Bernard Rigal, the man I mentioned many months back who refurbishes old rods, has made a big leap forward. He has taken over Pezon & Michel's complete caboodle (I don't know the accepted English words for the whole bang shoot plus/minus the locks, the stocks and the barrels).  Bernard has already made fifteen parabolic rods and sold most of them in the last few months. He owns the specs for all the rods that P & M made.  Apart from special orders he is currently making three models, the 6'6" Mirage, the 7'2" Super Marvel and the 7'7" Colorado.  He has also made a couple of Colorados with flared butts (not sure what they are called) which seem to be the preference of younger flyfishers today: indeed that fat and fast taper from under the grip makes them somewhat ‘less parabolic’.

Even better, he has put out five prototypes in alveolar (hollow) construction. Being relieved of all the pithy innards of the cane, the rods are stiffer than their equivalent models, as well as a lot lighter.  I do not know the weights of the standard models, but I'm told the respective weights of the three rods mentioned above are 72gr, 82gr and 87gr.

In October, there will be national Fly Fishing Festival at Argentat a town two hours by car up our river, the Dordogne.  I hope to be making it: It's high time I get to see some fly tackle other than on the internet . And to meet some true brethren of the long rod.

See a collection of images below