hi all im new here ive inherited a foster bros rod and i dont no much about it or foster bros just wonderd if any 1 could help me it measures 8ft6" 2 piece split cane it has foster bros makers ashbourne engraved into the bottom real clasp and then up near the little loop just above the cork handle it has "the manifold"signed on it.Its a lovely rod and looks in perfect condition could any 1 pease help thanks mick.

Fosters of Ashbourne near Derby used to make very nice middle-of-the-road rods. They are, sadly, no longer in business.

I have one very similar to what you describe. I bought it at auction a few years ago for circa £100. They are worth more now - depending on condition. A nice thing to own and to leave.

For more information see here:

Foster Bros Rod

Sad news Cothi. I didn't know they had closed.


The Manifold is a delightful little trout stream which, for much of it's course, forms the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border.



It joins the Dove at Ilam just below where the above photo was taken. Ashbourne is local to both streams and was Izaak Walton's home town.

cheers for the info guys as you can tell im new to forums but im sure ile soon get the hang of things cheers

Sorry for being off topic, but I thought he was born in Stafford. I wasn't aware he ever lived at Ashbourne - where abouts?

Also, where on the Manifold is it the border between Staffordshire and Derbyshire?

Hey huntermick - you really don't need to post duplicate threads. Which one do you want to keep going? here's my answer on the other thread at

the dupe

Foster's of Ashbourne closed their shop a few years ago sadly. It's now a coffee shop - says it all really. It is in the centre of Ashbourne, just a few yards from Henmore Brook. All employees of Fosters were required to be members of Ashbourne Fly Fishing Club - who have the fishing rights on Henmore Brook. If you ever are in Ashbourne you may spot the odd small tail disappearing under the bridge - small wild brownies are still about in the centre of the town.

Fosters did build their own rods - and there is still a rod maker in Ashbourne..to prevent a lot of repeat info have a look at this earlier thread
Fosters info

Since then I've found out that Mick Hulme (one of the butchers in Ashbourne - see below for a sign he has up in his shop which always makes me laugh) used to provide Fosters with the feathers from game brought in from the Okeover estate. Apparently Mr Foster was very choosy about the feathers he'd actually use - but used to pay sixpence a time (old money) for a good set of pheasant feathers.

Hope this is of interest - and you should definitely come and use the rod on a river in Derbyshire - that's what they were built for

hi trautigan sorry for the duplicate thread as you can tell im new and just learning things at the moment thanks for the great info though cheers huntermick