bluerinse

I cheked out the Avon yesterday, it was pushing through hard, carrying a lot of rubish and filthy brown. I really hope we don't have any heavy rain in the next ten days as it will be perfect.

When free lining I would go straight through and not use a swivel, your bait will take a few seconds more to sink. I have found even a lead shot pinched on the line weakens it, when you are in direct contact with your hook you can have the confidence to play the fish hard.

when I go trout fishing on big waters, I carry a 7 inch filleting knife in a scabard, for cleaning the fish at the end of the day. I will continue to do so as the police must be able to use common sence!

I was reading a book from the early 70's last week, the writer recommended when fishing for perch not to use a wire trace but to take 3 lengths of 6-7lb mono, twist together and tie top middle and bottom, then boil in water for 2 mins, allow to cool and make into a trace!!! I could not work out the logic in this but he claimed it gave good presentation and also prevented bite offs from Pike. Interesting, has anyone else come across this or seen it in use.

However your Rudd does look pretty good, think it may be the ornamental golden variety. You may be right, the owner recons the fish have fantastic colures because of the mineral water, I have caught a carp with green scales also carp with bright orange belly's and all manner of wonderful colors. The roach and perch though are a little washed out, which is strange as the water is crystal clear.

Just for a bit of fun What’s the prettiest British fish you have caught Here’s my contender A Rudd from a lake fed by a minral spring If you have a photo please add it

Here is a really nice fishery and cottages, it’s based on a working farm, really nice countryside and tons of wildlife. The fishing is great, it’s a mixed fishery, Tench, carp, roach (to over a lb) Barbel, Big perch, (5lb 2 oz) biggest so far from Morton springs. Rudd, bream. The fish are the most WONDERFUL colored fish you will ever see, the owner (the farmer 87 YO) puts it down to the spring water, its lightly fished with most anglers targeting the Carp (bigest27lb, average 7lb) I fish it for the perch and Roach. The photos on the website are old it has matured a lot since the photo was taken; the fishery was dug 17 years ago. Interestingly, no Barbel were ever stocked, there are a good number of barbel in the fishery all around the 6-7lb mark, this farm is in the middle of know were and access is only throw the farm, the farmer thinks they have got there themselves as they are all the same year class or they were in with the carp when they were stocked originally, never the less they are fighting fit and seem to love the clear spring water. The area is very peaceful, no traffic sounds, plenty of sheep and some of the best looking cattle you will ever see, he raises and old English bread which are pure white with black noses and ears. http://users.fwi.co.uk/roylands/index.htm http://users.fwi.co.uk/roylands/mortspr.htm

I think about 10lb I think it might only just be a double, nice fish

the warwickshire avon can produce good roach, they can take some tracking down as they tend to move around, and after last years floods it took me a while to find them again

With only 18 days to go until the rivers are back on line, were will you start your summer campaign. I will be targeting Zander and perch on the Warwickshire Avon, I have had all my tackle out, making traces and really getting myself more excited than I need too, My targets this year are to beat both my perch PB (2lb 2oz) and my Zander PB (11lb 3oz) I have been walking the river looking for new swims and have found a couple of likely spots, I will leave these till after the first day. On the first day I will fish a swim I know that will produce, but will venture into new swims there after, I’m thinking of starting a blog! I might also have a crack at the Barbel latter on in the season but at the moment I am fixated with Zander and Perch. Sad but I will get over it!! Let’s hope the rivers aren’t as bad as last year, but looking out the window at the river Arrow this morning I’m not too hopeful Anyway cant wait,

I was not trying to dampen anyone’s fun; it just seems an un-natural set up And I m not sure I understand your generalisation on UK waters being small. I am referring to a water that has been stocked with 5 big carp which would not happen naturally, perhaps my mental picture is all wrong, but it seems a really odd fishery I’m allowed an opinion I presume!!

I burn it in an old tobacco tin with my Fag lighter on the bank, then put the mess that’s left in with the bag of rubbish I seem to generate each trip. (That then goes home or in the nearest bin)

I just followed Robs link and had a look in the gallery, the last two photos are of a Salmon, Is it me or does the salmon look like its been eaten by somthing!!! Perhaps found on the bank and not caught on rod and line?

My concerns are for the fish, a small pond fished every day by inexperienced anglers, they will be destroyed if not supervised and taught correctly. Let’s hope that if it does happen that it is very well managed and the correct skills are passed onto the in mates. If it is a benefit to society in general then over all it has to be a good thing, but only if managed properly, not just a few hairy arsed guards watching over a bunch of untrained inmates knocking 5 bells out of the fish

I find it sad that 5 20lb fish are in a small pond and are fished for, They must get hauled out all the time, were is the joy in catching these fish

I have given up on water temp's. Its not worth the effort,I am more likely to be checking if its flooded or if theres a draught! A hurricain or tornado. water temp is the least of the worries with the UK weather in the last few years!!!!! More flooded rivers at the moment in Warwickshire, lets hope we don't have a repeat of last Summer

WITHOUT A DOUBT I think you will find first of all perch and then who knows what else. Lucy chap, Wish it was me. Good luck and have fun, let us know how you get on

I have never been catfish fishing but live close to a cat fish water, I have seen a lot of anglers fishing there, they all seem to use Hair rigged baits or Live baits. It got me wondering, does anyone ever use a Lure to catch cat fish, I have never seen it on any TV programs or in any book. If live baits work then lures must! Why does no one use Lures!!? Just a thought

I caught this last week and presumed it was a baby carp (I have never seen a baby carp in the venue before) I presume Im right?

Now theres a face I know from the banks of the Avon Welcome and Nice fish.

I think Angling vagabond could do a good job Talented published autor.

I though tench were famed for feeding in condition when other fish will not feed, I.e. bright sunlight, baking hot days, water with low oxygen levels. Is it not just about finding were the fish are? I know a lake were I catch more in the evening in the margin, but catch more during the day in deep water. I suspect it does vary from location to location

I saw a chap fishing for carp recentley with giant king prawns, seems some people have more money than sence!"!! But he did catch

My Son got a box of Argus fishing floats last Christmas, It had a really nice old fashioned "perch bobber” included. I am sorry to say I have nicked it from him. Shhhhhh He does not know. I use it for red worms, lobs and very small live baits. Top class bobber, my recommendation for striking is, float bobs, moves 1 or 2 inches sideways, Strike. You will miss a few but you will never deep hook. Lobworms size 14 hook, small live baits (minnow for example) size 12 hook.

I have seen twice last weekend anglers fishing the river Arrow, On Saturday I was driving to Hillers farm shop and saw a chap with a red van sat on the far bank of the arrow on the Wixford AA stretch, between the village of Arrow and said destination, he had a proper type seat box and good quality tackle. On Sunday on my way back from the Birmingham Blackburn match (relegated ) I saw just outside Studley two chaps fishing on a stretch of the arrow I have never seen anyone fish and I don’t know who controls it, I did not have chance to see what they were using tackle wise apart from one rod was rather thick and bright blue!! I did not report either incident as 2 seasons ago I reported a father and son for fishing the Avon at Bidford out of season, I had politely mentioned this to the father that this was a club water and that it was out of season, I was told were to go. I waited for over 2 hours but no one turned up!! I am of the mind why bother!