wunwetfoot

Hi Mic, I 've just got off the "phone". Yes it is still quite a good fishery although my mate agrees that it is now quite manicured compared to how it originally was (progress?). Apparently it's well stocked and maintained with plenty of carp, bream, tench, crucians etc. but not stuffed like a commercial. My "Mate" stirred the old cells and I now recall that the devasting fish loss happened when they started digging the Jubilee Relief Channel. As he doesn't fish Berry Hill now due to interesting waters elsewhere, he couldn't comment upon it's most recent results. Good luck if you should decide to go ahead with it and if you night fish it, give my regards to "The Grey Lady" (stay clear of the old boathouse at night!).

Hi Phone, sorry my mistake, no I'm not "Mr. Melwest", it's the way I read your post (the little grey cells....) and it was getting quite late (I really must keep taking the tablets!). Platil line was around when I was a "kid" but I never really used it...... just the odd small spool when I couldn't get the Maxima! Can't really comment on it's qualities or lack of but it was probably another line of German origin (we seemed to be "swamped" by them back then until the Japanese took over the market.

Hi again Mic, I've just had a quick glance at the Kingsmoor Anglers website and yes, you spelt it correctly, Berry Hill and not Bury Hill as I stated. They have even abbreviated Kingsmoor (one word!) Anglers to K.M.A. I may be wrong but I'm pretty certain that it was always spelt with a U back when I was a member. I am quite horrified at what I saw in their photograph, they have practically turned it into a "carp puddle"! It is definately the same lake that I fished but I just can't believe what they've done! I wonder if they changed the spelling due to the common confusion with the other Bury Hill when they landscaped (read destroyed) the original lake! Looks like a golf course runs down to the water's edge now! Maybe with "creating" a totally new fishery it was decided to change the spelling.......whatever, the beautiful original lake has gone! As promised I will contact you with further info. Cheers!

You are quite right Phone, "Mr Melwest" isn't interested in the pond....I'm a "river man". I find the static fishing methods not as enjoyable as they used to be (old bones ..!). These days, I fish with a bag on my shoulder, a landing net and my rod/reel. I have, in my past, fished very extensively for specimen Tench, hence my stillwater knowledge. You surprise me to say that you've never heard of Maxima Chameleon in "the states". It really has been around over here for many, many years. It's manufactured by the Maxima Manufacturing Company in Germany. Perhaps it's marketed over there under another name. It's not really the type of line that I think the "Carp Boys" would use over here as they've moved onto the higher tech lines. Quote, "Maxima Cameleon changes colour by absorbing rather than reflecting light below the water's surface". It is a tough line and is quite abrasion resistant with a high knot strength and "fair" amount of stretch incorporated into it. The "blurb" also states that it's suitable for trolling and structure fishing ..(?) You might be able to obtain some via Ebay if you're interested in giving it a try.

Hi Mic! I think that you are talking of Bury Hill, near Taplow, Maidenhead and not the "other Bury Hill Fishery. In the past, I was a member of Kingsmoor Anglers for a good number of years before moving to another part of the country. At this precise moment I can't tell you what the current fishing is like but I will contact a mate who is still a club member and pass any news on to you. My memories of the lake (early 70's to early 90's)......lovely place.... typically "old school" (real BB stuff!) with mysterious carp of unknown size and very, very private. It was originally an ornamental lake with overhanging willows, a small island (which the carp knew all about! ) and a dilapidated old boathouse. The area surrounding the lake was wooded with all manner of exotic shrubs and trees. It lay at the foot of a hill upon which stood "the big house". As with all good small estate lakes, the carp were old strain (Leney's I do recall) and the lake really took on a different air at night! Honestly...... it really was like that! From memory,the carp that were in there averaged around the 20's (nothing huge but boy..they were mean!) but a couple of 30's were recorded. Back in the late 90's the lake suffered a sudden water loss with serious consequences to the fish stocks .(I think it was something to do with some road widening works quite near the to outfall cill which resulted in it collapsing). A small number of fish were rescued and moved temporarily to their Moor Lane Fishery. After lengthy legal battles, the problem was rectified, the lake refilled and restocked but not with the original fish (if my memory serves correctly!) Sorry to be such a "downer", but from my last enquiries a couple of years back, the lake hadn't returned to it's former glory. The mud and silt had dried right out in some quite large areas thereby losing a lot of well established plantlife and invertibrates. Some trees had been removed and "the big house" had gone. As I say, as soon as I've spoken with my old fishing partner I'll relay more "up to date" info for you...watch this space!

