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Not forgetting the ubiquitous jolly green giant, which can always be eaten by the angler !!

Happy New year for the remaining/surviving dinosaurs.

25 years? I was a bit later in joining a mere 19 years ago. I've looked in a few times, but only just found my password. I was saddened to read of the passing of some of the old regulars, but none of us are getting any younger. I haven't fished for just over a year, having been diagnosed with poly myalgia back in February. My legs just gave way one morning, and I ended up at a&e. Been on a reducing dose of steroids since, and still got about six months to go before I finish the course. Before that I still went fishing but my refusal to fish the over stocked carp waters has limited the waters available. I'm hoping to get back on the bank in the new year, my grandson has been nattering me to take him. It's sad that the site has diminished so much over the last few years, but it always had a niche membership, and that's what always appealed to me, being a bit old school. Anyway take care all, and I'll look in again, now I've remembered my password. (That is if I don't forget it again) John

Blimey, has it been that long? I'm in Kent now, we've got a small campsite and a cactus nursery. Can't get out fishing as Mrs isn't very well and can't sit on a beach for long. She's not too keen on eating fish that have been living in sewage either Kids are all grown up now, still in touch with my youngest. Although we live in the middle of the county we can just see the North Sea from the bottom of the garden. Spend my days growing veg (and cacti) and listening to Radio Caroline. I have 2 Youtube channels, Ziggy's Cactus Channel and Ziggy's Coast and Countryside. Neither of them make any money Just bought a Beehive

Hi Martin, I forgot my latest password and the ‘Forgot your password?’ function wasn’t working properly; but I found my new password on a scrap of paper in the back of a drawer and finally I managed to get back in. Looking forward to being able to post again at last. Keith

Concur with what's been said - I've tried plastic maggots and grubs and had very limted success with them - and will only resort to them if I'm getting totally murdered by - say bleak or minnows. But why not try worms? - easy to acquire and theres not a fish that swims that won't take one!

Eh' up fellas, the "thinking angler" here (as coined by Ian. lol) I've made this Cupping cup which screws into the landing net handle when I don't take my Pole. The thread is a length of 3/8" BSF, screwed bar I "Borrowed" from work, but You could use 3/8" wood dowel (screwed in & out with the Electric Drill, till you can do it by hand) and won't damage the Nut ! The Cup is an "AMBI PUR", air fresher cap and the Ideal size - like a Proper 'un.

Boy what a talent ,couldnt grasp why he polished a tiny bit then realised what it was. https://youtu.be/3jneYK7xebc?si=NAusEmBJcHVHtUmb

Pretty much the same as you Elton, albeit not rooting around barns looking for old cars, and my son is 22yrs old but mentally still wearing me out.

The wife wore a sexy black Negligee for bed last night - I could see right through to her Cardi'.

A friend said that he thought my posting about Amity was just being a proud grandfather. Then he listened to Amity's first single, Bite Me. He said it wasn't just good but PHENOMENAL (his capitals). Amity won the final of Futuremakers for young singer/songwriters at the Royal Albert Hall, and is back there for a solo show in the Elgar Room on Tuesday July 15th. Tickets are just £10 direct from the Royal Albert Hall website. He's being hailed as "the next Adele", so his future performances won't be so inexpensive!

Amity sold out the Elgar Room Amity at the Royal Albert Hall and the standing ovation just went on and on and on......... Amity's now taking this show to the Durham Festival next week. Details at https://durhamfringe.co.uk/events/bite-me/ He's also doing a solo show at the Durham Festival. See https://durhamfringe.co.uk/performances ... the-brink/

Not imitation grubs but; I’ve just sent off for some VMC 7237B Light Inline Single Barbless hooks in sizes 10; 8 & 6 so that I can change the hooks on some very small plugs that I bought for catching some Chub; to single. Hooks, something I’ve been promising myself for a long time. The next time you see them they’ll have single hooks. Let’s just hope the chub like them. Keith

25 years have passed since this site launched and I think it's fair to say, like me, it's past its prime What are you all up to these days? My life has taken me on a different course, dragging old cars out of barns, mostly. I've got a 'late surprise' 7-year old son to keep me worn out, too. I've done barely any fishing. I really need to sort it. I miss the escapism so much.

For about 20 years, I had a chap coming to my place with the thought of catching a 4lb eel. About 8 years ago he was diagnosed with a terminal cancer, and survived longer than anyone else had with that type of 'the big C'. Last Summer, I told him I had lost what I thought must be an eel, short run and then solid, three times in the same place. He set up one night, casting to near where I had been snapped and caught one that weighed 5lb 6oz, his PB. He died 2 months later, but I got him his PB eel! Still getting eels caught from time to time!

