Once again the show was a disappointment, smaller than even last year with fewer of the large manufacturers present. It did not seem to attract so many customers either and those I had time to speak too were dissatisfied with what they got for their entry fee.

The highlight of the show for me was sharing an early morning flask of coffee on the first day with John Wilson. He was already on the Masterline stand when I arrived and we had our corner of the show to ourselves for about twenty minutes. We discussed the decline of the Hampshire chalk streams as far as grayling fishing is concerned. He has found that the river Test has suffered the same fate as the river Itchen. As we are both centrepin enthusiasts the time passed quickly and I found him very easy to talk to and obviously a very knowledgeable angler.

On the Masterline stand he pointed me to a new range of rods marketed by Masterline on the J.W. Youngs label. They have three trotting rods suited from 2lbs to about 10lbs or more main line. I was very impressed but I don’t think I will be replacing my beloved Harrisons just yet.

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