Julian

Gadget, Yeah, I've got a couple of versions of it. Email me your mobile number and I'll send'em. Cheers, Julian

Is there any demand for fly-fishing holidays for countries like France or Spain, in say the same way that people often go to France for carp fishing holidays? If so, which areas prove popular and why? Any input gratefully appreciated. Cheers, Julian

Is there any demand for sea-fishing holidays (boat or shore) for countries like France or Spain, in say the same way that people often go to France for carp fishing holidays? If so, which areas prove popular and why? Any input gratefully appreciated. Cheers, Julian

I think David’s covered most of it! Before any trip I always prepare some floaters, as you never know when they might take them! Whilst the summer months are doubtless most productive, I’ve also taken fish on floaters in the middle of winter! Carp are curious creatures by their very nature, and will often feel impelled to investigate a food source; as such I find a nice dog biscuit soaked in fish feed oil will usually grab their attention! If fishing off the top it always helps if you can see what’s going on, and you can see exactly what the fish are doing, thus I find calm conditions are best. People prepare floaters in many different ways; the method I use is to put a couple of handfuls in a sieve, then pour a full kettle of boiling water through them (watch your fingers) then put them straight in a bag, add a few drops of Fish Feed Oil, then seal the bag. They will now stay soft for several days so long as you keep the bag sealed when not in use. As David says, it can get quite addictive, and now’s the time to be out there! Went up to my local water last night to bait a couple of swims for a session I’m doing at the weekend, and just happened to have my pecker (floater) rod with me.. as you do Floater fishing is great as you can be mobile covering lots of ground, and it’s an ideal method if you’ve only got an hour or two. I only fished for about an hour, but managed to locate fish in three different areas, I missed the take on the first two occasions and spooked the fish, but managed to bag a lovely 10lb mirror in the shallows before going home very happy There's nothing like seeing the fish take the bait in front of your very eyes! Good luck! Julian

Hi Alan, As Paul says, the Trakker version is made under license from Aqua. The bivvys are made to the same spec in terms of dimensions, etc, although I understand that the actual production processes does vary slightly. The Aqua version is slightly cheaper as they sell direct, rather than Trakker who use the ‘shop’ route to market. I can’t comment on the build quality for the Trakker version, as I have had no experience with them. However, many of my friends have the Aqua version and wouldn’t swap them for the earth! If you want more detailed info on the Aqua version call Chris Manifold at Aqua on: 01270 629999, he’s a sound bloke and very approachable. Hope it helps, Julian

Hi Alan, welcome onboard! I’ve had a Nash Titan & Winter Skin for the last couple of years. At the time I thought they were the best-designed bivvy on the market; durable, easy to put up and very roomy. I encountered a few early problems and I had to send it back a couple of times due to bad stitching and errors on the infill panels. Two friends also purchased Titans at the same time, and they have also been back a couple of times, although I have to say the problems were dealt with effectively and at no cost, however, some might say they should have been made right-first-time! At the time I was doing a lot of long sessions and it certainly took some abuse. They can suffer from condensation during the colder months, but I’ve not found anyway around this. It helps to keep the inner and outer (winter skin) doors rolled up, which is usually the norm for most of my fishing anyway. The latest breakage is the spreader block, but in all honesty that was down to me! I should also point out (like gaffer) that I know many Titan owners who have had trouble free usage throughout. My personal opinion is that the best ‘session’ bivvy out at the moment would be the Aqua Armadillo. Aqua have established a very good reputation for quality and durability over the last few years and I’ve been thinking about the Armadillo for a while, but I’ve changed my style of fishing over the last couple of seasons, and now I’m after something less cumbersome – so I’m looking to get the 50” Aqua brolly, then get all the infill panels at a later date. All the Aqua gear is at http://www.aquaproducts.co.uk Cheers, Julian

Hi Steve, Welcome to AN, you have mail. Cheers, Julian

Hi GaN, Welcome on board to AN. The thread below has a few details on waters in your area http://anglersnet.co.uk/ubb/ultimatebb.php...ic;f=4;t=000121 For advice on setup’s etc, why not have a look in the ‘carp clinic’ section, there’s some great info for people new into carping. Cheers, Julian

