dexter

Also don't see a problem with this. Carp were originally introduced to this country as a food source. Perhaps if people stopped giving then names then we'd all think differently. I thought it was interesting to see that he caught it on suger puffs, also my favourite breakfast cereal. Maybe these carp aren't as thick as they look. ;o)

I used to fish it as a yougster. It's definately on the Severn but I'm not sure eactly where. I myself asked about it and was told it was now controlled by a club from St Helens I think. Hooked my first barbel there, never landed any mind. One word of caution, I seem to remember a hellish walk, so you've been warned. Hope you find more info. Cheers D

I'm sorry but who cares? Should have beem put out of it's misery months ago.

2 Months, If I haven't got the stuff in two days I'm on the phone. Anyway I've always found Chapmans ok. I have only had one bad experience from many on-line transactions. I won't say the vendor because its the only time I used them. I suppose anyone can have an off day. D

Singy, You've made quite a sweeping statement there. And to be quite honest I don't agree. See its all down to application. Many of the places I fish are many miles away from where I live and it would be impracticle to do any pre-baiting. On these places I use ready mades, and to be quite honest 1 type of ready made and thats trigga. I've caught on places the first time I've used it, and still catch on those place now. I don't pre-bait at all with them save for a stringer or a few freebies and definately don't chuck a load in when I leave. Try fishing frozen boiles like that and I guarentee they won't be as effective an impact bait, and I don't care what your using cos I've tried nearly all the fishmeal types, A8 Frozen Trigga et al. I have also made my own baits. And with careful pre-baiting they are fantastic, when the fish get on to them they really go for em. I use a high quality base and next to no flavours and haven't had the mix blow on me yet. So what I am saying is its horses for courses. But I'll tell you what, when I'm fishing a new stretch I'll put my money on the ready mades every day of the week cos the high flavour catches more fish, end of. Dexter

I made an enquiry about the Rod licence via the EA web-site. They replied saying the rod licence would be available from the 13th March. D

To be quite honest unless you intend to go on some kind of baiting campaign then I think ready mades are fine.

I honestly don't think I have favourite. But my favorite days are those spent trotting a River on lightish tackle when you don't know whats going to come out. My favourite fish then, the next one. D

Ribble valley, mid-november, force 9 blowing, ducks flying past at 200mph, horizontal rain, holding on to brolly with both hands for grim death. Praying I don't get a bite. And they say its all about catching fish. It is a madness. D

BTW what's a fisk.

I don't think it does any good to go into denial. If anglers are using lead shot then they should be stopped. I think if angling worked with people like this and used it as an opportuninty to promote angling as the conservation sport it would only be for the benefit of the sport. It just seems that at times like this us (and every other sport for that matter) just closes ranks and mutters about scientific evidence etc. Angling is not just about fishing, its about preserving the enivironment around which practice. This lady may be misguided, but she may also have a point that would be in out interest to react to.

Mmmm. 7lber or not if I didn't have a camera on me it would have gone where it belongs. People talk about barbel and keepnets but I think perch more than any other species are susceptible to keepnet damage. Just not as fashionable I guess.

Lynn Are you trying to say that angling is not controversial? Give me a break just look at most of the threads on this board to see how "non-contorversial" it is and we are supposed to be like minded. Anyway like it or not any activity that gives unfettered access to, or is likely to attract children, will be regulated. No bad thing in my book. D

Don't know anything about the Ouse but if you want to catch Barbel on the float then its gotta be Caster and Hemp. Single caster on the hook size 18 super spade and 3 - 4 pound line straight through. Don't fish snaggy swims cos you'll have absolutely no chance but in open water and the right rod you'll be surpised what you can land on that tackle. But I'm sure someone will come on telling me I need at least 30lb braid and and 2.5lb tc broom handle. Happy Trotting. I've gotta a say the first barb I caught on the float was no more than half a pound and to this day its one of the most satisfying I've ever had. Also try tares as an alternative. Bye. Neh Nor Neh Nor. I can here 'em coming now I'm off.

Did you have to wrestle it like that Steve Irwin guy off the telly? ...er I'll get me coat.