Phone

Wata, I blame the Queen. Phone

madmax, Sounds like it may be a "marketing" statement. Avon may have been a successful rod as some point in the UK. Further, it may or may not have meant something. Maybe the term Avon should now say "avon style" playing on someones previous successful marketing. For sure "feeder rod" is not a specific technical term. What made me even comment is Watatoad's comment about "full parabolic progressive action". A mathmatical impossibility. It does sound like it would sell well thought. Both a "parabola" and a "progressive action" in the same device. Who could resist? Flyfishermen often talk about MODIFIED parabolic action. That opens a can of worms that requires a full bowl of pipe tobacco and a pint of your favorite beverage. In the US we buy very very few parabolic rods. Just a matter of taste I guess. Phone

All, I have to tell you I rarely get into "cultural" discussions within. Equally, I rarely depend on WIKI for an explaination of ANYTHING. However, this seemed pretty interesting to me whilst "putting a handle" on this fourm discussion topic. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compensation_culture " looks well balanced and could apply anywhere in the 1st world I'd think? As always, I guess the issue is "fairness" (similar compensation for similar circumstances throughout the nation). We use a system in the US that seems WAY out of balance right now based on regional politics and differences. I don't think anyone would deny valid claims and valid values. What is/has become difficult is a definition of "reasonable". Phone

All, River or still water? Is "every" successful angler's technique generally the same? Lastly, are you talking about all cyprinids? Phone (Edit: notice madmax1975 thread titled "on the canal")

wotnob, Actually, at the risk of once again hijacking the thread, over here for 'rough fish' anything you throw in the water is "bait". The gizzmo you choose to catch the fish with is called the "pickup". For predators it is the "hookbait". Phone

wotnot, Yes, I believe we are agreeing. Bait that ends up on the ground (in the swim, not at your feet) is "groundbait" (one word). "Ground bait" (two words) has gone through some sort of grinding process. Sometimes you talk of floating or suspended bread crumbs as "groundbait" although suspect in most instances you mean "ground bait". Then there is "clouding" - should we go there? (ha ha). Phone

Emma two, Among the world's anglers "groundbait" is any substance that you add to the swim that lays on the ground (i.e. sinks to the bottom). Caution, there is also "ground bait" which is a substance(s) reduced by grinding that may or may not become "groundbait". It may float or suspend. I notice in the UK you are very inconsistant in two dimensions when you talk about these two differences. Often very confusing. Phone

emaze, It takes a pretty confident angler to put his ideas and methods up for others to review and learn from. There are ALWAYS critics, some with good intentions and some just for the pimp. I hope your fine piece launches an intelligent and civil discussion. I will never be to old to learn. Nice work! Phone

gary, Until you are better aquainted, I'd carry the packagings along in my kit. That would be the only way for a bailiff (pond boss) to know with any degree of certainty I'd think. Don't believe I would use anything I tied myself for awhile. Phone

Emma Two, The answer over here is - - - Yes - - - - what's your point? Phone

Stooby, Worst? Well, I'm not sure. I exited stage left. Two catfishermen (drunks) had a 3/4 oz egg sinker fight with slingshots. One got hit in the ear region on the side of his head. He was knocked colder than a hammer and they had called for medical assistance about the time I was leaving. (Never did get that rod and reel back). Can't even begin to count the number of "newbies" I assisted at "fishins" on free fishing days sponsored by various groups. We have, usually, one day a year you can fish without any sort of permits. Kids and inexperienced adults are how show up. They usually "hook" each other one way or another. Had one lad "intentionally" wind line so tightly around his finger we had to send him to the hospatal to have it removed. Still don't know how he accomplished that little trick. Phone

Tigger, Yeah right!(?) As if we didn't have our share of screwballs. Phone

All, I bet Vagabond can tell you about linen, silk, rayon and even cotton fishing line too. Then came nylon. Today’s angler is incredibly spoiled when it comes to fishing line. I'm afraid I don't have even a strand of old "braid" fishing line laying around any longer. If the production of spider silk ever becomes industrially viable, it could replace Kevlar and be used to make a diverse range of fishing lines (especially in these politically "eco-friendly times). Although I've never seen them, I read that the people of the Solomon Islands still use spider silk for their fish nets. I always promised myself it I had enough money I'd have new fishing stuff. What a pain in the arce that old stuff is. We had to wash the line after every session or it would rot. How much fun is that?? Phone

