darrell.cook

Didn't see that one Grumpybum, the one I watched they were on the river mole, fishing for just about everything.

Saw this one on Home and Leisure for the first time tonight. Very watchable programme, will certainly make a point of looking out for the rest in the series. Not got the magic of " A Passion for Angling " ( what has ?? ) but certainly they've tried to copy some of it's style.

The pros for two piece are that they break down nicely ( ready rigged ) and there is much much more choice. I slide a short length of pipe lagging over the end of my rods, the pipe lagging being tightly wound in electrical tape first, Provides better protection than shop bought tip protectors IMO.

Markward, the problem is these people are "really" fishing for coarse fish, using the pretence of fishing for trout. Whether you agree with the closed season or not is immaterial, the law stands that the close season is maintained on rivers to protect spawning fish. End of. In my book people who break the law or who twist things to their own advantage, as in this case are one and the same. I for one will not be trotting a bait in a river until June 16th ( my local river is also the Itchen )

Hi kendo, nothing to do with political correctness as far as I'm concerned, I just thgink it's poor taste, pure and simple, as far as I'm concerned. As for the term "darkie" the only thing that bothers me is the fact that we're afraid to say it. Do coloured people really find this offensive ? Most probably not, If they do they must have very few things to worry about! No, this problem lies with "political correctness" the same political correctness that does not extend to me - as a Welshman living in England - I'm constantly referred to as Taff - do I mind ? Do I feel like an ethnic minority ? Do I heck as like!! No time for PC, but still reserve the opinion that this "joke" is poor taste - The girl was terrorised and murdered for gods sake, nothing to do with political correctness.

Sorry guys, got to say I think this is bad taste.Even after all this time I don't think I can raise a laugh at the expense of a 13 year old girl who lived in terror and was eventually killed for being a Jew. Not sure how you came to this conclusion little tinca - "Not aimed at any particular subject or person just wit." - I would have thought it was most definitley aimed at one person and subject. :confused: :confused: Newt, you have made some outstanding contributions to these forums, for me this is not one of them.

Thanks for the replies everyone. One thing that comes through quite strongly is that the posters tend not to use them. The original question was not " Do you use one ?" I pretty much know the response to this as I've seen this question posted several times. The question is: a) Do you believe that fish returned can "spook" the shoal ? b)The suitability or not of keepnets for specific fish types.

Thanks Chris, pretty much sums me up too! What about the old classic " a returned fish spooks the shoal " ??

Keepnets - always a contentious issue! I have one, although I've only used it once in the last year. This is more due to the fact that my sessions tend to be short river sessions targetting chub from several swims, rather than setting up a base feeding / trotting.Either that or carp or pike sessions. There are times when I'd like to see what sort of bag I have at the end of the day though ( Not a crime - although some will disagree. ) Many people believe that returned fish can spook the shoal and loose you further bites - any thoughts ? What fish are a total no no for a keepnet, I would say game fish and barbel most definitley, what about grayling ? game fish or coarse fish ? what about that dorsal ? Is a keepnet a suitable environment for them to recover ? Genuinly interested in this one, so would like to hear others views.

DG, My pin is an Arnolod Kingpin, so not as rare as yours - but remarkably similar! I guess one must be styled on the other. I've had this one a couple of years now - and love it! I bought it second hand for £70 from a guy on Ebay. I was actually bidding on a Swallow 'pin at the time, but the price went too high, then this guy who must have been watching people bid contacted me and offered me this one. I'll be giving it a blast tomorrow on the Avon, hoping for a bigger chub this time!

I've been targetting pike and chub this winter, but they can be very elusive - part of the fun. Grayling have been very dependable though, only really going off the boil when the river is very coloured. I have tried to get some pics of the grayling this year - but they are a *ugger to photograph. Whenever they're out of the water they twist and turn relentlessy whether held or on the mat. However they need nursing when put back as otherwise they can go belly up. Beautifull fish, that have a way of fighting that is quite uique, twisting and turning - great fun!!