1 ) Capesthorne Top Pool (Cheshire). Without doubt one of the best waters I’ve ever fished. A beautiful old estate lake of around 6 acres with more features than you can shake a stick at. It gets completely choked with weed and pads during the summer, so it can be a bit daunting at times. The upside is that because it can be quite tough, not many bother with it, so in most cases you are the only one on the lake. The carp are very clued up, and don’t come out that often, but it makes it all worthwhile when they do grace the bank, as there’s only one or two fish below 20lb, some cracking bream and tench too..!! 2) Birch Grove (Shropshire). We have a weeks ‘holiday’ on Birch each year in August, a fantastic water (managed by Tim Paisley) with shed loads of big carp! – personal bests are always a distinct possibility on birch, as it’s rammed with 20’s & 30’s (not an ‘easy’ water though). The 4-acre water lies deep in the countryside in extremely picturesque surroundings, the water is fished from four swims on one side and the rest is completely covered by overhanging shrubs and trees. Birch is as much about ‘the crack’ as the fishing, as it’s our annual get-away; the other major plus is the Admiral Duncan (pub) in the village, a top pint and a great duke box! 3) Blackwood Pool (Staffordshire). A cracking little club water, which I’ve been involved with for around 10 years. It’s only an acre or so in size, but it’s as much about what we’ve achieved with the place since we took it on. It was an old trout fishery originally, which had burst it’s banks and been abandoned. Over the last 10 years we’ve turned it from a barren piece of wasteland into a haven for wildlife after extensive landscaping, planting, and a lot of hard work! I still get a buzz every time I pull onto the car park – If I had to choose a water to have my ashes scattered on, this would be it..!! Julian

1 ) Capesthorne Top Pool (Cheshire). Without doubt one of the best waters I’ve ever fished. A beautiful old estate lake of around 6 acres with more features than you can shake a stick at. It gets completely choked with weed and pads during the summer, so it can be a bit daunting at times. The upside is that because it can be quite tough, not many bother with it, so in most cases you are the only one on the lake. The carp are very clued up, and don’t come out that often, but it makes it all worthwhile when they do grace the bank, as there’s only one or two fish below 20lb, some cracking bream and tench too..!! 2) Birch Grove (Shropshire). We have a weeks ‘holiday’ on Birch each year in August, a fantastic water (managed by Tim Paisley) with shed loads of big carp! – personal bests are always a distinct possibility on birch, as it’s rammed with 20’s & 30’s (not an ‘easy’ water though). The 4-acre water lies deep in the countryside in extremely picturesque surroundings, the water is fished from four swims on one side and the rest is completely covered by overhanging shrubs and trees. Birch is as much about ‘the crack’ as the fishing, as it’s our annual get-away; the other major plus is the Admiral Duncan (pub) in the village, a top pint and a great duke box! 3) Blackwood Pool (Staffordshire). A cracking little club water, which I’ve been involved with for around 10 years. It’s only an acre or so in size, but it’s as much about what we’ve achieved with the place since we took it on. It was an old trout fishery originally, which had burst it’s banks and been abandoned. Over the last 10 years we’ve turned it from a barren piece of wasteland into a haven for wildlife after extensive landscaping, planting, and a lot of hard work! I still get a buzz every time I pull onto the car park – If I had to choose a water to have my ashes scattered on, this would be it..!! Julian

Beltdrive, When using tigers, kidney beans, peanuts, and other natural's, I find ESP Raptors and Gardner Talon Tip hooks to be among the best. Cheers, Julian

It’s a quality fishery, part of the Premier Fisheries group, more at http://www.llynygors.co.uk Cheers, Julian

The Rod Box London Road Kings Worthy Winchester SO23 7QN Tel - 01962 883600 Fax - 01962 883419 Julian

The Rod Box London Road Kings Worthy Winchester SO23 7QN Tel - 01962 883600 Fax - 01962 883419 Julian

Hi Carpinjohn, There are plenty of waters down there with carp over the 20lb mark, just a case of rooting them out..!! Retallack Waters (St Columb) – http://www.retallackwaters.co.uk/ - Mid 20’s Millbrook Fishery (Torpoint) – Low 20’s Lakeview (Bodmin) – Scraper 20’s Argal Reservoir (Penryn) – Good head of 20’s and a few over 30, best to 37lb Bake Lakes (Saltash) – Low 20’s Crafthole Lake (Torpoint) – Mid 20’s Hidden Valley (Launceston) – Scraper 20’s Oakside (Newquay) – Low 20’s Give me a shout when you move if you want more info… Cheers, Julian

