fenboy

Crikey, Rudd, I wish I was in your place. The idea of spending a Saturday going to all that trouble for the sake of a few fish hardly worth catching really inspires me. Me? I'll just have to settle for trying to catch some pike that wouldn't bother to twitch a fin to chase what you're catching. Just as well we're not all alike, eh? I support Norwich. Nuff said. Best of luck, Rudd. Hope you empty the place.

Too true. Give the pike a break.

Erik hit the nail on the head... south-west winds, ie warm and wet, are best. The stronger the better - if wave action is making water that's normally clear coloured, you'll be in. Forget favourite swims, fish don't grow big by staying in the same spot... they follow the food source. Staying put is an excuse a lot of over-laden anglers use because they can't be bothered to move. Do whatever you enjoy. If a comfortable swim with the wind behind you is what you like, that's your choice. But if you don't mind a bit of discomfort, fishing into the teeth of a warm wind will reward you for every stillwater species I can think of.

Ebb tide on the Sow, Peter? When's the last time you took a seaside holiday in the west Midlands?

You shouldn't be depressed, Stewart. There were eleven of them, and only one of you. Did you play them in the front garden or back garden?

I don't like livebaiting. So much so that I don't do it any more. But I wouldn't want to see it banned, as other anglers enjoy it. There is too much ban-this, ban-that in this nanny state... too many people going around saying something should be banned just because THEY disagree with it. So although I don't like fox hunting, I have sypathy with the hunters... particularly since it is mainly class warfare involved. Labour vs the Toffs - how dull. This inept government has more important issues it should be dealing with, like immigration, health, education, terrorism.

So that means you're for a livebait ban then, Peter?

Are you a country lad, Bruno, or do you happen to live in the country? You can hardly moan about farmers ploughing fields at 2am. It's just a guess, but I would wager the famer didn't want to be ploughing his field at 2am, either. Something to do with necessity, I reckon... like getting as much done as possible before next round of bad weather. I know what you mean about hunting, though. Most country people don't care one way or the other. But most do object to politicians from the city telling them how things should be run... and that's why a lot of non-hunters have sympathised with the hunters. Incidentally, it's not difficult to get an interview with Alun Michael. Just contact his office and ask. He's very willing to discuss countryside issues.

A lead ban with have repercussions everywhere. How can you walk a dog without a lead? Can rock bands manage without a lead guitarists? Will leaders also be banned? If so, we might finally get rid of Blair.

Poledark, I live in a very well-known picture-postcard village on a long-distance footpath, frequented by dozens of ramblers every day as well as general sightseers and tourists. And, yes, they do stop and stare at my garden and cottage because it's picturesque. Annoying sometimes, but I can live with that. The reason I can't be bothered to ascertain whether it is a syndicate or is commercially cointrolled is because I'm not interested in fishing there any more. I did that many years ago when the fishing was free, along with the right for locals and others to enjoy simply being by a nice bit of water. The fact is, the countryside is a very limited resource in a small country where there so many people. And to unecessarily fence off a slice of it just rubs people up the wrong way. Some local residents are now "anti-angler" - the subject has been raised at parish council meetings - and will probably hit the local press, too. Let's make a few more enemies, shall we? PS: It'sa bit rich to moan about the occasional dog turd when you see the rubbish and litter left behind by some long-stay anglers on some long-stay venues. Come autumn when the bushes and trees are bare and you're treated to the sight of fossilised human waste and soggy bits of toilet paper. Lovely.

Not locals... it's a big carp water. Naturally stocked with big commons from nearby river. I had a few to over 20 from it more than 10 years ago. Don't have to worry about poachers. There are loads of better venues within five miles. Doesn't bother me personally, I just don't like non-anglers I know being p@ssed off by anglers. We need all the friends we can get.

Yes, I believe it's the traditional Xmas feast in Czech/Poland? Makes turkey sound appealing...

Yes, but it gives anglers a bad name. The odd pensioner walking a dog doesn't do any harm when they're fishing at range anyway. It's pointless.

Great fish, caught by pioneering, opportunist angling. Worth at least 10 of the known fish from the boring stocked lakes. In today's AT there's a bloke who took a 30 from the River Cam by getting out in a boat and fishing the colleges reaches of Cambridge. Lovely stuff. Same with Mark Barrett's biggie. Maize is a great bait. Just give it time to start to ferment. I don't object to carp - they're just another fish - it's blinkered carp anglers that rub me up the wrong way. Let's face it, carp are pretty easy to catch. They have to be, considering the level of angling skills possessed by a lot of carpers.

