They're gone!!
(14th July 2008)
You've missed the boat net again!

They're back!!
(27th June 2008)
At long last I have a very few of my boat nets back in stock. Get in quick and order here!

Poetry in motion
(23rd May 2008)
I have added a little note to the listings of certain rods to signify the ones that I use myself and which I heartily recommend to customers. There is also a list and a bit more info about why I like the rods here.

Go slow
(29th April 2008)
My mail order service will become slower than usual and rod build times will also be extended for the next month or so. Please bear this in mind when ordering by post/phone or via the web shop.

As you were
(12th April 2008)
The blog update idea didn't last long! I'll keep posting updates here...

Latest is a nice e-mail from a satisfied P-1 user which can be read in the Nice Words section.

There will also be some new stuff in the shop soon. A larger size of Hiro Duo Lock snap and some cheap sunglasses in grey or amber lenses.

Changes to Updates - Click HERE for the latest
(10th April 2008)
For a trial period I will be posting updates in my Lumbland blog. You will be able to find them all together on the DLST News section as well as in the main blog.

A new era fror DLST
(1st February 2008)
Not only do I have my new catalogue finished and ready to start going out next week, but as you might have have spotted I now have on-line ordering facilities for most of the gear I sell. Which was the main reason for the facelift a short while back.

Quite a bit of work has been involved in setting up the web shop, which I hope will provide an easy way to place tackle orders - especially when I am out fishing! You can access the shop through the menu on any page of this site.

Rod orders still have to be placed by phone, fax or post owing to the fact that they are all made to order. Similarly with overseas orders as they incur additional carriage charges.

The next job is to expand the rod pages to provide more information and list a wider range of available blanks. This page will continue to be the place where I announce new items and pages for the site and on-line shop, so make sure to bookmark it for future reference.

You can add a copy of my catalogue to an order through the on-line shop, request one by e-mail or phone, or download a PDF copy here.

All done
(21st December 2007)
I think that's the whole active site tarted up now. Rather sooner than anticipated. Have a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Changes ahead
(20th December 2007)
Eagle eyed visitors will have noticed a change of style to this page, the home page, and some of the others. The whole site will be gradually undergoing a similar facelift over the coming weeks. I hope functionality will not be impaired!

More new stuff just arrived!
(13th December 2007)
Three way swivel, corkscrew swivel and smaller size of Hiro ball bearing swivel all in the Swivels and Snaps page. Also compact wire cutters in the Tool Box.

All can be revealed!
(4th December 2007)
The mammoth pike I alluded to earlier was the 41 pounder caught by Derek MacDonald from a Midland stillwater. Congratulations to Derek for catching his third mammoth pike using a Loch Tamer!

I think this brings the number of thirty five pound plus pike reported as having been caught using rods built by me to 19. It must be the Pixie Dust™ I sprinkle on the rods!

Hiro terminal tackle in stock
(3rd December 2007)

Solid ring ball bearing swivels.
Sizes 3 and 4 - others to follow. Two per pack £1.10

Quick change swivels - ideal for leads where a weak link is not required or for hooklink attachment.
Size 8 (equivalent to a 10 in a Power Swivel). Larger size to follow. Four per pack £1.10

Stainless steel Duo Lock style snaps. Good for smaller lures and jigs.
Sizes 1, 2, 3. Ten per pack £1.10

Red sliding knot braid. Good for tying line markers, a bit thin for stop knots. 15m £1.10

More details and pics added to the Swivels and Snaps.

Wrap-round shades for glasses wearers.
(15th November 2007)
Since starting to wear glasses full time (in order to prevent myself falling in the water!) I have been struggling to find a solution to the polarising problem. I wrote off the idea of prescription sunglasses as being too expensive for something that won't be used every day. I have tried clip-on sunglasses, but they weren't too great - they give no side protection from glare for one thing, and the clip always seemed to rub the bridge of my nose. Then I stumbled upon Hiro Cap Sunglasses.

Polarised glasses that are designed to clip under the peak of a baseball cap. Perhaps not the most elegant shades, but they work with any style of eyewear, are adjustable to any width of peak, give reasonable side protection, and flip up.
The 'lens' material is much thicker than many sunglasses. Supplied with a microfibre pouch which doubles as a cleaning cloth, but I would recommend finding a hard case to protect them in your tackle bag - I use a food container. £45.00 per pair.

The Secret's out!
(22nd September 2007)
Some time back I hinted that a customer had made an amazing pike catch using rods from DLST - that customer was Jason Davis. I can now post some pics and part of his story which he told at the PAC Convention today. Suffice to say that the total of 35+lb pike reported as being caught on DLST rods now stands at 16! Click here to find out more.

New bits in
(16th August 2007)
Tapered tail rubbers for in-line leads and other rig uses. Dull green colour. £1.30 per 10.
Clear silicone tube now available in 1.00mm.

Another biggie on a DLST rod!
(21st June 2007)
I'm losing track of the number of 35lb plus pike landed on rods from DLST - but the second forty has been reported! Check out the PAC blog for details.

New moulds in stock
(20th June 2007)
Two styles of single cavity in-line lead moulds will be in stock in the near future - a flat pear and a round pear.

Shown here is the 4oz flat pear and the included pull pin that shapes the hole to accept the stiff tube and push in rubber to accept the hooklink swivel.

The flat pear will be available in 2oz, 2.5oz, 3oz and 4oz. The round pear in 2oz, 2.5oz and 3oz.

Details and prices here.

New hooks and rod handle option
(30th April 2007)
The Owner C-5 is a popular pattern for tench and barbel when a strong hook wasn't required. But it had let a few people down - including me when I hooked a big carp on one. Now there is the C-5X, which is the same pattern but in a wire gauge similar to that of the tried and tested C-4. Both patterns now in stock - details here.

I have always been reluctant to fit full Duplon handles to rods other than lure rods as the stuff was only available in 12 inch lengths - requiring a join that could never be completely hidden. I now have longer lengths of slim, parallel Duplon with a slight flare at the butt end available. The price will be an additional £10 in place of a split Duplon handle, and no extra if it is fitted instead of cork on a rod that has cork as standard. Cork handles in place of split Duplon is now an additional £15.00.

Changes to lure rod ranges
(24th April 2007)
I have been forced to rethink my Prowler and Sledge-Hammer blanks owing to a change in material availability. This wasn't something I wanted to do as both ranges were well proven. Unfortunately I had no option. I made the decision to rationalise and do away with the Prowlers, at least for the foreseeable future. This was in no small part due to the difficulties of getting the new Sledge-Hammer blanks right. This is now done and the first two rods are available. These are the SH 66M, which is a direct replacement for the S-H1 and the SH 60H, which takes the place of the S-H2.

The actions of the new rods are as close as can be to the originals, but the blanks are a little lighter, but just as strong. I am also working on a more new Sledge-Hammers to suit the growing trend towards the use of longer rods, and one that could prove to be a replacement for the Prowler Plus.

More details of the new rods here.