Dunk Fairley

On my "normal" reels, such as I use for my general legering work, float fishing etc, I only change about 100m at a time. I have a "backing" line, which takes up most of the spool, but then the new line goes on top. The backing line I use with 8lb, is usually 10lb line, of a cheaper make. If I ever get to the stage where I have over 75m-100m of line out while playing fish (blimey, I wish!), the stretch in the top line, will make up for the condition of the backing line, which although it may be a couple or so years old, should be in good condition as it doesn't get exposed to light. If I get a bulk spool of line, say 1000m of 8lb line, this can last me a few seasons with no problem. The line I use on my centrepins, i change a couple of times a season, as there is only about 50m or so of line on there. Even 50m is quite a lot on a 'pin, but I often trot down 40m on a river. With my carp reels, I don't use biscuit tin sized spools much, so I change all of the line on all the spools every year. A bulk spool will cover this. Some pike reels have braid on, which lasts and lasts. So really, it's a matter of choice. But sunlight exposure, and snag-wear, (although the top few turns of line seem OK, the coils further in can have nicks and scratches) are the worst thing.

Just in case there are one or two out there who haven't got, or seen the code, and therefore do not know the advice it gives, go here: http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/saa/Code2002.htm On page 5, advice is given. Put the various numbers into your mobiles and use them if, sadly, you need to.

I can see your points there Anderoo. In actual fact, I've been wondering recently, if halibut pellets threaded up the line above an long shank hook, would be a good method to catch some sea species. They certainly stink enough to draw the fish in.

I had a meetiung with Dot Beeson (Egham Swan Sancuary) a few years ago. We discussed what to do if a bird picks up a bait. The absolutely worst thing you can do, is pull the line. What can start as a simple hoolhold in a birds gullet, tongue or beak, can turn into a very serious injury. If an accident happens, then the RSPCA should be contacted ASAP. Advice is given in the FACT code of conduct, which I'm sure everyone has a least one copy of, don't they?

Well I reckon it's a very meritous capture. If not, then is the following true?: A large unknown Catfish, caught by a Carp Angler deserves no merit? A large Perch, caught while Chub/Pike/Zander fishing, deserves no merit? A large Eel, caught while Chub/Pike/Zander fishing, deserves no merit? a friend of mine took a 30lb + carp on a sprat deadbait a couple of years ago, I thought he did well. Surely, a record true Rudd, caught on a fly or bait put out for Roach, would deserve merit? Any large fish caught on light tackle deserves merit, whether you knew it was in the water or not. Genuine Specimen Hunters set out to find new specimens in waters where there aren't neccessarily previous captures. They often move off, once they've had a decent fish or two, to find new challenges. There's no merit in moving onto a water, just to target a known fish. When I hear of a large Carp coming out locally, I think about the other big fish which could be there. Likewise, if a big Tench comes out, I wonder if there may be one or two neglected Carp in a water. As far as Mr Williams goes, then I'm not surprised. I think he's a plonker (though I've not personally met him, if I ever do, I'll be able to confirm or not).

There is quite a popular theory that barbless hooks, when used to catch larger species like carp, can actually cause more mouth damage than using barbed. If this is so, then it could be the cause of the damage you see on the "commercials" which don't allow barbed hooks, you mention. All I know from my experience is, I use barbed when carp/tench/chub etc fishing, and I see very little damage as a result. I always use forceps to grip the hook firmly, which allow a straight push, when unhooking. It's possible that if I didn't, and had to wiggle the hook about to get it free, mouth damage could result. Now, when I'm fishing for the smaller species like roach, dace etc, I often use barbless. I use a hook with a long point, as I've found that short points/wide gape hooks, can come adrift quite easily. Presumably, the fact that the fish can get off, means that the hook can move around in the flesh of the fish's mouth. This may cause damage. I usually unhook with a disgorger, especially if eye or spade of the hook, is inside the lips of the fish. Again, this allows for a push straight down, which doesn't seem to cause problems. As a pointer, I really rate Drennan hooks, so it's Super Specialist and Super Spade hooks, for larger fish hunting. I use a Drennan Carbon Chub for sizes below 14 and if it's got to be barbless, then I've found the Team England Super Carbon pretty hard to top. Of course, when a situation calls for a different hook, I use whatever suits. Some rigs just don't work with a super specialist, and I've had a couple let me down with very large carp. But by and large, Drennan always have a place in my tackle bag (no, I'm not sponsored!).

Well done, but how did you manage to "lose a load"? As far as the mental torture goes, just wait and see.

