Barder Rod Co Kennet Perfection 11¼’ 2-piece + detachable handle.

This super deluxe Kennet Perfection is in mint condition and has not been used. It has a number of special features that I’ve put in italics.

The first coarse fishing rods I made commercially, in the mid1980s, were Kennet Perfections, and it’s a model very close to my heart. Ours have always been accurate and faithful renditions of the pattern, as developed by B. James & Son, Bob Southwell and continued by Oliver’s of Knebworth. In the 1980s I purchased the original ex-Southwell planing block from Ted Oliver and it had the correct dimensions marked on it at six inch stations. I have not deviated from the original taper profile and our Kennet Perfections bear no relation to some of the gutless and floppy things made in the 1960s.

Apart from the dozen we made to mark the Barder Rod Co’s 25^th anniversary, this is the only Kennet Perfection we’ve made in nearly two decades, due to the difficulty we had in obtaining particular sizes of ferrule tubing. It’s a rare and very special rod.

It will handle reel lines from 4 – 8 lbs breaking strain, and swing out modest swim feeders with authority.  It would be a super rod for tench fishing, and just the tool for fishing with a large Avon float above perch or chub tackle.  I would have no hesitation in recommending it for barbel fishing in the traditional manner i.e. NOT with a 6 oz swimfeeder.

The tip, middle and handle are made from flame tempered split cane of exceptional quality.  The knots were pressed (rather than filed) in the Southwell manner. The snug-fitting blued & lacquered nickel silver splint end suction ferrules are our own make.  They are fitted with traditionally shaped hand turned Boxwood and cork stoppers.

The 27” handle, made from individually cut ¼” Flor grade corks, has a subtle elongated onion shaped top and our finely knurled aluminium reel bands.  The matching butt cap has a black rubber button.

The rings are hard chrome plated stainless steel bridge pattern.  The butt & tip rings are classic Amberfins.  The tip ring is threaded, so you could screw in a quiver tip or a beta light attachment.

I don’t want to get too carried away but I can imagine an ingenious wire cage containing a glow worm being used by someone living in an area where pesticides aren’t routinely sprayed. If you know of such a place, where the glow worms still cast their mysterious light over mossy banks of a summer’s night, please let me know.

The Pearsall’s silk whippings are varnish-impregnated Burgundy. The ring whippings are buttressed (doubled back) for extra security.

There is hook keeper secured with a hand forged nickel silver strap above the male ferrule on the mid-section.

The rod has a flawless hand applied marine grade varnish finish.

The rod comes in its tailored cloth bag

Test curve: 1¼ pounds.

Reel lines: 4 – 8 pounds breaking strain.

Casting weights: up to 1 oz + bait.