Certain major items of tackle, including design and modification, will be detailed on this page :

All my fishing stuff relates to Barbel fishing. I use centrepin reels exclusively and my rod designs, where either I built my own or I modified purchased ones, are tailored to these reels.

My current self-designed/built rods are on an 11ft Harrison GTi blank, these rods are the optimum design to suit me. I extensively tested and used them for 4 seasons (I also built two for a couple of barbel angling pals and they tested them for 2 seasons or so) at which point I was happy with them. I still can't see that there's anything "out there" that will improve them, for me at least.

I am happy that this rod design is now manufactured by, and is available from, Peregrine Rods and is called the "paul4 Barbel Rod".

They are on their website, see for further details.

	For details of my rod designs through the years - coming soon (as soon as I can master the camera that is)
	For my article "Centrepins and using them - especially for Barbel Fishing"

Note that the above (c'pins) article is changed as/when I feel it requires it, in order to keep the information up to date and relevant as a (hopefully) useful reference, if you'll excuse my presumption, rather than simply an article. I have written in the context of a centrepin used for barbel fishing by me, and I would not suggest that it is in any way pretending to be a fully definitive be-all and end-all article on the subject, and especially so as I make no attempt to do an evaluation of currently available reels - I have neither the inclination nor the experience for this. The article was last updated 12.1.2011 and includes additional 'guest' contributions from some friends who are equally keen centrepin users. I feel another update is coming on.

I am always happy to discuss the use of centrepins reels in general, or to receive comments about the content of my article - perhaps you might be asked to contribute something too.

please email me directly if you share the interest : email paul

or you can contact me via a message on Barbel Fishing World here or on Barbel Angler here

Further centrepin-related information :

See also the		on Barbel Fishing World
although unfortunately it didn't really get off the ground due to lack of input. Maybe I'll get round to having another go later ...........................

General Tackle talk :

Unfortunately, I can rarely buy any other major item of tackle (seats, holdalls, rucksacs, bags, nets etc) that suits all my requirements so I find I have to modify everything. Some of these modifications may later be detailed in case there are ideas which could be of interest.

I have a certain principle I adopt for fishing, although slight variations may be needed depending on the time of year. This is to comfortably carry just three things - a seat, a bag, a landing-net - and these three things will, in turn, 'carry' other items. In winter, or where it is likely I will need an umbrella, I also carry a quiver holdall across my shoulder.

The umbrellas I now use have now been changed. Gone is the 25 year old 45" with the broken spoke. In is a 50" Korum Stormshield with sides which I carry most of the time, or a larger Badger 60" with sides if I tend to overnight it, and want that bit more room.

Some examples of modifications : I carry the seat, but the seat carries the bait-bucket and rod-rests; I carry the bag, and the bag carries the unhooking mat. In other words I make sure items are clipped/tied together where possible to make carrying, and especially when moving swims, easier. I had too many years of struggling.

seat & bait	seat / bait	bag	bag / mat

Some more examples : I also modify my landing net and handle so that when moving, the net remains attached to the handle (velcro) and minimises snagging on bankside vegetation, but is easily available to use. This modification works well on a telescopic handle such as my Sundridge (pictured) as it just requires a shake to unattach, and the handle will extend to its full length. I still use the same on my Powerstretch handle but as this requires unlocking and setting at whatever required length for the particular swim, this is best done before fishing. A handy one is to provide a 'tag' on my coat (two shown) to keep my forceps on, and a retaining loop to avoid them swinging in the way when crouching down.

net / handle	net / handle	coat / forceps	coat / forceps

On certain sessions where I am likely to be less mobile, or maybe needing a base-camp, I used to use a much modified carp-type rod holdall instead of the quiver-holdall. This allows for a wider variety of rods to be taken, although I usually end up using the same one(s), and additionally a larger overnighter-type umbrella.

BUT, I have recently also changed my rod carrying methods and my requirements quite drastically. Gone is the carp-style holdall and I now use two quiver holdalls - one is a Drennan 2-rod one for summer/autumn, and the newer one is a Drennan Specialist 3-rod one, which is longer and slightly larger, so the larger umbrellas do not tend to overbalance the holdall. Both these Drennans have also been modified - I have removed the velcro rod bands and replaced them with large black flat laces.

I also now have just two bags - one is a 15 ltr Wychwood shoulder bag, the second is a 55 ltr Chub rucksac, I had a third, a 90+20 ltr JRC mega-combi rucksac, but it rarely got an outing in truth so I sold it! and the 55 ltr one may be going the same way as I always get all of my gear in the 15 ltr one.