CHRIS YATES ROD SOLD FOR £8,280

Brisk bidding for historic vintage tackle

THE rod that Chris Yates used to land his iconic 51lb 8oz carp from Redmire Pool has been sold for £8,280.

Hopeful bidders battled it out in the auction room when the MkIV Avon rod, hand-built by Dick Walker and used by Chris to bank the unofficially recognised British record carp ‘The ‘Bishop’, went under the hammer.

It was expected to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000 when it went up for sale at Angling Auctions in Romsey, Hampshire, but it surpassed expectations when two telephone bidders went head-to-head as they competed to become the proud owner of the historic piece of tackle that Chris reluctantly sold in 1997.

Winning bidder was Rodger Sargent from Sussex, who told Angling Times that Chris is one of his angling heroes. “There was no way that anyone else was getting their hands on that rod because to own a piece of carp fishing history like this rod is a dream come true to me,” said Rodger.

“I was at my best friend’s wedding when I was bidding for the rod and it was hard to explain to people why I was spending so much money on a fishing rod. “Dick Walker and Chris have been so influential, and the record fish they have caught have really shaped my fishing life, so to own a rod that was made by Dick and used by Chris is incredible.

“I really don’t think I can bring myself to use the rod for fear of an accident, so I’m going to get a presentation case. I’ve just bought a house with a lake, so I will have it displayed in an environment that befits such a beautiful and iconic piece of tackle.”