lutra

Looking at that link again, its a bit small that one. The one I use is about 16" round and made by browning. The maggot bags tigger uses are great if you are using just one dry bait, but for multiple kinds and especially wet ones (hemp, mash, groundbait,....) I use my bowl when trotting. Can also be handy on a big river if you tie your maggot bag to the end of the string and put some pebbles in the bag as an anchor. This means you can get out for a pee and a brew and come back to exactly the same spot/line.

Collapsible water bowls make great bait rafts and you can get loads of stuff in one. Just tie some string to it and the other end to you. Don't matter how deep the water or how hard the river bed and they are light and can just be stuffed in your bag. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trakker-NEW-Collapsible-Fishing-Water-Bucket-Bowl-/2 e31115496727?pt=UK_SportingGoods_FishingAcces_RL&hash=item35cf8e9d17

I agree with all that John. I think DRS is a good thing, but don't see why they can't all have it whenever they want.

Did seem like someone was a bit quick on the red flag button, but it was in the wet with a lot of spray two bends from the finish with the clock run out. Don't think the man on the button was to know what was going to happen with the spun car and he could easily have done the right thing by hitting the button.

I'm not sure how line ratings are tested Ian. Wouldn't think its an indication of what can be lifted off the floor or swung to hand. If you run out of rods to swing barbel to hand come the start of the river season, don't come knocking on my door.

Think your learning more about the action of match rods rather than their power. I don't know all the rods you list Ian, but the only really difference I find between the Titan and the Avenger is the Avenger has more power down in the butt. The tops of the rods are almost the same and I tend to fish them both with the same hook length. I just find it a tad easier to get a good fish in the net with the Avenger.

Its not very clear if the EA had any hand in the removal or the decision to remove the fish, but after reading that I would "urge all those who value the future of angling" not to report anything to their council or the EA.

Lots of lakes, loughs and lochs that i fish are free. Going on a roach reccy soon to a large free loch. Might get a big bag of huge red fins or might need a trip to a commercial when i get back just to remember what a fish looks like. Nice one Rudd. At least it wasn't wall to wall f1's and/or small carp.

I think Dickie wants you to loose all your crucians and get seen off by any better fish. Go with a 6 (8 max) and tie your bung in a foot long loop so the last foot is double and will give you a fighting chance with any better fish. You will be surprised what you can land with a bit of patience.

The major (and perpetual) challenge for me is a two-pound roach But as Gozzer will tell you, there are countless roach out there weighing exactly 1 lb 14 oz (or in his case 1 lb 13 oz) Other challenges are catching new UK species, but with 105 already on my UK list, it gets more and more difficult. I would like to catch a salmon in Wales - have caught them in Ireland, Scotland and England and would like to complete the set - I have access to a Welsh salmon river this year, so fingers crossed. Best of luck with the welsh salmon Dave. Its my missing salmon as well, but if its the same as trout, when you have been round the countries you need to finish on a bulls eye with a manx one. I've watch a few there and toyed with having a go.

If we were playing top trumps Keith, my only hope would be that over all length got picked. This thing weighs about 500gms and has a naff action. Like a stiff tip stuck on a telegraph pole and most of the bending seems to happen about a quarter the way down from the tip. I wouldn't like to give it to much stick, but should be fun to have a bit of a play with.

Yes thats the one, M1200, Map, Dave Harrell, Carptek, power bolo. The bottom two sections are lockable and sliding to give it its multi length. I did wonder about trying to shorten it while playing a fish, but didn't think it would be possible as its a good reach up the rod to the first section and might not want to move with a bend in the rod from a fish. Can't see why you couldn't trot with it. It has good stand off eyes. The old ebay link below is of one that has been used for trotting. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEkQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FMAP-CARPTEK-M1200-Dave-Harrell-5-7-5mtr-Bolo-rod-%2F280668420556&ei=zj81U8GJIMGS7Ab_nYD4BA&usg=AFQjCNFMXkG9a4ocKiJycYIwNzUWSL7ORQ&sig2=26GA1e6q7Xsp216MtXNPMA&bvm=bv.63808443,d.ZGU

I'd forgotten about the moon walk landing procedure for long rods.

Thats it then John, I'll send the closed season in the gym.

No it doesn't make much difference if your line is on the water or not, it will kite either way when you hold back.

Yes interesting floats them Ian, I've played with them and even tried to make my own. They do work, but because you need to hold back quite hard to make them kite, you often need to fish a heavy one (10 - 20g) to keep your bait down. Ok if your just after chub and barbel, but in winter I often want to catch a mixed bag with faster, shyer biting dace and roach in there. Not great with a very heavy float IMO.

Interesting stuff Budgie. As you say its more the leverage that is bothering me. Yes carbon is nice and light to fish with, but once you have a few pounds of lively fish on the end it doesn't help that much. At 5m (16.5ft) it doesn't feel to bad, but at 7.75m (25.5ft) it feels long and by that length I'm thinking you may well be right and sitting down with it across knees like a pole may be the way to go.

Had one of them mad angler moments on flee bay and bought a 5m - 7.75m carptek bolo rod. I tried to buy one in January when i was freezing my duds off standing in a freezing cold river and a long rod might mean i didn't have to, but i didn't win it. I've had a bit of a wave about with it in the back garden and I'm think this is going to be a bit of a handful with a good fish like a barbel on. Anyone used one of these? or got any tips on landing powerful fish from a river with a 7.75m rod?

I was just looking back at last seasons AT news and eyeing all the nice catches. So what do you think were the best catches and anglers of last season? An 18lb+ Zed and barbel is quite impressive. http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times/Section/News--Catches/General-News/Huge-zander-to-a-deadbait/

Nice one Rusty. Great way to end the season.

Localish Ian.

Nice one Dave. Springs even seems to have arrived up here. My garden pond is full of frogs spawning.

Nice one Ian and well done on the barbel. Had a full day at it last Sunday trotting bread. Was a good day for chub with plenty and 2 or 3 around the 5lb mark, but busy at work this week so thats it for me on the river. If the weather holds, next will most likely be a big wild still water, wagglers and hopefully some good roach with a bit of luck over the next few weeks.

No I see it the other way round. The head waters are sat on the water lower down. The head water is the first to drop after a flood. Therefore as a river is dropping there could be a few feet less gradient in the waters surface over the length of the flood/river....... It could be going slower as it drops, but either way I don't think it would make a noticeable difference.

I use a Griffin on an iphone 4. Its done 8 months fishing and living in a builders pocket with no faults. just one scare when it went for a very quick dip in the river. Over night on top of a radiator and the phone was working. A week back in my pocket and all was working. Very tough and dustproof, but deffo not 100% waterproof. I don't use a cradle, so never need to take it out.