I have been using the Hydrolink hooklink from Rigmarole for a good while now and have become a big fan, it is nice to find a company that innovates rather than copies other products.
Hydrolink has a stiff fluro inner with a supple braided outer, a multitude of different rigs can be tied. Stiff rigs and hinged combi links are some of the favourites. I have been using Hydrolink to tie my version of the withy pool rig and it performs really well. The inner can be teased through the braid covering and cut to form a neat and effective hinge point. The Hydrolink is now available in a camo version which I shall be using on occasions.
WYCHWOOD SUPERLIGHT RECLINER
Thank goodness, gone are the days when if you wanted to take a seat with you on a session you had to compromise on comfort in favour of keeping the weight down. I have recently started to use the Superlight Recliner from Wychwood and weighing in at an impressive 4.9kg it is light enough to add to the mountain of tackle that we all seem to take as well as making an ideal day only chair. The frame on the Superlight is the key to its light weight credentials, it is made from aluminium and is strong and well constructed something that at 6’ 4’’ and 18 stone is important to me. The back is adjustable along with the legs which can be altered with ease using one hand. The seating area is generous and extremely comfortable this is helped by the fact that it is well padded and elasticated. As with all items in the Wychwood range the overall quality is very good and represents great value for money.
WYCHWOOD MAXIMISER CARRYALL
I am the owner of two of these brilliant carryalls; it has to be one of the most practical bags on the market. All the tackle needed can be carried in the padded main compartment, including scales, camera equipment etc. In one of the end pockets I carry the kettle and stove and in the other the gas and tea/coffee. One of the best features of this particular carryall is the separate compartment for a tackle box on the top, this enables quick, easy access to everything that is needed when first setting up and due to the semi rigid frame of the carryall makes an excellent table when in the bivvy. The carryall comes complete with the Wychwood large tackle box, I have however started to use the tackle box with the built in rig board as this is a great piece of kit. The bag as with the other items in the Maximiser range is of a very good quality, this includes the fittings, something that lets many alternative products down. This is a product that is seriously worth considering if you are looking for a well sized, practical carryall.
VENTURE RAZORBACK
I have recently bought the new Razorback bivvy system from VENTURE and thought that I would write a short review. The shelter offers everything that I require, it is very light weight and quick to erect with several different permutations as to the way it is used. I particularly like the way in which the attached sides as well as the detachable front panel can be rolled up offering different degrees of cover/visibility. I bought the optional overwrap which converts the shelter from an excellent short session/overnight bivvy into an ideal longer session home. There are several nice design features that show just how much thought has gone into its production, these are things like the hooks inside that are ideal for lights or wet coats etc as well as the velcro rod retaining straps on the outside of the bivvy either side of the door, this feature is also on the overwrap which shows a lot of thought.
I would highly recommend the Venture Razorback to anyone looking for an all round shelter of considerable quality.
