Tackle Reviews

Welcome to our tackle review page.

We would like to review any items of tackle or fishing equipment you are currently using and can recommend to your fellow anglers.

Please send your reviews to

Peter Hartley has kindly volunteered to produce the first review. The "SCOTTIE" fly tying vice and base made by S & J Tackle [Scottie Rods]

The Scottie Fly Vice

I have tried a few fly tying vices in my time. A long spell of tying traditional salmon flies resulted in the purchase of a very expensive Renzetti vice. This is a true rotary vice as it can turn the hook through 360 degrees in its own plane, and is very useful for a full inspection of the 'other' side of the fly. However the installation of the hook is a fiddly business.

Not a problem with the new 'Scottie' vice now on my bench. This is a lever action vice. Insert the hook and release the lever. Simple. Once the hook is in the jaws it will not move. It is very easy and quick to use. If you want to tie flies on a production basis, then this is the vice to use. I understand many pro fly tyers are impressed. The head of the vice has a 360 degree rotation, though not in the same plane. Flies can easily be accessed and worked upon from both sides .I have always used a table clamp to attach the vice. The 'Scottie' vice comes with a very substantial weighted base. You will not want to drop it on your foot.

I have been converted! The vice will not move during use and you have the added bonus of not harming the dining room table

The 'Scottie' vice is very well engineered and is made by one of our members! John Weaver of Harrow. If you want to talk to him about the vice call him on 020 8422 2869

Peter Hartley.

Eagle 245DS portable Fish finder

Not everyone will find a need for a fish finder but they are a most useful bit of kit.

I do quite a bit of fly fishing for Pike and Zander and a good fish finder can really give

you an edge. Structure is usually the key to finding fish, but Grafham has remarkably

little, so I use mine as a fish finder.

Depth capability to 1,000 ft* (305 m)
Compact 83/200 Dual-Search Skimmer® transducer with dual beams producing up to 120 degrees of fish finding coverage - includes built-in temp sensor
Patented GRAYLINE® separates fish from nearby structure and bottom
Advanced Fish I.D.™ shows underwater targets in different sizes of fish symbols
FishTrack™ displays target depth readings above fish symbols
Surface water temperature readings come from a built-in temp sensor in the transducer