Uncle Fester

I fished the Thames (once only) this past summer for the first time in many years and I reckon it does look very much cleaner than it was when I was a lad. I had around 30 perch between 6 ounces and a pound and a quarter in an afternoon which I was very happy with. No gudgeon or pope though on maggots or worms which surprised me! Tried deadbating in a thames backwater about 2 miles from home this afternoon and blanked. So much dead weed and leaves can in with every retrieve, I think the baits were getting covered in the muck. Either that or I'm crap, which is more likely. Took my bite alarms, and drop back bite swingers, but forgot my banksticks! One day I'll get it right. Unc F

47 years, I can still remember my first rod. It was like Peter's, solid steel, but Im sure it had a moulded plastic handle with a little reel as part of the handle and plastic rod rings. I remember practising my casting action before threading the line and the rod part separated from the bit I was holding and ended up in the river. I think I had to wait for my next birthday to get a new rod with a proper reel, a pink Monarch I think it was. My fishing career since has been similarly rewarding. Best catches to date have been a sheep, a combine harvester and my own ear, all on the backcast whilst fly fishing. Hoping to have another go today if I'm allowed. Unc F

Rabbit, yes I have still got the rod, but I'm off to Holland tomorrow (thursday) til after Christmas. Sorry, saw your post too late. Unc F

Flying Tench, Me after specimens? Not likely, anything would have done. Couldn't even get a gudgeon with a maggot. Alright, I missed the entire summer last year, but made amends this summer. Had lots of nice fish but the 2 times I've been out lately have resulted in no score. Gonna try again after xmas. Very flattering though, thank you. Unc Festive

I'm hoping for "A Passion for Angling". I've dropped big enough hints like sending a link to the website, and stating DVD please. No doubt I will end up with Rabbits murderous looking blade and hoof de-stoner. Can't wait. Unc Festive

Josh, welcome to my club. I love blanking, it gives plenty of time to light that fag, drink that coffee without the unwanted intrusion of a fish. Well thats what I keep telling myself. My personal best is one year without a fish, and I've found that the supreme way to guarantee a blank is to fish in the winter. So if you do find the secret to getting the bu**ers to bite this time of year, don't tell me. But seriously, I wish I knew. Rivers at any time are a mystery to me, but this time of year I really struggle. I think its gonna get less cold this week, so that should help. But I expect the big carp move off to the deeper water as soon as it gets cold. Good luck, Unc F

Thanks for the valuable replies guys. The only rods I have that I think are vaguely suitable are either 2 1/4lb 11 footers or 1 3/4lb 12 footers, I think perhaps the stiffness of the 11 footers would reduce the casting ability. I think in view of your comments, a look at some 9 or 10 foot rods rung for fixed spools would be a good idea, then I can use either sort of reel. Just one further question for Hoppy, how do you get on lure fishing for Wels? I guess it works or you wouldn't do it. I just wouldn't expect cats to feed by any other methods than smell or touch, do they react on the vibrations? thanks Unc F

Thanks for your help guys, looks like a case of trial and error. I dont have any rods less than 11ft though, so if I can't make it work, I will have to invest in a shorter one. Thanks again, Unc F

Thanks for your most generous offers guys, if you keep going at this rate it might just be able to accept an offer by next easter. Or shall I take it as a no? Merry Christmas Uncle Festive

What sort of rods are you good people using for lure fishing these days? I want to do some plugging this winter and having not done very much for many years would appreciate some advice. I really want some pike (and I have caught many before, but not for a long time and have got a reasonable understanding of how to handle them not to mention the long forceps and side cutters). I have a range of rods for carp and barbel but not sure what length and test curve is best suited to casting plugs, and handling, large, angry predators. I know the classic spinning rods are short, does this have an advantage? I also want to try with a multiplier as well as fixed spool (not at the same time though) are the rod requirements any different. Any help much appreciated. Unc F

Jerry, know anywhere near Veenendaal where I can fish for pike, zander or perch? I shall be there over christmas and would love to get out and fish for a while. Does much come out of the Rhine, we are only a few km from it? Also, what do I need in the way of a rod licence over your way? Thanks, Unc Fester

Blindog, Sorry to say that a few years ago I was hit from behind whilst stationery by a car driver who drove around me then drove off. I was on a motorbike loaned to me by a dealer who was repairing my week old bike under warranty. I was thrown into the middle of the main road, but mercifully wasn't hit by anyone. I had to pay the dealers excess, £500, and as I wasn't hospitalised, no-one would offer me any help. The police sent a 28 day letter to the registered keeper of the car and subsequently summonsed him, but by the time he was due to appear in court he was already inside for some other offence, so dropped the charges. Sorry if this has depressed you, but please don't take my word for it. Take it up with the Motor insurers federation (your son's broker in the first instance) but I'm pretty sure they will only step in if there are injuries. Just thank your lucky stars your son is ok, I'm afraid the rest of it is sh*t. In my case, I'm glad my own bike was safe and sound and in bits at the time of the accident. I now live 50 yards from where my accident happened, bizzare??? Very best of luck, Unc F

