Marryat Tactical Bombarde Review

Light and Powerful

Our expert Allan Liddle has shared with us his thoughts on the Marryat Tactical Bombarde.

 

Based in Moray in Scotland’s North East, Allan has specialises with the wild trout from the rivers and burns, lochs and lochans throughout Mainland Scotland and the Isles. A strong passion for fishing simple dries he feels there’s nothing better than to see the fish take off the top, but isn’t slow to fish a range of different styles when mood or conditions dictate. Although trout is his first love Allan occasionally chases the Salmon, Grayling stocked fish and even dabbles in salt water when the chance arises.

Allan has also represented Scotland at international level, is a GAIA qualified trout instructor and a has been a regular contributor to Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Magazine for almost twenty years.

 

When heading north to the beautiful and dramatic Faroe Islands last August I requested if possible to trial the new Tactical “Bombarde” 10’ #7 with a view to seeking out sea trout in the stream mouths and sea pools, which led to a real test on the rod right off the bat.

To say it handled this well would be a bit of an understatement, to be honest it fitted the bill perfectly; powerful enough to handle all the situations and conditions it faced, yet light and responsive enough to loose nothing from the fishing experience, including the all-important bit when you need to play / land a fish as lively as a salt water living wild sea trout.

But this would only be part of the test with the weather offering the strong winds we’re used to up here a bit of ‘line punching’ was required which the rod handled well.

From here I have used it from the boat chasing wild browns where it proved responsive enough not to distract from a style where I’d normally fish something a bit lighter (#4 or #5) as well as on our stocked residents where it passed with flying colours.

At first I was a little surprised to find the action a bit deeper than I was expecting leading to a slower casting action more in tune with my lighter rods.

Marryat Technical Bombarde

Photos supplied Allan Liddle

However working the rod harder with single and double hauls on the line easily tightens loops and effortlessly adds distance when required.  Initially I ‘underlined’ the rod with a #6 floating line but the “Bombarde” was still a joy to use and as responsive as I’d hoped.

Working on the heavier side and over-lining allowed me to feel the strength of the blank  and again the rod handled this with ease offering enough backbone not only to handle the lines during the cast, but also when on (or more importantly) under the water.

Beautifully finished with a good sized ‘fighting butt’ excellent quality cork with little in the way of any filler, ceramic stripping ring and timber effect offering contrast to the green coloured metal reel fittings (which matches the rest of the blank colour perfectly) the “Bombarde” is both pleasing on the eye as well as through the ‘feel’.  Finally coming as a four section rod with an excellent square cordura covered, reinforced case it fits easily into the car boot as well as perfectly onto my travel kit for the flight north.

Marryat Technical Bombarde

If you are looking for a new rod and this one sounds like your fit you can buy below. Free delivery and in the event of a problem with your order we offer a full money back guarantee.

Marryat Tactical Bombard – Stillwater fishing on lakes and reservoirs, especially if you’re in a competition, requires the use of different types of lines (floating, midge-tip, intermediate and sinking).

Over the years Marryat designers have discussed these variables with many fishermen who all faced similar problems – how to switch between floating and sinking lines with the same rod and still be able to cast effectively …