A Colin Whitehouse Catapult, 25 Colin Whitehouse Floats and other autumnal pleasures.
To find out about this concealable elasticated weapon, please click on the picture. But before you do that, something about conkers.
The squirrels and deer here have eaten every single conker that’s fallen from the horse chestnut opposite the workshop. Last night, after work, I had to drive to a quiet spot I know where there’s an avenue of conker trees. There, in the gloaming with Lord Alfred looking on, I filled my pockets with conkers. Like Chris Lythe, the master reel maker, I love conkers. Who doesn’t.
Conkers are redolent of autumn, the polished dashboard of the Daimler Double Six that we used to travel to school in, vicious conker fights, the nasty bread made from horse chestnut flour that we had to eat at around the time the Daimler Double Six had to go (you have to bake the conkers first to reduce the emetic effects of the Aescin they contain, but it does ease the symptoms of piles, so it’s not all bad). Chris Lythe, the reel maker from the previous paragraph, strews conkers about his house to deter spiders. This is supposed to work. I like spiders so I haven’t tried. Sounds like folklore crossed with a trip hazard to me.
I’d seen come crab apples in the lane too. When we got back to the car it was dark so I found the apples by smell alone. Top tip: don’t use a torch. It’ll ruin your night vision and obliterate the unique pleasure of staggering about in the dark, on your own, in a wood.
If he floats, he’s a witch. If he sinks, it’s too bad. Colin’s floats float.
Please click on the picture to find out what makes Colin float and his floats so special.
Also available are some stupendous rods and reels, including this fabulous limited edition 8’3″ #4-weight fly rod.
Please click on the picture for more information.
Must dash. I feel compelled to write about icicles.
With best wishes from all at the Barder Rod Co