SPLICED-TIP RIVER 13ft 6in

and are generally now available at a steal of a price. In the case of this live test sample, though – Browning’s top of the range Sphere Spliced-Tip River – they aren’t always cheap. That said, the old adage of getting what you pay for has never been truer than in respect of this particular item of beauty. It has a somewhat startling RRP of £379.95 but thankfully can be found for less if you shop around. So, why is it so expensive? Well, without making things sound overly trite, it is manufactured using the slimmest, lightest, high modulus carbon blanks available. It is also furnished with 14 of the best stand-off type lined guides that money can buy, and then you can add a unique weight-saving handle that is said to transmit more ‘feel’ through to the angler. Basically, the Sphere Spliced-Tip River rod, just like the rest of the Sphere range, has been developed, designed, and engineered to be as near ‘perfect’ as Browning can make it. All of which brings me nicely on to the live test. The early part of autumn is a sublime time on the river. Russet-coloured leaves on baring branches perfectly reflect the passing of summer, emblazoning themselves across the river’s smooth surface. Electric blue kingfishers dart busily up and downstream, seemingly always in a hurry to get somewhere. The water is clear, although there is just a hint of tea-stained colour to provide the angler with the promise of getting a few bites. And, if there haven’t been too many frosts, or too much rain, then the roach and dace in the River Thames above Oxford are still prepared to feed. When you have a top-notch spliced-tip river rod in your holdall, what better way can there be to spend the day than running a big stick float down Old Father’s flow? From the moment you take the Sphere out of its fancy carbon-styled bag it oozes quality. ‘Lightweight’ doesn’t do it justice. It’s a mere 150g. Ridiculous! As you might expect from a solid carbon spliced-tip (50cm long) it has a super crisp tippy action that is as perfect for fishing a stick float of any size as well as, if not better than, anything I have ever used. Line pick-up speed is sensational, whipping the reel line from the surface without causing a ripple. Although the rod is ideal for gossamer hooklengths and tiny hooks, the blank’s forgiving nature lends itself well to dealing with the odd unruly chub or even barbel. The lightness of the blank, and the amount of feel it transmits, make it something extra-special. I have fairly weak wrists, and holding a rod for hours on end, even when I am enjoying myself, can be tiresome. But with the Sphere there wasn’t a hint of fatigue. I could have fished on and on, it’s just a joy to use.

The rod’s solid carbon tip is perfectly spliced and doesn’t show any signs of a flatspot

Few things in angling are as pleasing as fishing the stick