Chris Yates Barbus Maximus MK I 11’9″ split cane barbel rod.
In Exceptional condition. Made by the Barder Rod Co in 1997.
£1,600.00
The MK I Chris Yates Barbus Maximus is a far, far more versatile rod than its name suggests. Of course, when Chris Yates and I designed it, barbel fishing was a gentle affair. We used six or eight pound line, ledger weights of no more than and ounce (usually significantly less) and we liked to hold the rod, feeling for bites. In the 1990s, a ten pounder was a rare fish and the record was eight pounds less than it is now!
In those days, we needed a light, long rod with a fine tip, reserve power in its mid section and a detachable handle for portability. Sounds just the sort of rod you’d want for chub, tench, perch and bream, and so it is.
I understand that barbel tackle has become somewhat standardised: a pair of rods propped up on rests with bite alarms, six ounce swim feeders and bait runner reels. Very butch, but not much fun, compared with the way we fished in those innocent, glorious days, when a thirteen pounder was an impossible dream and the tidal Trent was for shipping.
The MK I is a truly lovely and effective rod with which to float fish or ledger for the aforementioned river and lake fish. This example is light, pliant and extremely attractive. Don’t dismiss this last point. Well, you wouldn’t, because you’ve got good taste, you’re sensitive and thoughtful. Back to the rod for a moment: it’s in near mint condition and I doubt it has been used more than half a dozen times.
The price, for a rod that I would charge £2,500 to build now, represents incredibly good value.
Specification.
Precision built from flame tempered vintage Tonkin bamboo, hand split with nodes arranged using the Garrison method so that each node is in isolation. The tip is solid built, as is the handle. The mid-section is hollow built for lightness. It is perfectly straight.
The 26″ handle is hand turned from Flor grade cork, with finely turned nickel silver sliding reel bands and butt cap (engraved with the maker details).
Ferrules are our own make, nickel silver, perfectly fitted, with their hand turned hardwood and cork stoppers.
Rings are hard chrome plated stainless steel bridge pattern throughout.
The rod is whipped with Pearsall’s bottle green silk with fine scarlet tippings.
The rod has a flawless hand-applied marine grade varnish finish.
It comes in its tailor made partition back with press stud fastening and a pocket in the flap for the ferrule stoppers.