Chris Yates’s № 1 Carpcrawler 8’3” 2-piece carp stalking rod c1992.
The rod described in chapter 21- ‘A New Rod’ in his book The Secret Carp. SOLD
£2,500.00
In the early nineteen nineties, Chris told me that he needed a rod suitable for some large carp that he’d discovered in an overgrown lake near his home. The gauntlet thrown down, I set about making a rod I hoped he’d find useful. I’d applied just one coat of varnish to it when I showed it to Chris in the pub (the New Queen at Sopley) before one of our barbel fishing trips (to the Avon at Bisterne). He took possession of it immediately and I didn’t get it back to complete its finish for twenty years!
In the meantime, Chris used the rod a great deal. It’s described in chapter 21 –‘A New Rod’ in his book The Secret Carp.
Shore and dinghy fishing, especially for bass, became a bit of an obsession for Chris. The Carpcrawler went to sea. Salt water and large bass necessitated a visit to the Barder Rod Co for a new top and a re-finish. Since then it has been back again for a new set of rings. The rod has not been used since its latest refurbishment and it is in mint condition, although the cork handle has some patina from honest use.
The rod has its original cloth bag and it comes with a letter of provenance from Chris, written on Golden Scale Club headed paper.
Specification.
-A hand-made split cane blank built to a tolerance of +/- one thousandth of an inch from the best oven tempered and straightened Tonkin bamboo.
-A snug fitting nickel silver reinforced waterproof splint-end suction ferrule with its hand turned Poplar wood & cork stopper.
-Hard chrome plated stainless steel bridge rings throughout. A hook keeper ring is whipped on above the handle top.
-Elephant Brand Burgundy silk whippings with fine green tippings.
-A flawless hand applied marine grade varnish finish.
-Flor grade 23” cork handle with an onion shaped top, knurled aluminium reel bands and butt cap with a rubber button.
The Indian ink inscription is in three bands of script. The upper one: The № Chris Yates Carpcrawler. The next one down: Edward Barder~Maker 1991. The last one: Casus Ubique Valet.
Test curve: 1½ pounds.
Reel lines: 8 -12 pounds breaking strain.
Casting weights: Up to 1½ ounce +.