rob4310

I got the Middy pole a couple of years ago. I was in a similar position to you as I had very little pole experience. Started fishing the canals and small ponds for anything. I ended up changing the elastic as it came with quite heavy elastics fitted. It is a great pole, easy to handle, robust but i was disappointed that i could only reach halfway across the canal. Have toyed with gettin a longer pole but for the amount I use it it would not be worth it. I get the impression its for absolute monsters very close in. If your fishing for anything then you may want have the option to go further out but with lighter setup. You can make a pole shorter by taking sections off but you can't make it any longer. Middy do a longer version called the Thriller I think. It might be 8m. Can't remember. But I would definately get another middy pole. 6m may be perfect for your type of fishing though. regards Rob

Ah I've had a landing net handle from the same stretch. Telescopic so I will probably never better that. It did have a tiny chub on as well! Regards Rob

Thanks for the replies. Will try stick float if conditions are ok. Feeder if not. At least I feel abit more confident that I wasn't too far away in my thinking. cheers Rob

I'm working in Reading for a couple of days next week and planning an overnight stay. Hopefully may get an early finish so would like to try the Thames before the end of the season. The office is not far away from this stretch and I have looked into how to get a day ticket etc. However my only experience of river fishing is on small rivers or streams. I have tried to fish the free bit in Marlow before without success. I am a bit intimidated by big rivers. Not sure were to fish and how far to cast and even what method. My only big river success was catching grayling in the centre of Cardiff fishing a big waggler casting as far as I could and catapulting maggots. I think that it was more down to luck that I caught a few. So any advice on how to tackle this stretch. I have had a look on google and it looks like there are a few overhanging trees but not that far out. There's a few drainage outlets but mainly its just open water. I was planning to take a float rod and a feeder rod with worms, magotts and bread. Maybe some hemp and liquidised bread as groundbait. I was thinking of running a float towards one of the trees, maybe just slightly further out so I could let it run in front of the tree a little. Also casting a feeder about 3 quarters the way across and again just towards a tree. Am I on the right track or should I try something else. Just want to catch anything so I can say I've caught from the Thames. Thanks in advance Rob

Go outdoors doing the following at a discount. also extra 10% off till 9th sept http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/svendsen-avent...tch-reel-p99561 Under £63 Regards Rob

Couldn't you add inserts of more buoyant material, like foam into soft lures to help them float if they are a little heavy. just a thought. regards Rob

John Don't the carp guys use the korum quickstops with punched disks of bread. Wouldn't that work with crust. Regards Rob

JP Fished the Blythe a couple of times maybe 2 years ago. Around coleshill. Had a good go with float and tip but didn't even get a bite. Tried maggots bread everything possible. Later found out it was very low on fish. The guy who I spoke to who lived next to the river didn't even fish it anymore. Maybe its better up your way. I was hoping it was going to be my little bit of favourite river, close to home and work. It was a day ticket as well. I was gutted when I failed miserably. Well done Regards Rob

Jim I bought a Middy white knuckle (6m) that had a top section elasticated in the pole and a spare top 2 section with some elastic that was about 25. I think the single elasticated section had 12-14 elastic in it. It seems ok with just the single top section. Although I have only had Carp to about 5lb . Regards Rob

Thanks for checking Dave. Much appreciated Regards Rob

Thanks I've been to the site. I'm looking at a guy on the Cemex site who is selling some second hand and a bit cheaper. Thanks anyway Regards Rob

No still don't know how to contact him. If you could see if he has still got them and how much that would be great. Thanks Rob

Thats great. Again I can't thank you enough. AN members are always willing to help. It still surprises me.( even though I should be used to it by now with all the help and advice I have had over the last couple of years) Thanks and best wishes for the new year. Regards Rob

I'm trying to find some Billy's backbiters and some guy on the Cemex forum is selling some. However I can't reply to his post till I register and do 50+ posts. Anyone on who could ask if he's still got them and give him some contact details. I know it cheeky but if you don't ask!! Thanks Rob

Thanks for the fantastic offer. Just the wrong time of year. I don't think I can get it over there before then. With all thats going on at the moment. Does your brother visit regularly as I could wait until later on in the new year. not in a rush as the rod is still usable. Just a nice to have. The plug in would be great. Thats what I had in mind from the start but wasn't sure if it would be strong enough and reliable enough. Thanks again. Maybe I could take you up on the offer next time your brother is visiting. Regards Rob