Gray the Madcaravanner

Not so Lack of Oxygen or increase of pollution will not cause the fish to be so energetic far much the opposite the factor of shallow clear water will mean that the predator will have a good view of the prey The prey fish will in clearer water that warms up in winter be on the search for food and being top feeders that's where they will be The old idea that in cold weather the fish will stay in the thermocline is true but water warms up a lot quicker than people think Try going scuba diving to find out from my personal experience of diving in November/December is that the first 2-4 inch may feel cold but is at least double the air temperature then depending on total depth of the water the temperature can vary but WILL be warmer than the surface film. AND there will be certain areas that are so much warmer and if the water is more than 20 feet deep then the lower layers may stay that temperature all winter and never cool. I can remember eating my lunch whilst stood in my wetsuit up to my neck in water as it was actually more comfortable than standing on the bank shivvering

Sorry not been that far South When I was able (in a wheelchair now) used to fish around Whatstandwell (the Belper stretch now just South of the A6 bridge) nice for Barbel, Chub, Grayling, and in one spot a few good 3lb Perch

This is a TIC report by a reporter who knows nothing about modern angling so in itself it may interest begininers But note there are a couple of adverts build into the "report" which makes old cynical me if that wasn't the main reason for the piece - getting advertising revenue from unusual sources

Ta for that Idea I'd not thought of that Now you say it I do seem to remember a lot of folk using hemp as an attractor for the silver fish so it's a distinct possiblity I'm back on Thursday so will change shotting plans

OK Here's the problem Background Local Pond good variety of fish (Roach, Bream, Rudd,Tench, F1's, Mirrors, Commons, Chub, Perch, Barbel) fished there today and do so regularly on Saturdays / Tuesdays and Thursdays so I get practice in regularly now Best baits Bread, Sweetcorn, Worm, Maggot, Fried Luncheon meatplain and Curried, fresh luncheon meat in other words most baits catch Baits taken today Maggot, popped up bread (the carp are finicky with floating), Sweetcorn Baits ignored today All meats presentation for sweetcorn on Rod and Reel Leeda AssassinIII at 5metres - one grain of Sweetcorn on a size 18 barbless Crystal bend to 2lb hook-length main line 3kg BS float is Insert Waggler of 3 #4 loading -- Bulk around float 2#8's equal spaced down line rig is 2.5cm over depth depth of rig approx 1m Today the bites have been very strange the float going up and down like a Yo Yo as soon as the float sets, until it sails away BUT 4 out of 5 bites don't connect and the bait appeared un-touched. fish caught on Sweetcorn Tench, Roach, Skimmer Bream no fish under 5oz today I have never seen this type of response to sweetcorn in 25 years of fishing normally on this pond the bait sits for 4-5 minutes before a response whereas today the response was instant as soon as the float set. I am open to ideas as to how to offer the bait to get a good take response instead with the speed of interest in the bait maintained

Right now I've not got a Motorbike or even that Trike that I'm hangin my nose over (got buddies in the BTW) You don't say how big the motor bike is but what about a small trailer I've see some larger Touring bikes pulling what we call Teardrop caravans -- sleeping and cooking for one person with tackle but two without tackle and it would be "Cosy" I use a Mobility scooter to go fishing and I had the same problem until I modified my trolley (an old version of the UltimateTraveller system) This carries my Shakespeare box and my carp mat which doubles as a stink bag and my rod holdall Now, -- I KNOW this is no good for the bike but if it gives you an idea to get to work with a MIG welder the wheels would be good if nothing else

AH Dales What I was looking for was places someone on HERE has fished and caught I have probably got over 25000 Campsites listed on my Autoroute of which 25% have fishing so I have no trouble FINDING a campsite but Personal Recommendation goes a long long way to making a trip more anticipated than scary BTW I do have the AXE version if any one wants campsite info and it covers the Whole of Western Europe

Enjoy Sportsman French Carp are TOTALLY different to UK ones you usually need Anchors and ropes to catch them well I do use No2 hooks and 18lb line but still get broken. Not been for a year since I was ill but next year I will be-- I won't be going with you but will be over in August/September at my usual Place Twin Lakes near Soumeras Pitou Charente. Carp yes up to 40lb Nase at 4-6lb I'm told still not caught one of the little beggars Perch to 3lb and a nice little snack bar/bar (I'm not allowed to drink any more) but it gives me what I need a place to unwind and enjoy the fishing

OK Here's the plan Wife goes on Cruise with Cousin I take our Touring Caravan with one of my sons to go Course Fishing somewhere around Lincolnshire /Nottinghamshire I cannot go alone due to my illness and being wheelchair dependant (do use a buggy) for distances longer than 20 yards So does ANYONE know of a good campsite that is OPEN in Feb/March where we can get GOOD fishing I look forward to your help and the research I can do I may even find a site that's near enough to somewhere with Shopping to go at another time with the Boss Lady

The fish labelled as a Crucian is definitely not looks just like a Common Carp the weight gives it away as Crucian do not grow that large and I've just checked and the UK record is 4lb 9oz 9dr

I use the Dragoncarp chair too it's light and easily adjustable like Chavender said just needs something to keep closed when being carried but I tend to use a trolley anyway to shift my tackle so not a problem for me Regards Gray do you CPR ?

Hello out there I'm new to the forum (thanks Elton) so for a while may be a little quiet but I have been fishing over20 years in all shapes and forms I am at present not fishing as I am seriously ill so can't even go out alone but my brain still works so I am busy working on my website www.madcaravanner.co.uk which as you can guess is for caravanning but is in relation to my hobbies of fishing, trains and Scuba together with the caravan So see you around folks Gray do you do CPR ?? Catch Photo Release