Phone

Is Robson Green an American? I never heard of the guy, either in print or on the TV. Perhaps he is only on English TV?? Phone

This story is getting rather heavy "play" in many US newspapers. Phone

Rabbit, For what it's worth. This thread is contentious because your compairsons are to a proper England. Much of what you say is "at fault" in Africa we have/had in the US less than 100 years ago. If there is one thing all (?) countries in Africa have going for it is this. They don't have 70 million people stacked in an area the size of our 5th smallest state, New Jersey. Africa has a a chance. How we promote an acceleration into the 21st century is, of course, debatable but certainly not predestined. Phone BTW in the US we are taught the British Empire is/was responsible for nearly all modern civilization. Well done!

I get checked like I was part of a bunch of grapes - frequently then not at all for awhile. In the US each state is responsible for issuing their own licenses. Since I fish a great deal on public land I would say I get checked at least once annually and sometimes every time I go out for month in a row. Bare in mind a "resident" fishing license (one from the state where you live may be as little as $10.00. And, all states that I can think of have free fishing days. Many states actually sponsor fishing events to get people out fishing. We have no national license. Phone

Don't tempt yourselves lads. After a twenty year interuption in smoking the first one I picked up was just as good as the last one I layed down. Phone

If not Africa (all the third world) then where? I suppose here in the US we could generate more economy by making more guns, we're quite good at it. Real wealth, natural resourses and economic wealth, are not the same. We TAKE (buy?) a lot of natural resources from Africa. In the US we can't give away (aid) - worldwide - enough "stuff" to sustain economic growth as it is. Why not Africa? I don't miss the point that Africa should do SOMETHING for themselves - even a token would look nice. Phone A recent big news story here in the US goes as follows: a company in Alabama is crying there eyes out because 300 American workers are loosing their jobs. The US State Dept has elected to buy cheap condoms for Africa from China. Now if we are going to supply Africa with condoms I do believe we should use an American manufacturer. The Alabama Company is justified IMO

I like these longer threads and their ramblings. I do, as a Yank, have a bit of a problem. Is this properly describing a "bobbin" ? We don't use the term "bobbin". "Bobbins are highly visible bite indicators that clip on to the mainline when legering with bite alarms. They feature secure fitting clips that hold them to the mainline, but the clips aren't so tight that the bobbin won't pull away from the line when the rod is picked up to strike or play a fish. Most bobbins are attached to the banksticks using either a length of cord or chain, and some bobbins are supplied with interchangeable weights to create a little tension upon the mainline - ideal when fishing in water that is towing strongly." Since boyhood (70 years) I have used a bit piece of tinfoil weighted and shaped variously. Is a piece of tinfoil "dumbing down" the requirement to much? Do bobbins have to have the length of cord or chain or would it be acceptable if it just "pops" off. The thread leaves a question about whether they (your bobbins) are "species specific" in the discussion. I no longer bank fish for preditory fish, in fact, I don't fish for preditory fish at all - just carp. Phone

Without reading ALL 37 pages can a Yank jump into the middle of this one? The water at the bottom of the lake (any lake of size) will always be 39 degrees f. That is the heaviest water. Below the thermocline (if there is one) the seperation of warm water from cold water will be quite different. The cold water will be near motionless if the lake is a closed impoundment. The warmer water can move about freely on top of the colder water like dust on land. In large lakes it really takes a gale wind to breakup the seperation line (thermocline). Wind rarely has an impact on the bottom temperature. When the bottom does get affected/effected the entire water column changes place. So the water goes like this from the bottom (heavy/cold) - (light weight/warm) - (extremely light weight/frozen). The light weight/warm is usually 100% the area of water motion. Is this what this thread is about? Phone

Decent and honorable job in Iraq. Well done! Phone (Hope our boys are not far behind)

All, I have read all five pages of this thread. I am getting a little defensive. Exactly how smart do you have to be to carp fish? Phone

In the US the purchase of Shakespeare by Pure Fishing has began to put a bit of a downward twist on Shakespeare products. Much more "mass marketed" if that is possible. The quality of the products are still first rate. If you search "Pure Fishing" you will see all the variaty of favorite companies that are now merged under one corporate banner. Sad really. For my part in complete and much intended defiance of the takle tart crowd I ONLY use mis-matched (tip and butt) UglyStik 7'6" rods. I must have a 100 and there is no way to tell which tip goes with which butt. Phone

