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New Avon rod- advice please

Paul Collins

Paul Collins

Senior Member
I am toying with the idea of replacing my aging Diawa 11' 2", 1 1/4lb tc Avon rod. I've no complaints about the quality or the action but it is one of the range with a separate 2' handle and equal rod sections of 55". I like to keep my rods assembled and although I manage, together with an equally awkward Drennan super Tench float, I'd like to get something a little easier to transport ready assembled.
I got my son a Drennan 13' specimen float rod recently with the detachable part butt section and the rod and reel protector case and I am very impressed with it and would like something similar. The obvious candidate is the Drennan Avon quiver but this does not come with a protective case, although my local tackle dealer will do me a good deal to include a similar case. Anyone got an opinion on the Drennan Avon quiver?
Any other recommendations? I DEFINITELY do not want anything longer than 11' or more powerful than 1 1/4lb tc, must have a cork handle. I wouldn't be adverse to spending a bit more money for something special, Harrisons appeal but they mostly seem to be too long or too powerful. The first place I looked was the site's own rod section but no 1 1/4lb 11' ers.
The main contenders, by length and tc seem to be too cheap to be any good, John Wilson, Korum, Wychwood, J.W. Young, Shakespeare etc.
I almost never use a Quivertip or a fixed spool reel.
I look forward to your comments guys.
 
Don't rule the John Wilson out just because it's a cheap rod. I have two of the Harrison rods Bob refers to, but I prefer use a JW most of the time. It's lovely rod to use, and handles some decent fish with ease. :D
 
Yes the Hardy Marksman, but go for the earlier Specialist Avon model. Plenty of info through a Google search.
 
Mick Brown said:
Don't rule the John Wilson out just because it's a cheap rod. I have two of the Harrison rods Bob refers to, but I prefer use a JW most of the time. It's lovely rod to use, and handles some decent fish with ease. :D
Click to expand...
It does indeed, but we might have an image issue here, not full cork, no butt cap, and where do you start with those guides?
Fine, unless you don't mind looking like a right Noddy:rolleyes:
 
Thanks very much guys, the Hexagraph and the Hardy are way too pricey for my taste, I got a Hardy fly rod not that long ago and I wasn't that impressed, they were streets ahead in the quality stakes years ago but now I feel they are just a.n. other brand trading on their old reputation, the Hexagraph wins hands down in the technical spec. but is just TOOO expensive to justify.
The Dave Lumb chimera rod though, has really got my interest, I'd love to hear anyone's experiences using one.
Likewise the Drennan, I've been so impressed with my super tench float, (I've had it about 15 years), so much so I recently bought another, so if anyone has used one of the Avon quivers I'd really like to hear about their experience.
Thanks again guys and please keep the feedback coming.
 
I hate threads where someone asks about xxx and someone answers about yyy.

BUT in this case I'll nudge it just a little :)

Peregrine do a nice 11ft Avon, built on a Harrison blank, with cork handle, that's rated at 1lb 6oz tc - ok, not 1.1/4 (1lb 4oz) but only just a little bit over.

clickety click 11ft Avon
 
Thanks for that Paul, very interesting, now I've got some good options to think about.
I'm not a tackle tart at all but I do appreciate good engineering, could anyone please explain why these Harrison blanks are so good, as opposed to 'the imports'.
Paul, I've just noticed on your profile that you are not that far from me, do you have any of these rods I could have a look at?
I'm going to send you a PM.
 
peregrine also do a 10ft rod thats about 1 1/2 tc, excellent, also you can ask for anything you want ie cork handle, reel fiitings and rodrings ect, roger does all this, harrisons are quite simply the best specialist rods i have ever used in over
60 years of fishing, proper work tools with all the playing joy to boot:)
perigrine rods .co.uk
 
John Walker said:
peregrine also do a 10ft rod thats about 1 1/2 tc, excellent, also you can ask for anything you want ie cork handle, reel fiitings and rodrings ect, roger does all this, harrisons are quite simply the best specialist rods i have ever used in over
60 years of fishing, proper work tools with all the playing joy to boot:)
perigrine rods .co.uk
Click to expand...

I have just the one Harrison, it's a 11' Torrix that was made as a Dove rod, it's a wonderful blank, a joy to use, I think you can disregard the test curves label when you are talking of Perigrine and Torrix, even at 1.75 it feels sensitive with chub.

Besides how on earth can you market an out and out 'Chub' rod ? With every chance the bait intended for a Chub will be snaffled by a Barbel, it then becomes a different scenario completely:)

As much as I love my Avon's, they seem to be a bit of a compromise, not really a joy to use as a float rod, and too light for modern day river fishing for mainly the above reason.

Avon rods are steeped in sentiment and desirability, 'tis true.
 
Consider the Torrix 1.5lb 11' (Steve Harrison has referred to this as the 'Torrix Avon') - I've made quite a few, along with the longer 12'.
The 11' are available in 1.5, 1.75 and 2 test, the 12' in 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 2lb and higher.
My personal favourite is the 12' 1.5 with plug in quivers or not ...but that's me.

Test curves should only be regarded as a rough guide as actions can vary - look here for more information:
Test Curves
 
Hi Paul
I have two Harrison Chimera Avons, both 11 feet, very light but plenty of power, no trouble holding 13lb Barbel.
Well worth a look.
Brian.
 
well i have 2 of the perigrine stalkers quoted by roger to be 10ft and around 1 3/4 tc, excellent rods, light as a feather with loads of power which looking at them makes em look and feel under gunned but definately aint, bob i aint trying to push rogers rods as you know i have the utmost respect for your finished rods mate, on smaller rivers they are superb but wouldn,t be my choice on big rivers because of their length:)
 
Hi Paul,

I have the Drennan Avons in both 1.25lb (which I use for perching) and 1.5lb (chubbing) and they are superb rods. The action is exactly what I'd want (soft and forgiving, without being sloppy) and they have sensible sized rings, quite often "Avon" rods suffer from having rings that are too big. Add to that they are pretty reasonably price makes them a winner in my book.

Hope this helps,

Jamie.
 
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