Walker Rod, Reel and Net
At Last! It’s only taken me 30 years to find the The Rod, The Reel and the Net on which Richard Walker caught the record Carp ‘Clarissa’ on September 13th 1952.
The story of how I have come to own these three iconic items goes back thirty years!
In 1991 Chris Ball who owned the rod, and Peter Rogers who owned several other historic coarse rods, brought them to our house so I could photograph them for an article I was writing.
Over the years we’ve all kept in touch with each other, meeting at various vintage tackle fairs and auctions, where the Walker rod and net were always discussed at length!
The next momentous occasion came about in May 2015 when Chris Ball and I were fly-fishing. About halfway through the proceedings, Chris expertly placed his fly close to some lily pads where a Trout had just risen. I was in mid-cast when he turned to me and said…”I’m going to sell the rod!”
Step by step
Step by step?? Well, I have had many comments from you saying how much you enjoy my fly tying videos, but there is a continuing request for flies to be presented in the way they were during my days with FlyFishing and Flytying magazine.
In other words, a ‘still’ of each stage of the tying.
Your wish is my command! Hurry to the step-by-step fly tying page and revel in a positive plethora of new flies in easy-to-follow words and pictures!
Geoffrey Palmer
You will find many moments on this site that feature my dear friend Geoffrey Palmer.
We worked together, fished together, but most importantly, laughed together.
Sadly Geoffrey recently passed away, and there are no words to tell you how much my wife Gelly and I miss him.
There are many references to ‘Geoffers’ as he was affectionately known to us, on the following pages.
They are lasting reminders of a fine actor and the greatest of friends.
A Blast from the Past!
I’m thrilled and delighted to share news that the splendid subscription channel, Fishing TV, is going to show my series Just Fishing with Chris Sandford! Just put Fishing TV into your search engine.
Director/Producer Ricky Walker took me and my rods around the world to shoot the 10 shows that were first shown on Sky TV. I fished everywhere from the chalk streams of England to the wilds of Alaska and, what an adventure it was. Adam Penning, Keith Arthur and Peter Cockwill joined me for some of the programmes and we had a great time. Thanks, guys!
Head Guide, Brad Duncan, with my biggest fish of the Alaskan trip. How big??...Modesty forbids!
‘STUFF’ – my video magazine!
When I appear at fly-fishing and vintage tackle shows, many of the questions I’m asked fall into distinct categories. So I’ve put together these little videos that will hopefully answer most of your queries. In this series, I’ll demonstrate how to tie some of my flies and the materials I use, plus the tips and tricks I’ve gathered over the years that I’m more than happy to share.
I’ll also show you some interesting examples from my vintage tackle collection.
To read more about my ‘STUFF’ and watch the videos, click here for episodes 1 thru 10.
To keep up to date with all my news – sign up now! I’ll Keep You Posted!
Get Your Old Tackle Out!
Thinking of starting your own vintage tackle collection? Wondering what that bit of old tackle’s worth?
Then watch the show…
and read the article
Starting a Vintage Tackle Collection
Both the article and the show will not only give you a financial insight into what’s hot and what’s not in the world of vintage tackle but will guide you along the tricky path of starting your own collection. I’ll show you a whole creel full of vintage tackle that made a fortune. An Irish rod and reel that fetched £1,500, a tiny lure that made nearly £3,000 and a Hardy reel that went for £15,000!
If you want to start a collection or think you may have an item of old tackle that could be worth a fortune, you can’t afford to miss…“Get Your Old Tackle Out!” Click here to watch episodes 1 to 4
