a one-piece machined extrusion. The side-plates too are beautifully machined, and these fit to the frame with what appears to be nil tolerance. The Mörrum has a lightweight one-piece aluminium spool, perfectly balanced, and running with turbine smoothness on oversized ball races. Somewhere inside lurk a further three ball bearings, with the result that casting, re-engagement of the drive, and winding actions, are achieved with a glassy liquidity that purrs the word quality. The spool is made to the menacing-sounding ADS (anti distortion spool) specification. With the increasing use of super-fine braided lines such as Fireline, which can impose enormous pressures on a spool, this ability is highly desirable. These reels are built to deliver a lifetime’s service against powerful fish, which test drag and clutch assemblies to the limit. The Mörrums carbon disc clutch is superb: smooth, powerful, and utterly predictable. It is adjusted by means of the ubiquitous star drag. The specification is absolutely top-drawer, But there is more to the Mörrum than that. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This is a reel to use, and to live with, as a fishing partner for life. As they say, it ain’t broke, so they don’t need to mend it. But I have a request or two for Mr. ABU. Please, can I have another one with left hand wind, and please, shouldn’t this lovely reel have a purpose made hard leather case (like my ancient Ambassadeur 6000). There is no doubt in my mind that as it stands, the ABU Mörrum is the finest multiplier in the World. Big fish anglers, especially those with a mind for Globe-trotting, should interview this reel at the earliest possible opportunity. Mahseer enthusiasts should regard the Mörrum as standard equipment. Teamed with the Hexagraph rod, this reel was used offshore for tuna. It was faultless. Prepare to loose your heart, then dare to invest in the best. The Fastnet 30″ Arm Landing Net This excellent triangular net has been made for many years by the Dorset firm of Redport nets. Mine have travelled the world with me on many occasions. This 30″ carbon arm net is quick to erect, with a self-locking sliding motion, and it fits easily into my KIS travelling rod caddy, along with all the rods. It’s simple, strong, and idiot proof. One day I’ll ask Redports to make up one with a large mesh, for use in really fast water. In the meanwhile, this net will go on working reliably, and without complaint. Redport nets are on 01308 422592 The Olympus C 2000 Z Digital Camera. I raved about this little camera in a recent review. It lived up to all expectations in Africa. If you’ve travelled 6,000 miles, and have just taken an unforgettable photograph, you really want to know that it has registered well. The Olympus C 2000 Z Digital Camera allows you to check the picture as soon as you’ve taken it, and then re-take it if the elephant was found to be doing poo-poos at the wrong moment. Brilliant. It will travel everywhere with me in future. Redington TSF9094 #9 Saltwater Fly Rod 9 This US company have been making top-of-the-range fly rods for long enough to know exactly what’s required. In common with all saltwater flyrods I’ve seen, this four piece Redington has a very fast taper. It produces very tight loops, and shoots a whole #9 with nonchalant ease. I used (and abused) it in the short rolling surf of the Breede River estuary. It chucked bloody great Pacific Fly Deceivers with absolute authority. What I caught with it will be the subject of a full article, so I don’t want to pre-empt that. Suffice to say that this rod was comprehensively tested, and I would recommend it whole-heartedly. Incidentally, this would also make an excellent pike fly rod. Not expensive for its quality. Tioga TI10 Reel I teamed the Redington rod with a Tioga fly reel, made by Teton Reels of California. It is machined from bar stock aluminium, and it has an excellent and reliable drag mechanism. It is also hard black anodised for use in salt water. I loaded the reel with a #9 Rio bonefish taper saltwater line. The Rio lines are terrific. I took a floater and a sinker. These lines are made on a stiff saltwater braid, and once stretched, they shoot like a rocket. Like its partner rod, the Tioga was tested rigorously, and it performed faultlessly. A salt water fly reel is nothing without a good drag system, and this drag was tested (oh yes, indeed it was). It was smooth, and utterly reliable at all times. For the Redington and the Tioga, talk to Guide on 01757 210812 and be you’ll amazed at how little the Tioga costs. One of the benefits of automatic CNC engineering, I suppose. Orvis Clothing It’s true: mad dogs and Englishmen do go out in the mid-day sun. When you’re standing in the sea, under an African Sun, using a big rod to chuck big flies at the horizon, it is a sweaty business. You really need to clothe yourself sensibly if you’re to be efficient. I went to Orvis, the tropical experts, for some specialist kit. Most important of all is to keep the sun off your head. I used an Orvis Floatable Canoe Hat. Sounds a daft name, but it’s light, wide, and adjustable for size. It also floats when it gets blown off (but I put a security cord on mine). The Orvis Jet Dry fishing trousers are purpose-made for wading. Unless you have tropical-sun-proof legs, you need long trousers. Ordinary trousers become clammy, and take ages to dry. These special bone-drys don’t seem to cling, and they dry in the sun within a very short while. The Orvis Bonefish Scrubbs fishing shirt is a stunning product. It’s loose, light in weight, has ventilators concealed behind the shoulders, and has a myriad of useful pockets and D rings. I took to rinsing the shirt and the trousers each evening after fishing, and they were both dry enough to wear the following morning. Orvis kit is of consistently high quality, and very well designed. Orvis are on 01264 349500. Patagonia