New rod prices and catalogue news
(13th July 2010)
It's something like sixteen months since my last catalogue came out, I've been putting back the new one while waiting for blank prices to rise. This was scheduled for the early spring period, but it has only just now come into force. Some have risen more than others, but as always I have tried to keep the prices as low as I can without swapping to cheaper fittings.

I might be able to get a catalogue out now, but with VAT set to increase in teh New Year (no doubt while the catalogue is still current) I might leave prices out and keep them up to date on this site and my webshop. I'll see.

New stock in
(13th April 2010)
At last I have more Owner trebles in stock and American Fishing Wire in 40lb and 60lb. The 40lb is what I have been using to make my personal pike bait traces for some years, the 60lb is what I use on my Crankbait Leaders. I've also got boat nets in stock - for a while!

Loch Tamers on TV!
(21st January 2010)
Watch Derek Macdonald boating fish to 26lb using one of his P-3s on Sky Sports. Nigel Botherway has a P-4 on order!

New Year, new stock
(15th January 2010)
After some messing around Owner hooks are slowly coming back on stream and I have a new straight pointed pattern, the ST-56 which is a little stronger than the ST-41. Also added are Partridge CS9s (initially in size 6 only but others due in some time), American Fishing Wire's Surfstrand in 30lb (which I'm hoping to have in my favourite 40lb soon). Snowbee have changed their sunglasses for 2010 and I have three lens options in stock.

Everything will be live in the shop over the weekend when I get some photos taken, so be sure to check out the New Stuff page on Sunday.

Not too painful
(27th November 2009)
All is running fairly smoothly again. I think I have all e-mails and orders through and will be sorting through them over the weekend.

The ring saga continues and my latest batch came through minus two more sizes. It's getting beyond frustrating. If it wasn't for the fact that I think Fuji's are by far the best I'd switch to another brand.

Blasted computers...
(24th November 2009)
I'm trying to get a new computer up and running and connected to the interweb - so far without success. The old one I am using for this is on its last legs! Orders through the webshop will be experiencing delays in processing during this period. This will be my last update until it's all sorted. As a result e-mails will go unanswered for a while. I would be grateful if any sent in the last few days that have not yet had a reply could be resent when I announce my cyber-return on here.

Stay-Lok and Rod news
(22nd November 2009)
The new size 4.5 Stay-Lok snap is now in stock as is my Boat Net. That's the good news...

The bad news is that until Fuji's European distributor live up to their name I cannot complete any standard build rods as I am short of one size of BSVOG ring. This means I can't give completion times for rods fitted with BSVOGs. However, I can build with Kigans or Fuji SiC if you fancy shelling out a few (or a lot in the case of the SiCs) quid more.

Changes ahead
(28th October 2009)
Anyone who remembers when Stay-Lok snaps first arrived in the UK will know that the size 5 was originally smaller. Well the nice folks at Stringease have recently introduced a size 4.5 and I'll be stocking them. It also looks like I'll have Owner trebles back in stock - just as soon as I get my finger out and order some...

My stock of Power Pro, on the other hand, is running out fast. When it's gone it's gone. I doubt very much I'll be stocking another braid as Power Pro is what I'll still be using.

Harrison's have informed me that there is going to be a price hike on blanks soon. Quite how large a hike I don't know yet. I am working on slight cosmetic alterations to some of my standard builds for the New Year. I will still be offering the current styles if that's what you prefer, but I'm going for a cleaner, more modern look on the abbreviated handles. Standard cork handles will remain the same unless you fancy something different - the stainless winding check and butt button option is proving popular. Watch this space for photos when I have finalised the look.

Monkey Madness!
(30th September 2009)
There's a Slugger lure rod in stock - built almost standard on a brown blank.

I've updated the webshop for availability of Power Pro and Owner hooks (things are running out fast) and added the Duplex landing net pole.

While out and about I found some monkey stickers. So don't be surprised if you find one stuck to a rod you've ordered. After all, my monkey staff do deserve a bit of recognition. Don't worry, the stickers won't be under the varnish. Not unless you want them to be!

PAC Convention
(24th September 2009)
I'm getting ready for Piking 2009 and have temporarily removed Power Pro and Owner trebles from the webshop as stocks may well dry up completely at the show. The webshop will be updated on Monday the 28th.

I will have the Harrison Duplex landing net pole at the show and will be adding it to the webshop on Monday. This is a strong, two piece (push in), woven carbon, 6' 3" landing net pole. Perfect for pikers who bank and boat fish and a great match for my solid glass arm frames to make a robust and versatile pike net. Price including P+P will be £49.00 - or just £45.00 at Piking 2009!

Rods in stock
(1st September 2009)
A couple of Torrix Specialists are available.

