Nash - The Specialist Quiver
Introduction
I like to give an honest assessment of any tackle I use, and I find the best way to do that is to explain to the reader the reasons why I am using a particular piece of equipment. This review is no different and is an honest to god indication of how I find things…
For
six years or so, I have been transporting my Barbel Rods in a Double T Brolly
Sling. It has given me sterling service and apart from being a bit tatty and
worn, is still serviceable. However, one thing that always concerned me was
the tight squeeze when placing the rod butts and tip sections into the rather
small external pocket. I found that with a 50' brolly already in the main
compartment, this tended to fill the quiver out, and left very little room
for the rods.
For a while I looked at alternatives, but couldn't find anything as lightweight
or similar in size to the Double T sling. Everything else seemed huge by comparison,
and was completely the opposite to what I required. Then whilst fishing with
Mark Tunley on the Wye, I noticed his new quiver. Closer inspection showed
it to be from the Nashy stable. Now I've had loads of Nashy equipment in the
past, and until fairly recently, had a 3 rod Space Shuttle quiver for my carp
gear. Despite being well made, it was very bulky and heavy, and could only
really be transported on a barrow.
So
I was pleasantly surprised to see this quiver was very similar in size to
my Double T sling. It is from the new Nash - 'The Specialist' label, which
covers a vast range of tackle from hooks & bait, to luggage, all of which
seems to be geared towards the Barbel/Tench/Bream angler.
The quiver itself is made from the usual tough nylon and is dark green in
colour. It features a large central pocket which takes my 50' brolly & storm
poles, with room for more should it be required (which it isn't). Far from
it being too big though, because the more room you have the more gear you
take most of it completely unnecessary. Two external pockets take banksticks
and landing net poles, the smallest having a chunky half length zip which
helps when digging around for the shorter banksticks in the wet.
Nash Specialist Quiver with
Two Rods
The
best part of the quiver in my opinion are the rod butt holders. There are
only two (which is perfect as I really don't need anymore than two barbel
rods for a session) well padded fixtures stitched to the base, with Velcro
retaining loops near the top of the quiver. Again these are just right and
allow the rods to be held tightly and not flapping around because there is
a foot of Velcro to somehow tie up!
Supplied with the quiver are further elasticated Velcro straps. I use one
to wrap around the brolly, storm poles and landing net pole, which stops them
flapping around and banging into the rod blanks. The quiver can be carried
by means of a well padded adjustable shoulder strap and a carry handle. These
can be moved depending on the style of carry by utilising any of four tough
plastic D rings, attached to the spine of the quiver.
The second best thing about the quiver is the price. Although it appears cheap
(and it is as far as cost goes) the RRP does not reflect just how well made
and well designed the quiver is.
The Empty Quiver
I would thoroughly recommend this luggage and have given it a solid work out on the Lower Severn in some very wet conditions. So far it has stood up well, and I am happy to continue with it for the foreseeable future.
There
is another similar quiver on the market now, the Nash Space Shuttle 2, which
is a cross between the larger carp quivers and the specialist quiver. This
appears to give more protection to the rod, with butt cups extending a third
of the way up the quiver, to allow the reel to be held inside. I haven't had
a proper viewing of this version but it would appear to go one step further
and is worth considering if you are in the market, particularly if it is anywhere
as near as good as the Specialist Quiver.
RRP: £19.99 I bought mine on-line from Bevan Carp tackle. You can see the
whole Nash range by having a look on their website.
Rating: 10/10
Paul Thompson (Tommo)
July 2005