Yup, I'd go for the float in this instance as well. If it gets windy and you can't keep a float steady, or the fish move out of range, try light leger. Small arsley bomb, 1/8th to 1/4 ounce. Short nylon link, not fixed, to allow the weight to sink in silt, say about 4". Use a light bobbin on a longish drop from the rod. You don't have to use bolt rigs, or "clip-up" with a tight line for tench, sometimes they take a bait, but stay in one place and browse for a bit. So this means that bites can be quite a slow lift on the bobbin.

Leon, you're committing mental torture on me!! I'm still immobile you know! Were you below the lock, in the tidal bit? I've had signs that Mitten crabs have been nibbling my hookbait boiles, for a couple of years now. I'm nbot sure how bad it really is though, as the water level hasn't dropped down low enough to see the little buggers' burrows so far. I reckon the Carp fishing could get a bit more tricky, if they really take hold. There will still be plenty of Carp (bigger ones too), but getting a bait in front of them, could be harder.

You certainly can. In fact, I'd go so far as to say, it can improve it. Don't forget to freeze the juice as well. I usually cook hemp and all my other particles in bulk, then freeze it all, ready for use. If I have a lot of hemp juice left, I freeze it in an ice cube mould. The thawed juice is then added to groundbait mixes etc. If freezing Tiger Nuts, let them go slimy for a couple of days first. Then freeze them in cupful sized bags. The slime is what draws the fish, and a cupful is enough for a 24 hr session. The freezing breaks down the cell structure, making the seeds softer, releasing the smell better, therefore making them more attractive. When making my own boilies, I do the same, even after 2 day long drying periods. Although the freezing can affect the nutritional content slightly, it improves texture and firmness after thawing, which makes them better for throwing sticks and hookbaits as well. As I'm usually fishing short(ish) sessions, I'm after an attractive bait, rather than a long term food source. I try not to freeze paste though, it seems to change it a bit too much. With paste, I make small batches and keep it refrigerated if neccessary, in the coldest part of the fridge, for up to a week. If i;m not going to use it, I visit the river for a bit of pre-baiting.

thats a very nice ofer indeed Steve, I'll take you up on that, thanks.

Thanks Budgie. Tellys boring though, isn't it? I actually found myself watching Matt hayes yesterday. The one question I have after that, is when is Mick Brown going to get a programme of his own? There must be a place for him on the Discovery network. Now, Mick fishing with a few "heroes" of angling, in sensible situations, would be good.

Now that really WOULD be a flood on the Len!

That'a real joy to hear Rabbit, well done! Those rods are fab. I don't reckon I'll be back on the bank for about 6 weeks, as It would be just too dangerous. I could of course go to an easy access, flat banked, stuffed full of fish type fishery, but it's just not my thing. No, I've got a cane MkIV blank, which I need to get knocked up into something a bit special, so I'm gonig to get on with that in a day or so. I recently poicked up Richard Walker's rod building book at an auto-jumble for 50p and it's got all sorts of interesting things in it. Now all I need, are a few more chrome rings,some more cork and I'm off.

Good luck with the 'pin. It gives you a totally different bait presentation option for catching fish, and allows another string to be added to your bow.

Well, I’m home again. Thanks for the kind words (and texts) from everyone. The long and the short of it is, My hip’s snapped just below the replacement I got about 5 years ago. Shame really, I was doing so well. 16:08 and 10lb wildies on the marshes was good. Then a 3:08 perch and 4lb’ish chub, followed by a medium sized barbel lost on the Beult was good too. Unfortunately, a slight trip, a heavy impact, followed by two police cars, eight coppers, an ambulance, three fire appliances, 12 firemen and a boat, slightly spoiled the swim for a while! It’s really put the kybosh on my fishing for a few weeks. I’m non weight bearing for a couple of months, then it’s a bit of gentle stalking (oops sorry, exercise) before I can go back to proper fishing (oops, sorry again, I mean work!) after a few more weeks. I must put in a bit here, which I hope may help people in the future. As I’ve been a bit disabled for a number of years, I’ve come to realise the importance of, and the practicalities of fishing in safety. When I fell, I was quite a long way from other anglers. They couldn’t hear my shouts for help. Although I fell within sight of a bridge, there was nobody about. What I had done though, was tell my wife exactly where I’d be, and what time I’d be home. I also told her I’d call if my plans changed. In the event, when I fell, I called her first. I wasn’t in too much pain, but I knew that an ambulance wouldn’t find me without help. After I spoke to her, I phoned the emergency services, but she was already on to them, giving an exact description of where I was. Had I not been on my own, the other person could have done the same. So just give it a bit of thought will you? OK, it’s great to sneak off for a bit of sneaky fishing, but a bit of thought could save your life. And yes Elton, there were PLENTY of women in uniform (you alwys have to lower the tone, don't you?). Of course, they all behaved very proffessionally, and I was a very good patient!

