My first rod was a fibreglass Shakespeare Sigma 12ft match rod. I loved it. It was a really nice rod, and really good for tench fishing. I had recently upgraded to a carbon top of the range Shakespeare President Super Match 13ft rod. But the Sigma was my favourite for tench fishing.
One day I was fishing with both rods set up. I was using the President on the deck, with the Sigma set up to catch shallow. It was laid alongside my box in my peg. Not in anyone's way.
There was a guy fishing two pegs up. He was the only other angler on the pond. I was fishing away minding my own business, when suddenly he came running down the bank, with a fish in his hands and a camera. He ran straight into my peg shouting about this giant bream. It actually wasn't a giant, but it was a rare bronze fish of about 3lbs, of which there weren't many on this pond, most being silver skimmers.
"Please photograph my specimen bream" he shouted excitedly as he charged into my swim. CRAACKK!!! The idiot trod straight on the butt of my Sigma splitting it in that horrible way that fibreglass does.
He then tried to blame me for having a rod on the floor. It was in my bloody peg where only I should be.
In the end he agreed to pay for a new one. He gave me a tenner he had on him,and said he bring 30 more later. He showed me his fishing licence so I could I.D him.
I never saw him again. I complained to the club. They contacted him, and he lied, saying the rod was lying across the path. The club said they couldn't do anything, as it was his word against mine.
If I had seen him again, I would have probably smacked him, so perhaps it's for the best I never did.
I would love to get another one of these rods, but they are incredibly rare.
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