Bivvies, Shelters & Brollies

First impressions of this gazebo-type shelter are not immediately conducive to stopping you in your tracks and making you dash out to your nearest Avid stockist to buy one. However, once you look at how it works and open your mind to the possibilities, it becomes more and more impressive. With four side panels, each with a full central zip, you basically park it over up to four bivvies to create a large shelter, compete with communal area for socials, extra gear or just that added space and comfort. We saw this one with two bivvies at a 90-degree angle to each other and immediately imagined how useful it would be to the hordes of anglers who fish as pairs at venues like Linear.

A few years ago Aqua, the top bivvy and shelter manufacturer, launched its Aqua Brolly System, a 55in umbrella system that offered anglers a more compact alternative to the usual 60in versions. This brolly serviced the mobile-angler market, as well as those who appreciated the ease of use and versatility of a brolly, but who didn’t want the bulk of the bigger models. It seemed the perfect scenario. However, the brolly only came as a ‘system’, complete with infill panels and groundsheet, and this almost contradicted the original needs of the intended market.

Pack of ten super lightweight, yet strong, bivvy pegs that reduce the weight of one of the heavier items in the modern carp anglers’ bag. Come complete in dedicated roll. RRP: £14. 99For more information go to: www.

The word Titan has always been synonymous with super-strong bivvies from Nash. The unique spreader-block system and the resulting angle of the poles provide ultimate rigidity and impressive internal space. What’s more, the aerodynamic shape, consistent throughout the range, helps ensure that they will never be uprooted. An evolution of the original Titan bivvy, this new all-season brolly version has a slightly smaller footprint, in mind of it being usable in even the smallest of swims.

The single biggest disadvantage with a brolly is that the inner support frame compromises the internal space. Sitting on your bedchair and watching the water generally means that you either have to suffer backache or sit as far forward as possible. That’s fine in the summer, but not great in the rain. The standout feature of the Supa Brolly is its unique STS mechanism.

Comprehensive two-man, peaked-front, pram-hood-style bivvy made from 5000HH material and lightweight aluminium poles for lightness and speed of use. Includes heavy-duty carry bag, groundsheet and chunky pegs. For more information go to www. ultimate-direct.

Sadly, given the inclement conditions over the time that this shelter was first here for testing, I have only been able to do one night under it, and used it for a couple of short, afternoon sessions. I will put that right by using it a couple more times over the spring and, all being well, report back. From what I have experienced so far, this is an improvement on the original Groundhog and this can be seen in many key areas. The material remains drum-tight in cold conditions and there’s plenty of room underneath what is, essentially, a luxury brolly-type shelter but with all the bells and whistles.