Chris Plumb's Blog

Aw, Chris. I had pretty much the same evening at Alders on Tuesday. I'm curious to hear how the over-70's match went earlier on the day of your visit.

I read somewhere that artificial corn/maggots etc are left alone by the dreaded crays. Any thoughts?

Never tried artificial maggots - and don't think I have much confidence - like to think a bit of wriggling attracts the fish. And yes I'd be interested too - though I paniced when I pulled into the car park that the match was on still - car park was rammed - thankfully someone was just leaving and was able to jump into their space. All of them were for Willows - I was the only one on Alders! Twas a bright day yesterday so conventional wisdom would suggest the match might have been won with low weights!

I had the same car park experience on Tuesday (though there were 2 others fishing Alders) 

I've no faith in dead maggots (which presumably don't wriggle!) yet they are said to be fab. I've caught quite a few carp/tench on artificial corn on the method feeder, or using the real stuff as loose feed on the float. I suspect they pop-up which I guess makes them either more or less attractive to fish depending on your view. They are easy to hair rig with a bayonet too. I suppose like any bait, it's down to what you have confidence in. I also soak them in a flavouring, but a bit like you with your garam masala in with the maggots, I'm not sure it actually makes any difference, or even sticks as it hits the water, but it helps me have faith. 

I stayed until 10pm on Tuesday and had no issues with the crays (nor the fish after 9pm), but that could just be coincidence.