Fly Vest, and Chest Pack Patagonia make some very superior accessory clothing for anglers. Their Fly Vest is a magnificent bit of kit. It’s light in weight, but reinforced where necessary, and double stitched. It’s the sort of gear vest that would acquire a wonderfully used look after many years, but that would still remain as intact as when new. The vest has pockets everywhere. In itself this is no indication of quality. The point is, the Patagonia fly vest is properly designed, so every pocket has a use, and every pocket is in the right place. Big fly boxes, sunglasses, gink, leaders, tippet materials, clippers, etc., etc. They all seem to disappear into the vest. I also carried a folded lightweight rain jacket in the back pocket. I expect this vest to grow old with me. Because I figured that a loaded fly vest might be a bit much when double-hauling a big lure, whilst standing up to my waist in the sea, I took the Patagonia Chest Pack to Africa. The chest pack absorbs everything you’re likely to need thirty yards from the shore: a big saltwater fly box, extra leaders and tippet material, sun glasses, forceps, nippers, and assorted fly-fishers gear. The chest pack can be worn on the chest, or at the waist (my preference). Both the vest and the chest pack are fairly liberally ingrained with beer, fish slime, blood (some my own), and the red dust of Africa. If anything, they look better than ever. Both highly recommended. Winston BL5 Saltwater fly rod #8 Winston are perhaps better known in America, particularly for their split cane rods. But Winston also make some of the best Carbon rods in the world. Many would say, the best. After using the Winston BL5 they will get no argument from me. It’s a five piece 9 rod with one tip. Although it looks like a #6 I found it casts line weights from #7 – #9 like a long range howitzer. It’s a steep, tippy rod that delivers great line speed, and beautiful tight loops. Given a degree of competence, it empties a full #8 and tries to jerks some backing off. A South African caster tried the rod for a few minutes, and was casting several yards of backing, as well as the whole line. Amazing. Although this is a saltwater taper, I used it for tigerfish, Kimberly yellowfish, and for another sort of fish that will feature in a full article, which, again, I don’t want to pre-empt. This rod was subjected to some utterly shameful treatment, and came up smiling. After what we went through together, this is another piece of kit that will be buried with me. In the UK. Winstons are handled by Foxons of St. Asaph on 01745.583583 Youngs Sea Venture #8 Fly reel I know this reel was well reviewed by Russ Symons a month or two back, but having shared some breathtaking events with this reel, I have to say, we can all be really proud of this British-made product. Although still quite light in weight for a full blown saltwater reel, the Sea Venture is as strong as a brick backhouse, and the drag is magnificent. Jim Young tells me that to test the drag they ran the reel at full speed on the lathe, with full drag full on. The test was the equivalent of (say) a marlin running at 35 mph. for thirty miles. Fair enough, I thought that should do me nicely. I can’t claim to have had that sort of fish towing me around, but I gave the reel a terrible testing (see comments on the Winston rod, ) and it shrugged off every indignity. Great British indeed. Youngs are demonstrably World-Class reel engineers. Marquesas Panowrap sunglasses. You can buy a pair of Polaroid specs in Boots for £10. They are most assuredly NOT the same as Orvis state-of-the-art Panowrap sunglasses. I first saw these glasses on a professional bonefish guide in Florida, and he seemed to accept that they were required standard equipment. As the name suggests, they wrap around the face to give excellent peripheral vision. The frame is adjustable, and made to last until doomsday. They are optically superb, and they cut 99% UVB and 60% UVA to give crystal clear viewing. For stalking saltwater species they are perfect. Little opposition for these specs. Henrys Fork Wading Shoes These wading boots are designed to be used over sock-foot waders, but fishing the lower Vaal river, quite close to the Kalahari desert, the heat generated by chesties would have finished me off, so I used the Henrys Forks with simple socks underneath, and the Bone Dry trousers to keep off the sun. The lower Vaal is carpeted with six inch diameter, cannon-ball-like boulders that are coated with a fine algae velvet. The result is a river bottom that has the drag coefficient of PTFE coated ice. The Henrys Fork Wading shoes are made for just this sort of job, with a thick synthetic felt sole that grips. They drain well due to mesh side panels, and dry quickly. Two things I particularly liked about these shoes (actually ankle-high) is that they are very light in weight compared to most wading boots, and they have proper walking rubber soles at the toe and the heel. This means you can walk reasonable distances to the river in your wading boots, and are not lumbered with a second pair of walking boots. Years and years of use in this top quality Orvis product. Snowbee Line tray

One of the first things you learn when you try saltwater flyfishing, is that a line tray is all-but essential, whether you are using a floating or sinking line. The action of even light surf on line dropped at your feet otherwise produces tangles to make you weep. Even worse, when you fish from rocks the line becomes horribly snagged, so that if a fish heads for the horizon (been that soldier) the line is trapped and cannot run, and something breaks. To put it simply, the Snowbee line tray is the best in the business. It’s the right size, the right shape, deep enough, self draining (of course) and it folds for transport. It’s also very reasonably priced. From all Snowbee dealers. Snowbee themselves are on 01752. 672226