Let me tell you a story. It's a true story and, as I type, it all happened yesterday.
Whilst coming back from darkest Englandshire I got a message from Mike to say that he was popping a couple of prototype lines in the post. Knowing I have new toys to play with is always good news and as a part of the Barrio Pro-Team I was particularly keen to my mitts on one of the lines which (I'm sure Mike would admit
) I have been pestering him to have made for some time.
Also knowing full well that Mike always sends his lines first class post I expected them to arrive in the Saturday post but I also knew that by the time the box arrived Euan and I would already be fishing on the Upper Beauly. So I hatched a plan....
she who must be obeyed was tasked with bringing the lines (if they did arrive) up to the fishing hut at lunchtime. The lines arrived and she brought the lines to the hut.....
With Euans help (with a very cool toy from Rio) one line was whipped off a reel and the prototype ISS line went on, hastily a braided loop was popped on the front and after lunch it was straight out onto the river.
The line was good. Very good. It matched my Mackenzie FX1 beautifully. Then it all came together with a thundering take from a lively cock fish of about 9lbs which was landed after a spectacular battle. No pics of the fish, Euan and I were too busy putting it back, but here is one of me in unadulterated smug mode. New rod, new line all christened. I love it when a plan comes together.