sebn

Honestly, stop caring about what other people think. Just go out and fish, just because some retail employee doesnt understand your fishing ideas doesnt mean there is anything wrong with either person. Pop into a proper tackeshop, buy a few bits, who cares about brands, just buy what best suits your needs and get out fishing. Of course angling is dominated by carp fishing now days but thats just the way it is, buy a few bits, sit by a river/lake and catch some fish, ultimately thats all any of us want to do.

I had intended on having one last lure session on the Stour this weekend before getting the fly gear out in April, however the torrential rain we had a few nights/days ago has got the Stour bursting its banks and full of colour, it is receeding albeit slowly, so maybe by Sunday it will have recovered to a fishable condition. Absolutely gutted really as last weekend it was beautiful, low and very little colour in the water, i opted to do some gardening instead

Will try and get out on the Stour for a couple of hours tomorrow morning, will be chucking some lures about for Pike, the levels have been settled for the past week and hopefully the cold snap we had at the beginning of the week followed by some warmer days and rain will turn the fish on.

Same seller, looks like the weights you are looking for http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FEEDER-fishing-lead-MOULD110-150-170-gr-carp-swimming-barbel-carp-SwimFeeder-/161732502558?hash=item25a802241e:g:WJgAAOSw~bFWPyDg

Whilst completely true, i'm sure it would still be a totally servicable pole for someone who is just getting into fishing or a more experienced angler who fancies doing a bit of pole fishing to change things up every now and then.

thanks for clearing that up mark. i was speaking to a couple of people fishing that side at the weekend whilst out for a walk, presumably they were poaching or just misinformed!

having just moved to the blandford area myself, this is useful a useful topic. i have joined blandford angling club as it is a bargain. i havent been out in the river yet but intend to have my first lure fishing session tomorrow. my understanding of the free section was town side below old bridge, till the weir, cross over walkway and the brewery side is free until the next foot bridge back over to coop side then the coop side is free till the bypass road bridge. there are loads of otters around which have dimnished the fish stocks from what i have heard, you will see the people with massive cameras at the weekends trying to spot them. have a chat with the chap in conyers, very polite and incredibly helpful. feel free to pm me if you want to discuss furter, might see you on the bank some time!

Thanks Vagabond, I dont actually own any scales, a ball-park "about x" is enough for me. I get the joy of catching from the take of a dry fly, the dipping of a float, the twitch of a quivertip and the subsequent fight. I dont think i will ever forget this particular graying though, its huge fin and amazing colour will stick with me to my end. Thanks for everyones input.

Net is 12" at its widest point. I must have really tiny hands, lol.

Managed another decent grayling on the dry fly this afternoon, river very low and gin clear, only one fish visibly rising. took a few casts but it took it, felt very heavy when i struck, it just sailed off into the current, apologies for bad image was wading and had to get my phone out of my trousers under my waders, bit of a faff, didnt have any scales, any estimation on its weight? my pb either way, it was such a beautiful fish when i was recovering it, beautiful red lined fin, amazing.

i had a lovely grayling on the dry fly earlier in the week, getting on towards a couple of pound from a stretch on the hampshire avon whilst trout fishing, was my biggest one yet, they are a beautiful fish and they certainly can put up a good fight on light fly tackle.

Mine finally arrived also, at last.

Indeed, havent deliberately targetted carp since May, been on the rivers since the season started.

I use the normal version and its a very versatile rod. Great workhorse for all kinds of fishing, i tend to use mine for general river work and have had no issues with it.

Been fishing with spinners and soft plastics over the last week or so on short sessions, had a couple of jacks and perch, a follow from a decent double figure but nothing substantial yet. will be out this weekend to try again.