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Calling all Rod Builders...

D

Darreyl Edwards

Senior Member
Quick question in the hope somebody can help/confirm...

Today I had a waggle of a rod in a tackle shop. The rod was hand built by a custom rod builder not on this site.

The rod was built on a Harrison Chimera 11ft blank, stating a test curve 1.6!

I know Harrison do a couple of different tc ratings on 11ft Chimera blanks, but I've never heard of one rated at 1.6tc before? Googling through a few of the custom rod builders sites (including Harrison's own) I can't find any reference to an 11ft Chimera 1.6tc model anywhere?

So, please could any of you guys confirm whether or not this blank exists?

I best mention to save time and effort - I own Ballista's, Interceptor's, and Chimera's which I've built myself over the years - so I do know the difference, it was a Chimera blank.

Was a lovely, light balanced rod, would make me a wonderful Rolling Rod. But I'd just like to know before parting with my dough! ;)

Thanks,
Dazza.
 
Hi Daz,
Not heard of one - that's not to say it doesn't exist as quite a few variations don't readily appear on the Harrison list. There are also the exclusives that won't appear on the list. The Bfw i-power being one.
Sometimes the test curve may be reappraised and not cross reference exactly.
Additionally, some of the Harrison range is expanding as 11' rods are becoming more popular.
The Torrix range in the lower test curves being one example, using weave carbon that appears finer than the Chimera. Generally, apart from the spigot reinforcement on the tip section the top section is plain. The more recent additions to this range are the 11' 2lb and the 11' 1.5 the latter sometimes refered to as the torrix avon. These are slimmer blanks than their 12' bigger Torrix brothers.
Good rolling rod (and a nice rod to boot) is the Torrix 11' 1.75 - so it might be worth considering one of these.
Hopefully someone else will come along and add to this.

Happy building,
Cheers
Bob
 
Hi Darreyl

Thought you had more than enough rods already.

Quite a few custom rod builders have been using a Harrison Avon blank (11' 1.6tc) for ages. Not sure if its Chimera or not.

I bought one about 5 or 6 years ago and it is an absolute dream to use, perfect for rolling, touch legering etc and it has landed double figure barbel and a 26.3 carp.

I've always favoured 11' rods and my Harrison Avon is an absolute gem.
 
i know a friend eric heyes as an 11ft chimera avon rod which i reckons the 1.6 tc and he personally uses it as a chub rod.he reckons its not a rod for the barbel in the ribble, as its full of bedrock but on a nice clean snag free river youve a chance.saying this erics a bully:p but i agree with him i wouldnt fish undergunned for a barbel either;)
 
Yep, the 11' 1lb 6oz Harrison Avon has been around for a long time and is also available as a stepped up 1lb 12oz heavier version.
I think that quite a bit of confusion can be caused by people adding their own particular name for various blanks.
I did it in a previous post by calling the Torrix 11' 1lb 8 oz the torrix avon - so easily done.
Maybe I can be excused as SH has mentioned in his blog that if you like you could think of this blank can as torrix avon.

http://www.harrisonrods.co.uk/blog/blog1.htm
Wednesday 14th October 2009

As I said before, there are a lot more blanks around than appear on the current lists.

Cheers
Bob
 
Thanks very much for your comments guys. ;)

Sounds like my confusion was justified to a degree!

In the fact, it seems that Harrison list it as [11ft 1.6tc Avon] and doesn't actually state the blank type as being a Chimera.

Obviously I do know that SH rolls batches of 'specials' from time to time for some customers.

I know that a 11ft 1.6tc blank was produced and used to build Chris Holley's 'Specialist' barbel ledger/rolling rod. He uses one regular, coz I know Chris quite well and also had the pleasure to fish with him on occasion. Obviously, I've seen and waggled his rod a few times [Steady!:rolleyes:] and it isn't a Chimera weave. It's very much like a 'standard' weave pattern, like my pair of 1.12oz Interceptors or even my Harrison 11ft 1-1/4oz twin tip Avon rod I've had for about 20yrs and it's still going strong, tho it's had many refurb's over the years - ala Triggers brush!!:rolleyes: It's still very much my first choice chubbing rod to this day.

I also have a pair of 12ft 1-3/4oz Chimera's I use quite often, if static fishing on the bigger rivers. But they're to long and heavy to hold all day rolling meat.

I was fortunate enough to get an early look at the Torrix range before general release and they are lovely blanks. Especially the 11fters!

Going back to the actual rod I've seen... Built on an 11ft Chimera 1.6oz blank.

It's got a full cork handle, Fuji reel seat and the guides are Fuji lites [single leg] and great build quality. So, as I said in my opening post - it's a lovely light balanced rod, perfect for rolling and touch ledger work I feel.

The builder is asking £140 for it to clear! At that price, I couldn't build it myself for that, and I think I'd be getting a quality new rod at a secondhand price - what do you think?


Thanks again all,
Daz.
 
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After that glowing review, can you name the shop as I may pop in an offer him £141 before you get back:p
 
Nice try Pete...

But as my dear old Nan used to say... "I'm not as green, as I'm cabbage looking"! Hehehe.
 
Daz,

I have a Chimera Avon 11' 1.6lb rod, bought off here last spring/summer. Its a fantastic small river rod and very well balanced. (Factory finish as opposed to cutom build too)

Tommo
 
Hey up Paul,

Long time no see matey, hope you're keeping well and still worrying a few fishes.

Cheers for positive feedback on the rod. Unfortunately I haven't taken the plunge yet tho. Because a couple of days after making my initial post, I was invited to join a cracking new syndicate lake that hasn't been fished since 1962, which cost me 350 notes and it left me a little short!

I do still want the rod (badly!) tho the builder won't hold it for me, he aint sold it yet!? So all fingers crossed!!

Keep well bud.

Dazza.
 
James,

As Dave says, mainly weight.

You wouldn't think it would make that much difference - but it does - when you're holding a rod all day! (or night)

In fact, I've pretty much exclusively used 10fters for rolling and roving for the last 10 years or more.

You can get into places were you'd have no chance with a 12fter. Or you wouldn't on some of the rivers I fish anyway.

Plus the fact, shorter rods are just a joy to use and play fish on. They never stop making me smile!

Try one sometime.

Daz.
 
daz it,ll be your girley long blonde hair mate
they thought we,ll have this 1 for a ride lol

i,ve 2 chimera,s but they are 1.75tc
 
Hi Darreyl , did you manage to get hold of that rod , inask because I am looking for something similar myself ! Let me know , cheers
 
Hello Pip, cheeky sod!:cool:

I'll have you know I've had my hair cut (under local anaesthetic) and I nearly look respectable now!!

I've got a pair of Chimera 1.75tc too (so there!) Think I've had them about 6 yrs or so? Trouble is - they're 12fters. I generally use them on the bigger rivers when static fishing...bait, wait and hang-on.

Good luck for the rest of the season.

Daz.
 
I think i will be asking my friend Mr Gill to build me another rod this spring ! I seem to be having trouble getting hold of what i want !
 
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