I'm going to be sick!!!!!!!

Patrizia, do you have any of the pictures of the fish you have caught in Germany and have put back alive? You do say you believe in catch and release, so you'll probably have plenty.

Lets hope no Red Herrings are caught!

Well done lads. Nice to see you all throwing your waters open to someone visiting from another part of the world as usual.

Very nice to hear from you Viking. It's always good to hear a viewpoint from another country/angling scene. I'm fully with you, on all points you have made. Sadly though, none of our pro-angling or catch and release arguments have any effect on the tiny minority of people who want to see the sport abolished. What we are able to do though, is influence the majority of people, who have no particular thoughts on the matter at the moment. Hopefully, by good behaviour and the ability to demonstrate that we look after our fish and the environment in general, those people will retain a reasonable attitude to angling. That way, the tiny minority against us, will stay just that. But, as I have said many times and in many ways, anglers must never be complacent.

In Germany, the Green Party came in to power (in the UK, we have Labour, Liberal, Conservative, and the party which wins most of the elections, which is the party which the majority of people seem to be attending, when an election is called. Meaning they don't turn out and vote!!!!) The Green Party, are not anti-angling. They are anti-animal cruelty. They got in on that premise, by that I mean they said they would help stop animal cruelty. This included cruelty to fish. So, when people voted for the Greens (or went to the party which stopped them turning out to vote), the Greens were elected. Their main election blurb was along the lines of: "WANT TO STOP KITTENS BEING DROWNED? WANT TO STOP YOUR GRANNY BEING RUN OVER BY 4X4S? WANT BETTER HOUSING? want to stop fish being put back, once they have been caught? (it's better to kill a 2oz roach, than it is to return it to grow into a 2lb'er after all) DO YOU GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC? etc etc. Not like we have today, where our beloved pro-angling government looks after us anglers so well!!!

I'll put it simply. There are people in society, who consider that ALL creatures, including ants, girraffes, politicians, chavs, bacteria and fish, are able to have the same thoughts and feelings as humans. Despite what science, history and common sense has to say, they will use their belief as a justification as a tool with which to attack angling in every way. A minority, have good intentions towards the environment, but are not aware of the real facts. Sadly there are a lot, who will seize on anything which in any way, could be detrimental to angling. They have NEVER been proved right. They have always spouted off, at every opportunity, when they can attack angling. Most importantly in my knowledge, no ANTI-ANGLER, anywhere in the world, has EVER done any thing to protect or save fish, from any problem, disaster, pollution incident, de-oxygenation, de-hydration, or anything else (natural or man made). When pictures appear of dead fish, even if they are taken for the table, these people will use such pictures as lables for us all as bad people.

If that's the case Chevin, I consider myself better informed now Chevin, thanks. I had always based that belief on information given to me a long time ago. As I don't eat fish myself (although I do take them for others on request) i don't often have the (to me) odius task of having to knock them on the head. Vacuum packing machines eh! How long before Fox sell one.

Bill, the carp which Rex Hunt caught in his programme, were actually dispatched swiftly and correctly, albeit off screen. carp are a serious "vermin" species in Aus, they cause a phnominal amount of damage to waterways. One of the main issues that anti's have with UK anglers, is that we put the fish back alive. They campaign on that fact. The Rex Hunt programmes, are in some cases 10 or more years old. A lot of attitudes to fish handling have improved out there, although poor fish treatment (by the standards which we practice in this country, and are the accepted norm)is still quite common. The attitude to fish in a lot of cases are that as they are lesser beings to us humans (i.e. don't feel pain, don't think like we do etc) they don't really matter, unless they are going in the pot. As we put our fish back (predominantly) in this country, it's very important that they go back in good condition, so they can "live to fight another day". This country is almost on it's own, in the way that we return our catches. In most other countries, a portion of what is caught, is taken for food. The thought of clonking the fish on the head before it dies on it's own, is an alien concept to most. Another point to make, is that the longer a fish is kept alive (albeit flapping abouit in the bottom of a boat or in a bucket), the less time it has to go "off" before it's cooked. Horrible I'll grant you, but an important consideration in most hot climates.