Wag

Cheers Phone, that looks just the job.

Just acquired a 6/7 weight rod for that very purpose. Never fly fished before, so this summer will be a bit of a voyage of discovery. Not sure that the normal fly type knots are up to the job though, especially backing to fly line - the carp where I fish go to 20+!!!

If you are not too far from March, get your Mum and Dad to go with you to Mill View Tackle. They will sort you out with what you need, and will also be able to give you advice on local waters. Parking is pretty good near the shop too. Great tackle shop:- Mill View Tackle Budgie will sort you a good setup out either way.

Happy to help mate.

Assuming you have a standard Microsoft type keyboard, just hold down the Windows key (the one with the wavy flag symbol) and press the R key - this will give you the new version of the Run/Search box and you can type in whatever program/exe you want in there. Much easier than trying to find it in the start menu. Have a look on the Tinterweb for keyboard shortcuts for Windows, there's loads more useful ones you might want to learn.

Have a look at the Daiwa Twilight 2.25 lb Barbel rods Rob - might suit what you are after. They do them in 2 and 4 piece options. Great slim blank and very well finished. Billy Clarke's had them on offer last time I looked.

I would try to fish balanced tackle for the fish you are targeting and hope that you don't get snapped off on a bigger species, but most cyprinids (chub, bream, roach, carp etc) chomp up snails and mussels into small sharp pieces, so a small hook shouldn't be too much of a problem for them, as long as it isn't trailing a long length of mainline behind it.

I used to do all sorts of things in my teens which I can't imagine doing now (to be honest I'm not sure I can remember how to do some of 'em!) :P

I would do as said and get a matchman type hooktyer for spade ends. You can use them for eyed hooks as well and get a good neat strong finish, you can use the tag end for a hair rig as well. If you can master the Snell knot for spade ends it is brilliant and very strong, but it takes some practice for small hooks. For eyed hooks (and swivels) I usually use a palomar knot - strong as a strong thing that's strong, but only if you can get the line through the eye twice. Otherwise the uni-knot is probably best. I don't find the bloodknot very reliable, but a million fly anglers use it, tucked or not, and seem to manage.

Sounds good to me, I've got a few obscure books that I can review.

Hi Elton, it might help if the book reviews were put in a section of their own. The general fishing threads are getting lost amid all the book reviews, and much as I love reading the reviews, I like to keep up with the other stuff. Just a thought.

Given it's a canal - built for navigation by boats - I would say the boats have the right of way. A bit of common courtesy wouldn't go amiss from the boaters though. A similar issue occurs on a local canal to me, where anglers are constantly moaning at having to ship poles in and out as boaters, walkers or cyclists try to move along the towpath. It's a navigable waterway, specifically built to carry boat traffic, so complaining about boaters wanting to be able to get to and from their boats, and to moor where they are allowed seems a bit rich. If it wasn't for the boats the canal would weed/silt up and there would be nowhere to fish in the first place. The ones who deliberately steer across the waterway to disturb your swim etc are just plain ignorant, but I've met a few anglers who are just as likely to sit opposite and cast into your swim. I'm afraid ignorant to$$ers are something you have to deal with in all walks of life.

Could try here:- Spectre Floats Address: PO Box 2071, Swadlincote, UK, DEL 1AN Tel: 08451201122

Have a look here mate:- Millview Great shop, and these are well made floats - I have a goood selection of their other patterns. Might be a local dealer to you - have a look on here:- Premier floats

Get the Drennan. I bought one last year, and it is now the first piece of tackle I put in my bag. Superb bit of kit. The only thing I would watch is that you don't over extend it.