[Hi Melwest, I'm quite new to AN myself but I have a feeling that it only becomes activated once you've completed your 15 "posts" to the Moderators satisfaction. (I may be totally wrong, maybe somebody could help out on this matter?) I have activated a short-term web address through which you can contact me outside of AN. Please Email me at sdguard07-melwest@yahoo.co.uk and I'll give you my personal web address.

Hi Melwest, yes it's a Ghost Carp. Before approaching any body of water with a fishing rod and the intention of fishing you are legally required to possess a full current Environment Agency Rod Licence Concerning the tickets, there are lots of legalities to see to before you could do that! I 've tried to send a message "off screen" but it seems that you haven't enabled your personal messenger yet (in your controls). There are several points that I'd like to mention which can't be said "on screen".

Hi Melwest, firstly, regarding breaking strains,a lot depends on the type of rod you've bought and how you intend on fishing. Line type.... for general use I personally think you couldn't beat Maxima Chameleon which is available in a vast range of breaking strains. It's colour is dark to start with and will adapt to all water colours. Maxima Chameleon has stood the test of time and has been around for "donkey's years"! For a float type rod a maximum B.S. (Breaking Strain) of 5lb would be suitable combined with careful adjustment of the slipping clutch (I wouldn't go to a higher B.S. higher as there would be a danger of your rod top snapping!) For ledgering/bottom fishing you would need a suitable rod (avon type 1.25 TC (Test Curve) at least) on which I would recommend 8lb BS line. Your water will also dictate what type of gear you would require ..... overhanging trees, waterlilly's, reeds etc all suggest sub-surface snags etc. Therefore you may even have to "uprate" to a Carp type rod (1.75lb TC) and a 10lb BS line. Sorry, but you probably realise that it all starts to get a bit technical... but that's fishing for you! I hope that the recommendations I've given you will be of use. P.S. if you've got Tench of "about" 10lbs in your pond and ever consider selling tickets, please put me down for one before any one else!

Hi Lee, what county/area are you in? There may be someone local to you who's willing to give you some guidance on choice of gear etc.

ever tried using dead( over-night in a secure container in the freezer!) red maggots as loose feed?

Nice one Bromley, glad you had a good day. Compared with the more modern rods, see how differently an "old stick" reacts to a nice fish? (did the old cane come to life in your hands?). They all do the same basic job at the end of the day and all have "a time and a place" but isn't it nice to relax and enjoy the experience now and then? This is why I enjoy using a cane, a different form of fishing once again! Don't pay too much attention to the odd "taunt".... it's generally not meant with any malice and most of them are wondering what's so different about an old cane. Are you going to have another go with the cane and Mitchell? Enjoy the tackle you are using at the moment (IMO it's perfectly matched for the job) and after a few sessions try an old "pin" on the rod. I will say one thing though and that your choice of "pin" will make one hell of a difference but if you can use a decent one you are in for another really enjoyable experience. As for casting...stick with the two/three finger method to start with, the famed "Wallis Cast" is far from easy to learn. I watched anglers on the bank for nearly two years, any video/Youtube and read everything I could lay my hands on regarding "Wallis casting"..... practised hard in the garden and was still defeated by the mystery and mastery of the cast. I searched the internet and "phoned" all the tackle dealers for miles around enquiring whether there was a Casting Tutor that could teach me. Nobody could help me. I continued with the two/three finger method on my local river until one day, two years ago, an "old boy" wandered along the bank and introduced himself to me. " I've been watching you fish for a while now and noticed that you use the old finger method. Have you ever thought about using the Wallis method?" I told him of my endeavours to learn to which he replied.... "Would you like me to show you?" After spending about twenty minutes showing and explaining the various parts of the cast he handed my rod back. "There, put them all together and the timing will eventually come naturally as you start to feel what the tackle is doing". Within the next three sessions I was comfortably managing to fish the far bank and when on the wider rivers, every now and then it all comes together and it just sails away! The most important thing of all when learning is trying not to concentrate on the distance! That was a very lucky day for me and I wish you the same. He's a very close friend now and to watch him cast is a delight. I've a long way to go to be as good and relaxed as he is when casting but I do enjoy every moment "practising" (still learning!)!

Good points Sportsman, with regards to the shooting bit, I don't see a lot of "Responsibility" on the streets these days!

Robson....yawn.... Gree...yawn..n. Extreme .....boredom. Had to turn over! Just another face cashing in!

