Terry-Thomas’s Craftversa.
‘There was a Craftversa in my hand a moment ago. What’s happened to it? Where’s my ghillie? The man’s an absolute shower.’
You do know, don’t you, that there was another, un-hyphenated Terry Thomas? Captain Terry Thomas , fishing rod developer for Milward’s of Redditch. Bernard Venables knew him well and particularly liked the 11’3″ Craftversa he’d designed. In 1992 or thereabouts, Bernard suggested that I might like to make some rods based on his Milward’s original.
The Craftversa has a reverse taper butt. Who doesn’t?
I think I made nine, all signed by Bernard with India ink. This is the first of them, made for Bernard’s manager, the late Mark Williams. It’s a lovely rod.
The № 2 Craftversa.
Please click on the picture to find out more about this rod.
Bernard Venables’ signature on the № 2 Craftversa.
It’s time to kit yourself out with some new tackle Peter. The Craftversa’s a fine rod for long trotting in the Nottingham style and a centre pin reel is so much better than a fixed spool.
Shall I buy a pipe too Dad?
Not yet Peter. If you start smoking a pipe at your age you’ll soon have a gap between your front teeth and you’ll look like Terry-Thomas.
That would be a terrible shame Dad.
Yes Peter. A terrible shame.
Best wishes and bountiful blackberrying,
Edward Barder
(Colin Whitehouse is on holiday)