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| Avon Prototype by Jason White |
Why should I? All the terminal tackle I own has served me well and in my youth I purchased far too much in the way of hooks - line however is another matter. My reel of choice for carp fishing only comes out on June 16th and then goes back in its box a few days later - my diary tells me that new line was added at the end of May 1992. I can hear the sharp intakes of breath as I write! It still breaks at the stated breaking strain and my other lines are well looked after and serve me well.
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| Floats by Jason White of Dorset |
My fly box contains patterns from yesteryear that are a delight to use today and my rods are as good as the day I purchased them again when my waist was smaller and hair thicker - what I do have a weakness for, and this does not help my friend in the trade, are the wares of the artisan tackle maker and those of the bric-a-brac market stall.
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| Small stream trout net by Jason White of Dorset |
The delightful net you see pictured was purchased in a moment of weakness and smuggled through our door in brown paper - it is perfect for my small river chalk stream fly fishing.
Jason White of Dorset is such an artisan - a trip to his workshop can see a day disappear in a blur of tea, varnish, cork, cake and cane. This is where I do my business along with the stall holders who so often have treasures for sale at our local markets and boot sales.
I have friends who service their habit at the tackle shop, they come home with armfuls of gear that I swear catches them and not their quarry, but I feel I am no different and that is what keeps us all coming back for more. I get my kicks from the hunt and the joy of seeing craftsmen at work.
I am visiting Jason on my way to the river this weekend. There is nothing I actually need, but I said that when I visited last time and look what I came back with!