Since I last posted on here I caught a nice 27lb 2oz Ghost Carp from the Estate lake (See pic) Unfortunately at the start of next year this estate lake is to be no more as the lake is being half filled in and is to be built around, so after at least 75 to 80 years at least our club is having to give up the lease. At least both my son and I have had some very nice Carp up to 27lb plus from it; plus we some nice Tench up to 8lb and some very nice memories going back to 1978 when I first joined the club. It’s a real shame as about 15 years ago I was awarded a lifetimes free membership to the club for services rendered to the club over the years Keith

Told this story before ,I was fishing down Folkestone warren (sea fishing the ponds long gone) A local (I spotted him on his bike earlier from the campsite we were camping on as I looked at the state of the tide) walked over from the next spot who I had noticed kept recasting every few minutes but didn't appear to be using lures etc. What bait are you using mate he says noticing me unhooking a dreaded dog fish . "Lug and squid on this rod " I said "OH" he says" you want to try these they're great down here" Obviously the fact I was considerably older than him and had fished down there longer than he lived didn't occur to him,he obviously thought I was a newbie or gullible ? "What is this miracle bait " I asked He held out a crumpled bag of those haribo sour worm things "bloody brilliant" he says "How much have you caught "I asked "Nothing ,not a bite " he said I didn't bother to question the logic behind his life choices and just said OK thanks for the advise He went back to his spot ,casted every few minutes no doubt to replace his miracle bait that's dissolved into nothing then left just as it started to get dark which of course is the best time to start unless your lure fishing down there .Perhaps he found a better use for them like eating them just like I would . So just like the topic in question everything is viable in "artificial" baits and like the chaps choice so long ago I have only ever caught using artificial "grubs" when your throwing real maggots around the hooked artificial ,I presume they work in the rush to grab the offerings or are accidentally hoovered up by bottom feeders feeding on maggots on the bottom .As an alone bait I have caught nothing on them and I have tried many in desperation on those hot sticky days when nothing else works .Never understood fake worms though they don't wriggle and the real version are under your feet or a rotten branch . Not saying they don't work but I think it's unusual they do and not the first thing that pops into my head when bread is on the list which I have found catches everything inc predators no doubt grabbing it as a involitary response to something moving in the corner of their eye Not saying maties miracle bait hasn't worked either I have caught fish on bare hooks when they were gold plated and sparkled in the water but as a regular bait that's worked regularly I much doubt it. Artificial baits are a moot point flies work great when your fly fishing but stick one under a float and all changes ,I think your "artificial" has to show a semblance of reality to work ,artificial worms and maggots don't wriggle but nor do dead ones or real or fake casters so there's something fish sense we don't that determines if you catch I think ,perhaps what looks real to us isn't that real to fish Take mackerel feathers for instance ,cast them in and your lucky to catch ,jiggle them about and your catching ,both exactly the same thing but acting differently ,acting more naturally looking like what the fish expect them to look like

Imitation grubs don't really work on their own, as said, OK with lives if the fish are grubbing around. Corn meat and above all bread will all catch, and of course worm.

My grandson Amity has just turned 18 and his first single was released yesterday. The distributors, who release 50,000 singles per year, say Bite Me has achieved in less than 24 hours the best reception they've ever had in their history, and is being streamed all over the world. You can listen to Bite Me on all the usual channels including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Here's a link to make it easier to download Bite Me from the major players: https://kycker.ffm.to/biteme Warning: it's catchy and a bit of an earworm! The saddest thing is that my wife who unexpectedly died a few weeks ago has missed the launch. The chances of an unknown artist's first single being a hit are very remote. However, with exponential growth, you never know! So can I please ask you to download it and pass this onto everyone you know. Many thanks.

Yes i went back to basics a decade or so ago and found it very refreshing ,long gone are boxes on wheels transporting stuff you never use (i remember a trip back from sea fishing with a box a big bag and a huge rod bag and found the train from folkestone to bromley had been substituted for a great deal of the trip by a double decker and i had to take the lot upstairs as the bottom was full .A truly bad trip) Now if i cannot cram it all in my pockets and a small cross body bag it doesnt go .What do you really need , hooks ,shot ,bait ,disgorger or forceps and a few floats or ledgers and such and thats it ,i dont even go for that long i need food but i have a stainless 1ltr bottle for a drink on a strap and the rod and landing net in my hand .

The book is going to be called Doing it Differently: Perch, Wingham and More. I've set up a website at www.doingitdifferently.co.uk where there's an email link so that you can contact me. I'll put more on the website in due course.

Wishing all those who occasionally drop by Anglersnet a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Merry Christmas to you all and your nearest and dearest.

