Julian

Finally managed to sort my Birch Grove Pictures from the week before last. It was a great week even though I had to go home a few days early for my brothers wedding, how selfish was he - getting married during our week on Birch!! It was a great week as usual, although it was a little sad in one regard; Anne who has been the Landlady at the Admiral Duncan for the last six years or so has decided to move on, and things definitely won’t be the same without her, and typically, she held a leaving do on the same day as I had to shoot back home for my brothers wedding. The guy’s tell me it was a good do though – from what they can remember! Anyway, back to the fishing, we took 12 fish between us, with as far as I’m aware, no losses – I know Chris and I banked every one we hooked, which was pleasing for a water with so many snags. Arrived at dinner time on the Sunday with Chris and Myself fishing the Main Boards, with Shaun and Miffer in the Compound. I think these are in the order that we had them; Chris - 11lb 12oz common Miffer - 20lb 6oz common Me - 23lb 12oz mirror Shaun - 15lb+ common Chris – 21lb 6oz common Me – 21lb+ common Miffer – 29lb 3oz common Me – 20lb 4oz common - stalked Chris – 22lb 12oz Me – 27lb 12oz mirror Chris – 24lb 3oz mirror Only one missing is Miffer’s 17+ common which he had after I left on the Friday morning.

I guess it all comes down to the ‘worth’ bit. It’s what the individual angler considers to be ‘worth it’ that dictates how they spend their time – one fish banked over the winter period, ten fish, or maybe more. In years gone by I’ve fished specimen carp waters that totally switch off during the winter, proper headbangers where quite literally, one fish off during the winter is a major achievement, yet, I could just have easily fished the Stock Pond 200 yards away where I could have had ten smaller fish every session, so I guess it just depends how you value a catch. Aside from conditions, the overall feeding patterns during winter will be dictated by the stock density, so find a water with a good head off fish and you should stand a much better chance, whatever the conditions. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time like I used to, so any winter fishing I manage to get in this year will be short session stuff, a few hours here and there. I always like a challenge though, so I’m be hoping to resurrect my surface fishing challenge from last winter and bank one off the top in the months that I did not manage through last winter.

Truth is, I was actually in quite a bit of pain when holding that fish – hence the grimace! I’d given my right arm a big whack the previous day whilst climbing out of a tree and it really hurt whenever I tried to lift anything. It *really* hurt when I picked the fish up and I struggled to hold it steady. Most of the other pics are a bit blurred as a result but luckily that one is ok! Don’t know what I’d have done if it had gone over 30

Yep, they are also great for the small stuff as you say Phil, Whilst at Birch Chris was using it to have a whack at the eel's and it proved quite sensitive! J

Hi all, I’ve sorted a few pictures of our Birch Grove trip from the week before last It was a great week even though I had to go home a few days early for my brothers wedding, but a good time was had by all (as usual) and we managed a few nice kippers between us. Final tally was 12 fish, with as far as I’m aware, no losses – I know Chris and I banked every one we hooked, which was pleasing for a water with so many snags. Arrived at dinner time on the Sunday with Chris and Myself fishing the Main Boards, with Shaun and Miffer in the Compound. I think these are in the order that we had them; Chris - 11lb 12oz common Miffer - 20lb 6oz common Julian - 23lb 12oz mirror Shaun - 15lb+ common Chris – 21lb 6oz common Julian – 21lb+ common Miffer – 29lb 3oz common Julian – 20lb 4oz common - stalked Chris – 22lb 12oz Julian – 27lb 12oz mirror Chris – 24lb 3oz mirror Only one missing is Miffer’s 17+ common which he had after I left on the Friday morning.

