viney

Generally I would use a method feeder for lake fishing and a cage feeder for river fishing. My reason being in still water I want my hookbait as near to my groundbait as possible and on a river I want my groindbait slowly coming out of the feeder washing downstream past my hookbait (i use a longish hooklength)

Nope I'm 'only' 25 and like a good moan

Throw more fish in so you can make the pegs closer together and cram more paying 'guests' onto the lake and still let them catch loads of fish so they have a 'pukka' day and come back soon. Everyone's a winner! Especially those of us sat by a peaceful river, catching or not, miles from any beer swilling Danny fairbrass wannabes, just enjoying nature

Well I've spent a few evening putting together a plan for it, was hoping to get at least the sheet metal cut yesterday but had far too much on at work, fingers crossed for Monday! Gone for a twin 'barrel' design, the burner will be offset to the larger cooking chamber with means to control the amount of heat and smoke to keep a constant temperature (ordered a surface mounted temperature gauge last night)

Flying spaghetti monster in the sky? No more absurd than the god of any other religion!

Think I am just going to design and fabricate my own smoker from scratch as it will work out cheaper and be more enjoyable, it's handy working in a machine shop! Will post up on here as I go along if anyone would be interested?

Does anyone know where I can get either of the above (or have one they would sell) as I want to make a meat smoker ready for the summer

Good luck guys!

The only time I've seen it busy was when they were offering free beer! Just sent them a message on facebook so will report back with their response

The sale signs have been up for ages now, if it's true Tony might crack a smile!

I thought you meant this September not next September Steve I'm game for it, should be a good crack

Cheers for the advice Steve, fingers crossed for good weather not that Chloe and Will mind, rain just means more muddy puddles to jump in! No rush mate, hopefully be getting my homebrew started in the next few days

Looking a nice bit of the Thames/lower kennet for a short (will have a 3 & 4 year old with us) Sunday afternoon walk and a nice scenic place to stop for a picnic. As close to Newbury as possible, suggestions in the box below please

I've only ever fished the Thames twice, both when I had no (well even less than I do now) idea of what I was doing, if you need an occasional fishing/exploring partner/someone to help carry your fishing gear I would be more than happy to come exploring!

Mine is to do some Stillwater float fishing, always seem to end up quivertipping or alarm/baitrunner, catching more fish trotting will be my aim when the rivers are open again

Some big perch and decent pike in that neck of the woods or so I hear

Well done cracking fish, bet you are over the moon!, would've had me crying into my dominos if it was a barbel! You all have pm by the way

Oooh got to be a big chub then ?!

Well that's that, another blank!

Who is making the most of this weather on the last day? I've got the day off to pack as we move Saturday so I've managed to get a pass for a dawn raid at Brimpton after chub and barbel, had a quick recce yesterday and there are 4 swims that look ideal to throw up a fish or two. Fingers crossed!

Congratulations!

Thanks for the heads up Chris a decent barbel would be nice if it's my only one of the season. That's one of the areas I had in mind if hambridge isn't fishable, seems like a good place to get out of the heavy flow

They have a habit of arriving when least expected, we had our last Saturday night alone planned and I was going fishing on the Sunday as Han was booked in for a csection on the Tuesday, we found ourselves rushing to the hospital late on the saturday afternoon as she went into labour! good luck Mike!

Got the day off Friday as we are moving house Saturday and I've managed to get a pass for the morning for one last crack of the barbel, if I don't get one this will be my first season that I havnt caught one when I've been actively targetting them

I have caught chub on cubes of meat completely covered in chili powder so the curry won't put them off either... They only way to be more selective is to use a longer hair and sit on your hands until you get a clear bite and not strike the smaller plucks and pulls