Review by Andy Hammerton
So, I’m not one for writing reviews on new products, but felt compelled to do this one!
I’ve been a passionate river angler all my life, I’ve had my fair share of success in matches and many memorable days in pleasure sessions. For the record, a tackle company does not sponsor me.
I love float fishing on natural venues, particularly on rivers, targeting silver fish with the occasional bonus and for the last 30 years, have float fished with Normark Microlite and Titan 2000s and longer Tricast John Allerton rods for bolo work.
Therefore, when Leigh Harrison persuaded me to have a go with the new CR10 14ft #0, I was naturally sceptical.
I have used lots of high-end match rods over the years but have never found anything to compare with my Normark rods, apart from maybe the Carbotec range, which were hellishly expensive.
So, what was my first session like using the new CR10 14ft #0 Match rod?
Well, to say I was surprised would be an understatement. I fished a waggler across towards the far bank (Warwickshire Avon, so not a massive distance) and caught quality roach on tares for a lovely day’s fishing.
Since then, I have used the rod for both stick float and waggler sessions and have managed to win a few local matches using it.
I also took it on a recent trip to the Tidal River Yare in Norfolk, much wider, deeper and more powerful than my local river Avon and again was really impressed with its performance on the bigger heavier float gear.
So, what are the reasons I am so taken with this rod? Well, the stand-out features in my opinion are as follows:
- It is extremely forgiving without being sloppy at all.
- It delivers line very smoothly when trotting, which, I think, is down to the high-quality Fuji guides.
- It picks up the line extremely well on the strike, but even at distance with fast biting roach, I didn’t bump fish. The 14ft length really helps with line pick up.
- The action is superb, no flat spots at all and if needed, there is power towards the bottom end of the rod to help with bonus fish.
- The progressive all through action means that even on quality roach you can wind quite vigorously without fear of pulling out or breaking off (particularly important when pike are around).
- To put this rod to the ultimate test, I deliberately fished light 0.075 mm hook-lengths to a Kamasan B511 fine wire hook (18 or 16) and had no problems at all, even where I felt I over struck on occasions.
- The rod is really light for its 14ft length, which means you can comfortably fish with it all day
- Finally, the price. In my view, this rod can hold its own against any others on the market, even those which are twice the price. I couldn’t buy a good 35-year-old second hand Normark Microlite for anything close to this value. Truly amazing bit of kit and incredible value for money!
I would like to give a special thanks to Leigh for persuading me to buy this rod and for his input to the design of it, and also a shout-out to James and all the guys at Cadence. They are clearly focussed on ensuring that quality and performance is of the utmost importance while still ensuring great value for money. Well done Guys!
