Aspindale 'SWIFTDALE' beautifully restored by Master rodmaker JOHN BROUGH. MINT, Better than NEW. 11ft 3 piece split cane. Deep, silk smooth varnish, agatine lined butt and tip rings with 'high bells' stand off intermediates whipped in green/black Elephant jasper silk with black silk intermediates for a very attractive look. The cork handle is restored to 'as new' with lightweight aluminium reel band all enclosed in a transparent plastic protective covering. The ferrules are reblued and tipped with the green/black jasper silk.
The SWIFTDALE pattern was part of a series of three, The 'TRUDALE' (12ft) and 'GEMDALE' (10 ½ft) were the other two. They were designed as general float rods also suitable for light legering so a good all-rounder.
John Brough was a very high quality, low volume maker held in the highest esteem. He restored this rod for his own use but never got around to using it. He is now completely retired from making and his work is keenly sought by knowledgable anglers and collectors alike.
A very good choice for the angler looking for a top quality cane rod suitable for most coarse fishing. Comes with a letter of provenance from John Brough and presented in a good quality bespoke-made vintage style canvas bag. An outstanding looking rod, very attractively priced.
Aspindales were a family concern producing hand made and bespoke rods of high repute. In 1946 they pioneered the use of hollow building in coarse rods – only Hardy had attempted it before (with the 'Hollow built' of 1932-39 – at the time their most expensive coarse rod) but their attempt was questionable in design. In the aftermath of the War Aspindale designed and produced two complete ranges of hollow builds, their ''DeLuxe Match Rods' – one conventional 3 piece range, the other, two piece with detachable handle. Their appearance clearly impressed Allcock's director and designer, author Courteney Williams who was prompted to write to Aspindale, in his professional capacity, to congratulate them. Peter Aspindale, using a hollow built KIMDALE (11FT 2 piece with separate handle) won the 1961 Hampshire Avon Championship with 52lb 12 ½ oz, with the great world champion Billy Lane amongst the 'also rans'. In 1952 the Leeds team won the All England National Championship with nine of their twelve members using Aspindale rods. They also experimented with 'ferruless' Match rods resulting in 'THE SCORPION' (see it elsewhere on this site) and high strength aluminium alloy resulting in the CROFTDALE series. Designed by Tony Croft and featuring lightness and strength, it appeared in their last published catalogue in 1965 as did another scarce and coveted pattern,'THE STOURDALE' a whole cane/split cane Barbel rod.