Nice one Ant! A kindred spirit! I too, encountered the resentment of some older club members in my days. I was fishing a club match on the River Wey in Surrey when I caught a glimpse of something drifting in and out from under an overhanging bush just below me. Due to the amount of bramble that festooned the lower branches, for fear of snagging I stripped my float and shot from the line. The rod was an ABU All England Mk 6 Ferulite coupled with an Abu Cardinal 44X reel (both of which I still have). As I had been feeding with maggots, I continued to feed and the fish, whatever it was, carried on feeding. I free-lined two maggots on a 16 hook, 1.5lb hooklength and 3lb mainline, down to the bush. After a couple of attempts a fish shot from under the bush, took the maggots and turned. The rod was wrenched over and the clutch screamed. Whatever it was, it didn't like the feel of the hook! I was lucky and able to keep the line clear of obstructions. After a while the fish started to see my side of the argument and started to come upstream. I got my first look at the fish..... it was a bloody great Pike hooked right in the scissors! Eventually it tired and after a good 25 minutes I netted it. It was quickly weighed,(just over 14lb from memory!) witnessed and returned by our Club Secretary. At the "weigh in" it's weight was added to my net of Chub, Roach and Dace. I was way ahead of the others, and once again took the "Pool money", had the total weight and points added to the records. This was when the "fun" started. It was suggested by the resident "Club Grouch" (he really didn't like me!) that the method I had used was a form of spinning which wasn't allowed in club matches. I countered that if the fish had been a Roach, Dace or Chub, it would have been acceptable. The argument dragged on for several weeks until I decided that the Weights and Points records be ammended by subtracting the Pike weight because I really didn't need it and vowed that I would "take" both Weights and Points trophys anyway! I fished my socks off and took 7 of the Club's 9 trophys that year (the other 2 were won by my fishing partner!). I continued to be a thorn in the side of the "Old Grouch" for a further season (still taking their Pool money!) before moving on.

During recent years I have fished a few stillwaters during the close season and wondered about other anglers background/history? Did they do any sort of progression through the various types of angling or just leave school, buy a couple of "broomsticks", a cheap bivvy and refer to themselves as "Carpers or Barbel Specimen Hunters". I don't make any apologies if my view upsets some but I get fed up trying to floatfish for Roach/Rudd/Crucians etc. only to have a whopping great lump of lead or bait crashing into the "swim" from the other side of the lake! Distance casting is all very well on the huge pits but... on an estate lake only 50 metres wide is it really neccessary? Perhaps if you didn't dump your barrow loads of kit onto the bank or hammer your pegs etc. into the ground you wouldn't need to fish the far bank? (I've caught many beautiful Carp and BIG tench under my own bank over the years). Even on the river (since some idiot in very recent years, illegally introduced Barbel) I now frequently find myself unable to pursue my favourite method (long trotting) due to the two rod, at "ten and two o'clock" invasion of so called "specialists" that clog the banks of my local free stretch of chalkstream. There are innumerous good Specimen Specialists out there, I've seen them, they're not all totally bloody minded and unconsiderate.(Rant done!) I was introduced to fishing at the age of just 7 (now 57...oh dear!). Okay, so I'm an old git! I started on a very small pond containing a real assortment of species. Up until the age of eleven all fishing was done with the"Old Man's" gear (after which I was then given my own!) and accompanied by him. Having learnt to swim, thanks to the compulsory school lessons, I was then allowed to venture forth onto the local rivers, canals pits and lakes. From that point on I fished on every given opportunity. With money from my paper rounds and milk round on weekends I then started to buy the best tackle I could afford from Judds of Hillingdon. I was very lucky having already known dear old Jack Harrigan,(who remembers him? Much missed) the proprietor and his sons for some years. I was always given good sound advice, as well as a very good discount. I didn't concentrate on any one species in the early days but as soon as I was able, I joined a decent Club. I was watched over and guided by some absolute Masters! I soon became interested in the Match scene and did very well, even though I may say so myself. It didn't come easy, as with all things.....practise, practise, practise. After a number of successful years of Club Match fishing, I then started to focus upon certain species. One by one, over the years.......Roach, Chub, Barbel, Carp, Tench and finally back to our sadly shrinking rivers after big Dace and Roach. I have always had a preference for running waters! I have had my fair share of big fish but now fish for the true pleasure and enjoyment these days.(Long live the Close season!! ) How many others learnt their craft and feel the same way?

