I finally got round to christening it this morning. There I was looking at a blank when this chap gave me the run round.





Anyone hazard a guess at the weight of this mirror, the landing net is 20" diameter?

Lucky you weren't using the 501 playing that lump, the line would have bedded down a treat!

Great to see that gear again. I had a reminiscence session a few weeks ago and dug out my Alpha, Shaky president and Mach2 Boron. Also, was in my local tackle shop the other week and they had a second hand all original Normark medium feeder rod for £50. When I was a match fishing nipper a car cost less than one of those! Ah the memories!

Bet that put a good bend in it! I was thinking it was bigger til I noticed the landing net is only 20" - a porky 7lb perhaps? maybe a bit less if its not as round as it looks?

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I think I still have one of those Alpha float rods, If anyone is interested let me know and I'll have a root around. It may need new rings but If I can find it it will be free to a good home.

I had a 13ft Alpha too (still got it somewhere, but it hasn't been out for years), which I think my folks bought for me as a 16 year old in 1982.

I seem to remember that you could get a softer, spliced tip section for the Alpha for lighter lines, and I think it was black. Does anybody else remember it ?

(By the way, my Mach 2 Boron still see's regular action !)

I'm getting a bit obsessed by fibreglass rods now. Has anyone got any 70's tackle catalogues they want to get rid of, especially Shakespeare ones?

Thanks to anyone who has helped me so far.

Nick, they are amongst the things that I wish I had never thrown away. As a schoolboy the ABU and Shakespeare catalogues were amongst my prized possessions.
My Alpha accounted for three like this at the weekend, it is a joy to use: