DenisO

Mike, don't overlook small rivers/streams. Over the last couple of weeks I have been fishing the Hammer Stream, a tributary of the River Beult down here in Kent. The Hammer is about what you describe in width and depth and between 2 of us we have had 16 Chub to 3 1/2 lbs and a number of Jack Pike which have taken worms meant for the Chub. All these fish have been taken on simple ledger tactics and we've used a roving method. If we don't get bites within 15 minutes we move on. Usually the bites come withing seconds of the bait hitting the water and these winter Chub really drag the tip round. This is the first year I've fished this stream and I don't usually venture out when the weathers this cold but I will certainly be consigning that thought process to the dustbin next winter.

Thanks chaps. Off to the store cupboard to find the old liquidser. It's probably hiding behind the old sandwich toaster, orange juice maker, deep fat fryer, bread maker and pasta machine that we don't use anymore.

I may be being thick here but what is liquidised bread. I am assuming that, in it's simplest form, it is bread mixed with water until it gets gooey but anyone who can confirm or put me right would be much appreciated.

Why is it that every time I want to go to my local river lately, it rains and kills all possibilities. I was definitely going today but rain overnight and most of the morning and I'm screwed. The problem at present is the water table is so high here that 10 minutes of light drizel and the rivers come up by 6 feet and become un-fishable. Roll on spring and no rain for 6 weeks......whoops, that takes me into next season before I can fish the rivers again. Ah well, so much for winter Chub.

Just been out and invested in the 6ft Super Shooter and a little Diawa Baitcasting reel so I can do a little lure fishing for Pike. Also my first foray into braid. Anyone have similar tackle and can give advice on best ways to use. The outfit seems very light and will not be a burdon when walking the banks in search of the quarry. What lures can you recommend to work best with this tackle.

Mark, Could you post details as I quite fancy a trip.

Steve, You have mail.

Steve, You are correct that the Hammer Stream from the Beilt to the railway bridge is Kingfisher. Above the bridge for a considerable distance belongs to Headcorn. If you want details of membership let me know as I belong to both.

Where abouts on the Beult were you fishing Dunk. My most local stretch at Headcorn has to much water in it at the moment and the banks are very stodgy after all the rain. I'd like to have a go for some Chub but need some motivation to be tempted out in this cold weather.

Whoops. I've just noticed you live in Yorkshire and that the Rother is local to you. My explanation above is for the Kentish Rother. What a plonker Rodney!!!

Dave, it depends which part of the Rother you are going to fish. The upper reaches, above Bodiam, are narrow with a reasonable flow. Good head of Chub and Roach. Middle reaches from Bodium through Newenden are a little wider and catches will also include Bream and maybe the odd Tench. Lower reaches towards Iden are wide and little flow, like a Fenland Drain and have good Bream. The whole river seems to have a good head of Pike many going over 20lbs. Let me know which bit and I may be able to give more help.

I think John, it depends on what the fish has been feeding on. I have caught Pike from different areas of the same river and 1 tasted excellent, like a dry cod, and the other was atrocious. The good one was about 4lb and was cut into steaks and grilled. The other was a bit smaller and was baked with almonds. A recipe from a Victorian cookbook. Before anyone gets on my case these fish were caught 30 years ago and these days I am strictly catch and release. Club rules you know.

If I can just get my leg up on the counter I can practise my par de ders (spelling)

Get to the Norfolk Broads, which considering where you live aint too far. I fished the River Ant 3 years ago on a boating holiday with my son and caught 2 Roach, 1 was 2lb 2oz and the other 2lb 4oz. Without doubt my best nights fishing ever. Fishing off the back of our cruiser at night whilst moored up. When they hit the surface I thought they were small bream but when I netted them it was a wonderfull feeling to see they were Roach.

Whoops. Must get that compass fixed. I did of course men West...young man.

The Beult is IMHO the best river in Kent. Mostly unspoilt and far enough away from roads and towns to be able to get back to nature and forget it all. I don't beleive there are many free stretches but joining Linton Angling or Headcorn and District or Kingfisher APS will get you a number of stretches. I agree with Steve that it can be a difficult river to fish. I have fished many stretches over the last 30+ years and used to find it fished best from dusk till dawn. However, this season I have had great success at Headcorn with Roach to 3/4lb, Tench to 4lb and Bream to 3 1/2lb, the latter which I have not caught on the beult for a number of years. Further downstream towards Yalding, where Kingfisher have a new stretch I have had some good Bream and an angler fishing next to me two weeks ago had Chub to 4 3/4lb. I love the whole river and if the weather holds up I shall be off this afternoon for a couple of hours of Tench fishing.

Grand Canal at Prosperous, about 1/2 hour East of Dublin. Tench, Bream and Roach. They run a festival there every year. Have fished Blessington and you need a boat to troll for the pike.

Reading recent threads from Poldark and Dunk I note you both metion fishing the R. Len; one in connection with specimen Roach and 1 in connection with Slugs as bait. I live close to Maidstone and was wondering what areas of the river you fish and what clubs, if any, you have to belong to for fishing rights. The only part of the river I have ever fished is just before it enters the Medway in the park by the church. Back when I was a young whipper snapper I caught some good Perch and even trout in that bit. Certainly the shots on Poledark's web site bear no relation to the Maidstone. stretch.

I have heard of the Signal Crayfish which is taking it's toll on our indiginous chap due to disease spreading but this morning on TV I caught a programme about the Turkish Crayfish which inhabit the Serpentine in Hyde Park. They are netted every day and they net anything from 3 to 4 hundred pounds per day. Eateries in the West End are paying £2.50 per pound for the little buggers. Not a bad profit.

Whoops a daisy. I forgot about the Polaris floats. They are excellent and as Chris says will find the bottom automatically. One word of caution is to use the correct amount of weight as stated on the floats. The first one I bought was a 28gm 'coz my tackle shop didn't have any smaller. I used a 1/4oz weight and couldn't understand why the damm thing wouldn't cock correctly. I got in touch with the inventor via their website and he explained all. Since then I have used the floats with great success. Nothing is more accurate in getting your bait exactly where you want it. I understand they can only be used on still waters and slow moving rivers.

Only just started and already have a 16lb Carp to your name. I've been fishing for 30 years and have not got one that big yet. In my own defence I do not seriously fish for Carp although my club has waters that hold 30lb+ fish. I can't see the point of spending a week at the bank side and catching 1 fish. Anyway, finding where the bottom is. Buy a plumb weight and with that attached to your hook just move the correctly shotted float up the line till it cocks correctly. You have then found the bottom. Your other alternative is to use a myriad of ledger rigs which are always on the bottom. As to what depth to fish I always start at the bottom and work up through the water until I find the feeding fish.

Don't forget to save the water after you've finished boiling the hemp. You can then use it in your groundbait mix as an extra attractor.

My self and next doors cat often drop into the local hostelry for a couple of swift ones. Mind you he never pays for a round. Must be skint or something.........?

My self and next doors cat often drop into the local hostelry for a couple of swift ones. Mind you he never pays for a round. Must be skint or something.........?

Slightly off subject I know but if you want slugs for chubbing just put down a plate of best bitter. According to my Landscaper; just had the garden done; slugs love a pint and they all get in the plate and get sh*t faced. You just pick them up and once they've sobered up make extremely good bait.