RECOMMENDED

ALAN BAKER, KENT

I'd like to share with the readers of IYCF my appraisal of the 12ft Drennan Specialist Twin Tip Duo in both 1.25lb and 1.5lb test curve versions which I've been using for more than 12 months.

Coupled with vintage centrepins, loaded with either 6lb, 8lb or 10lb line, these rods are ideal for stealthy tactics essential on my lightly- fished club waters, whether that is for estate lake carp and tench or small river barbel, bream and chub.

Tactics may include freelining when I'm stalking carp, trundling a bait beneath a flood raft for barbel and chub, fishing the lift method for tench or stret- pegging for barbel, bream or chub.

And whether I'm using the Avon or quivertip carrier top sections, both rods exhibit a sweet progressive action which is desirable when fishing a short line in tight, snaggy swims that I always seem to fish!

My only niggle is that the tip ring on the Avon section is the same type as that used on the interchangeable tips. But, this is an aesthetic rather than a practical issue.

The inclusion of a keeper ring is lost on me as I always catch the hook around the lowest ring on the top section and break the rod down into two sections when moving between swims.

I can recommend these rods ( at about £ 110 each) to anyone looking for kit for both stillwater and river fishing.