arbocop

Last time I was there I got freezing rings, I kept dipping the rod in the water - coz it's a chalk stream fed by spring water it's a constant 10 degrees, or as near as dammit. The grayling shouldn't be too fussed and although we are supposed to avoid the trout, they are fairly difficult to avoid and a lot of them are triploids so don't get full of eggs or milt and therefore stay active. As a result they go like the clappers. Minus 7 sounds bloody cold though.

I've been before, fly is not a problem for Grayling - I don't know about other species. If they permit it for Grayling I would assume not.

Hi - Yes I'm coming!

Hi - does anyone know if these are still available? I can't seem to locate one with a 1.2lb test curve - they were around £50 and now I want one I can't find one....

It was caught in the bridgewater canal in Warrington - so possibly not simply a genetic mutation!

A really weird one was a gudgeon from the Kennet caught whilst spinning with a mepps I brought it back above a weedbed and there it was, properly hooked. Oh and a bullhead on a lobworm. Near 2lb roach with no tail, not recently damaged but started bleeding from the flesh when I held it. Caused by a pike I assumed - one of the biggest roach I have caught but not one for the photo album! Like the carp story I couldn't believe it was so healthy - it still pulled hard. Numerous deformed fish, including a 2oz roach with a severely bent spine and 2 tails. Whilst fly fishing, have caught perch, dace, roach, rudd and ruffe on trout flies.

Well done indeed - you are getting the nhang of this trotting malarkey now aren't you? Maybe bump into you again at the lambourn or northcroft soon. I went to Barton Court last saturday - only 2 of us to the entire place. Lovely hoar frost everywhere -batteries not in camera aaaargh - but trout and grayling were biting.

Yeah I can make it - can you put me down too?

On the fly - another couple of bass from the surf, pike, wild trout (definitely) but perhaps my favourite - more pin fishing on these lovely crisp frosty days for grayling and perch. I can't get out often enough but I'm limited to maybe 20 trips a year. Maybe a summer barbel this year on the pin instead of all this fluff chucking.....

You again! I think know this weirpool! Get on the pin, leave the baitrunner at home!

... at this time of year, can't get enough of trotting for the grayling. Proving elusive for me this winter though - can't avoid the trout! Looking forward to grayling and trout on the fly and the float in '09!

Mahseer, definitely.

Hi Steve, it's Mike - we met on the bank the other day, doing the same thing - pin fishing. I didn't know you were christening your pin, but pleased to read that you caught - I am assuming at Northcroft rather than the 'bourne. Unfortunately you will find the centrepin addictive - sorry. It's the next best thing to fly fishing! I caught no grayling despite my best efforts, but I did manage 2 small trout on redworm tail. I never managed to get to Nortrhcroft - I had to get brownie points at home too. Popped out for an hour nearer to home though, managed a reasonable perch just on darkness from the Kennet in Reading.