Back to work.
(14th October 2018)

Summer's over, pike season is here and I'm back to building at my usual speed. Although I'm already getting snowed under with rod orders so that might be slowing down!

Summer slow down.
(16th July 2018)

It's that time of year when my rod building goes into 'sleep' mode. Existing orders will be completed at my usual slow pace. New orders at a more lethargic one. What passes for normal service will resume in late August.

FXH now available.
(1st June 2018)

At long last I have the reel seats to allow me to turn the blanks I got ages ago into FXH lure rods. Details of this rod which was previewed at last Spetember's PAC Convention can be found on it's dedicated page.

Temporary change to lure rod specs.
(8th May 2018)

Owing to supply difficulties all lure rods for use with multiplier reels will have trigger grip reel seats fitted with silver/stainless steel hoods. The reel seats are exactly the same Fuji model as usual, just the hoods are a different colour.

Used 11ft 3lb Torrix
(15th January 2018)

I'm selling my 11ft 3lb Torrixes details here and pics here.

Interviews Book
(5th January 2018)

After a succesful launch on the Pikers Pit forum my book of interviews is now available to a wider audience.

I wasn't sure how a cheaply produced 'zine' of old interviews would be received, but the response has been most satisfying.

Read a little more and order here.

Happy New Year

Holiday Time!
(22nd December 2017)

Webshop orders will still be processed over the Christmas and New Year period, but with the postal services holiday hours I have no idea when they might arrive. Rod building has officially stopped for this year!

I'll be launching at least one new rod in 2018. If I get the chance I'll be giving a couple of prototypes a work out next year too. There'll also be a book in January if all goes to plan.

I'm looking forward to another year of rod building madness, and hoping banana prices come down before the varnish monkeys eat all my profit!

Happy Winterval from Lumb Towers.

Link Page Updated and Christmas Orders
(17th November 2017)

I have updated my links page which had got rather out of date with paper and cyber magazines gone defunct. Happily new ones have taken their place. Other cleaning up done too.

The Christmas rod order boat has sailed for another year. Chances of any rods ordered after today being ready for a pre-Christmas delivery are slimmer than a lobworm on a diet.

Rods in Stock
(5th July 2017)

While I'm continuing to await reel seats and rings I've sorted out the rods that have stacked up from people changing their minds about their builds and have updated my rods in stock page accordingly. Throughout July free carriage on any stock rods. Matching sets of stock rods cannot be split.

Holiday Time!!
(17th June 2017)

Owing to a backlog of blanks that are yet to arrive and a shortage of BSVOG rod rings in the UK meaning I can't do much work if I want to I might as well take a break before the build up of orders becomes too big. I'll be taking orders for rods again towards the end of July.

Blank Colours
(8th May 2017)

Painted blanks are now only available in a choice of burgundy and clear coat.

Rod Prices
(10th January 2017)

Unfortunately carbon cloth is paid for in US dollars, as a result the cost has increased over the last few months. This price rise had been absorbed by Harrison's but that couldn't last for ever. All their blank prices rose at the start of 2017, some by more than others. I've done my best to keep my rod price increases low. Hopefully there won't be any more increases for some time.

Clear out
(31st October 2016)

I've decided to stop stocking soft plastics because handling them is incompatible with building rods. The slightest trace of the plasticiser on a blank causes endless pain trying to get rod varnish to cure properly. So, they all have to go. I've even dropped the prices!

Here they are.

Contact Details
(30th June 2016)

As of July 1st my virgin.net e-mail address will be discontinued. If you have that in your address book please change it to my dlst.co.uk address.

Rebuild service
(23rd March 2015)

After the recent breakage of a pair of rods in transit I have reconsidered my rebuild/refurb service as no amount of insurance can replace a much loved rod that is no longer in production.

As a result I am now only willing to undertake rebuilds/refurbs on rods which I have built or on rods delivered to and collected from me in person.

I hope the reasoning for this is understood.