After a flurry of recent fishing trips I found that I was
running quite low on two of my favourite types of hooks. So with a trip to
Caerphilly planned, I thought I would nip into Tony’s Tackle to replenish my
diminished hook supply as well as top up a few other essentials which I would
undoubtedly convince myself I needed before leaving the store.
It has been a number of years since I have visited the
store, but on entering it was a little bit like stepping back in time. The
layout hadn’t changed since the last time I entered (which was some 9 years
ago), and I quickly set about looking for the 2 specific types of hooks I was
after. Kamasan B611 and Drennan Wide Gape Super Specialist were the hooks I
wanted (I have looked in other shops but they are getting increasingly
difficult to find, thanks heavens for Ebay). But on a quick look around neither
of these types of hooks were anywhere to be found. In fairness, there was a
small selection of other Drennan and Kamasan style hooks, but sadly not the
ones I required.
Looking around the shop further I found that there was a
reasonable selection of carp rig bits (as there always is in tackle shops these
days), and a good selection of pike equipment, but the coarse fishing equipment
seemed to be sadly lacking. I found this quite discouraging especially as
Caerphilly moat is opposite the shop, and there is a whole multitude of coarse
fish to be had from it. The groundbait and pellets shelves were half empty and
looked to have been for some time. The were some interesting rig bits on the
walls, and if I had given them a closer inspection I’m sure I could have
persuaded myself that I needed a “twiddling stick”, but I was still hoping to
come across of secret stash of Drennan Hooks and overlooked it.
Towards the back of the shop there were a range of rods in
racks. From standard coarse and carp fishing rods, to beachcasters and boat
rods. There was also a small selection of fly fishing equipment on and under
the server counter, as well as a small selection of reels in a glass cabinet
under the till. On the back wall of the shop there was also a fair air rifle
selection (if you’re into that kind of thing) and there were various pretend ducks
pegged up on the wall beside them.
Tony’s also sells bait, and usually has a good supply of
maggots, caster and worms, which as I have recently experienced, is no easy
task in the South Wales Valleys’. In Tony’s Tackle you can also purchase
licenses for Caerphilly angling club and Caerphilly moat which can be bought
over the counter in the store.
I was also slightly perplexed when an angler came in and
asked Tony some questions about fly fishing for carp using dog biscuits. He was
advised rather than use a deer hair fly shaped like a dog biscuit (which he has
on the till to his right) try using “a small hacksaw blade, cutting a groove in
the dog biscuit and gluing the hook in place”. Having tried this method myself,
it’s fiddly, time consuming and when it does actually work you run the risk of
the fish taking your biscuit off the hook. This would leave the carp with a
belly full of glued dog biscuits, which wouldn’t be great for this fish. At
this point I offered a suggestion of using a cork ball, which will easily stay secured
on a long shanked/wide gaped hook, or alternatively, hair rig them on tightly
using a short hair and quick stop. The customer seemed quite interested in the
idea of using a cork ball, but was thrown out of sync when Tony suggested using
bread... It was a shame he didn’t seem open to other folks’ ideas.
I had another quick look around the shop to see if there was
anything I really needed, but sadly I couldn’t be tempted. Tony’s tackle does
have some bargains, and my brother has bought a cracking feeder rod there at a
hugely reduced price. However on this occasion I left feeling quite
disappointed. The shop sadly falls foul of everything I have begun to expect
from fishing shops in the South Wales Valleys. There is a very basic supply of
the anglers essentials (hooks, mono, swivels etc for all fishing disciplines)
but anything more specific will either take time to look for or require
ordering. The carp element of the shop (and not only in this shop but many of
the ones I have recently visited) seems to be ever growing, at the cost of
other and more basic coarse fishing equipment (in this instance I didn’t see a
single disgorger). Tony’s is worth a visit, especially if you require bait and
are struggling to get hold of it elsewhere, but if you have something specific
in mind ring ahead to see if it is in stock or you may leave empty handed as I
did.
Tackle Store Rating ** ½
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