Richard Walker-style Carp Net, previously owned by Chris Yates.

Owned by Chris Yates until the mid-1990s and used by him in the Monster Myths episode of A Passion for Angling, first broadcast by the BBC in autumn 1993. It is also featured in the photographic illustrations on page 171 & 178 of the book that accompanied the television series.

Chris Yates has written a note that accompanies the net to confirm that he owned it and used it in during the making of A Passion for Angling.

The net is fitted with a replacement knotless mesh and is entirely mechanically sound so it is perfectly safe to use.

There are few nets of this type to be found, and apart from those made in small numbers by B. James & Son, nets such as this were the work of amateur enthusiasts. Depending on the skill and resources of the maker, they vary from dreadful to very serviceable indeed.

In my opinion this net falls firmly into the latter category. It is surprisingly light, firm and not rickety when assembled. It is very soundly constructed and a credit to its anonymous maker. It would be very hard to put a date on it, but considering the methods of construction and some of the materials used, I would hazard a guess at some time between 1954 & 1964.

Specification.

5’ whole bamboo handle, whipped in Burgundy silk over the knots. The handle has some vanish-filled and inert cracks, which is typical of the sort bamboo it is made from.

The 36” long arms are made from very nicely formed 2-ply Tonkin bamboo. The arms are also whipped at intervals in Burgundy silk.

The net head assembly is essentially a very close interpretation of the nets made by B. James & Son. The net arms have brass cladding held in place with very well formed alloy rivets. The spreader block has an oak core and Tufnol side panels held in place with four small diameter nuts and bolts.

The spreader block tightens onto the handle by means of a large diameter knurled and coin-slotted bolt. The alloy block to which the arms are attached slides over the brass handle ferrule, which has a locating stud that corresponds with the cut-out in the alloy block.

The net chord is secured via split rings which are connected to whipped-on brass wire loops at the arm ends.