DCB

FACT will negotiate/liaise/advise/consult, on behalf of angling and fisheries, with the government of the day, no matter what the colour of that government's politic may be. FACT will negotiate/liaise/advise/consult, with the government of the day, whatever the political persuasions of the FACT representatives. FACT will negotiate/liaise/advise/consult with the oppostion political parties. FACT WILL NEGOTIATE/LIAISE/ ADVISE/CONSULT on behalf of the sport at all levels of potential influence. David Bird

Cranfield - please enlighten a poor old angling politician. Please explain your reasoning / thought processes behind your statement: "I would have been more impressed if it had been written by the Labour Government." I would be really interested to know. Perhaps, I'm missing something? My enlightenment is in your hands. Don't let me down! Regards David Bird

Just a thought. The PETA people are so proud of their plastic shoes - non-animal products, of course!!!! Question: Why do they support the Petro-chemical industry -probabably the most dangerous source of pollution on the planet? David Bird

A personal reply to Paul Boote This personal reply to Paul is as rare as rocking horse doo doos. So don't expect a repeat or answer. Professioalism - is a state of mind - you don't have it or not. If you don't understand the premise, don't presume Bought - Do you mean, paid for to represent a subjective point of view? No! My, and other's point of view is: For the good of ALL angling. At no charge. Craven - Don't hide behind the anonimity of AN for this ill-mannered, rude, discourteous and cowardly insult. My SAA team and I are more brave and courageous for the protection and promotion of our sport than you could ever imagine. Until you join SAA or similar and commit - don't play stupid, peurile word- games

Jim - I can understand your cynical reaction. Having spent the last 30 years in angling politics I could take the same view but, given a chance, with PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), we can make FACT work. It will significantly reduce the "top heavy acronym mountain", that appears to worry you so much. Latch on to "One Voice". Give it a chance - please! We've go a way to go so let's take the PMA route. Leave the bad old days behind and go for a brighter future. DCB

Can I suggest that you broaden the issue and think outside the box, for a moment. Accepting that before a sea rod licence could be introduced the marine anglers would want to see more bangs for their bucks, how about looking at a wider concept? Freshwater anglers have a rod licence and get a pretty good deal from the EA. Why not, as a first step, campaign for the EA to take over the marine fisheries out to 12 miles. They, unlike the SFC's, have a better understanding of recreational fishing needs. Unification of the conservation of the total aquatic environment at a stroke, I would suggest? We now need to move forward to what could be achieved. ALL anglers buying a rod licence with a small levy, say 3 per cent, going to fund a totally unified, all embracing, professional governing body. For the first time, the potential to create what we really need, I would suggest? Please don't say we can't have it - it's impossible. Just say it's difficult and needs a bit of effort! Let us be firm, and make the effort. This Government professes to support our sport, why not tell them what we really want, and our terms and conditions. Food for thought? Regards DCB

Davey Q1 - No Q2 - Yes, Chairman of SAA / individual member of SACN and NAFAC. Soon to rejoin ACA Q3 - Yes, providing it embraced marine and freshwater angling and fisheries in a totally united package. Q4 - Yes, I've been campaigning for Q3 for some time Q5 - you didn't ask. Yes, I would support a small levy on ALL, including sea, rod licences to fund a new professional organisation. Regards David

Some of you will have noticed that my posting on this thread was my first in a long, long time. The reason, in general terms, is that I grew weary and cross with the repetative crap churned out by those who should know better or those polishing their ego's that they know better when they don't really have a clue, choose not to remember earlier information and don't take on board the reality of where angling is today. I agree the ACA situation is a mess and should have been handled better. Nuff said. What we need to agree is that the ACA is a force for the good - end of story. It must survive and prosper for angling and fishery's benefit. The new ACA leader has laid down his plan for the future. Whether he delivers or not remains to be seen. I believe we must give him our support and every chance of success - we need it. If those self-appointed angling gurus who expended so much time and effort pontificating on the ACA/Tarrant issue had directed their energy on financing and supporting those of us, and our organisations, that really do work for the unification and promotion of our sport we'd be a lot further down the line to achieving a sustainable future for us all. The difference, I would suggest, is scratching your bum or tearing it to pieces. If you get my drift. Don't knock the ACA (new), NAA, Moran, SAA, et al, unless you sign up and commit, and seek to support and change from within. No pay, No say! So you armchair angling politicians what's gonna be? A new begining and a potential bright future or, the slow demise of the ACA because of paranoia and unpolished ego's? I'm puzzled! We all agree that the ACA is the best thing since sliced bread but continue to carp and criticise and play stupid word games. Finally, I'm very sad that Chris Tarrant has decided to leave. If I could think of a good reason for him to stay, I would use it tomorrow. There you have it, the pontifications of Chairman Birdie! I will say no more on the matter.

