Snowbee sale

I have just bought a few things from the Snowbee sale, including a new pair of breathable waders. For £55 they are a bargain. OK, they're extra large when really I need a large size (not available in the sale). But as an extra pair, which is always good to have in case you spring a leak, they are just fine.

It's worth watching out for the Snowbee sale every year so get yourself on the catalogue list. I shouldn't be saying this because I don't want extra buying competition, but I have made my purchases for this year. Hold on to this year's catalogue for next year because it's the end of line stuff that they sell. If you don't have a catalogue give them a call. The sales staff are very helpful and always pleasant.

Look out for end-of-line opportunities, whatever the manufacturer. You can get something just as good as the new model. This is particularly true of rods. Don't be fooled by the sales guff. Very often you will be buying the same old blanks with new whippings and a bit of new styling. The makers are looking for the "tackle tart" in all of us.

Don't be fooled either by all the nonsense about craftsmen working in little workshops. Sure, it still exists among a few specialists, but the vast majority of rod blanks these day are sourced in Korea. I was told about the blanks for one carbon fibre rod - list price £250 - where the blank prices were £5 from the manufacturer. That's how cheaply they can turn out high quality carbon fibre blanks in Korea. All the rest is finishing, branding and marketing.