Having just re-read my last entry, I have to raise a wry smile. I added it just before I set off for a few days fishing with Elton down on the syndicate lake. In the entry and wrote about how I just had a feeling that it was going to be a good session as all the omens were looking good. Just how good it actually ended up being surpassed any hopes that I might have had before hand, and looking back I still can’t believe how everything just seemed to fall into place. That’s not to say it was easy fishing, far from it, there was quite a bit of weed about and it took time to feature find accurately in order to locate spots I was happy with, but once I had, it all seemed to go like clockwork – my best ever session, topped by my first UK thirties, and yes, that’s plural! – A 30 mirror and a 30 common amongst a whole host of absolute stunners – the stuff dreams are made of! Sincere thanks to Steve Burke for making it all happen, to be honest, it’s still not sunk in yet! Final tally for four nights was; 27lb 12oz Mirror 27lb Mirror 26lb Common 33lb 4oz Mirror 30lb 8oz Common 26lb 6oz Mirror 21lb Mirror 14lb Common A few pictures; Arrived at around 3pm Monday and decided on ‘Middle River’. Had a bit of a social with Elt and finally got my rods in just after 8pm; First action came at 10am the following morning from my distance rod, a stunning mirror at 27lb 12oz. After we spotted a fish boil in the margins during the morning I found a clear spot and dropped some of Mick’s new bait on it at around 2pm – two and a half hours later and off it went – 27lb mirror. The following morning at around 6am the same rod produced another; a mint 26lb common. During the day Elton banked the 18lb 4oz, then, at around 11pm my distance rod produced the big fella, all 33lb 4oz of it!!; After a bit of a celebration I baited up again and the same rod produced the big common at 6.30am the following morning! 10.00am and the same rod produced this stunning 26lb mirror; Elton snuck the 21lb common minutes after and his stunning linear came later in the day. I then had this 21lb mirror at around 8pm. My final fish came just after 1am on the Friday, a small but stunning common of 14lb which fought well above its weight. Big thanks to Elton for all the piccy’s and to Steve for the hospitality, a session I’ll never forget!

Hi Jim, I’m not suggesting that it’s solely the colour that makes them effective. Truth be told I don’t know what it is that makes them a great carp bait, but I do think their colour when combined with other ‘qualities’ makes them more attractive. I found that by scraping all the brown covering off them to leave them bright white gave me much better results – whether this in turn allowed a greater oil release or not I don’t know? I spent quite a bit of time trying to gauge how or what made them so effective in order to try and adapt it to other approaches, but to be honest I never really got anywhere. With them being quite low in terms of nutrition I worked on the theory that it had to be the natural oil content and even went so far as to get a refining company to make me up a 100% natural Brazil oil extract - but it hardly set the world alight in terms of effectiveness. I see what you are saying about the coconut experiment but you could just as easily say that some carp don’t like coconut flavour – I know I don’t! I guess to some degree colour has to have an effect(?), as I know several anglers who fish artificial non-flavoured white pop-up boilies with great success, and surely the only thing to attract the fish in this case is the visibility/colour of the bait? Cheers… Julian

Hi all, Can anybody help with this visitors question to the forum? The Visitor has been directed to this thread so could any answers / help be posted below. Cheers, Julian. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I have recently acquired some land with a spring and I'd like to build a fishing pool there. Are there any planning conditions about digging a large pond - any other advice regarding the pond construction would be greatly appreciated? Thanks for your time, Dave Snelgrove --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still amazes me that you have to take two tests to drive a car and have a licence to use a fishing rod or even watch TV, but anybody can become a parent? Sooner they make prospective parents ‘Take the Test’ the better. After all, those wishing to become British citizens are now required to take a 45-minue test on “government, society and practical issues”. Surly parenting is the biggest practical issue there is!?

The news piece the other week about the Mother convicted of supplying heroin and crack cocaine to her 8-year old son filled me with utter disbelief (and no small amount of disgust). You’d think it could not get any worse that that. But I guess there’s always some absolute… well… I can’t think of the words – not a clean ones anyway, but check out this muppet; http://uk.news.yahoo.com/30082006/356/man-...baby-dryer.html Fills you with hope for the future of our world, doesn’t it! At a loss for words!

Thanks all, It was a bit slim on the pressy front as young Izaak seems to get all the goodies nowadays, but I guess I had an early BD at Wingham last week!