Budgie, You’ll like adding “buffs” to your list of caught fish. A bit belligerent toward taking a hook sometimes. I’m sure Newt could put you on some of the best of buff waters in the US as they are right near him in South Carolina. Now remember, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”. As for catching a buff, I think the best fight might come from a twenty. A twenty is plenty of fish. Someday I hope to be able to catch a proper English eel. None yet! Phone

Phones report of the Austin (Tx) Team Chanpionship (ATC). I will direct this pretty much toward the UK audience. If you have questions please feel free to ask. I’m not sure I will get all the lingo correct. Many Brits don’t think we Americans are dedicated carp anglers. I left home on Wednesday and arrived in Austin Texas Thursday, 764 miles from home to my motel. The only delay was in the Kansas flinthills. The prarie buffalo grass was burning and I was delayed about an hour and a half because you cannot drive into the smoke. Here’s how the tournament went. We fished two eleven hour sessions with fishing beginning at 6am each day. Each day we drew new pegs. While this lake is very productive the peg draw both days is a major component for overall winning. Lots of very experienced fishermen competing. 34 Anglers; 26 Hours Fished; 139 Fish Caught; 2585 Pounds; Big Fish 43#12oz *New State Record* The winners, the Bates brothers from South Africa, now living in the states were overall winners with: largest fish 32.8; biggest 4 fish 109.7; total weight 534 lbs. They used mielie bombs with a single pip almost exclusively. The weather was awful. Rather like English Spring. We experienced rain, wind, two weather fronts, and to cold for Phone. I went to a local dinner and ate when it began raining. Traditionally I drew wonderful pegs. The first day’s peg is the one I would have picked if there was no draw. Both days the peg blanked. The second day peg had produced 13 fish the first day and was the peg from where I won the tournament several years ago. I blanked both days. My partner did get two fish the second day totaling about 40 lbs. The “rage” in the Austin area right now among carp anglers is the lake right above the one we fished that is producing a fish only found in the United States, the “buffalo”. This particular fish is the Smallmouth Buffalo, we have three different buffalo. They are fun, require carp fishing skills and range into the middle to upper eighties and fight very similar to carp. A few fishermen went a day or two early and stayed a day or two after the tournament to “buff” fish. Let me say a trip to Austin would be well worth the trip should you be able to angle the money from “Mum” (did I use that word right?). Don’t come for the tournament, just to much relies on the peg draw. There are plenty of Texas fishermen that can put you on PLENTY of fish. In fact, one fellow has started guiding buffalo sessions. But more importantly there are lots of big carp and very very few tiddlers. Again, ask me the “stuff” you would like to know Phone

Newt, I will give it a try. Maybe I can get some of the guys that catch fish to give me a photo or two. This is always a wonderful torunament of about 70 "anglers". Very proper format. Rules require all the formalities of the World Championships. All, This is turning into an "odd" thread. Phone

Peter, In print format and from several thousand miles it is difficult to distinguish the difference for the majority of guys on AnglersNet, "anglers" from "fishermen". In the US we have commercial carp fishermen. I once had license to harvest carp (rough fish) on the Mississippi River water shead. My limit was 50 tons annually. I was not governed by any "gentlemans" notion of "proper" angling - I was a fisherman. I went to length to get the opinions of UK fishermen as "anglers". Phone Curious, how DO you distinguish the differences?

