Angly

Yup, can do. My verniers are up in Norfolk and I'm down in Surrey just now, but I'm off to Norfolk this weekend, will measure up next week.

I find Anchor shot plenty soft enough in the larger sizes so far, although I haven't used in very low temps yet. I do have trouble squeezing on the 6 and 8s though. As for size, it's so many years since I saw a lead shot I couldn't really make a comparison. But surely a picture speaks a thousand words (AA battery for size reference)?

Good point Peter, I'm used to checking the weather forecast pre-fishing, but as this is my first river outing since returning to angling I'll have to get used to doing more. Luckily I know of threads on two other forums that specifically discuss river conditions in the areas I'll be targeting.

I'm planning to be ready and waiting on an as yet to be confirmed section of the lower non-tidal Old Father Thames on the 15th ready for a midnight kick-off. I'll be loosely targeting the bream and barbel, desperately trying to avoid the Frankencarp, and switching over to targeting chub when daylight breaks. Depending on location might even have a trot for roach/dace/perch.

Steve, I just had to 'YouTube' the pendulum cast, which seems like a kind of cut down version of what you describe there Newt. Nope, sure won't be doing that, way way too energetic! Thanks for the reassurance guys.

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Glad you can at least see where I'm coming from BoldBear. DavyR, yup, spool filled to the brim with Sensor, which oddly behaves better than my 2500 size reel filled a little less with Float Fish (which insists on spilling out everywhere at every opportunity!). I have found a 3.5oz lead, and am tempted to do as you say. I have a small park just 5 minutes away from me. Terry, I'm sure you have a point; I was kind of thinking the same thing. John it's not really an accuracy or consistency issue, indeed, I spent most of Tuesday (and I fished for 13 hours) fishing the pellet waggler at 25 yards into island margins, catting out half-a dozen pellets every 30 seconds, and it's certainly not venue specific. I'm just nervous of using my feeder rod to its full capabilities. I think I'm just looking for reassurance that short of hitting my rod into something, however badly (technique wise) I cast a 3.5oz load, my rod will come through unscathed.

Although I've returned to fishing, my previous experince didn't include much ledgering work, and so I find I have a problem. I now own a Shimano Hyperloop BX 12' medium feeder rod, rated for 100g casting weight about (3.5oz), which I take to mean total weight of feeder plus feed. I've read somewhere that I shouldn't have problems getting out to 40 yards or so with a rod of this class. But here's the thing. Even casting lighter all up weights, I'm nervous of snapping the rod, no doubt due to my being used to casting far lighter weights when float fishing. Is it even possible to snap a rod casting the designed weight? Am I being paranoid? I was casting a pellet filled (half damp, half dry) 20g feeder on Tuesday, and getting that the required 25 yards was breaking me out in a sweat! (Stop laughing!). How do I get over this 'anglers block'?

I haven't found that to be the case yet. I allow a + or – zero tolerance of 1oz, and my zero hasn't altered from that (I can't get consistent and repeatable zeros any more accurate than that). But then I've not had any large temperature fluctuations to contend with yet. When the zero does finally creep, I'll just pull back the zero residue tape and make the tiny adjustment required. Without the tape I found not only would large adjustments occur any time the scales were put down, but even by just USING the scales the wheel would move a small amount.

I reckon dropping onto a hard surface from about 24" won't do any scales much good, so perhaps that's nothing to worry about? The positive side is that they were very easy to fix. Having taken them apart I can say they are very basic, not much to go wrong. Of the reviews on FishingMagic (Waymaster), mine is the most critical. It may be nothing to go by (advertising/promos etc.), but watching some recent fishing TV shows I've seen both John Wilson and Matt Hayes using the same scales.

I have a set of the cheap Reuben Heaton Flyweight Mk.2 scales 40lb/1oz (I think these can be found under various names, but Reuben Heaton make them I believe). My first set had to be returned because I couldn't get anywhere near a consistent zero reading. My replacement set was fine...until I dropped them from my trouser thigh pocket whilst seated onto wooden staging (grrrr )! Luckily they are DIY repair friendly, and all that had happened was a plastic push-fit bush on the indicator needle shaft/gear had become dislodged. I find the zeroing wheel a little too loose for my liking, so after arriving at a good zero compromise (they can vary by an ounce or so) I taped over the wheel. The body and window plastic is a little cheap in feel, and will scratch very easily. I keep meaning to buy ten bags of sugar to test their accuracy, but they seemed OK weighing my PB 3lb 15oz dace.

