dutch1862

Many thanks, it seems to be working now!

Has anyone else had this problem? If I go into a topic then the vertical scrollbar stops before the end of the page does! It only seems to happen on my work laptop, which is using version 6 of IE. My home desktop seems fine; although not sure what version it uses off the top of my head. It's very annoying, especially if I'm trying to read a topic I posted! Refreshing makes no difference, sometimes if I leave the page for ages and go back it seems to have miraculously displayed it!

Geoff, that sounds like you've had some experience on that front! I'll confess to using Google Earth recently to look at venues I used to fish to see how they might have changed. It never crossed my mind to print out the map. Now that I think about it I'm not sure how obvious swims/pegs will stand out, I guess it depends on the resolution provided by Google or just on how familiar you are with the venue. Any experiences on resolution and such like that you'd care to share!?! Maybe some anglers have been kind enough to mark pegs on some maps; I seem to think you can mark items of interest on Google maps? Having a print out of the venue sounds like a great idea. Not really in keeping of my aim to not be geeky, but hey ho!

What TV offerings do we get these days? I have Sky+, but no Sky Sports (yet I hasten to add) so would be interested to hear what channel numbers there are etc. Rex Hunt struck me as a stereotypical Aussie. His programme was mildly entertaining at best, probably when he kissed fish that were uglier than my mother-in-law. Bruno Brookes and Keith Arthur (?) used to have a programme on Sky Sports 1 I seem to recall that I enjoyed. The trouble is they put these things on too late for me these days, but Sky+ is the best invention ever!!

Thanks everyone. Some top advice there that reinforces my view that it is an important thing to do. As I work in IT and as much as I hate am probably a little bit geeky I can see I'm going to end up taking a notebook and pencil with me so I can sketch a quick diagram of the swim and record the various depths! And far worse than that it's adding to my desperation to get out on the bank and try all of these things out! Ah well it's only this month and next that I need to get through of working full-time and studying part-time!

A lot of articles I read in things like the Angling Times and Improve Your Coarse Fishing talk about plumbing the depth of your swim. I'm a bit unsure about the right approach and would welcome any tips. It worries me that chucking in a lead weight to several parts of the swim could spook any fish in the area. And of course knowing how deep to fish once I've plumbed - bait just touching the bottom or having some spare line between the hook and the actual bottom point. What approaches do you take to things like remembering the depth if you fish shallow or even for returning to the same peg on another day? I always used to guesstimate the depth when I float fished before, although that had varying levels of success. Now I think that having the right depth is a big step in the right direction. Would you agree? Another area these articles suggest this can help is on finding snags in your swim. How do you do this exactly? And how do you make sure you don't snag up your plumb??

A friend who used to be into mountain biking gave me a headtorch almost 20 years ago. I always used to feel silly wearing it, but it was very handy when night fishing. Funnily enough I was at my parents recently and it was still in one of their cupboards, which was a real shock. I'm actually surprised to hear you can get them for about £10. I wouldn't have been at all surprised to see them going for twice that!

I don't think it should be on the curriculum either. But, I do think there should be more in schools around environmental issues, which might help with things like littering anglers etc. Definitely one for the school club type activity though!

Hi everyone Has anyone had laser eye surgery? And what experiences have you had with your eyesight since the op with fishing, such as staring at a float? I had it done about 3 months ago. It was the best choice I ever made, but having not had chance to fish yet I wondered what experiences anyone might have had. I'm slowly counting down the weeks until I'll have enough free time to start going fishing again - around 8 weeks now and I can't wait!!