You wouldn’t class Clifton as easy, but there are harder waters in the North West – it’s all down to the ability and determination of the angler really. You could also have a look at some of the SOTAS waters, as many anglers in your area are members and they have a number of excellent carp waters for all abilities with fish to upper 30’s: http://www.sotangling.com For more info on North West waters you could also have a look at our sister site: http://www.NorthWestCarp.co.uk - there is a profile for Highfield and others mentioned above, and sombody has just uploaded images of a few stunning clifton catches in the forum. Hope this helps... Julian

Brazil’s have worked very well for me on a number of waters and in most cases have out-fished tigers. I used to fish half a Brazil on the hair, and then chew up about 10 to a pulp and spit into a tub of hemp so there was loads of white bits, then just fish the hookbait over the top. I think half of the draw with Brazils is the bright white colour, I used to fish them on a lake with a very black silty bottom and during one particular year every single fish I had came to a Brazil where others were failing on boilies. I always have a bag with me as they can often provoke a response when all else fails. Until last week both my PB mirror and common came from Brazils – definitely worth a go! Cheers… Jules

Hi all, Can anybody help with this visitors question to the forum? The Visitor has been directed to this thread so could any answers / help be posted below. Cheers, Julian. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, Can you tell me how to make paste baits for carp fishing? Thanks, Mick Harper --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What can I say… My best ever session, topped by my first UK thirties, and yes, that’s plural! – a 30 mirror and a 30 common amongst a whole host of absolute stunners – the stuff dreams are made of! Sincere thanks to Steve Burke for making it all happen, to be honest, it’s still not sunk in yet! Final tally for four nights was; 27lb 12oz Mirror 27lb Mirror 26lb Common 33lb 4oz Mirror 30lb 8oz Common 26lb 6oz Mirror 21lb Mirror 14lb Common Just had a quick look at the pics, some great shots, we have over 400 between us for the week so have just picked out a few of the kippers for now, will do a proper article soon; Arrived at around 3pm Monday and decided on ‘Middle River’. Had a bit of a social with Elt and finally got my rods in just after 8pm; First action came at 10am the following morning from my distance rod, a stunning mirror at 27lb 12oz. After we spotted a fish boil in the margins during the morning I found a clear spot and dropped some of Mick’s new bait on it at around 2pm – two and a half hours later and off it went – 27lb mirror. The following morning at around 6am the same rod produced another; a mint 26lb common. During the day Elton banked the 18lb 4oz, then, at around 11pm my distance rod produced the big fella, all 33lb 4oz of it!!; After a bit of a celebration I baited up again and the same rod produced the big common at 6.30am the following morning! 10.00am and the same rod produced this stunning 26lb mirror; Elton snuck the 21lb common minutes after and his stunning linear came later in the day. I then had this 21lb mirror at around 8pm. My final fish came just after 1am on the Friday, a small but stunning common of 14lb which fought well above its weight. Big thanks to Elton for all the piccy’s and to Steve for the hospitality, a session I’ll never forget! Cheers… Jules

What is it about preparing for a big fishing trip that makes us behave like little children? I don’t know the answer but it’s an interesting thought. I used to have one big ‘build-up mission’ prior to the ‘off’ on the Top Pool each June, where I would spend a whole week in pursuit of genuine Leney originals, but with Izaak’s arrival this year my fishing to date has consisted of one rod and a bag of dog biscuits - so not much sorting required there! However, last weekend I got the green light for four nights fishing (starting tomorrow). Yes, that’s FOUR NIGHTS, count them! I don’t think I’ve done four hours in one session this year, never mind four nights - so I can’t wait! As such, the week has been a preparation marathon – obtaining new line, tackle and bait, spooling reels, tidying gear, tying rigs, buying food, and everything else associated with a big session away. I’ve been like a kid at Christmas every morning on waking as I count down to D-Day with my first thought being an urgent awareness of the days pre-fishing tasks I need to cross off the list. Well, almost my first thought – my first ‘urgent awareness’ is usually that Izaak’s nappy is in dire need of changing! The preparation is almost complete; rods are set-up, bags are packed, bait has been prepared, and food is chilling in the fridge. However, there is always the is the anxiousness before a big one; have I packed everything, will I catch, what will the weather do, will the lake look ‘fishy’, will we get a decent swim, will we, will we………? There comes a point where everything is ready and all you can do is twiddle your fingers and thumbs until you are out of the door and away. That point will not come until 9am tomorrow morning, and I know today is going to drag on forever, and that I probably won’t be able to get to sleep tonight, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. For me it’s what it’s all about – the nervous excitement when I think about the treats that may lie ahead. Whether I ultimately catch or not makes little difference. Don’t get me wrong I shall try my hardest to bank a few whilst I’m there, but when in such good company, on one of the nicest lakes in the country, and with over one hundred hours of non-stop enjoyment ahead of me… who cares! … but I guess it would be nice!

