Piperspruce

Nice one! Sounds like you're on a good run and being rewarded for putting the effort in!

I've used a Korum rucksack for a couple of years now. Nice and hard wearing, lots of pockets and places to stash things, a rubberised bottom so good for soggy banks and a foil lined compartment on top to keep your bait cool. Also has several clips to attach nets etc.

I've heard one, once, this year. In Nacton area, Suffolk. It was early morning, heard a couple of calls and then that was it!

Blimey thems some big Perch! Wouldn;t mind catching one of those! Are there pike in the water or can you make do without a wire trace?

Try having a VW lupo. Certainly encourages you to pack creatively and take the bare minimum!

That's scary. I've never (touch wood) had any grief on the bank, especially from gun wielding maniacs, but if I was threatened with any kind of weapon I'm fairly certain I would probably just let them take what they want. Can't quite picture myself running them through with a bank stick!

Ah well mystery solved thanks. You've only got to look at the OS map for a few minutes before you start coming across lots of other mystery ponds and lakes to romanticise! How big do the perch go in ladywood? Have you ever tried spinning for them?

Well, it's appreciated thanks. While we are talking about waters in the Nacton area, at one time my other half looked after a horse at Levington Orwell arena and I went once or twice with her. There is actually a lake down there, with a sign with something like G.V.C stencilled on it (can't remember the exact letters though as it was some time a go). I always meant to find out more about it but I never got round to it other than to call a few tackle shops but that didn't turn anything up. From Bing Maps it looks as if it has pegs though. Anyone shed any light on it?

Thanks Rudd, I'm sure you meant it all in fondness although I'm not one to get involved in politics, want to just enjoy my fishing and help out where I can. I'm certainly closer to the downright awful level than I am to the county matchman so always am happy to have a chat with and learn from whoever comes along. I'm the quiet type anyway so the conversation never usually goes on too long as they probably get bored of me! I'll be doing most of my fishing in the evenings (main reason I joined was for the late afternoon/evening sessions, not keen on paying £8 for three hours fishing) so doesn't sound like, other than the woodpecker, I'll have many people to chat to anyway. If you're down there at all and see someone new feel free to stay hello as if it's me I'll have a chat.

Thank you Rudd, that's far more info that I was expecting, really appreciate it. Would have taken me a decent amount of time to gather that kind of knowledge of the water myself! What do I think of the place? As a setting it's pretty much everything I was hoping for and more. I enjoyed hearing woodpeckers when I walked round the other night, and considering it's proximity to Ipswich and the A14 it seems so peaceful. I'm familiar with the general area as my dog came from the chap that lives and works on the Amberfield School site and have lived in or around Ipswich my whole life but I had no idea the lakes were there. Having now looked at an OS map I have no idea how I missed them. From your advice I think I may have been fishing slightly on the heavy side, so will scale things down and see how I get on. Not having a pole I'll go with a waggler approach as before, but if this wind keeps up then I'll probably take a feeder rod along just in case. Reckon I might pop along tomorrow or the day after if I can escape work an hour early! Thanks again.

Liver? Bleurgh. Those carp have got good taste if they aren't keen.

My first ever rod as a nipper was a telescopic rod so I feel quite nostalgic about them now. Not nostalgic enough to go and buy another one though! Like it was mentioned above, there are so many good quality budget rods out there nowadays that I feel that telescopic rods are a thing of the past possibly.

Rudd, Apologies to everyone else who will no doubt find this rather boring and irrelevant but as a newbie I can't PM yet! I joined the club you recommended, thank you very much for the info. I had a short session on the middle lake on Sunday afternoon but blanked. Still, it was a pleasure just to be there. I fished from the first peg on the north bank as you come down from the car park as I had seen a few fish moving and some reeds-a-knocking when I walked round. But then the rain blew in and after a few knocks on the float and missed a couple of (line?) bites didn't have a sniff in the three and half hours I was there. I am planning another short session after work on Thursday, so just wondered if you could give me any general hints or tips regarding my approach please? I'm not expecting all your hard earned knowledge, I know I'll have to do my own leg work to have some success, but any general tips you can pass on for a nice mixed bag of fish would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hello Bluedun, I'm a newbie too, so far everyone has been a friendly bunch with lots of help on offer. Whereabouts in the country do you do your fishing?

Any Suffolk anglers near Leiston familiar with this water? Not pollution and oxygen levels were normal according to EA spokesman. http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/leiston_shock_as_hundreds_of_fish_die_overnight_in_pond_1_2186103

Doh! Terry not Trevor I mean!

Rudd - Just wanted to say thanks for the info about Ladywood, I spoke to Trevor last night and had a look round the lakes tonight and I'll be getting back in touch with Trevor this week to get the membership ball rolling! Looking forward to getting down there and plumbing around to get the lie of the land (or should that be lie of the lake?!) One final question if that's ok? Is there much difference between what is stocked in the three pools? Thanks again

Ha ha Fanny Barearse. I'll be passing that one along to my mates!

Thanks for the info Rudd, much appreciated. Only one person fishing Trimley when I walked round this morning. Saw a few fish moving on the top lake, quiet on the bottom one though.

Hi Bigray, I guess it will feel like lots has changed in 12 years but catching fish doesn't ever really change much in my opinion. All the 'old fashioned' methods will still work, and you'll soon be up to speed with the new trends and methods. Welcome back, I hope you enjoy your time on the bank.

Would you know how to go about having a look round Ladywood, Rudd? Or who to approach to be considered for membership? I have read a few of your old posts this weekend and it sounds lovely, ideal location too. Thanks.

I'm thinking nice fish, well done! The bottom perch looks a little fatter in the belly to me, but its really hard to judge. Regardless, good fish!

Never seen a queue before either, think I would just turn around and head elsewhere!

Thanks all. I'm not familiar with Ladywood Rudd, is it a small water/club that somebody could go and have a look around or is it more private? The bottom lake at Trimley seems a really tranquil place, not seen anyone fishing it yet when I've walked round. If you see a bloke walking round with a ginger dog feel free to say hello, it'll probably be me!

Thanks Newt, how has fishing been for you lately? I'm off on Friday, reckon that tomorrow at work will go pretty slowly?!