Fishing vs. Angling Phone’s views. A fisherman is anyone who fishes for a living or for the moment is fishing for the pot. They are restrained by strict rules and regulations. An angler is fishing all right, but only as a sportsman. The difference is that an angler is honorable to the truth as well as rules and regulations. Fishermen are heavily regulated by laws. Anglers are sportsmen and more freely regulated by their well organized self awareness of what is “best” and what is the “truth” and less by laws. Sportsmen should freely and correctly argue what is “best” for their sport. It is this self regulating aspect of our endeavors as carp angling that keep us from being fishermen. Just as with self awareness there may be differing claims on , “what constitutes truth? “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”(Winston Churchill) For now “truth” should mean honesty, good faith, and sincerity; in general, we should try to agree with the facts or reality. What is often assumed by anglers is - more is better, new beats old, high-tech out classes low, if it is published it is true - - - IMO this isn’t always so. I would say less than half of the angling information we receive is supported by adequate evidence. Let me give you examples of some discussions I am having with an English lad. (he definitely has THE English perspective) One, I contend “bronzed hooks” dissolve in 4 days (at 72 degrees f) and the “super doper” hooks popular now are, regardless of the percent, harmful to fish. Further, I contend a sharp bronzed hook is just as sharp as a “super doper” hook the FIRST cast. You’re just lazy, not changing or sharpening a bronzed hook. (For my part, I examine and change hooks if necessary every cast) Two, I contend even the best of anglers in the world contributes to the death or near death of a carp on occasion. We, anglers, certainly don’t contribute to their longevity. (I especially hate lengthy photo sessions) Three, carp are just fish. And, what "chaps" (do you know this word?) him the worst. I say by not admitting the “truth” he becomes a fisherman. He catagorically disagrees, how should I proceed? (Phone always knows he is right??) Phone PS: I shall be fishing a tournament until March 31 then I'll be back. Don’t be shy, jump right on this one, I am old and crusty.

John S, Perhaps you will be the first to benefit from my return. I have a sure-fire, no fail, way to land a "40". Just be sure you weigh your next catch in the absence of any other person, especially another angler. Works for me! Phone

In the US I found the "best" selection to be NOT from the fishing industry but from the "medical equipment" industry (that is if you don't object to chrome). They do not have adjustable legs, at lease that I know of, but every other comfort and quality you could possibly want. May I suggest you start with a catalog (I refuse to waste a good "U"). Phone Ohh, they are considerably heavier than the angling chairs I've seen in the US.

I thought it time to come back to one of my favorite sites, AnglersNet and see "what can be done" to save you. I have an appointment with the EA regulatory and laws committee soon. At least THEY have good taste when selecting commenters! Phone

The weight of my carp is always directly related to the number of people in the area. And for what it's worth, I always round up - way up. I weigh my sling dry before beginning a session and VERY wet with a fish in it. I think carp should only be "classified" small - medium - large. I think you are being way to analytical - and perhaps cynical. Phone

Rich, What reel (pickup speed)? What line (size of the manufacturers spool)? It makes a difference if you want to be exact. Most line twist comes with the retrieve. You arn't reeling through your brake are you? Phone

All Lots of new guys since I used to post as Phonebush so it is time for my disclaimer to be repeated. I, Phonebush, frequently lie. I, Phonebush, never quote outside sources since I am an exhaulted and oft quoted expert on all thing carp myself. Each period ending a sentence posted by me, Phone (Phonebush), is an implied smiley face. I, Phone (Phonebush), practice the tennants prescribed by CAG and put a great deal of emphasis on the word FUN, as in "Phone( Phonebush) tries to have FUN". If ever I infringe on any poster's personal values I am truly a temporary twit, declare a Senior moment (I am 70), and appolige now, in advance. You can call me Phone but in the disclamer I use my whole name Phonebush. Phone PS: For those of you who don't know my moniker comes from the great distances and locations from where I can call fish in to my offerings. PPSS: CAG stands for the Carp Anglers Group, a mostly American group of carp anglers. You, the Brits, would/should/do like the attention we give carp both in the water and on the bank. Many CAG members are exPats.

Yes, I'm the same guy. "Phonebush" I couldn't figure out how to get a new password and forgot mine. So I just signed up again as Phone. I'm not buying the monk story even 1%. You buying my story? Phone

I'll jump right in with an old story that is circulating again here in the US. The history of the hair rig goes something like this: "The first known hair rig was invented at a Davie County NC paylake in the 1940 - 50's by a couple service men from the area. Somebody said "WTF is THAT???. Looks like something to snare a rabbit with.". Locally (North Carolina USA) it then jokingly became known as a "Hare Rig". The Brits probably didn't know the story and mispelled it as "Hair Rig"." Do you believe this story? You know I kinda believe it, maybe(?) What is the UK version of the history of the "hair rig". Phone

All, I am looking for some stats that will reveal the value (pounds or dollars) of the entire industry of carp angling in the UK. I looked on the EA site and could not find anything but drivel. If possible I would like a breakdown. You know - publications, bait and tackle, syndicate membership, on and on. Any of you have anything like that? Also for Europe if available (but mostly for UK) Phone