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Review by Steve Stayner of:

The Chimera Barbel

11.5ft, two piece, Snag/floodwater rod.  

(Also Note New additions...12' Chimera Specialist No1 1 1/2lb, And Chimera Specialist No2  1 3/4lb)

Do you have total confidence in your choice of rod for snag-swim Barbel fishing? If not, then you probably ignore those swims that you know are infested with anything from boulders or lumps of concrete, to every other permanent snag of the immovable kind. As for the Barbel that may dwell in such areas, these are often huge. But, whilst they may be occasionally hooked, there’s also a likelihood that these bigger specimens have yet to be landed.

   For some strange reason, this type of swim often appears irresistible to the under-gunned angler; the kamikaze that seemingly derives a kind of perverted pleasure from allowing every Barbel they hook to regain sanctuary among the snags. This common misdeed often results from using an over-forgiving rod, and perhaps is better described as under-compensation.

   Many anglers recognising the error of their ways will yield to the temptation of the opposite extreme by changing to a rod with a much stiffer action. Consequently, by over-compensating, they begin to suffer hook-pulls.

   Speaking as an angler who derives most of his Barbel angling pleasure from successfully fishing such areas, I feel that it’s a very fine line that strikes the perfect balance between the two actions. Moreover, I used to believe that such a perfect rod would forever be a fantastic product of the imagination – a chimera!

   Enter the very aptly named Chimera Barbel rod, manufactured by the leaders in rod-blank technology Harrison Advanced Rods.

   Again, Dr Steve Harrison is at the forefront of rod design. For not only has he developed what is possibly the strongest, most powerful Big Barbel rod on the market, he has done it with cunning ingenuity by using two new types of woven fabric, 1K and 3K plain weave. Combined with high modulus UD carbon, the structure creates an astounding power to weight ratio.

   As you may have guessed, because of using these top-secret fibres this is a Harrison with a different appearance. On this particular rod, the rather more familiar unground, dark grey finish gives way to a more HiTech, black patterned and lacquered appeal – quite stunning it is too! And if you’re sold on a rod’s looks – then with its 10 SIC guides, Fuji IPS winch reel fitting, attractive 23in split cork and duplon handle, and complementary black and silver whippings – the Chimera’s the one for you.

   Those who are sold on a rod’s infinitely more important performance won’t be disappointed either; for the Chimera is blessed with an authoritative action, purposely designed to stop any Big Barbel in its tracks – And it works!

   The combined application of the woven fabrics offers high strength over high modulus, giving the Chimera a progressive, yet compound taper leading to enormous reserves of power in the 3K enhanced butt section. The slightly faster tapered tip section of the rod makes for extremely rapid and sure striking. The strengthening 1K plain fabric, incorporated two thirds of the way up this section, also offers the confidence to lob-cast 4-5 oz of combined terminal weight for those high floodwater conditions that the Chimera’s also recommended for.

   Sadly, amongst all this praise comes a small gripe about the rather slim diameter and inadequate length of the duplon fitting at the front end of the reel seat. This is common to a few rods nowadays, but in my opinion does not offer the claimed arm strain reducing comfort that I feel is so essential for playing and landing Big Barbel. The good news is that Dr Harrison is considering my suggestion of a more shapely, hand and arm-friendly fitting.

   At £149.99, the Chimera’s not the cheapest Big Barbel stopper on the market. Nevertheless, just as with any other Harrison rod; with a performance second to none, you always get a heck of a lot more than you pay for.

   My Chimera verdict: A powerhouse of a snag and floodwater rod offering the very latest in manufacturing technology, style, creative ingenuity and performance, and it’s one that I feel certain will outperform any comparable rod currently available. The two nifty little Enterprise Tackle beta-light fittings that also come supplied offer a most practical and welcome additional touch. 

Steve Stayner

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