I resigned from the ACA for many and complex reasons, I won't go into now or possibly never. I am impressed with the Chairman's letter and will be rejoining the ACA, as an individual and a trade member. WE must now get behind the ACA with total support and make sure it succeeds. DCB

Angling is not a Blood Sport. Angling is a TOWN and COUNTRY SPORT. End of story. DCB

I must confess I've not read all the threads. But, has anyone tried Maxima Green? Brilliant stick float fishing line and hook length - it floats. So gives excellent presentation in both departments. It's hard to get hold of, not many retailers stock it. I think it's worth the effort to locate. DCB

Elton - purely hypothetical, of course. Dunk would have contacted SAA and I might have raised the issue at the NAA. But then again 'IF' it were the case. DCB

Why do you need to know this information? Please advise. DCB

The SAA already has the 'problems' of the new Hunting Legisalation in hand. It's high on the agenda of the next meeting of the NAA later this month. DCB

Contact the NFA for a copy of their Model Match Rules. This should help. DCB

It didn't go wrong in 62/63 or the 70's, what happened was the bloody politicians decided to interfere. We ****** them off because we were enjoying ourselves and were free spirits. The powers that be decided that we were at risk and needed protection from ourselves. Total b---ocks. Kids to day are wrapped in cotton wool and will never experience the freedom to enjoy - to risk - to be extended - to be challenged. To appreciate dawn or sunset. To be cold, wet and miserable. To be elated. To discover. Could be the end of the world is nye? (how do you spell n--?) B----cks - over my dead body. The truth is out there if you want it. I've bin there and got the tee shirt and video, have you? Angling is the last great escapist sport and, I'm a fully paid up member, are you? Come the Revolution bruvvers, where will you be? DCB

As a starter have a look at the IGFA records - they don't carry all the British Fish List but there are a few there you could have a go at. Carp on Fly sort of thing. DCB

Snotty - yer right. The sun always shone on us kids so you didn't need a bivvy or wellies. My only concession to the weather was an ex-navy duffle coat, second hand from the WD Stores, for night fishing on the Thames at Teddington. Big balls of breadpaste and a candle in a jam jar. Dough bobbin off the rod end and life was complete. Minnow traps on the River Mole then over to Frensham Ponds for big perch, well perch anyway. Snitching lob worms on the local cricket pitch, then off eel fishing. Newts and redthroats on a worm tied to a piece of cotton from the pond in the middle of the local golf course. Lizards and grass snakes from the claypit in Oxshott Woods. Field voles from Ham Common. Need I go on, and on, and on .......? Gives me a warm glow just thinking about it. DCB

A bag of jam sandwiches and a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock - out all day, back before dark. I plan to visit all the sites of my young roving, just for old times sakes you understand? DCB

The reason the cormorants went on the protected list was to protect the Pygmy Cormorant which is quite rare. In their haste they simply treated all the same. Cormorants are rapidly becoming a world problem. DCB

Assuming you mean a hook that is red in colour, size 6/0, the only company I know that makes one is Daiichi. Available from Bass Pro - Offshore Angler catalogue in the USA. I don't know of a UK outlet for this make of hook. Sorry! Regards DCB

Elton - re cutest pic. If the spots were white you'd have leprosy. Has your skin complaint been diagnosed yet? Is it catching through my browser? DCB

The trouble with Gilly Weed is that they'd smoke it! DCB

I'm backing Bruno. DCB

Try Adrian Arpino. He does excellent repairs to 'old friends'. Call him on 01784 491610 DCB