Peter asked for a special rod to celebrate his retirement and had been looking for a Car'Poon for some time. The key brief was to keep it classic, make it salt-water safe and keep it classy. It is no secret that I am a big fan of Masur Birch as a wood and, despite the challenges in turning it, birch bark for grips. The result was a classic single colour Burgundy wrap with Fuji Titanium/Torzite stripping guides and titanium recoil snake guides. The reel seat is a Lemke LC25 Titanium seat which, while being quite heavy, makes this rod corrosion proof and ready for the harshest conditions. The grip is oversized to give a bit more purchase in fighting large fish and comprised of birch bark, c
I always like a challenge and when I was asked for a rod that was 'bright and distinctive' the cogs in may brain went into overdrive. The only other request was that the colour scheme be reminiscent of the yellows, purples, blues and greens of a Mahi Mahi. I decided to go completely to town and cast my own acrylic blanks for the reel seat and butt cap and gave Mike a choice of two options, a Maltese 10c Mahi Mahi coin or an emerging hopper (his favourite fly). In the end the coin won the day and this rod is something that will certainly be eye catching as well as being an excellent example of a modern fast glass fishing tool
