Rusty

Easy? Nooooo I like to graft. I'm happy to fish for at least half an hour before I catch. Almost up to 15 posts now so those who prefer to divulge info by pm prepare yourself for the onslaught.

Hi Tench, thanks for the welcome. The guidance was very helpful thank you and with some google mapping I now know where I can and can’t fish. We moved to Wantage from Dartford, Kent about 18 months ago following a job re-location so I’m still finding out about the area. Apart from sea fishing I’ve tried most forms of angling. Bought a load of used carp gear last year and gave that a whirl during the summer and I’ve still got a few fly rods & reels which are due an airing soon (seems expensive around here though, particularly if you don’t like Trout). Currently though it’s river fishing, I’ve never caught a Barbel or Grayling so it would be nice to tick those boxes. I enjoy any form of fishing really but being mobile and travelling light appeals the most, this area provides ample opportunities for that (if you know where they are)….for the next couple of weeks anyway.

That's right, he mentioned some ancient 'status' of local residents which can only be handed down through generations. Can't remember what it was called

Some general info such as where to park and which stretches can be fished would be quite helpful to those not in the know. I'm fairly new to the area and even newer to river trotting, had a great day at Barton Court Estate on Friday and was talking to a chap about fishing locations in Newbury, he mentioned that some were free. I've been to the town a couple of times but couldn't picture the places he was talking about so a starting point with some town references would be very much appreciated.

I'd echo chavender's thoughts, particularly the bedding in after a fish bit. I had my first proper centrepin session today and thoroughly enjoyed it, a few small Dace, a couple of Rainbows (one biggie) and several brownies. I'd loaded 100yds of 5lb mono and after every decent fish I had to do a long trot to get rid of the bedding but it wasn't really a problem because I found using the reel an absolute pleasure. More of an issue was the wind strength which caused a few tangles when I wasn't paying attention but I don't think a fixed spool reel would've coped at all in today's conditions. Can't wait for the next session, if you've not fished with a centrepin before Peter you're in for some good times. I found back garden casting to be tricky so today I picked a narrow river to remove potential hassle. I just dobbed the float in and let the reel do the work.

Thanks Peter, I went for the Okuma Sheffield in the end, a little over budget but what fantastic value. My local tackle shop had some Okuma and Leeds reels in stock and although the Leeds reels were generally cheaper they couldn't match the Okumas for quality. I can understand how people collect centre pins. Session booked on the Kennet for later this week so birdsnests here I come (there'll be a fixed spool reel in my bag too........just in case)

And, having spent a couple of hours watching people fishing the Kennet with centre pins, I'm convinced that I need one (sorry nobody needs one but I'd like one). Couldn't believe how the relatively slow flow still manged to pull line off the reel, the control was amazing. The last time I used a centre pin was in 1969 when I couldn't afford a fixed spool reel, I think the Thames in full flood would've struggled to pull line off that. Can anybody recommend a decent one for less than £100? I've googled but there's loads to choose from and I'm a bit stumped, at the moment I'd just like a free running reliable reel preferably ballraced, Hardy et all can come later when I want to build a collection.

I booked tomorrow off because of the improved weather but like you I'm now faced with a potentially cold day (so I won't be getting up early). Was planning to go to Barton Court but I'll see how things are in the morning. Maybe an afternoon trotting the Kennet will keep me warm.

Can't seem to PM for some reason, I've tried the help facility but I'm still at a loss as to why. As regards species I wouldn't be targetting anything in particular, I fish mostly lakes but with the Thames & Kennet so close now its seems daft not to try river fishing. In my ignorance I would probably turn up and trot a nice looking stretch with maggots, don't really have a plan B

And me please Chris. Since moving to the area 18 months ago I've fished the lake at Barton Court many times, I always give the river a look but I've never fished it. I've got a few days leave that I need to take before the end of March and was planning to give the Kennet a try, some guidance on swims would be greatly appreciated.

As far as the technology goes I think that the way tackle has developed over the years has made angling far more accessible to people wanting to take it up. You can get everything you need to get started in one package for relatively little compared to 35 years ago. I can remember visiting my local tackle shop as a youngster in the early seventies and drooling over rods & reels all of which were made by ABU, Daiwa, Intrepid or Garcia Mitchell. All were out of reach on my £1.25 a week paper round wages and if I wanted a Heron electronic bite indicator? No chance unless I saved for a couple of months. Fishing tackle is a lot cheaper now and doesn’t present the financial barrier it once did but although I do think that we can have an easy time catching fish these days is not necessarily because of developments in tackle. In my opinion it’s the venues which have had the biggest impact on our pastime. I grew up in the Mr Crabtree era and would read the books from cover to cover before heading off to my local lake convinced that I was only going to catch Tench that day. I couldn’t fail because I’d read the book, the fact that nobody in living memory had ever caught a Tench in that lake didn’t matter. As for Carp, well this hallowed species was only ever dreamed of, I wasn’t worthy of actually catching one. Then during the eighties managed waters started to appear, anyone remember the Leisure Sport complex of lakes? There was always a huge waiting list and if you were lucky enough to get in you didn’t ever give up your membership. While you were waiting to join you could read Rod Hutchinson’s books about Redmire pool, a mystic syndicate water full of monster fish in a secret location. Does it still exist? Fast forward 20 odd years and if you want to specifically catch carp there are limitless choices of water all of which will guarantee day long sport. If you want try for 30lb fish then no problem just book into Linear or Orchid lakes in Oxfordshire. There’s no doubt in my mind that we are much better off in terms of equipment availability/cost and the choice of venues we now have. If you must have the latest kit and want home comforts whilst camping at a lake containing large fish then all of that is easily available to you. The key point, however, is that if you want to stalk a stretch of the Thames with a cane rod and Hardy centre pin then you can still do that as well. We are living at a very good time if you’re an angler.

I've never caught a Barbel so can't really comment on the weight but by the look of that huge tail I bet it didn't come in easily. Well done!

I’ve never owned a bait boat so can’t recommend anything as such but I am looking with interest at the Pondskater recently made available in the UK for £300. I’ll await the reviews but it does seem to be a simple, robust, no frills design which will just drop your bait and come back. Worth keeping an eye on this one I think.

I've got a couple of these and although they still work ok they are getting on a bit now. I suspect the wheels & bearings are in need of a clean as both alarms are quite noisy when the alarm is off and the wheel is turned. Rather than wait until they fail during a session I'd like to dismantle the alarms and give them a service but can't see how they come apart. Has anyone tried this at all or do I have to send them somewhere to be serviced? I guess a squirt of WD40 might be a bad idea. Would be grateful for any advice.