Same to all, keeping the numbers up

A Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year when it comes. With so few on here it feels like we're all 'ghosts of Christmas past' John

The same to you Ken and the rest of "Ye Merry Gentlemen"

The contrarians here sir as always a bundle of fun and gas

Ah, those will be lei lines

Harris Lake - Marsh Farm fishery, Milford. 0600 - 2245 Warm with bright sunshine for most of the day - clouding over somewhat for the last 3-4 hours of daylight (thankfully!) AT, a chilly 5ºC when I arrived, highs of around 24ºC and 16ºC when I drove off a little after a 11pm. 12 Tench. Various sizes over 2lb with 4 over 4lb - biggest 5lb 12oz. 2 Crucians; both pounders though not by a lot. A doz roach and rudd - mainly rudd with sizes ranging from tiny up to a rudd of 14oz. Annual get together of the IAC and it was great to see faces old and new and remember those that are no longer with us. Today would have been Paul's 65th birthday hence why I chose it for the date of the 10th crucian fish-in. I think most folks caught 'something' with quite a few tench showing , biggest I heard of was Geoff's tinca of 6lb 8oz. The goal though is to get a crucian as the trophy goes to the biggest one caught and they were noticeable by their absence - unless you were in Peg 37. Alex drew this peg and put us all to shame by catching no fewer than 18 crucians - the only one out of 16 anglers to get one! His biggest was a modest 1lb 8oz so Alex wins the trophy for a 2nd time with a fish just half as big as his 2019 win. I caught mainly roach and rudd but fished on with Gary after everyone else had left and eventually manged to winkle out a couple of crus amongst the plethora of tench. Gary managed a 2lb 3oz warrior literally last cast (we agreed to pack up at 1045pm so as to be on the road home by 1100pm and he had this fish at 2243!) Here's to next year - and I might bring my own signs this time to say the lake is booked (I had to kick off 4 interlopers, as whilst the booking was on the match calendar on the website it wasn't on the fishery noticeboard!) My biggest.

Very sad news to hear, I never met him personally but i did flog him a good number of Porcie' floats a couple of times ! My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Johns family and friends.

Hi Keith, well fished, both of you. Btw, my club mate won our Match at Tollerton with 398Lb, Mugging 'em on the Top on Pole. 2nd got over 200Lb and Me (nearly last but not quite with 35Lb 6oz, but had a lovely days fishing with Barbel of a pound or so, Pastie size Carp & Bream.

Sorry Keith, Thought I'd put 'em in my bag, but they were still sitting on our worktop when I got home - Next Match in a fortnight - 29th !!

25 years! I remember you contacting me about the fishing database before the site even started. Happy days Now, health problems mean I haven't been fishing for years, though I live in hope of visiting the local park pond sometime in the near future. I've been away from here for too long, but am back now

Ey Up fellas, Here's a Hook Keeper I did on 4 of my Rods in about an Hour !! Photo' shows all stages in one Pic' - Ladies Hair Grip, then bent and cut, then Hot Glued to the blank. The wire leg, goes Flat when cut. You Could Whip it on of course, but It's going "Nowhere" with the hot glue And, a quick job !! Maybe a bit of black paint or "Sharpie" now ?? Like, the 2nd Pic' under this one.

Can't say I have ever done more than a quick paddle in warm water and some of my tackle is ancient . I don't like sprays it could taint the reel so you taint your bait when you use your reel .Not sure about bicarb it's alkaline as is salt water so it's not countering the salt and I know nothing counters bait orders even febreze is in fear of them Plastic reels are pretty immune ,chrome is attacked from behind and stainless depends on the type and quality of stainless so if salt water doesn't get inside to Ali components reels are pretty robust to the elements .Sand is your enemy especially if it finds grease to hide in .

I used it yesterday to refix an armoured cable to my wall ,the original plastic fixings were getting cracks .You can get single hole clamps and position the nail in the center of the brick I think using the two hole versions would split the brick . Boy it's loud lol

The ones supplied (20 rolls so will see me out) seem ok ,they should break if the stems get to thick and by then the plants branches will be supporting the main stem on the cross canes .I start with a 4 pole pyramid then join all 8 plants together lenghtwise then front to back .This lets me put hooks on each fruiting stem supporting the weight from the cross cane above Seen this shed guy hes a little overenthusiastic for my taste but his shed is better than mine i cannot see my bench i have more stuff that can fit ,you move something and theres no where to put it down again . Lidl stuff is ok and fairly priced but its a grocers not a tool merchants so have little idea what they actually sell customer service is a joke they didnt even know their rechargeable 9v batteries were actuallly 7.2v and in a machine that thinks 8.5v batteries are dead disapointing Another time a glue gun was advertised as working unplugged with a internal battery .It didnt so i told them and they insisted it did so i stripped it down and sent them a picture of the thing and told them to point out the battery .All went quiet so i did it 3 times their response was " misunderstanding the makers instructions translation" and i can return it ,no recal, no change of the advertising ,no appologies for lying to the world

