When I was a lad around 10 years old my father was keen on sea fishing with a couply of friends. This time he asked me If I wanted to as well . So off we went to Brighton on south coast of the UK, and onto the West Pier (now rotted away.) I only had a “toy” type cane absolutely usless for anything but fishing in the kitchen sink. So spent the day on the pier until mid afternoon when dad wanted to go to the tackle shop.
At the time I had 6d (old money) as pocket money a week. So in the shop they were holding a raffle for a brand new straight from the USA fibre fishing rod. Not known in the UK before as most were made of cane, this was one of the first un the UK. So I pleaded with my dad to buy a ticket.,next time he went fishing he came back with this brand new rod saying I had won the raffle . How true that was or he had bought one I don’t know, but as a small lad I belived my dad. That was over nearly 70 years ago, and I still have it in the garage would you believe. Back then fibre fishing rods were solid ,not like the bendy one gets now. I still have the cane rods he used as well. Why on earth I kept them I don’t have a clue apart from sentimental value.
Strange how certain items bring back memories
Ah! This brings back memories. My first rod was back in the early 70’s, blue tubular steel. It was six feet and two piece, tough as old boots, probably American. Essentially it was a lure rod but I used it for float fishing and ledgering too.
Coupled with an Intrepid Black Prince reel it served me well!
I’d spend hours poring over The ABU catalogues 
Swedish and stylish but way out of my price range as a ten year old
I enjoyed reading your story of the fishing rod @realspeed , little memories make up our whole life , good to look back and enjoy them again .
Keeping the Fishing rod makes it more closer .like looking back at photos .
from the top down
the fishing reel on the left (mitchel 600) I got from saving up cigarette coupons( I used to smoke a lot).
one on the right was one of my dads. both fully working still.
The solid fibre glass fishing rod I posted about, needs a little attention to refix the rings . Couldn’t be bothered to dig out the old cane rods to photograph
My old fishing box having not been used for all those years. with the old lead weights needed for casting into heavy surf and rip currents.
The crap I keep is amazing
Deffo a Mitchell on the left!
A little love and attention 