Tim Kelly

Do you think areas that see a lot of bait going in don't hold a higher number, or biomass, of fish than areas that don't have any additional feed then? Hasn't been my, completely non degree worthy, experience over a mere 35 years on the bank.

The "banks need time to recover" argument is a bit daft. Everywhere looks better in the middle of June than it does in the middle of March regardless of whether anyone's been going there or not. The field I walk the dogs round every day, along with loads of other people is always a muddy mess in March, but even by the middle of May it's in rude health again, even the paths which are walked on all day long are covered with grass and the mud of winter is gone. Rivers that used to get match fished heavily tend to have historically held more fish in the match stretches than other areas, and since the decline in real match fishing the levels of fish on those sections tend to have reduced, giving some evidence to the fact that the fish do indeed come to rely on anglers freebies to supplement the natural feeding on offer.

Look like brown trout to me. Some look like recently stocked ones and some look more natural from the state of the tails, but other than that they look like a good range of the natural colour variations within brown trout.

Is it just me (and everyone else I speak to) or do this/these outfit(s) not actually fulfill any orders over the internet? Everyone I've spoken to about them have tales of unfulfilled orders and appalling communications with the company(ies). Interested to hear if anyone has any positive stories about them and if it's just the predator tackle they operate semi fraudulently with.

If it's leaking through the material give it a good coat of Thompson's water seal (the stuff they advertise for coating brickwork) it will re-proof the nylon perfectly. All nylon brollies and bivvies need a coat of re-proofer every now and then.

I don't mind the lack of flow, certainly after the last couple of summers, but the algae is a problem. Fished the Severn and Avon last week and it was much harder than it should have been there too.

It's been brown and ugly since the end of May to my knowledge. While it is possible to catch fish, it's much harder than it should be at this time of year. It hasn't had the bloom into the open season for a few years now, and it's a real bore. A bit of water through it wouldn't do any harm, but after the last 2 summers I'm loathed to do a rain dance for the Thames!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/sport...3A04%3A11%3A750

In process Budgie.

Apparently it's a complete load of rubbish. We (the PAC) spoke to the EA about the incident and their investigation and they said they saw no evidence of anything to confirm netting, there were bicycle tracks leading to the flattened grass area the great crime was supposed to have been committed on, and they thought it was just some kids on bikes stopping there for a while. The authors credibility has taken a knock again with yet another unsubstantiated and factually incorrect story. He must have been struggling to find something to fill his column inches with.

Perfect answer.

Wow! What an astonishingly bad website. Shakespeare used to be a brand people actually aspired to, now they seem completely shambolic. Whoever gave the web design project to a 12 year old, who doesn't have any idea what a fishing rod is, and like some things so much they put them in twice, should hang their head in shame.

Glad to hear that Steve, hopefully it will be onwards and upwards in the future too. The current committee have done and outstanding job I think.

Hi Steve. What is it that stops you joining the PAC, or more importantly, what would they have to do to attract you back?

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/lane/4448/gallery.html Looks like a "4 screw"

My licence arrived this morning too.

Well done! Caught shallow too I imagine. What is that jerkbait called?

Many thanks, I'll look at the website.

It's the busy bit that had me thinking of the monument. I've driven past the Linear place a few times and not liked the look of it. Too busy and a lot of young lads there who may or may not **** about all evening. I'm not a carp angler at all, but am trying to organise a weekend away with some friends from the blackpool area (I'm in London) and the west midlands seems like a reasonably equitable place to meet up. We are pike anglers really, but April is generally hopeless for pike and so carp seem like a worthwhile alternative.

Ah, no I hadn't! Any suggestions for anywhere else in case it's booked?

Does anyone have any experience of fishing "The Monument" near Telford? I'm looking to find somewhere to go with a couple of friends for a weekend that has a good chance of catching, is secure for vehicles etc and isn't full of chavs. the Monument is a bit dear, but sounds like it might tick some boxes. Looking to go in April, any comments, or perhaps an alternative in that general area (west midlandsish). Any thoughts much appreciated.

Because lure fishing's more fun if virtually everything that swims is predatory! Over here most people fish for things which are only considered predatory by maggots!

End of March is the closed season on all rivers and many lakes.

It's bloody cold at the moment so maybe the fish weren't taking the bait as confidently and quickly as in warmer water conditions? If the hook bursts the maggot it's too blunt, so you should change it immediately. Maybe the maggots were masking the hook point?

I have a thing about unhooking mats. I haveone that lives in the boat, but I don't think it's ever been used, and I never carry one on the bank. Most fish are unhooked in the water. If they are worth weighing or photographing they are just put in the landing net in the water while I get the gear ready. My problem with unhooking mats, like a lot of other modern tackle, is that people feel they should be using them because they have them! I can't see why you would need to take the fish away from the water to unhook it or anything else? Surely it's better to leave the fish in the water and take any paraphinalia you need to the waters edge rather that the fish to your camp?