Nice one Gaz, Hope the session goes well - I'm sure you'll enjoy it either way!!

Can’t moan. I’ve not been on any of my ‘specimen’ waters this year with Izaak coming along, so have just been doing a bit on a few local runs-waters when I’ve had the odd hour here and there. Biggest fish so far is 17lb, which I’m quite happy about as the average size in the water is about 6lb. Still no joy on the canal stretch I’m targeting just up the road, but proving a great challenge – I will have one!! First year for as long as I can remember that I’ve not had a 20+, but I have a few days with Elton planned for next week and Birch Grove in a week or two so hope to get amongst some big’uns then. Either way, I’m enjoying the sabbatical from my harder waters as it’s nice just to be able to put a bend in the rod when I have a few hours. All fish so far have been off the top and next week will be my first overnighter this year I think! Can’t wait!!!!!!!!!

No, not for me. The only person I like competing against is myself. I do plenty of ‘social’ fishing comps where it’s more about the gathering than the result, and have done some charity ones too, but I don’t like the idea of not being able to fish how and where I want. Can’t imagine anything worse than being able to see the fish but not get on them!

Hi, Pretty sure these guys market a particle binder; http://www.anglingconcepts.co.uk/ Cheers... Julian

Especially if Elton’s been sleeping on it!

Would You Like to Enjoy a FREE Two Week Angling Holiday and learn how to perfect your fishing skills? More here: http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/News/free_Tele...ng_Holiday.html J

Yeah, It’s got to be worth sounding him out ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and all that! And if he’s up for it, and it’s within on hour of Leek, put my name down J

I’ve done a number of similar approaches in the past, which have resulted in everything from being chased down a yard by yapping dogs to getting exclusive fishing on a two hundred year old estate lake! However, there is no one way that can be guaranteed to work – it will all be down to how responsive the owner is at the time of your first contact I’ve done it both by letter, to which you often don’t get a response, and by a direct but informal approach, and to be honest, the latter has proved much more effective over the years. I used to look for potential waters on Ordinance Survey maps and then just set off in the car to find them each closed season and see what the situation was. My experience with farmers is that they react much better to a face to face approach, but I would keep it informal – most have an aversion to people in suits! I can say that with a good degree of confidence as most of my own family are farmers and I’ve seen what they can be like when some suited and booted gent tries it on! Often you need to work their ego’s and if they start of on a ‘no’ the key is to keep them talking for as long as possible – even if it’s going down a negative track, as the more you talk, the more they see you are actually alright, and often they will come round to whatever it is you are asking for if the necessary concessions are adhered to and they think you are a good sort. Money is always a good incentive, but I’d be careful about marching in with plans for a syndicate straight away (unless his/her eyes light up). Perhaps better to start off just asking for permission to fish in return for you tidying the place up a bit and repairing the odd peg – get off on the right footing and then take it from there. I once approached a guy with an old estate lake on his land – really big posh house and all that. From the start he was adamant that nobody could fish the water; you could tell he just thought we were going to abuse the place. It was quite near to a busy A-road and I noticed that quite a bit of litter was getting blown onto the fields by the lake, so said I would be happy to spend a few weekends just picking litter up in return for a days fishing, at which point he changed his tune completely. I did a Saturday and Sunday clearing the place with my mate, after which he gave us both a hand written pass to fish the water whenever we liked – result! My biggest tip is not to get caught on private land. If you find the place but it’s not on a road or track just ask at the nearest house and go from there. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort but you can usually find out who owns the land and where they live – the local Post Office or Newsagent is always a good bet for info. J

Some great points there Steve, The subject of angling pressure is one I remember discussing with you at Wingham and it certainly pricked my attention in relation to our plans - so much so that we imposed a maximum 48hr per week rule for members fishing the new syndicate in the hope of spreading or reducing the pressure during their growing years.