Tigger, Peaked my interest for just a moment. I didn't even know Browning made a revolver. What a rare find that would be. Then I realized, after reading the thread, AN is not in the US. Most relvolvers are centerfire, execpt the .22 cal. Phone

Jaffa. Just FYI, I was quoting my state's fishing license. In other states as soon as you give away even one fish you must stop fishing for that day. My license does not distinguish "when" you must stop, just that you must stop fishing. Guess I could look at the regulations(?). Also, at least in Florida I know, not only are there rules about shellfish, there are rules about fishshells. Phone

Chris, Been waiting for an update on this one. Phone

Dales, You would only have to come fish with me and my pals a couple times to realize barbed vs barbless vs micro-barbed is NOT, Not, not the issue. Angler technique, is 99.9% of the issue. When we say "let's go rip some lips" that's what we mean. I noticed the same is (was) true in the UK. Once you decide to spear a fish none of the static kit is responsible for "damage" - you are. Phone

Gary, If such a insane minuscule difference were required over here you could bet your bottom dollar the pond boss could fix you up with something suitable for as little as a 1000% mark-up. Not sure if you have them but the sharpest out of the package hook is the chemically sharpened VMC Vanadium steel line of hooks. They are WAY to expensive for me. (They are micro-barbed). Oddly, just like hook "size" each manufacturer has its own definition of "micro-barbed". There is no industry standard. VMC is one of the bigger barbed - micro-barbed hooks. The package says "micro-barbed". Are you allowed to flatten a barbed hook? That may be the answer. Phone

Sean, The devil knows "I" would never stir the pot. But, a rhetorical question occurs to me. How do you fish "live bait" in the UK? It can't be fish (minnows)? You can't catch it in one water and use it in another? Phone

Jaffa, Did your hypothetical friends and family give you a beer in exchange? In the US you can give your legal limit of fish away but must not fish again that day. Commercial fishing refers to the harvesting of fish, either in whole or in part, for sale, barter or trade. Phone

Steve B, For “kids” fishins where it is paramount to catch lots of perch and sunfish in a hurry I use “trout starter” by Purina (it’s like 1 or 2 mm) with a dab or two of krill from the aquarium shop. The cheaper the better on the krill. Never seen it fail (?) although the fry and specimen respond with equal vigor. For my grandkids during the summer a can of dog food hanging from a long willow pole (12 ft or more) with hundreds of holes punched in it is “best” once the maggots begin to fall into the water beneath it. Takes 3 or 4 day for the action to start with the maggots though. Phone Edit: (When speaking of perch I mean Yellow Perch, and a zillion sunfishes) Rich, I believe krill is available as a liquid suspension or as krill flavorings as a spray)

Leon, The link, " http://www.mczmapping.org " does not produce a map. Just out of curiosity I though I would have a look for myself at what a "127 proposed 'marine conservation zones'" would look like on such a small group of islands. Do you have to "register" to view the map? Not a biggie. Phone

BUDGIE, Ohh, will need a lesson or two next trip across the pond. Phone Oddly, I believe motion and sound frequency may well be the next big break-through in carp fishing.

All, Regardless of the choice of baits; live, dead or artifical I've noticed every presentation over here includes small brightly coloUred beads and a spinner blade. Is that not a custom for success in the UK? I.e. behind a lure is a series of beads and a spinner blade. A question, are many, if any, zander caught while the bait is stationary? Only in the river do I see "fixed" baits and even then they use the current to add motion. Phone Edit: Do you use triple hooks (treble hooks) on your lures? Do you use a trailing single hook that is baited when bait fishing (about an inch or so back)? Atta boy! Dales

All, I am always "pained" when someone tells me "what terrible pain" a wild creature is in. That is so abstract. Pain is exclusively human. Animals survive - or don't. Phone