sherlockofsheff

I certainly won't be hanging up my tackle, especially as last year I discovered my local river Don holds som fantastic chub. I will even be wading in freezing cold of January. Theres something magical about the cold crisp air, the bare trees, deserted banks and watery sun which I can't explain. It is then and only then when I feel at peace. Steve

Budgie / Rudd / Peter I am using braid for the first time this coming season. Is the diagram of the grinner knot posted by Andy correct, as I have seen other diagrams where the line weaves through each individual loop created when the line is first twisted round the mainline? Cheers Steve

I've got two Leeds reels coming from E-bay. Does anyone know where exactly I need to put the oil and whether and if so how to take the front off safely. Cheers Steve

Does Mark Twains adventres of Huckleberry Finn count - they go fishing in that and it's my favourite book?

Cheers gents Managed to have a look at the diawa harrier and MAP concept today. Not inpressed by the harrier as it seems very sloppy, but the MAP was quite good. Does anyone know anything about the Normark or anyone who has one to give their opinion?

{Admin note 2009: to view bolognese rods for sale, sometimes known as 'bolo rods', please click here} Hi I'm looking to purchase a bolognese rod for fishing the trent derwent and don and am looking for advice from those in the know as to which one to plump for. Looking at the fishermans friend advert in this weeks angling times i've found the following very attractive deals. Abu ambassador elite match power 18ft - £109 rrp £189 Browning Syntec 18/20ft - £109 rrp £179 Maver abyss match 20ft - £119 rrp £170 Mitchell supreme 6m bolo - £79 rrp £209 Map concept match 18/20ft - £99 rrp £170 Normark crusader 15/20ft - £137 rrp £275 Diawa harrier 20ft - £99 rrp £199 On paper it looks like the Normark is a lot of rod for the money, however I've got the John Wlson Avon quiver and with the 2ft extension it becomes very noticibly tip heavy and unbalanced. Views from the owners of any of the above rods much appreciated. Cheers Steve {Admin note 2009: to view bolognese rods for sale, sometimes known as 'bolo rods', please click here}

What annoyed me when fishing the Trent and Mersey canal today was two "fishermen" who were well into their 50/60's came walking along the length after failing to catch further up. Not only did they stand there talking very loudly about how they hadn't caught, but they stood around a foot from me at the waters edge so that they were on the skyline and in the way of my bloody pole roller, which was demonstrated when I caught a roach and had to ask one of the buggers to shift. No wonder they didn't catch anything if thats how they go on.

Cheers Nige. Fished it for the first time Saturday in the country park below the footbridge. Got well and truly soaked as it barely stopped raining all day. All that for two chub of around a pound and one other lost. Why is it that every time I fish on a warm south west wind the bloody river has to be flowing the same way making it a nightmare to keep the tackle under control? Its either cold wind - good presentaion - fish don't feed or warm wind float goes where wants - can't get em to bite. No wonder carp puddles are so popular!

Can anyone tell me of any decent fishing spots on the Rother (South Yorkshire) as I have heard the fishing can be quite good in places. Cheers Steve

To be honest, I have actually got a pin. Theres no make or model on it, but it is aluminium with perforations around the edge. I had it given to me when i started fishing many years ago. I have used it on a number of occasions, and always enjoyed using it. The only thing is it has a spin time of around 10 seconds, and isn't really up to using lighter floats. I think I might try and tidy it up, see if I can get it to spin more freely and then use it as a reserve for heavier line rather than spending loads on a spare spool for whatever I end up buying. {2008 Editor's Note: to view centrepin reels for sale, please click here}

I found this article. From the sound of it he is very experienced, and based on what he says, I'm going to look around for an Adcock Stanton, unless anyone has any horror stories. http://www.fish-on-line.net/articles/tomki...centrepins.html

Thanks for the advice guys. I e-mailed a friend of mine who recommended the allcocks ariel, and my thoughts were towards a second hand one if I could find it at the right price. If anyone has a copy of the IYCF article handy could you possibly put the results onto here. Cheers Steve

I know this has been discussed before as I've searched the site, however I am looking to purchase a centrepin and would appreciate any advice from anyone in the know, as a lot of the advice from previous articles contradicted each other.I've looked on websites like traditonal angling, davis tackle, and e-bay, but don't really know which to plump for. Budget is a factor in this however I've discounted the shakespeare eagle after hearing bad reports about them. The models I am looking at are the browning rotator and possibly leeds brand new, and the rnage of allcocks, adcock stanton grice and young and arnold kingpin second hand. If anyone could give me advice on what to look at, what to discount, where to get it and what to expect to pay I would appreciate it. Also if anyone is looking to sell one drop me a pm. Cheers Steve

