stuart harvey

I have been looking at the Wychwood Barbel Specimen Rods on the internet but will be having a closer look at them when I get a chance. The Fox Barbel Rods? Well I did have a closer look at them not long ago when I was working with Budgie at a tackle fair but I was not keen on them but will have another look again. Forget the Drennan Rods I lost my faith in them after I broke the second section of my Drennan Heavy Feeder rod just above the spidgot. Not long ago and the firm wanted £50 to replace the section :mad: No way paying that much for a piece of section! When you get to look at the Wychwoods, you'll notice what a slim blank they have. For £40 you can't beat 'em.

Try looking at Wychwood Barbel Specimen rods. No spare sections, plenty of power through to the butt. Only £40 each.

Have you fished Bradwell much? I 've had about 4 sessions this year wothout a touch. Last year I did alright with some nice tench upto 6lb.

Never actually fished Jubilee, whats the fishing like down there? Do you get many herberts or trouble?

"been bothered by bream" - thats music to my ears that is. is there much weed about? the ouzel is a terrific little river, always good for a bit of sport.

I keep meaning to have a few sessions down there especially as I only live 5 mins away. Have you had much other success down there this year?

Nice one Will, was that the North lake?

sounds like a typical badger transaction. they've got a quite a poor reputation.

Yes liquidised is better for roach. Then punch bread on the hook. Saying that the dominant species down there is chub.

I know it quite well. Lots and lots of chub, no monsters but good fun. However there are some suprisingly big bream in there. Always fishes well in flood conditions.

Cash waiting for the version of the rod that precedes the current 11/13 foot version. The one I am after has 2 tops, an avon and a quiver. The handle is part cork part duplon.

get yourself on the river either ouse or ouzel. or if you don't fancy that try the canal.

I want a 1 man bivvy for an occasional overnighters. Budget is £80. What do you reckon. So far its either the JRC Roamer or Defender.

If in Milton Keynes try Willen North or Bradwell. You can get day tickets on the bank for both.

Between top ring and second ring. Its still usable but once I've got a replacement, I was think of making it into another quiver top.

Due to my clumsiness the other day I broke the the top off my John Wilson Avon rod. Has anyone got a spare Avon section that they would be willing to sell?

I use it when method fishing. I normally cook hemp in a flask the night before. So the next morning I use the water from the hemp cooking and add this to the Vitalin. I always prefer to use hot water as it goes a lot softer alot quicker. Put as much hemp, corn, pellets etc as you want, its so go damn sticky, its great for mass baiting. User it for tench and bream too. But add the same amount of brown crumb to it too.

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/bookreview/art...05_23_5533.html

Chub and Dace - John Bailey Chasing Dreams - Tony Miles Red Letter Days

If you fill a pint glass right to the top with maggots and leave it for 5 minutes, the maggots pack downwards and it looks lie you are left with about 3/4 pint.

So if you caught a cod would you eat it? I knew that was coming. I think it comes down to me having some sort of respect (not sure if thats the right word) torwards freshwater fish. They are after all part of the sport I enjoy so much. I see cod as more of a food fish and as I don't fish for them, then thats fine for me. And the same goes for haddock, mackerel etc. But in my canteen at work once they were serving shark steaks but I just couldn't bring myself to eat some. Sharks fascinate me and don't think they should be eaten.

I do but tends to be sea fish like cod. I've tried trout but didn't like it.

I dunno, I could never eat a perch or any of the fish i like catching. i just couldn't do it.

I don't understand how you get to fish barbel society stretches either. I think you have to join them and then still payout a load to the the organisation controlling the water. The barbel society website is not clear on this. I think it must be easier to get on the Kicles Farm syndicate.

Theres nothing wrong with margin poles, if you want to fish literally right up against some reeds etc, then the pole is the best method. But for 20 elastic, I would do away with the 4lb hooklength and either fish straight through with 6lb or go 8lb mainline and 6lb hooklength. Check your elastic isn't set too tight as well. It should be so when you pull it out and let go, it should only just retract inside the tip.