Hi I've been posting on here for about a week, but only just noticed this particular forum! I'm Rob, 33, from Nottingham (born and bred). I recently got married, 4 weeks ago this Saturday. I haven't fished for at least 10 years, but am looking to get back into it; I'm sure you could read that to mean I'm bored of married life already, but I assure you I'm not! lol I used to fish the Trent and Grantham Canal most frequently. I'm studying part-time and working full-time at the moment so have very little spare time. But my course finishes in March and once the backlog of DIY jobs is out of the way I intend to get fishing again! Sooner if things go my way!! Take it easy Rob

Thanks all. Well 3 recommendations for John wilson's book can't be bad. I find his laughter a little annoying, but if his book is worth a read then I'll give it a try. I'll just have to hope I can't hear him laughing in my head!! I had a look at some of the other forums last night and they didn't seem to offer anything more than this site. So I'm afraid you'll be stuck with me! lol Besides there's no need for me to move as this does seem like a good site and a friendly bunch. Regarding the venues, I popped into the old tackle shop I used to frequent at lunch time today. They've got a handout of local venues and a couple were suggested as easy to catch fish, so as soon as I can I think they'll be paid a visit. For those of you near Nottingham or thinking of taking a trip over this way I'll type this handout into this forum when I've got more time. Thanks again Rob

On a slightly related topic to that about desert island books, are there any that you'd recommend for someone like me who is finding their feet again in the world of fishing? Anything that covers the basics and anything that gives a guide on venues would be awesome. Failing that any other websites that you use? This one seems top so far though I ought to add!!

And thanks again Sir! Some good advice. Where abouts is Makins? I've found a couple of references to it on the net, but so far no location! Don't worry it's not waffle. All very useful to someone like me who's had at least a 10 year break from fishing!

And it makes for a funny thread. Either that or I'm easily amused!

Thanks Jeremy Any idea how much the NAA costs? I noticed your profile says you're from Arnold, I'll have to get mine updated accordingly I think! I live in Basford, so not too far away. Is there anywhere close to our neck of the woods that's worth checking out? I often see teenagers walking around with tackle, I really ought to ask them where they go! I used to fish the embankment quite regularly when I first started around 20 years ago. Behind the Forest ground used to be okay - any idea what it's like these days? Well other than the river being so high that it's rare for you to be able to see the concrete steps!

I think WD40 is far too thin to work as a lubricant. As it's a penetrating oil it must have some form of abrasive property so I'd avoid using it with line if you can (aside from the environmental issues). It's good stuff for cleaning gunk, as you know, from reels. It can be used to free up seized taps etc. I'm not too familiar with centrepin reels having never used one, let alone stripped one down. But I guess if you can get the line off before applying WD40 then so long as you give the reel a good clean afterwards there's no reason why you couldn't use it.

Cheers Steve, I was begining to wonder if it was something I'd said lol! I'll hang tight then...

A tip that I remember from years ao is to determine an area around your peg that you'll use to take a picture and then before you've caught anything you can to take test pictures to make sure you know where to position your camera. You can use a bankstick to mark out the top of the picture or the highest point in the picture (your head). I'd have thought that most digital cameras come with a timer. You can get cheap (small) tripods from Tescos that should screw into the base of most cameras. This should allow you to either position the camera on top of your seat or just to angle it upwards in the right way. But then it all depends on your timer option, as you'll need enough time to get ready, but not so much as the fish are drowning while you're waiting for the click!

Hi After a break of around 10 years from fishing my dad and I are thinking about getting back into it. I could really use some help on the following if anyone has any tips please: - Good venues in Nottingham. I used to fish the Grantham Canal (the part that runs parallel to Radcliffe Road in West Bridgford and from Gamston Bridge up towards Morrisons in Gamston). Whenever I drive past these days it always looks overgrown and covered in weed. Anyone know who runs this now and what the fishing is like? And any other venues that would be good for either a day ticket or a member? Pinders Pond in Lady Bay used to be pretty good too as I recall. - Local angling clubs. What clubs are there these days and are they worth joining? Details to join etc would be handy. Matchman Supplies ran a stretch of Grantham Canal the last time I fished and I used to be a season ticket holder. Anywhere near West Bridgford would be good, but not essential as we both drive. - Any developments in tackle, baits and methods over the past 10 years that I need to look out for? Many thanks Rob