DannyS

Couldnt agree more with what Andrew said. Use the swingtip mainly for tench and bream on the deep gravelpits. I have some old swingtips that I bought about 20 years ago that are made of some kind of light alloy and are almost weightless and incredibly sensitive. No markings on them at all. I have never come across them again. My PB bream of 13lb 4oz fell to a swingtip and like Budgie I too won most of my stillwater matches in the late 80`s on swingtip. I for one would like to see a come back for them.

Ben Imagine a thicker quivertip but instead of carrying straight out it hangs off the tip of the rod with one or two eyes that the line passes through. When you tighten the line the swingtip sits at about 45 degrees. A bite is shown by the tip either rising or dropping back. Its not as sensitive as a quiver, but in my opinion much more enjoyable. I saw the quintip by shakespeare. Looked to me as the swingtip was fixed and not screw in. Still got my old screw tip rods and would never give them up.

Sounds like a perfect day. So why is it that the swingtip isnt used so much today? I still prefer a swingtip on a stillwater to a quiver.Watching the tip rise is just like seeing a float slide under to me.

December 18th

Both Northern Ireland and Scotland do not have a close season. You dont need a rod licence in Scotland, but you do need one in N.I. I am not sure if an EA licence covers you in N.I. Close season is only in England and Wales.

I agree. One of the major points about feeder fishing is building up a bed of feed in the same spot. Accurate casting takes time, but you will get there.

Check out which rod license you need though. There is not a close season in Northern Ireland, but I think that the rod license is issued by a different agency. Its the Fisheries Conservancy Board over there or something like that. Afraid I cant help with info on the river though.

I have just come back from a fishing holiday in Scotland. Away from the mobile, PC and traffic. Nothing doing much on the coarse side but some very good sea fishing. Spent the last couple of days reading all the post I missed while away.

Teddington lock on the Thames can throw up some good fish but take plenty of bait as the Dace down there almost jump on anything. Seen some good carp rolling by the lock entrance too. Its tidal and I found the best approach is to don waders and trot casters just down from the weir.

I have just come back from a week near Stranraer and the local tackle shop would only sell maggots in little plastics pots. When measured out htey were under half a pint!

The best advise I can give is not to let him wear boots or waders. Doesnt matter how well you can swim, these things will pull you straight under. Many years ago I made the mistake of not taking off my waders when climbing onto a boat and fell in. It was only because my Dad saw me and managed to get a grip on my jacket as I went under that saved my life. Havent worn them since.

Any time is good for me

Many years ago I caught a jack in the Dorset Stour with a stubby pectoral fin. Over the next ten years I caught the same fish about third session and watched it grow in weight over these years. Havent fished the stour for about ten years and often wonder if old stubby is still around.

I am in Portpatrick for a week at the beginning of April (parents retired there) and going to try out Whitefield Loch. It says that its a pike and perch water, but was wondering what other fish there are there. Heard the same advise too John. My old man had to leave a session after getting eaten alive.

Thats true. But for some reason the smell from pike seems to be much worse. I suspected that if it was from pike, then the same should also apply to perch, zander, chub or catfish as they are all predators, but I have not found this. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after handling fish other than pike seems to do the trick. To add to this, my experience has only been with the jacks after grabbing anything small. When pike fishing I dont target any other fish so cant really comment on that. The only fish that doesnt seem to be bothered is other pike (after handling deadbaits after a catch) which surprises me as pike will prey on other pike. Maybe its because of their, and I dont like using this word, cannabalistic behaviour that the smell almost acts like an attractor to them.

When I said that I have to change my landing net I meant swap over to another (otherwise it would cost me a fortune). I have found that even washing my net at the time didnt make any difference. I havt take it home and clean it properly.

I have always found that after landing any jacks that have grabbed any thing small as I am bringing them in is that unless I thoroughly wash my hands before handling any bait, the bites just dry up. I also have to change landing nets otherwise any fish I am trying to land just goes ballistic when approaching the net.

Count me in.

Count me in.

Got a lift form my Dad to a club river when I was 16. he was fishing a match 7 miles away. Dropped me off with all my gear (still thinking at the time I had to take EVERYTHING with me). Walked another mile to my favourite peg. River looked perfect. Got the rods out, went for the reels only to find I hadnt brought a single reel with me. Not due to be picked up for another 8 hours, I had to walk the 7 miles to where he was fishing.

Im fishing Whitefield loch in late March. Had a look at it at Christmas (visiting parents and didnt have my rods). Liked the look of it, was going to go for a pike session but now it looks like its going to be a perch day. As for the original question I agree with Peter and what Simon says. Recently bought some gear off ebay and saved myself nearly £100!!

Im with you there sluk. At 6ft 3in and 18st I look quite a sight running around with panic on my face when those tiny black and yellow b*****ds come any where near me.

The only thing about night fishing that scares me is the missus in the morning..."you didnt say ALL NIGHT". Ratty, I sent you an email about Manor Farm.

No, I am from London. I used to go down there for a couple of weeks every year.

Hi Bish. There used to be a camp site in Veryan not too far from St Austell that had a smallish pond (about 1/2 acre) down the bottom. Its been few years now, but as I recall there used to be some lovely roach up to 2 1/2lb in there, along with carp to abut 10lb and some good tench to about 5lb. It used to do day tickets quite cheap during the off season. If it is still there I would love to know.