Hi Pangolin, Yes no probs - only thing someone will need to tell me where Wood Mill pond is! I've only lived down here for the last couple of years and have not seen the pond. This photo's the Lower Bishopstoke fishery which can be fished on the Eastleigh and district ticket. Accesseed from Chickenhall Lane. This swim is stuffed with grayling, there is a long deep hole which runs for 20+ yards mid stream. Superb trotting with an avon float and pin! You also turn up the odd chub ( I know there's no unhooking mat, but the grass was wet and very soft )

I spent many years stillwater trout fishing, and all these comments do not surprise me. Opponents of catch and release - " If I put it back it will die anyway" based on the "fact" that trout only have one good fight in them! :confused: The paranoid view regarding pike, the final straw came when I watched a fellow "angler" unintentionally catch a pike only to stamp his boot on its head, and throw it up the bank. Have to say though that I think things are starting to change, catch and release is widely practiced and the trout reservoir pike scene is starting to break down the barriers ( IMO ). Interesting progranmme on discovery the other day ( Fishing on the edge with Henry, I think )- usually sea fishing but this time fly fishing for pike at Chew. Although the handling left a little to be desired, mats, etc. it did illustrate that fly anglers were appreciating the pike as a sportfish, rather than a crazed fish eating machine that will eat every trout in the lake.

A glass case is no place for a dace. ( Poet and didn't know it! )

Yes it was a keepnet, I had my little lad and his mate with me, so I couldn't stop and chat, but the guy was trotting - and catching. I saw about 6 people fishing - and three very nice 'pins

Nathan, Methinks you should re-write the part about dace! "The is a slimly built fish with a greeny brown back, silver flanks and a white belly. The fins are water, but big Dace in some rivers have red, orange or yellow in their pelvic and ventral fins. Dace are mainly caught in rivers and streams. A few lakes also contain them. A 6oz Dace is a fair size, at 12oz it's a specimen. Dace of 1lb or over should be subject of careful photographic record-if not a glass case."

Some pics of the stretch in question This was taken this afternoon, is the chap fishing just below the pub one of us ? This is the big bend, nice far bank slack. This ones the long straight below the big bend, home of the big chub that Graham told us about. The next ones way up river where the railway line crosses. This was taken this morning, the water to the left is a huge pool ( The six arches pool ), the river is flowing in from the right. Right at the entrance to the pool I had four grayling on breadflake this morning, biggest 2lb 8oz which is a new PB so well pleased. I was looking for chub, but none showed, also had a pike rod out earlier on and again nothing. It's strange because these are usually banker spots ! Possibly off the feed - spawning ??

When Irish eyes are smiling.......... Even the smiley face is green! Couldn't resist!!

Shocking story, that goes to show how much damage they do. Something must be done.

Thanks for the link to the other thread Steve, really useful info! Seems the Canon A60, A70 and A80 are highly recommended. I guess i would only print the occasional photo and then no bigger than A4, so would the A60 do for me ? Also what is the delay between actual shot and pressing the button like. I notice there is a delay on my current camera, you often get an image with people turning away etc. although when you pressed the button they were where you wanted them.

Seem to have lost my thread somewhere ? Any help for me ? Would be appreciated.

Local camera shop tells me that a digital video camera does not make a good digital still camera. They recommend using two seperate cameras, they reckon the quality will be better, and could possibly work out cheaper ? Looking at the prices in the US, I'm tempted to wait. Anything I need to consider if I bought a digital camera and video camera from over the pond ?

Thanks for the info guys, i see the link that elton gave shows the A60 for £125 - that can't be bad! Is a digital video camera with still image facility a good thing ? Or is it best to have seperate ones ? If these are any good - any recommendations ? Newt - what price is the A60 in the US at present ?

I've had my digital camera for a number of years now, and can't imagine not having one now. Paying for developing then finding the shots were c**p - No thanks, not anymore!! Only drawback is it does not have a viewfinder - just the little screen. When you're outdoors it's really pot luck as sometimes you can't see anything if it's a bright day My video cameras naff, bit like the Russian ones Del boy was flogging!! So should I get a digital video job to kill two birds with one stone ? If so any recommendations ? Anything to avoid? I'll be in the States soon, so should I buy one there ? any problems with buying over there ? The dollar at the moment would mean an attractive price. Any help much appreciated [ 04. March 2004, 09:42 PM: Message edited by: darrell.cook ]