PeterK

Well I'm off to my mates lake with fly rod in hand. The carp have all come up in this heat so we're going to see if we can catch a few. We've also been trying to get the action on film so (sooner or later) we can post a few clips on the web.

Hi, welcome, This was my post on another thread ' rod and reel' ''Mmmmmm, Without asking what type of fishing you intend to try I'm going to suggest the John Wilson Avon/Barbel rod. For under £100 you get a decent rod which has a quiver tip top section and a standard top section. In addition I think it also has an extension piece to make the rod longer if necessary. I guess the test curve is about 1 1/4 lb through action which would be fine for most carp (if you dont want to break any records) tench, chub, barbel, perch, bream, fishing. It should be ok for smaller silver fish too providing you dont want to fish using a really light line. If I could only have one rod it would be an Avon twin tip! Mine would, of course, be a Bob James Masterline but if you don't want to spend that kind of money the Wilson version is a great package.'' So I completely agree with your choice. Dont forget to buy a couple of pairs of good fawceps so that you can get any deep hooks out safely.

I've used Halibut pellets on both hair and band with good results. I find the bands work pretty well. Sometimes I run a knife around the pellet to make a small groove for the band to sit in.

Mmmmmm, Without asking what type of fishing you intend to try I'm going to suggest the John Wilson Avon/Barbel rod. For under £100 you get a decent rod which has a quiver tip top section and a standard top section. In addition I think it also has an extension piece to make the rod longer if necessary. I guess the test curve is about 1 1/4 lb through action which would be fine for most carp (if you dont want to break any records) tench, chub, barbel, perch, bream, fishing. It should be ok for smaller silver fish too providing you dont want to fish using a really light line. If I could only have one rod it would be an Avon twin tip! Mine would, of course, be a Bob James Masterline but if you don't want to spend that kind of money the Wilson version is a great package. [ 21. June 2005, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: PeterK ]

I use Masterline Toothy Critter lures in various sizes and weights. I like the ones with the long tails that stream out behind. You can also catch fish on the drop because the lures swim on their own while sinking. Cast into a hole under a tree and let the lure swim down, if there are pike and perch about they will often hit them straight away. Because these lures only have one upward facing hook you can pull them through weed and bounce them along the bottom without getting snagged.

I don't often drink when I'm fishing although I've been known to take a bottle of good red wine or even a flask of ice cold Pimms if the place or occasion is right. I often have a drink very shortly after fishing though It would be a shame if 5% of anglers spoiled things for the 95% of us who know how to behave ourselves!

My friend owns a lake and we catch a lot of carp on the fly from his boat. It's great fun to do. We use 7 or 8 weight lines and a fly tied from deer hair and clipped to look like a chum mixer! We were our last night but there weren't many fish on the surface so all we caught was a couple of pints of guiness. I've also done a bit from the bank using a roll cast to get the bait out.

I will be on a private strech of the Wye stalking Barbel for the first two days! I am a lucky boy!!

liamfish, That collection of rods isn't big enough for you to need medical help. You need to buy far more to be a true tackle tart like me [ 22. April 2005, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: PeterK ]

What, you mean your going to fish with a glass fibre rod too? I just did a quick search on e.bay and there's an Ivan Marks match rod for sale for £1.00! No bids as yet though. I used to have a set of Ivan Marks stick floats but I haven't seen tham for a while! I'm really not sure If I still have them.

Well the 'daft' bit was a little 'tongue in cheek' really. Personally, I dont like poles. I know there is a lot of skill in using one but it's just not for me. Maybe if I liked match fishing I would have another view.

Craynerd, You don't need one, they just make you look daft! Learn to use a rod and reel properly first and then make your mind up.

It's getting a bit boring now isn't it? I would just like the weather to settle into one thing of another. I think this constant change is the worst thing for fishing. I am off for a three day session tomorrow. We were going Roach fishing on the Test but we might have to change our plans if it gets any colder. I tried a while ago and the fish weren't really feeding properly. It was very hard to get anything going at all.

The Barton Court roach only get fished for out of trout season so not really heavy pressure on them. I had a booking every year for the first day after the end of the trout season. I used to book the whole fishery for just me and a mate. In the end we moved on but I still fish there on a day ticket when I can.

We could call it CRAP fishing . Er maybe I spelt it wrong? I know I've used the right letters perhaps someone can help me out?