Bad News
(25th August 2009)
My stocks of Owner hooks are running low and there seems no prospect of any more. Please phone before ordering if at all possible.

There's a similar situation with Power Pro braid. Shimano have taken over Innovative Textiles and will be distributing Power Pro in the UK. That means I won't be stocking it once what I have left is gone. So again, please phone before ordering.

New Landing Net
(27th July 2009)
I have a limited stock of super-light hollow carbon arm landing nets in stock. Solid spreaders with isotope slot, 'overfit' assembly and hex-mesh net. Buy them here.

Coast split ring pliers are no longer available from my supplier and have been replaced by the almost identical Lazer pliers from Eagle Claw.

News
(30th May 2009)
It's been one of those weeks. Monday saw me at the Harrison factory where I discovered they are a key man down - so blank delivery has slowed. That meant that I have been sat around twiddling my thumbs. I did manage to get a load of completed rods shipped out and recieved some Nice Words in return. That always makes building rods worthwhile. Friday was another day of thumb twiddling as my car was in for MOT and servicing. So I've added a few more photos of rod options to the Custom Builds page.

More rod options
(25th May 2009)
I've added a few more pictures of handle and lettering options to the Custom Builds page. Fashions have changed since DLST started out! On the right is my Reduced Graphics option above a DNPS reel seat with stainless collars.

New snap link
(24th May 2009)
New from the makers of Stay-Lok snaps is the Fastach clip. Small, light and strong these operate in the same way as Hiro Rollsnaps. You hold the clip steady and twist your lure, fly or trace swivel around the semi-open loop. Easy and quick.

For pike flies and jigs I suggest sizes 2 and 3 (dependent on the hook's wire thickness and eye size), these sizes are also suitable for small lures like spinners, spoons and so on and can also be used at the end of your mainline for quick trace changes when piking or for attaching swimfeeders to helicopter rigs and weak links. There will be other uses too. For larger lures the sizes 3 and 4 are the best choices. Buy them here!

New handle option
(6th May 2009)
Not really a new option, but a nice one that I've just got round to photographing. Add £10 to standard cork handle price for the DNPS and two stainless steel collars. Only available on a 20mm fitting.

Bigger photo on the Custom Builds page.

More moulds
(20th April 2009)
Two new moulds added to the shop today. A no-roll looped square pear in 2 and 3 ounces, and a triple cavity drilled bullet mould.

Details and prices in the Web Shop.

Summer is just around the corner
(27th March 2009)
My catalogue is now printed! I'll be starting to send them out next week. If that wasn't shocking enough I also have some T-shirts available in a 'fish-friendly' dark green with the DLST logo in yellow/gold. Perfect summer wear for the avid angler.

(The detail photo gives a truer idea of colours)

Catalogue Shock!
(18th March 2009)
My 2009 catalaogue is finally (I hope) ready to go to the printer's tomorrow. Paper copies will be distributed as soon as they are done. In the meantime a pdf version can be downloaded here.

Go slow
(12th March 2009)
The river season is drawing to a close. Normal service will resume on Monday the 16th!

Good news/bad news
(2nd February 2009)
First the bad news, prices are set to rise. Fuji prices have just gone up by 15%, blank prices are going up this month, and many other products will be increasing in price too. Now might be a good time to place an order for a rod or three!

I'll be doing my best to keep increases as low as possible bearing in mind that some prices haven't changed for a few years - Power Swivels, for example. I'm currently working out these price changes while incorporating them into my new paper catalogue which I'm aiming to have ready by the end of the month. But don't hold me to that as I can't decide what to put on the cover!

The better news is that there will be additional specialist rods coming on-stream. Details as soon as they are finalised. I also have a few new moulds to add to the list and the webshop soon. The first two are dual cavity loop flat pears - 3oz/4oz and 2.5oz/3.5oz both at £15.25 each.

Rod bands now stocked
(28th October 2008)
I now have two widths of neoprene rod bands in stock and a new set of split ring pliers.

More nice words and Web Shop additions
(28th September 2008)
One of my customers took delivery of some new rods recently and christened them with a couple of fine zander - an eleven on a P-1 and a bigger one on a Z-1. Read his comments, and link to a pic of the biggie, on the Nice Words page.

I have only just discovered that I hadn't added my watch lead moulds to the Web Shop - so now I have! Find them here.

Testimonials
(18th August 2008)
Praise for the P-1 in the Nice Words page. Also Robbie Marsh in Northern Ireland has been using his Loch Tamers for tope fishing boating some cracking fish to 56lbs - then he let Stephen Cromie hit a run, and missed out on a sixty-pounder! Well done lads. Is there no end to what these rods can handle?! Over on the PAC members forum Stephen said, "Have to say those Loch Tamers are an excellent piece of work and a joy to use."