The Reel Deal

Brolly / bivvy? Bivvy you asked for, correct. Go for the Armadillo, Aqua, save a few quid. Loads of room, zero condensation, porch space, up in a jiffy / down in a jiffy. One of the bigest bivvies on the market, expensive (don`t buy the Trakker unless you drive a Rolls Royce). Ever hear anyone complain about the Aqua Armadillo?

Banksticks....all the way. More versatile. Spread out your rods. Give it a try. OK, concrete, I`d use a pod, but then again, how often, these days do we fish off concrete?

Wonder what`s the ratio of catching carp to tench in the margins at Richworth Shimano Linear? Any of you guys fish there / fish the margins / what`s the chances?

You need a license to fish the River Shannon and it`s catchment area. Recently introduced and ignored by many local anglers. It`s a HOT issue.

Anyone fished it? Any tips? Going there soon. Cheers

Kryston`s Silkworm.

Crush your empties flat, brilliant! One fell swoop with the boot. I can now get a full tray of beer into my gut and the empties stashed in a regular plastic shopping bag.

A couple of miles up the road from Mohill is a village called Fenagh, and a few miles past that is Ballinamore. Drumlaheen lake outside Fenagh contains bream to double figures. It`s fairly accessible but BUT the near shoreline is strewn with snags. Good lake but the snags will do your head in. Outside Ballinamore is a lake called Bolganard and across the road, literally, is Corgar lake. Bolganard threw up the Irish record bream a few years ago to an English angler. It`s a hard water with a small head of big bream to over 12lbs and a good head of tench, like Corgar. I just spent the last three days there and didn`t get a touch. It`s a bit early maybe. Many lakes around this area all worth a go.

Got a few kilos off Haiths with a consignment of other stuff a couple of months back. A few of The "Hardened Carpers" over here said that CSL pellets are sh1te. I`ll take their advice and get Trouties next time. Try the Haiths website, it`s good. Postage is very reasonable to Ireland. Great selection.

Anyone know where I can get one?

Yeah, I do the eggshell business, never leave home without them. I heard once that once they hit the surface, they`re done. `suppose it depends on the Albumin content, no point in boiling the guts out of them if there isn`t alot/extra Albumin.

That`s what I thought, but I phoned Premier this morning and they said about two and a half minutes!!!!!!! I thought the 1 min would be OK, the guy said, it might dry hard but it will crumble like a dry biscuit. Longer boiling will "keep it together" for longer periods and will cast better. ?

Ran up a few kilos over the last few nights. Last night I gave them 2 minutes on the boil. Tonight I gave them 1 minute on the boil, a much smoother skin. Better or not. Anyone use them and if so how long to boil. I thought that if you boiled them too long (any boilie) you`ll denature them to an extent. Must be because the water thats left is full of flavour.

Was there last August Rob. We did well.

Game on! Have you fished Margot?

Try http://www.fishingwarehouse.co.uk/default1.asp There`s some stuff in there, in carp forums, use the search facility. Alot written about it but not much "meat on the bones", if you get my drift. Did you read Paisleys new book, Carp!, it mentions it quiet alot. I`m in the same boat as you as five of us are heading there in April.

2lb Powermesh I use for LD bream fishing, exactly the same problem. It will only tighten up on the reel at a half a turn at a time. Reel still "very" slightly loose. Throw a few rounds of black electrical tape around it if you`re leaving the reel on / made up. More irritating than a real hindrance.

Apparently about a guy setting up a Carp fishery in Brittany.

Actually, probably the best way to go about it is, to get the info. off Roy Parsons when you arrive, the head baliff. Just bring different baits and pre tied rigs or phone him up a week before you go and ask his advice on bait. Enter your e mail address on their Home Page to keep up to date with the Latest catches. [ 31. December 2002, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: The Reel Deal ]

Shakespeare rod holdall about three years ago, 6 foot job for three made up rods and three in bags. It must have been 5 foot 11 inches long, honest. Almost had to bend the rods to get them in.

Are you after Carp or Tench? Are the methods the same, i.e., if fishing for carp will you catch tench and visa versa.

Anyone bought one of these? Good bivvy lights? I`ve checked the Traser site and they sound ok.

Condensation might be a problem, as with all single skinners, but then again, the door doesn`t close all the way. I`ll have it!

4oz or 6oz Nylon flysheet? If it was in camo it would really sell.