Hi John, You're selling something for £10. Can I humbly suggest you'd get more customers if you told them what they'd be getting for their money? Not everybody knows what the SAA is. Good luck in your new role.

Carp as a food source in France? Not very commonly, I'd say. I've been there a lot and seen stuff like pike and zander on the restaurants' menus, but never carp. Maybe the peasants eat them? Must taste better than the tripe sausages I once ordered in Paris, though. Only food I've ever had on a plate that smelt like p@ss.

A couple of miles from where I live in the Nene valley, a gravel pit has been taken over by a carp fishery/syndicate (I'm not interested enough to ascertaqin exactly which). What bothers me, is that they have closed off the surrounding meadows to locals who used to walk their dogs, enjoy the wildlife, etc. Locked gates and even the entrance to an'unofficial' footpath over a stile (it's not on the OS map, so it's not a legitimate right of way) has been boarded up. In one fell swoop they have alienated all the locals in the nearby village. Nice one. It's simply not necessary.

Yes, Peter, that's the UK-made stuff on thick plastic-covered. Cheap and not so cheerful. Butr what about the US ready-mades I was talking about? What's the story, Newt?

I agree that newcomers should always stick to one rod until they're competent and confident. It would help some experienced anglers, too, to concentrate on one rod rather than two or more. For one thing, you work harder, think harder and are more prepared to up and move swims if you're fishing/travelling light. Roving approach can be brilliant. I agree also that lure-caught pike are generally hooked in the mouth. But when they do swallow a big plug, for example, unhooking is a bit of a nightmare. Sadly, because pike are such bad marksmen they also get hooked in the "face" from time to time. That obviously includes the eyes, which is distressing to the angler and bad news for the pike, as a sight feeder. Most pike I've caught that are blind in one eye and below average weight for their length.

I think, Peter, that if you manage to find a trawlerman, he would say that the blue of the EU flag is the unluckiest colour he has ever known.

Maple peas are amazing - and also very cheap. Soak them 24 hours, boil them in a lot of water for 20 mins, then slowly simmer for another half an hour. Then stick them in a bucket in a warm place for a couple of days (three or four days is better) until they ferment. You'll know it's happening, because they wiull be emitting gas and leaving foam on the top of the water. By the time you use them, they will feel quite slimy (but not unpleasant to handle or smell). Carp and tench love them. I understand that the fermentation releases certain enzymes/amino acids/whatever that the fish love. To use them as hookbait, thread them onto a hair. Or use them as a carpet of free offerings and fish a popped-up boilie, corn or meat over the top. I've had instant results with uncaught carp using this bait. And, as I said earlier, it is SO cheap. Like next to nothing - I believe I paid £7 for a 25 kilo sack a couple of weeks ago from my local grain merchant. PS: Jeepster, your advice on carp eating what you like the taste of is pretty sound. But when I tried giving them what I liked - real ale, malt whisky and vodka - it kept falling off the hook. Any advice?

Looks a shade over 2 lb to me. But you'll never know without scales. I'd be kicking myself if I landed a PB without scales. I'd always be wondering... Great fish. Well done. PS: I agree with the advice on keeping the venue to yourself. Perch are even more susceptible to pressure than pike. Once they're deep-hooked, they'll probably end up dead - and perch do swallow baits readily, even lures.

What is the story with nylon-covered traces? I used them as a youngster in the late 60s/early 70s and can't recall any problems apart from the fact they were very thick and, in my opinion, a bit too shiny and visible. I duly swapped to braided Alasticum, Marlin Steel, Drennan, and so on... However, while I was in the USA earlier this year I spotted some ready-made lure leaders from South Bend which were made from plastic covered wire, only very thin and subtle. I haven't used them yet, but intend to give them a try. Unless anyone has had bad experiences with them, that is? Please tell all...

Terry, You have succeeded in making me appreciate why long-stay carp anglers do what they do. That has to be the best bit of writing I've read on this forum. Thanks. PS: ANd congratulations on a great catch, too.

I distrust most politicians of all persuasions. I used to think Labour MPs were more HONEST than most... but I've been forced to revise that opinion during the reign of Tony. At least Maggie was honest. Brutal, but honest. Trouble is, there ain't a political party I feel comfortable with... there isn't a leader who makes me think: "Yep, his views are my views". Disconcerting, I reckon.