Hi Gaffer, Are they to put your rods in when baiting up? Seem to remember there is somthing similar on the Aqua's, but I've not seen the Trakker version up close yet. Cheers, Julian

Hmmmm… I can see your point, but at the end of the day it’s down to each individual to make their own decisions on which products or brand they buy. If a product is highly priced, and does not stand up to long-term scrutiny, someone will only buy it once and word will soon get around – not good for brand loyalty. You may get newcomers into the sport falling for the hype on occasion, but again they will soon find their feet and stay away from these brands in the future. In many cases I would say that you get what you pay for, but I agree that in some instances, it’s hard to justify the prices charged for some products on a ‘like for like’ basis. I wonder if some of the problem might be development and set up costs, for example, suppose a company invests a shed load of cash on an ‘all new’ product. The retail price has to justify the amount spent on development costs in order that they can recoup their investment. Then suppose another company copies their product (which happens a lot) and does not have to bear the development costs so sells at a cheaper rrp – does this mean that the original company is ripping people off? – What’s more a copied product is not necessarily as good as an original! With regard to bait, I guess you would buy a product that gives you confidence irrespective of price, and if it banks plenty of fish for you, then surly it’s a worthwhile investment. However, I reckon there is no substitute for shopping around! In my area there are quite a few big angling stores, and the difference they charge for the same products is unbelievable, down to the overheads and profit margins I guess, but this is surly the retailer ‘ripping off’ than the manufacturer. All I can say is that value for money products are plentiful if you look in the right places. Julian [ 04 May 2002, 12:18 PM: Message edited by: Julian ]

Krakemarsh, A mate of mine went down to look at the bottom pool at Consall the other night, he saw three big lumps hugging the margin on the North bank near the old jetty. He reckons two were well over 20, with the third slightly smaller… roll on June, eh! Some friends did a night on the specimen pool at Cudmore the other weekend. Perhaps not the tranquil surroundings you are after, but it certainly seems to be fishing well. Two 20’s had been out that day and my 3 friends took around 10 fish over a night, all good doubles with the best just over 19lb. Yoffer, Yes, Trentham’s a good water, not fished it myself though, I think Paddy2 is going to fish it soon, he’s supposed to be letting us know how he goes on! Cheers Julian

Sounds interesting – I wonder if you could get one in stainless

Thanks for that Newt, I’ll give them a go on top! I think my approach for fishing just under the surface will be to use a controller set-up. Mainline to a controller float, then 10 inches of line to a lump of Driftwood, with the line then submerged about 6 inches under the surface to the hook/bait. Cheers, Julian [ 02 May 2002, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: Julian ]

Can we all come round and give you 'the-bumps' Julian

Hi Gadget, Good choice. I fished all last season on Betley Mere,it was Armadillo city on there! (the syndicate is run by Chris Manifold who owns Aqua). On the first year of the syndicate there was quite a few different bivvies being used, one of the lads on the syndicate worked at Aqua and had the Armadillo, by the end of the second season I think nearly all of us had one..!! The one man is plenty big enough for a big bedchair, table, and a shed load of gear. The 2-man can also be used as a double garage Build quality is excellent, durability is excellent, they are easy to erect and once up they are very ridged. Some people have said that they can be a little difficult to put up on an uneven swim, personally I’ve never seen any evidence to support this. Cheers, Julian

Krafty kipper, Welcome to the forums, you have mail Julian

Hi Bird, Not quite M4, but have you thought about Elphick’s : http://www.elphicks-fisheries.co.uk/ They have a number of waters on site containing decent carp. Prairie Lake contains carp to mid 20’s and cats to around 18lb, with loads of double figure carp to give good action. All lakes are fishing well at the moment with plenty of fish being banked. It’s quite popular so can get a little busy, but I believe you can reserve swims. Contact Tom Barr: 015802 12512 for further info. Cheers, Julian

Come the new season I’m hoping to do a bit on a water that contains a small head of grass carp. I’ve never caught one before, and am aware that whilst normal methods can pick them up, if you are trying to target them, different tactics can pay off. I’ve done a bit of reading-up over the last month or so, and as they seem to like feeding on the higher water vegetation during the warmer months, the favored methods seem to be either fishing a bait just below the surface, or a bait popped up straight of the lead. Does anyone have any tips for targeting grass carp? Cheers, Julian