Spiderfan

I've got the week booked off work too. First trip is for a double-figure carp on a flyrod, followed by a day or two on the Severn drowning some spam in the hope a barbel or two will feel sorry for me. After that it will back to the stillwater after the carp using more 'normal' methods for a 3-day session. First priority is to chill out - and there's no second. Can't wait!

I've got the week booked off work too. First trip is for a double-figure carp on a flyrod, followed by a day or two on the Severn drowning some spam in the hope a barbel or two will feel sorry for me. After that it will back to the stillwater after the carp using more 'normal' methods for a 3-day session. First priority is to chill out - and there's no second. Can't wait!

Hi Nightwing, I very much appreciate what you're saying. Indeed, I've targetted myself with catching a double-figure carp on my standard fly gear (9'6" #7 weight) come the start of the season next month, when the disk drag will get as hot as the weather! My learning curve will hopefully be in the opposite direction to that of my rod I expect!

I'll second that!

I'll second that!

I prefer 'by hand' too. The way a fish will sometimes run hard towards you precludes playing them off the reel for me. Be careful you don't step on the line at your feet while doing so, in case the fish turns round and runs off in the opposite direction . . . . (ping!) I'd imagine our TV anglers are told to play off the reel by the producer so as to improve the soundtrack! [ 30 April 2002, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Spiderfan ]

Zander are plentiful and sought after too - for the table, not a safe return I mean. In Holland, landowners are responsible for the waterways on their land and look after it they certainly do. It makes sense, living in a country of which 90% is below sea-level! One unlucky chap I know has his water polluted when the local 'council' re-tarmacced an adjacent road and he had to be physically restained from having a go at the officials who came to investigate his complaint. I agree with Stu, top-notch, unpressured fishing in lovely surroundings. [ 24 April 2002, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Spiderfan ]

Zander are plentiful and sought after too - for the table, not a safe return I mean. In Holland, landowners are responsible for the waterways on their land and look after it they certainly do. It makes sense, living in a country of which 90% is below sea-level! One unlucky chap I know has his water polluted when the local 'council' re-tarmacced an adjacent road and he had to be physically restained from having a go at the officials who came to investigate his complaint. I agree with Stu, top-notch, unpressured fishing in lovely surroundings. [ 24 April 2002, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Spiderfan ]

I understood September 15th was pertinent to pike fishing in Holland. Maybe its from when live-baiting is allowed. BTW, no trebles.

I understood September 15th was pertinent to pike fishing in Holland. Maybe its from when live-baiting is allowed. BTW, no trebles.

Get hold of some carpet underlay off-cuts, the corrugated foam-backed kind. Cut 'em into 3' by 2' rectangles and they roll up for easy transport and weigh next to nothing as well as costing nowt. They can double up as a bit of a padded seat when stalking and they're disposable too once they get tatty or a a bit smelly . . .

Get hold of some carpet underlay off-cuts, the corrugated foam-backed kind. Cut 'em into 3' by 2' rectangles and they roll up for easy transport and weigh next to nothing as well as costing nowt. They can double up as a bit of a padded seat when stalking and they're disposable too once they get tatty or a a bit smelly . . .

Hi Framey, Which site do you mean? F&F or WTFF? I do still post occasionally, though I seem to do more lurking nowadays . . . )

Hi Doug and welcome. Isn't it strange the way we sometimes like to think the grass is greener on the other side. I dream of Rotorura, Kenai, Henry's Fork, Montana's freestone streams . . . There's more tradition than substance here I'm afraid.