I think a great number died of covid because it saved a great deal of paperwork and time to find the real cause . I still find it appalling people can be injured and go to hospital with a pretty mild injury but die from 'complications ' you are probably safer on many occasions to be left alone and kept away from hospital . I spent a great deal of time and money avoiding catching covid all through the pandemic yet caught it in hospital after suffering a nose bleed that wouldnt stop as i am on blood thinners because the waiting room was full of sick people . Victorians had hospitals that segregated 'broken ' people from sick people but we closed them ,go in with a broken leg come out with swamp fever ! Onr of my visits the doctor asked what i the apointment was about i said i dont know you made it! Now we predict the doctor will request BP reports and glucose reports so we do them email them in so he has to deal there and then ,its hard enough to get apointments as it is going home to do bp results THEN get another apointment to be prescibed some new pill is time consuming and expensive my mrs is on crutches and the bus stop a mile away so its £15 each way then a bus each way just to fobbed off. On a completely different tangent but its about 'broken' things ,my mrs had a small fit while opening the freezer ,she pulled out the drawer which fell on the floor (old ones didnt do that ,bloody progress!) anyway it broke a chunk out the handle and cracked the side so i looked for a new one £100 quid for a bit of ****ing plastic ! Thats a third of the freezers original cost ffs. Had to bodge it so put a strip of 3mm aluminium at the back of the long handle and a bit of white plastic along the front to hide the cracks where it was glued back together .scratched my head how to make it nice not only for fingers pulling on the handle but to make it safe as a pop rivet would work but have a sharp bit in a hard to get to bit and nuts would stick out aswell .Chicago bolts ... Brilliant ,but of difficulty getting them in from behind but once in looked brilliant and neat. Waiting for a stainless version coming from china but the cheap ones fine for the moment .the side was reinforced with a stainless 90 degree bracket with 5mm chicago bolts ,chesters aint going to waste money on something thats hidden 99% of its life! The freezer some hotpoint bit of crap has neen repaired twice in its short life but its designer needs shooting ,the two top flats just rest in place so if your packing has something just pointing out a fractions theres a great chance as you close the door it fals down just as you push it closed and you crack the hinges ,done both so far ,more bodging ! Our 66 year old fridge has one crack on its freezer section door and that was there when we bought it ,****ing progress!

Yes Ian, you may well be correct ? But, thinking it at least makes a good place to start from, and yes, I'm still loving and using my ancient Grice & Young's, Speedia and "Leeds" Pins.

what a splendid perch and would not have expected it from that venue

Kennet & Avon Canal & River Kennet backstream - Colthrop 0730 - 1400 Mild and overcast with occasional light showers. AT 14ºC. River quite pacey with a tinge of colour. 6 Chub (!) 5lb 6oz, 5lb 1oz, 4lb 11oz, 4lb 8oz, 4lb 4oz, 3lb 13oz. 7 Roach: all hand-sized. 3 Perch: all c6-8oz. 4 Brownies; 4lb 6oz (yes I actually weighed it!), 2 'pounders' and a parr. Another recce session - started off on a stretch of the canal I've never fished before hoping to find some decent perch. 2 hours later and with just 3 modest stripeys to show for my efforts I moved back upstream to the river proper to again fish some new swims in the hunt for chub. Third swim I dropped into I hit the jackpot! Really nice stamp of fish - all in mint condition and all from surprisingly fast water - which meant I also lost a couple (one of which I'm pretty sure was a big trout). Rested the spot twice for ½-¾hr each time and had fish almost immediately when I returned after each hiatus. Definitely a spot I shall be revisiting this winter! Biggest of the morning.

Warwick's Water - Thatcham 1800 - 2230 Warm and clear - with quite a stiff SE breeze - great for keeping the mozzies away! AT 21ºC - 16ºC 3 Tench: 5lb 12oz, 4lb 12oz, 3lb 3oz. Summer is giving us a last hurrah this week so it was back to my new favourite tench water (but still secretly hoping for a big perch!). Got off to the best of possible starts - was wondering why my float wouldn't cock when I made my first cast then realised it was skating across the surface of the pond - the smaller tench having snaffled my lob on the drop! A good omen for a good session but I would have to wait over 3 hours for my next bite and whilst my swim was bathed in sunshine for my opening tench the lake was illuminated by the Harvest super moon for my second - the 5lber - which fought more like a bream on diazepam! Not so my final tench of the evening - a very feisty male which I did well to extract from the lilies. So an end to a fabulous summer evenings' tenching on this water - kept up my average of 3 per session - but where are those fabled big stripeys?

So, Huw Edwards received a six Month jail sentence, suspended for 2 years. He was found to be in possession of "Explicit Abuse Images" of Children under the age of 7. What else has he really done ? That's Saville & Glitter stuff in my book !! Yet another, BBC Whitewash ? (He must have been "Sharing" & very probably, also taken a bullet for someone else within that establishment)

Shouldn't they be "ethnic minority" maggots rather than "black"?