Bought this year to replace one of my Fox Barbel Plus rods which I broke. I have now managed to get another Barbel plus to make the pair up and am thinking of selling the Greys. Only used a couple of times and still has the plastic over the cork. Anybody interested??? Uncle Fester

MDG, I posted last week, I have some spares for a MK11 (2), do they fit the mk1? I have most of the bits but not all if it helps. Unc F

I have some Mk 11 spares, are they the same fit? Are we talking about the rotor or the outer cover? Regards Unc F

Welcome to another Cloggie, at this rate we'll all be eating Gouda and raw herrings. Tot ziens Uncle von Fester

Jerry, you've really got me going now. My lady is dutch, her dad lives in Veenendaal and we go over 2-3 times a year to visit but in 4 years Ive been going, I've never tried fishing over there. My lady tells me they catch a lot of snook and I can see from the pictures that she's right, but I didn't realise you have huge chub and perch as well. What is the fish in the pic with the guy with the houses behind him, looks like a bass to my untrained eye. Didn't know what I was missing. We are going over for christmas, perhaps I'd better pack a rod or two. Know any venues neer to Veenendaal (theres the Rhine of course) where I can get me one of those huge pike? Anything to get away from the Dutch only speaking in-laws. Tot Ziens, Unc F

Rabbit, The stringer method sounds ace for the winter when you don't want to overfeed. I just wanted to use up some of the Iams cat food pellets that get otherwise thrown away by the missus when she refills their food bowls. Theory being that they will be smaller and not as fresh as the 6" diameter halibut pellets I will be using on the hair (only joking, I NEVER use more than the 5" ones). I take it the PVA bags come in a range of sizes? Is the PVA string strong enough to drag through a boilie with a needle, or must you drill them? Thanks, Unc F

thanks for the replies, chaps. I'll give it a go. Unc F

I want to use large hair rigged pellets on my local river and I think its high time I used a more modern approach to loose feeding instead of spraying the area with pellets sprayed from a catapult. I wanted to fill some pva bags with smaller pellets for loose feed and attach to my reel line, but I'm unsure as to how to do it. I expect this has been asked before, so can any of you fine folk post me a link please??? The search won't allow me to put pva as the search word! Cheers, Unc F

Ive got a Honda VFR750 and a BMW K1100LT. Not as qualified as Mr Wiggly, but an IAM qualified Senior Observer. Not wishing to preach, but I can recommend some advanced training with any local IAM group. Its inexpensive and will teach you how to look after yourself. And if you dont want advanced traing, the simple message is LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND THINK! Keep it shiny side up, Unc F

I thought it was interesting, but didn't half make me feel old!!! I thought Ginger played well, but although I idolised Clapton in the old Cream days (didnt everyone),I don't think he plays with passion any more, and hasn't for many years. If you listen to the subtlties of his playing, he is unboubtetly superb, but so much of his playing sounds the same to a casual ear.The Silk suits, Ferraris and Gucci shoed blues never did it for me, I guess once you lose the hunger, the passion goes with it. Mind you I heard a live verion of Crossroads (my fav Cream track) with Clapton and Jeff Beck sharing the lead breaks, and I thought Beck slaughterd him for technique even if it didn't quite fit the song. Unc F

Anyone see the Cream reunion shown on TV last night? What did you think of it? Lucky I bought the DVD the day before, eh? Unc F

I had to be ruthless to get my 1044s, I wanted 'em so I had to go for it. As an ebay virgin it was an eye opener to see the way they went through the roof in the last few minutes, but I hope they will prove to be all I expected and I will never have to buy a closed face reel again. It is demoralising to bid early, and watch it all week with yours the winning bid until the last few hours. I bid on one last night which went for silly money (silly high!)and as much as I wanted it, I couldn't bid fast enough and in the end gave up. But I guess thats what auctions are all about, you have to set a limit. I didn't mind bidding over the odds for something that I really wanted and that you cant buy a new one of, but you have to have a limit. The 704 looks brilliant, and much more modern than the 1044, but somehow I think Chesters description is probably right, very good for the occasional angler, but maybe won't stand the test of time like the 506 or 1044 have. Mind you I had a result with a Suveran. Bought one for slightly less than list price, didn't work correctly so got a full credit, and managed buy a new old stock one for £75.00 that had to go back for an overhaul before I bought it because the anti reverse was lazy, and that cost the shop £30+