Jeffwill

Fladen used to do a fine wire hook that would exactly meet your spec, they were called Fladen Vantage Pro Match barbless 20 Round Bend Medium shank. Because they were fine wire they always stayed very sharp.. Problem I had last year when restocking was finding they no longer made them in such a thin gauge wire, but I found a few odd packets in the spade version and ordered a number of packets in the * barbed version from Whitby Angling Supplies (75p for packet of 20). On a hard pulling fish they would open but could be closed again so perfect for perch and roach. They now make them in heavier gauge.....same name which is confusing but packet you want has a barbel on it. * Barbs crushed down

For making the float body waterproof bog standard clear nail varnish (pound shop) will do the job -comes in a handy little pot with brush the type girlies use and keep in their handbags. Fits nicely in the draw of my pole seat box. In an emergency on the bank use superglue for spot repairs (broken eyes) and varnish for the body, leave a few minutes to dry and ready to go. IMHO no need for a big pot of special expensive varnish that you cant keep in your fishing bag / box...

Plenty of minnows = unpolluted healthy river.

Just behind is one of the Holme Lacey beats run by Mrs Bishop, ring 01432 273 695 to book / check availability. Was £6 a day about two years ago. The only place I've been on the Wye with slabbed walk rail swims.. a bit different.

Has anyone experience of these bite alarms or similar from Prologic? http://reporting.fishtec.co.uk/cgi-bin/vie...D7%205nil_W%3Dg

Not forgetting "suckers" - I thought locals were referring to carp in a derogatory manner when they asked me if I had caught any suckers..... until later when I started catching them... like carp but with an under slung mouth (underslung but not as much as a barbel...another carp family member).

Incidentally I run a small fishery.

Many anglers do look for excuses why they dont catch Anderoo.... though talk of otter issues having run their course is premature considering the rivers have been closed for two months. I suspect carp fishery owners are now dealing with their predation issues independantly and covertly..... hence very little publicity from that area of the fishing world.

Fingers crossed they all move to Oxfordshire. Should be stocked there too if ever there's any more stocking going on. Convenient with the M4

Nice big pond. Shame the water cant be adopted as a local amenity.

If you throw in fish meal g/bait or pellets you can almost guarantee bream/skimmers will turn up.

check out Peter Rolfe's website for everything crucian including identification (Mr Rolfe may even look at a few pics of your next captures if you ask nicely.....) http://www.crucians.org/

5 tench this evening on the pole from local pond.

Last few seasons been using an Okuma Aventa Pro....very good pin. But this week I picked up a TFG classic at £49.99....in gun metal (didnt like the chrome option). Spins freely and although not quite as smooth as the okuma (tiny bit of grittiness in the bearings but hardly noticeable) its better value. I picked it up for mates to use when we go trotting but thinking of using it myself now. Apparently TFG have a new model coming out next year so have to shift stock, hence the £49.99 price tag. 10/10 for value.

Its also a hoax that they intentionally wont kill every fish in the water!

Sounds like the state of the place is matched by the managers antipathy towards anglers.

http://videofishingknots.com/joining-lines.html Take your pick....but check out the water knot if its mono line only....

From running a fishing club and dealing with a varied mix of anglers my experience tells me: Some people are more willing to learn than others. A few anglers shout loudly and almost always know far less. Some anglers because they are older incorrectly think their views are more important. Some members will actually be very good anglers and would be gutted if they stop learning.. When I coach kids I tell them if they learn one little thing each time they go fishing they will end up an expert.... starting with teaching them to plumb the depth, feeding the spot and float fishing accurately, skills they can take with them anywhere. (Kids want to catch big fish straight away by legering, the fishing rags and carp brigade encourage them and sadly kids judge their fishing skills / knowledge by the size of fish they catch). Usually fishing starts by getting out in the countryside, away from the rat pack, simply enjoying the outdoors and catching a few fish. Some anglers later may want to target specimen fishing and its usually then that people become very focused as they see themselves as "elite" anglers. Within this "elite" you will inevitably get jealousy / derogatory remarks from time to time. Best to ignore them and continue posting helpful replies to those that want to learn and improve their fishing.

Where's worms?

I am hoping to come down with nigel1961 if we're picked. Nigel's never been to wingham and my one visit was 2 years ago.

Maybe the officers, probation people escorting this feral youth were trying to get him hooked on this great sport of ours, one which takes kids off the street for hours, days, weeks. If there was only a 1% chance of success then it was worth a try. I believe there is a sport for everyone, its just a matter of finding the one that "clicks". Its all very good people saying he needs a good sharp shock to the system but they dont have to live near this boy, he's probably a nightmare in his community causing all sorts of problems. Maybe the opinions of his neighbours carry more weight than ours Also the picture taken does nobody any favours either as it was obviously chosen to show the boy looking bored yet he was probably just watching his float and had not long put the rod down. He was not as bored as the PCSO's who were more interested in texting on their phones. Putting people in jail is the last resort.

As a starter, look at council owned waters....good chance they're poorly patrolled. Try looking on google earth....suprising how many small waters there are around though some may dry up in the summer.

Wish I had fish like that on my doorstep...well done everyone, cracking chub.

Sorry you've lost me there.Jeff

Very true, though "visibly" healthy medium size to larger specimens are their preference....worth expending the energy on chasing, catching / subdue & dragging out.