Rusty

I can't catch bream and I'm only marginally more successful with barbel so I won't offer advice on those (other than do what the other guy is doing). For chub, however, don’t overlook the humble bread mash balled in as groundbait and a large piece of flake on the hook. That method has worked for me many times and the bait has the advantage of being readily available.

I see them and I agree that it's annoying. Prior to this screenshot you were linked to Farlow's, I closed that advert only for another to appear;

No, haven't felt the need to, lobs work well on their own although dendrobaenas are ignored by my local perch, they just won't take them.

Like Dales I just tear them up into throwable chunks and throw them in. It works well for close range canal fishing but I don't use the chopped worm to feed the perch (too expensive), more to get the scent in the water and attract them to the swim, I've found that it only takes three or four lobs to do that and once the fish are present they'll compete over the hookbait.

Kennet & Avon Canal, Tuesday 29th December 2015 Today’s session was just to round off Sunday’s trip when I didn’t make the planned dusk perch assault. With the forecast looking a bit wet for the next couple of days I thought I’d better get on the bank while I could do so dry and relatively warm, a bonus was that the recent strong winds had abated so I was looking forward to a flat calm canal and easy casting. 90 minutes fishing may not seem very long when it involves a 30 mile round trip but I’ve learnt that at this particular swim you can flog several dead horses by arriving too early (or too late if you’re going for a dawn raid). At this time of year there’s no need to be there before 3:00pm which is a good thing if you have to navigate the immensely frustrating Thatcham level crossing. In the short time I was there my float fished lobworms only produced two bites but they were both perch classics. The first was a single dip of the loafer and then a couple of seconds later disappearance, this 2lb 7oz fish was responsible; I could re-watch the second bite all day long. It was one where the float wobbles, moves sideways a foot and then slides under. The perpetrator was a 2lb 14oz fish which fought just like a chub and had me believing it was a lot bigger than it turned out to be; No monsters on this occasion and both fish looked like they’d been through the wars but it was a very satisfying short session.

Perch are the most difficult species to guess from pics so I won't try the first two but the third must be from his finger tips to his elbow long, getting on for 18 inches I reckon so I'll have a stab at 4lbs 12oz

I'll be putting my hand up for next year too. I now have my own bivvy, bedchair and sleeping bag...all used just once so it'll be good to try them out again.

River Kennet and K&A Canal, Sunday 20th December 2015 Today’s itinerary consisted of three venues all fairly close together so travelling between each on foot was the order of the day (I was to regret that decision). The high temperature felt at odds with the low sun and although there seemed little need for waterproofs I donned them anyway, the stiff breeze would’ve cooled things down bankside. The first venue may not be available to me for much longer, it’s one of two up for re-consideration by the club committee. The rent is due for renewal and although a minority of members fish there the numbers might not be sufficient to justify the outlay. It would be a shame, the stretch was responsible for my first 4lb perch on the last day of the 2013/14 season so I have fond memories. Today’s memories were a little different, fright was the sensation as the only fish caught (a grayling) was targeted by a large pike as I retrieved. Its head was huge and I’d estimate that it was certainly a good double perhaps getting on for twenty, whatever the size it made me and the grayling jump out of our respective skins. Fortunately for the latter the pike missed. After that excitement I wandered off to the canal for a short session. I had planned to be here at dusk but it was so close I thought I’d chance my arm early for perch. Nothing at all at this spot, no bites or any signs of fish, that didn’t matter as I’d be returning when the light had faded. The walk to the next venue turned out to be quite a jaunt and I did wonder whether I’d done the right thing in not loading/unloading the car. It was pleasing to see that I had the venue to myself and made a beeline for what’s turning out to be a banker chub swim. If the chub are in residence in this swim they usually show themselves very quickly and today was no different, after only a few trots through I was into a decent sized fish….briefly. The hooked pulled and at that point I thought I’d spooked them and blown my chance but after resting the swim for five minutes (listening to JV44’s tale of woe about having to put up the Christmas decorations) it turned out that chub were still there. This 4lb 4oz example proving the point; Same venue next swim. This is the weir pool at the top of the fishery and in times when barbel were caught regularly at this venue you’d always find this swim occupied, usually by an angler with a bait cast into the pool. These days, however, it’s often vacant and when levels are low a large area of slack water is created just in front of you. When levels are normal the water flows straight towards you so it’s difficult to float fish, today was ok though; I’ve always thought that this swim had perch potential and so with the clouds darkening overhead I decided to get my fix here. A small jack pike arrived first and took a worm without registering a bite, the float hadn’t moved for five minutes so I wound in to re-cast, I’m not sure who was more surprised, fortunately I was able to get at the hook with forceps. It took a while and a few torn up lobs to get the perch interested but my efforts were eventually rewarded with some good fish all needing the net, the best of the bunch; It was getting towards mid-afternoon and time to head back to the canal for the last hoorah. The forecast was for light rain and I wasn’t too bothered as the drops started to fall but the rain got heavier and the car was ten minutes away. By the time I got to the car the rain was horizontal and I was soaked through, maggots were escaping and the contents of my wicker basket were wet (to be expected I guess). Blue sky was on its way but I felt pretty miserable by then and decided to bail out in favour of a late afternoon roast beef Sunday lunch. So I didn’t make the dusk session but I’m off work for a couple of weeks now so will be making a return trip no doubt.

