The Chris Yates Barbus Maximus MK I c1995.

As I’ve mentioned before when describing this popular rod, much barbel fishing has come back round to where it was when Chris Yates and I designed this rod: daytime fishing, touch ledgering, 6 – 8 lb reel lines and the need for plenty of reach over marginal foliage and river weed.

The sensitive tip, strong hollow-built split cane middle and detachable handle mean that this rod is surprisingly light in the hand. It is a superb rod for today’s big chub and I recommend it for tench fishing too. It’s not too pokey for large perch either. I dare say it would handle the noble bronze bream, should you want one for your supper. They’re quite nice, if taken from a clear stream in autumn and served with a lemon sauce. Chris Yates assures me that he’s enjoyed bream cooked this way, and who am I to argue.

But back to this barbel rod’s particulars.

The split cane was hand made from flame tempered, hand split and straightened vintage Tonkin bamboo. The flawlessly finished shafts glow with warm dark honey tones. The rod is perfectly straight and full of energy.

The blued and lacquered ferrules are Beatson’s of Sheffield splint end suction pattern, retaining a superb fit. They are fitted with hand turned hardwood and cork stoppers.

Rings are hard chrome plated stainless steel bridge pattern throughout, with a hook keeper ring mounted in the mid section’s male ferrule whipping.

Whippings are double tipped (in the style of Pezon et Michel) Burgundy silk.

The Flor grade cork handle has an elongated onion handle top, tapered alloy butt cap with rubber button and delicately knurled alloy reel bands.

The rod comes in its tailor made bag with press stud fastenings and a pocket in the flap for the ferrule stoppers.

Test curve: 1 lb 4 oz.

Reel lines: 6 -8 lbs BS

Casting weights up to 1 oz + bait.