Hoppy I wish my wife would tell me to go fishing because at the moment it is about the only thing that is keeping my head straight. Instead I only get resented for wanting to go which if I do usually causes arguements or if I don't causes me to become that bit more unhinged and more desparate to go the next week. Steve

I think theres merits in both approaches. If it wasn't for pioneers and progress we'd still be using split cane rod, although theres nothing wrong with that. I would far rather be trotting a float and breadlake, catching on a river ala "passion for angling", however wnating to catch more fish I'm now learning to hair rig and fishing with pellets/csl etc. Take the best from both worlds and use it to get what you want when you want it. Steve

If I was the BAA I would claim that the crisp packet had blown there from parts unknown and that none of the comittee had knowledge of its existance. Sincerely hope none of the committee are reading and getting ideas from what I have said . Negligence has to be proven and to do this the claim company would have to prove that the committee had a duty to act and failed to do so, and also that the failure to act would be likely to result in the damage that has occured. I think not. Any respectable person with a legal query over a moral issue can contact me. My rates are very cheap

Cranfield Must agree. Both books are absolutely excellent, and I would rate them among the best books I have ever read. I found them all the more interesting because the television series used to be on when I was about 7. Currently reading Angling Times which I must say this week is particularly poor, so poor in fact that I'm thinking of not buying it anymore. Steve

Stefan I think you must be mad targeting eels, but each to his own. Regarding tackle wire is a definite must, and I definitely wouldn't use trebles. Archie Braddock has some info regarding using one single hook wire traces when fishing for pike, and he reckons he's having more success than the standard snap tackle. Have a look here http://www.braddocksbaits.co.uk Steve

Nige Although I havent fished it there was a species report in the EA's magazine recently. The greatest concentration of pike appeard to be on the don at Doncaster, although looking at the stretches aroudn Meadowhall I'd imagine theres a few pike about. Let me know how you get on if you go because I don't live far away Regards Steve

I'm looking for opinions from people who own either the Shimano Technium 12.5m or the Browning Lethal Weapon 13m as I have the opportunity to buy both at a very similar price. I have felt both and am erring on buying the Technium as it felt a bit lighter and stiffer and I've heard that Browning aren't as reliable with spares. Anyone got any advice please. Cheers Steve

Community punishment orders for burglars. Already pathetic prison sentences with half the time served in the community. No, New Labour tough on crime...I don't think so. Whats it going to take to get ordinary decent people to stand up and say enough is enough...This is what we want! Only to be classed as a right wing fascist by the bloody do-gooders, but then again they don't have to live near them do they. BY the way the persons with their name in print are already likely to be suing the newspaper for the distress caused by intrusion of privacy from the article. Blimey it's high here up on me soapbox!

It's the same theory as lighting up a fag whilst waiting for a bus or going for a pee at the football.

I just bought one, and I must say I am impressed with it. The only thing that is confusing me thought is the line rating. 3-6lb mainline, whereas I bought my other half a Badger Classic des taylor Avon which goes up to 8lb. Bith are the same test curve of 1 1/4lb. Has anyone used the JW with line above the recommended rating, as 6lb sounds quite light for barbel Tight |Lines Steve

Frodo You are not on your own mate. I fished this pond twice (I was so impressed by the surroundings on my first visit that I had to return) First time I had some tiddly roach and perch, and second time bugger all. It's very frustrating as there is obviously a fair head of fish. My next attack on it will be with the bubble feeder or finding a clear spot and putting some dark groundbait down. When I fished last time there was a lot of fizzing activity but this stopped around 9am and after that they didn't seem interested probably due to the clarity and the sun. Send me an e-mail to let me know how you get on. Tight lines Steve

John Being a Yorkshireman I am loathe to chucking in tonnes of maggotts, especially at the price they are now. It's not so much heaving them in to attract the bigger fish, but eventually by feeding a few maggotts almost constantly the activity of the smaller ones will draw in the bigger ones. Today I fished Loxley fisheries in Sheffield, and used more maggotts than I ever have before. The result was around 50-60lb of chub when almost everyone else was sitting motionless. The trick is to feed to the weight that you expect to catch and to remember that you can always put more bait in but it's very difficult to take too much bait out. Hope this helps Steve