Annoying when manufacturers don't mark their tips. I read a very handy tip (possibly on this forum) for checking which tips are which. Place all the quivertip tips on a table edge, with just (e.g) one inch of tip on the table, hold them all down flat. The heavy base ends will all now dangle free, with the lightest tip hanging down the lowest. Hope that made sense?

Argh, I feel such a fool. Thank you Boss.

I have updated my profile photo yet my original photo is the one that displays when I post. What do I need to do to fix this? Geoff

You lucky chap! June the 16th eh? Shall I bring the tea and biscuits?

P.S. For anyone considering the Hyperloop BX Medium Feeder rod, especially if like me you'll be wanting this as your do-it-all ledger rod, be aware that the rod comes supplied only with 2oz and 3oz tips. For stillwater you'll no doubt be needing something lighter, and Shimano offer just one extra tip suitable for this rod, rated at 1oz. Tips for this rod are priced at £20, so potential buyers should perhaps factor this in to the overall cost of the rod when making comparisons with other brands. All three tips are carbon. Geoff

Just thought it'd be polite to post an update. A little later than expected due to numerous life events, I finally settled on a Shimano Hyperloop AX 13' Match rod, and a Hyperloop AX 12’ Medium Feeder rod. These were upgraded at no extra cost to a Shimano Catana 13' Match and the new Hyperloop BX 12’ Medium Feeder by my shop, as the original items I wanted were out of stock. I matched these to Shimano Alivio RB 2500 and 4000 reels respectively. Both these can be upgraded by the addition of two £1 ball bearings (if you shop at your local bearing retailer, or £7 each from Shimano!) on the handle shaft a la Nexave and above models, to give (in Shimano's words) '7 Ball Bearing equivalence'. The Alivios come in muted colours that I find much preferably to the gaudy Halfords/Max Power-esque designs further up the price scale. The only fly in the ointment is that Shimano have no spare spools in stock until mid-June! I've not really had a chance to put the rods and reels through their paces yet, a handful of trips to my local commercials have so far only netted fish to 3lb. Roll on the 16th! Geoff

As some of you might remember, I had to turn down my place on this years 'Wobblethon' due to my sister suffering serious brain damage in a fall down the stairs. As per the title, thank you to all those to wished my sister a speedy recovery. I can happily report she is now up and about, and well on her way to a 95% recovery. Ironically, as designated family chauffeur, on my way from our mother's house near King's Lynn to visit my sister in Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge, I often had to drive down the A10 (avoiding the flooded wash) straight past the 'Wobblethon' venue that my sister's accident caused me to miss. She'll pay! Geoff

Godalming Angling Society's Marsh Farm Fisheries have a lovely policy; any carp other than crucian caught on either of the two main lakes are to be removed by the captor and placed in their small round 18 peg pond. I wish the Bury Hill Fisheries management would implement a similar scheme for their Milton Lake. Geoff

Anderoo, presuming we're talking about the KLAA pegs, is their website advertised £28 Senior Annual Permit fee incorrect then? Regardless, I'm now at the 50/50 'will I/won't I' stage due to my sister being in Addenbrooke's hospital recovering from serious brain injuries following a fall down the stairs in November. I think it's only fair that I should relinquish my place to someone who knows they can definately attend. I'd still like to be kept on the reserve list though please. Geoff

My Mother lives 'just round the corner' in Terrington St. John, so I'd be grateful if you could pencil me in as a possibility.

Well blow me down, Thames Water have put their hands up to the spill, and promised to work with other associations and agencies to rectify the situation. That's rekindled my long lost faith in humanity. http://www.a-c-a.org/whatsnew.php

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7006540.stm Very sad, especially as we know the culprits won't have to pay anywhere near what rectifying the situation will cost.

I really enjoyed reading that, very nicely written.

Having myself hooked a swan many years ago I sympathise with the OP. The problem is knowing when to wind in, knowing only too well that any movement of the float might attract the bird's attention, and of course whilst retrieving the float the bait rises up in the water nearer the problem. The swan I hooked was on a very small very private venue, and it wasn’t going to come in peacefully, so as I was fishing alone I took the coward’s way out and cut my line. As soon as the clubhouse was open for business I informed a member of staff who phoned the RSPCA. I think the issue isn’t the swan hurting some angler, but more likely some over zealous angler injuring the swan even more whilst trying to unhook or untangle it. A swan with a broken wing is a pitiful sight. Geoff

I know it's a work of fiction but... If you heat a live round the round will explode, but the bullet will not travel far (if at all) nor with any force. The brass case, being far thinner and lighter than the bullet, will instead just rupture. Still if Spielberg can make bullets magically travel underwater in Saving Private Ryan then hey, you're probably good to go. Lovely camera work. Geoff