Any bites yet?

A fitting day out Chris...and...as usual well done on the huge Perch!

I hope Chris Plumb doesn’t mind me posting this but Paul Goulbourn, his lifelong friend and fishing buddy, passed away this morning. You’ll know from Paul’s blog that he’d been battling cancer for some time bravely letting us know how he was doing whilst continuing to wet a line when the treatment allowed. Paul’s wife Kim was with him, my thoughts are with Paul’s family and of course Chris Plumb.

Sportsman, keeping it like that won’t be too difficult, today’s products are very easy to use. I looked into this when I bought my C30 a couple of years ago, it was a new car and I wanted to look after it. I was sceptical at first, I’d always been a bucket, sponge, shampoo and chamois man (or even the petrol station car wash) and I thought that detailing was just a posh word for a valet but two years and 48k miles later I’m convinced that it’s worth putting a bit more thought into cleaning the car. I spent a bit of time browsing this website, it can get very geeky and there are millions of different products to choose from but later I’ll post up what bought. http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/ Edit: Just a thought, it would be worth asking him which products he used to detail the car and how you should keep it clean in the future

That hasn't helped Dave...we indoor workers don't like you anymore

And he's a proper world champ rather than a holder of just one of the belts.

Feast your eyes on this! 32 pounds and 10 ounces!

I wish it was me but it isn't. A member of the IAC has spent the day piking on a trout water and is reporting a 32-10, 25-12, 23-02 and three fish in the 7-10lb bracket. I'm no pike angler but that strikes me as a pretty good return.

Very good. Is that a clarinet or oboe @ 8.06?

I hate this forum! Every time a new angling method is discussed I end up buying stuff. I had this thread in mind last Saturday when I went for an unplanned, last minute rain soaked lure session on the canal with my St. Croix Rutland Rod (I’ve re-named it because that might be all it’s good for). Perhaps not surprisingly being rated at around 4-15g it wasn’t very good at working 5g jigheads, it would need to be a clonking take to register. I like the look of Steve W’s Blackrock Aventine UUL and wondered what you’re all using as mainline? I was thinking that the rod needs line matched to its lightweight characteristics and something like 8lb PP braid might be too much? Would appreciate your thoughts…oh, and on a reel to go with the line.

Like the Dinsmore bread punches for example. How do I use it?

Simms? The IAC will be pleased

I've had my fair share of "why am I here" moments in Scotland but it can also be a beautiful place. My job takes me there quite often, mostly to Perth and Inverness (my fave Scottish place) but occasionally to more remote areas. I went to Wick recently for the opening ceremony of Burn of Whilk wind farm, a project we sold but built for the new owner, it was held at Ackergill Tower a mile or so outside of Wick;

Yes I did Chris. Spent a good while there constantly feeding the flush with maggots hoping to tempt something other than the tiddler roach I’d been catching. It paid off with a 2-03 perch, my biggest of the day; Made my way back to the first swim of the day with the intention of fishing into dusk but I didn’t last that long, had one more perch pushing a pound before the wind got up and the early start took its toll. I was pleased with the day though, it felt like it should’ve been fairly easy but it turned out to be bit of a grind so three of my target fish was a decent result.

I'm up and the first coffee of the day is gradually morphing me from zombee status to something resembling an enthusiastic angler. Should be bankside by first light if the thought of a warm bed doesn't convince me that I could eek out another half hour.

Me want one me want one! Was hoping to get out drowning lobs for perch today but it's lashing down with a strong wind, incredibly mild though. Might get a chance later today and/or tomorrow morning

I don't mind it, most of the kids around here make costumes and are out with their parents, spotty oiks on their own with cheapo masks demading cash get told where to go. I didn't get any callers this year because I've only just leaned that I should've put out a pumpkin to let them know to knock, I'm still making my way through the tub of Celebrations choccies.