A deep "sack" type net has got to be better for big ol' carp and barbel and the "deep" pan type (no...I'm not talking about pizzas!) better for the other species? Surely, you either fish for one or the other.... not at the same time! (Unless you are a "loner" there's always someone about with a net suitable for the odd monster!)

Hi Bromley, I am inclined to agree with DavyR concerning the identity of the rod. If it is what we suspect, whatever you do, don't use anything other than water to clean either the handle or the cane (mind the label remains!), you could totally spoil a nice old rod! Initially I would recommend that you try an old fixed spool (an old Mitchell for example) rather than a centrepin as they are not the easiest of reels to use properly and the old 2 or 3 fingered cast is somewhat limiting in the distance you will attain (the Wallis cast is not the easiest cast to learn and definately not for a newcomer to "pins" as you will not enjoy your day's fishing!). Load the reel with 4lb line and visit a local stillwater fishery with a good stock of small carp (4-5lb) and silvers. This way you'll test the rod's integrity. Stay well away from the bigger carp! Cane rods are, of course, heavier than modern day "fibres" but all being well, you'll soon discover that unlike the "fibre rods" a cane comes alive when you are in contact with a fish. This may sound a bit strange (a lot of anglers regard this as cr*p) but give it a try and you'll see what I mean. Maybe later on you'll convert to a decent centrepin like a good conditioned WR Speedia (don't waste good money on rubbish!) and find a good "Pin" tutor. I own and use an array of rods, everything from whole cane/spanish reed, built cane, glass fibre, carbon fibre to Kevlar/carbon fibre. They are all nice to use in the right circumstance, but as a river float man, my real "workhorses"are the Hardy Marksman Float Specialists. I am very fortunate to have been able to have a modern built cane made by "the best cane rod maker in the world", Mr Edward Barder. This cane compares with no other rod ever made! Coupled with a quality old pin, I LOVE IT! Good luck with the rod, enjoy it and let us know how you get on.

Blimey Rudd! You've been lucky only to come up against it recently. For years now these "Wnakers" have been at it. Some years ago I discovered that several items that I was bidding on were being "Bidded up" by pals of the Seller. It took a little bit of detective work to figure it out but the means were, at that time, available to all users. When you checked on the Buyers history, it became obvious by the number of withdrawn bids that something was amiss. You could even see that the "Buyer"(?) had withdrawn bids several times from the same seller! Even after several complaints to Ebay nothing was done. Nowadays Ebay offer these "Wnakers" the luxury of withholding the bidders names from view while they continue their dodgy practices. I am personally convinced that Ebay choose to ignore these practises as long as the money keeps rolling in. Fortunately there are many, many more authentic and conscientious Sellers using Ebay but occasionally you will encounter these "Wnakers"!

I think we do Chris, but they only seem to work 9 - 5!

For all you "non-carpies", (sorry boys!), don't overlook anything by David Carl Forbes and for the float fishermen out there... The Float by Keith Harwood.

The kit doesn't matter! Sure, it's very nice to fish with what you consider to be the best of available tackle, but if the rookie takes an interest in the fishes habitat and care of any captures, he'll learn! A good angler has to start "on the bottom rung" and not be too overwhelmed by all the flashy kit available. Basics first!!! If he has the heart of a true angler, he'll then search for a good tutor to teach him the finer points.

Hi all, I'm looking for a "true" Topper Avon for my collection. I'm sure most of you know them...... Crow quill with either duck egg blue painted balsa or polyfoam body signed in black with shot details, red whippings and orange tops. I really only need one to complete my collection therefore it needs to be in a reasonably good condition. I am aware that "Topper's" nephew makes exactly this style of float (as taught by "Uncle Merv") but I need a true one. If anyone body has one that they would like to sell please post a reply and we'll discuss the costs etc.

In my 49 years "on the bank" a grand total of 4 times. 3 of them in the season just ended, but then I do fish the free section of the River Itchen in Hampshire along with numerous "didn't know I needed one or left it at home" 's and "no speak English" 's. The EA guys have a field day on every visit (although I would like to know the percentage of prosecutions to poachers caught). I wouldn't like their job, they are always in pairs and have to wear stab vests!

Hi Chavender, thanks for the the offer but it has to be a true "Topper". I have a collection of floats made by "Masters" past and present... Makin, Mumford, Lythe, Field, Cook, Whitehouse and many, many more, but not Mervyn Haskins. Being a lover of long trotting, the Avon style is my chosen weapon and Topper's is the only one I am missing! There must be a spare one still tucked away (in good condition) in someones shed somewhere!