jonboy walton

I use 15lb Pro-Gold and have never had any problems, this after having 12lb Big Game break at a stop knot whem a jack tailwalked! 15lb does at as a buffer in case of any unseen abrasion, and of course, unlike carping where the maximum casting weight is no more than 3oz, in piking you could be 'lobbing' a combined package of lead and bait that is more likely to be 7oz+. And the likelihood of a lost pike due to breakage is going, (but not always) to be a dead one. Jon

Anyone had any experience of transworlds waterproof gear? I am thinking of buying one of their jackets. Cheers Jon

The same identical letter has also reached the South West, as it appeared in the Somerset County Gazette today.

I haven't used a keepnet for 5+ years, just a personnal thing. However what I would like to see if an increase in the minimum size, as I think 6ft or 1.8m is too small, perhaps 8ft would be better? Jon

Looking at an old fishing guide of mine, the Otter seems to be trout(fly only) around Honiton, with some trout and sea trout near Budleigh Salterton. The estuary is supposed to be rated for mullet. No mention of coarse fish at all. Jon

The river Exe has been stocked with barbel, and some of them are in the Exeter canal, don't know where exactly though Jon

Some of my friends used to have trouble with the same dog on a particular stretch of riverbank. The dog would actually crawl underneath their bedchairs to get at trout pellets etc. So one day they injected a burger with fish oils and Hutchie Monster crab, which was promptly woofed down(Ouch!). Didn't see the dog again for a while, wonder why! Jon

Hi Elton Down in Somerset I am also struggling. Since the middle of June I have caught 4 carp, 2 being 11.5lbs, 1 10lbs and 1 8lbs. The waters seem a lot clearer this year, and the weed in my local canal is a lot worse than normal. I have only blanked once, if you count all the bream and tench, but that's no consellation! Regards Jon

I read it in an issue of 'improve your coarse fishing' some time ago when they did an article about particles. Since then a couple of people have said to me that they are contriversial, but couldn't explain why! I expect it's just bad preparation, the same as with tigers and peanuts. Cheers Jon

What exactly is controversial about Brazil nuts? I have read that they are dangerous to fish, but are they safe if prepared properly, ie 48hr soak and 20mins in a pressure cooker? Jon

I have had some Nashbait fishmeal now for about 5 years and wondered if it was still ok to use it? It has been kept in a dark, cool cupboard in a sealed bucket. Do flavours and base mixes go off, and if so how long does it take? Jon :confused:

Now that's got your attention I will elaborate! I am Secretary of my local angling club (Taunton AA)in Somerset. Just before the end of May I had to ring the chairman about something, but what he had to tell me was far more disturbing. We have two chaps from the EA attend our AGM's, and the day before he had received a phone call from one of them stating that the SW fisheries section of the EA was to be disbanded. Apparently there are 11 people working in this area at the moment, but one has left already, four are to be made redundant, and the remaining six are to be diverted into other jobs within the EA such as flood relief etc. The upshot of this is that by the end of September 2002 we will have no attendence by the EA at our AGM's, no netting service, much reduced baliffing( it's not brilliant now) and nobody knows what happens if we have a pollution. The EA chap didn't seem to be able to expand any further, and to be honest he didn'tknow what he would be doing in six weeks time, let alone six months. The chairman spoke to the other chap who is in charge of the fisheries section in the Somerset area, but he could not expand any more except to say it was due to 'budgetary cutbacks'. The chairman contacted Angling Times to see if they knew anything about this and they were very surprised. AT are going to look into the matter. The EA have kept this very quiet for whatever reason and I can reveal to you that this is country wide, not just in the South West. There has been nothing in the national press or any angling magazine or paper. Does anyone konow anything about this? The main question being, what are we going to get for buying a rod licence in the future, obviously a lot less that at present! Regards Jon :confused:

Now that's got your attention I will elaborate! I am Secretary of my local angling club (Taunton AA)in Somerset. Just before the end of May I had to ring the chairman about something, but what he had to tell me was far more disturbing. We have two chaps from the EA attend our AGM's, and the day before he had received a phone call from one of them stating that the SW fisheries section of the EA was to be disbanded. Apparently there are 11 people working in this area at the moment, but one has left already, four are to be made redundant, and the remaining six are to be diverted into other jobs within the EA such as flood relief etc. The upshot of this is that by the end of September 2002 we will have no attendence by the EA at our AGM's, no netting service, much reduced baliffing( it's not brilliant now) and nobody knows what happens if we have a pollution. The EA chap didn't seem to be able to expand any further, and to be honest he didn'tknow what he would be doing in six weeks time, let alone six months. The chairman spoke to the other chap who is in charge of the fisheries section in the Somerset area, but he could not expand any more except to say it was due to 'budgetary cutbacks'. The chairman contacted Angling Times to see if they knew anything about this and they were very surprised. AT are going to look into the matter. The EA have kept this very quiet for whatever reason and I can reveal to you that this is country wide, not just in the South West. There has been nothing in the national press or any angling magazine or paper. Does anyone konow anything about this? The main question being, what are we going to get for buying a rod licence in the future, obviously a lot less that at present! Regards Jon :confused:

Hi Peter The close season seems to pass so quickly that it really doesn't bother me not fishing at all. Things such as changing lines on reels, cleaning out rucksacks, buying new gear, making bait and sorting out where to go next season means that it just flies by. Cheers Jon

Hi Peter The close season seems to pass so quickly that it really doesn't bother me not fishing at all. Things such as changing lines on reels, cleaning out rucksacks, buying new gear, making bait and sorting out where to go next season means that it just flies by. Cheers Jon

Actually coxie, some but not all match fishers are buggers. I am Secretary of a club where the controlling interest is match based and anything in favour of either carp or pike fishing is treated with disdain. I have an ongoing battle with all sorts of things from 3 rods to pro-pike rules (Not to mention night fishing). Actully my friends buy their coarse deads from tackle shops, but can only get them for a limited period. I would add that the 'deads after matches' is not regular practice. Cheers Jon

Actually coxie, some but not all match fishers are buggers. I am Secretary of a club where the controlling interest is match based and anything in favour of either carp or pike fishing is treated with disdain. I have an ongoing battle with all sorts of things from 3 rods to pro-pike rules (Not to mention night fishing). Actully my friends buy their coarse deads from tackle shops, but can only get them for a limited period. I would add that the 'deads after matches' is not regular practice. Cheers Jon

Hi Gaffer I chucked my 10ft keepnet in the dustbin in 1996,and would certainly never use one again. How long is too long? Some matches can last anything between 2.5 and 6hrs, and in hot weather especially this can not be good for the fish. I am not proposing a keepnet ban, as this would make match fishing impossible, but I would like the EA to increase the minimum size from 1.8m to at least 2.5m or longer. One last point, some of my pike fishing mates get their roach deads by walking the banks after a match, there are always a few dead fish on the surface.... Regards Jon

Hi Gaffer I chucked my 10ft keepnet in the dustbin in 1996,and would certainly never use one again. How long is too long? Some matches can last anything between 2.5 and 6hrs, and in hot weather especially this can not be good for the fish. I am not proposing a keepnet ban, as this would make match fishing impossible, but I would like the EA to increase the minimum size from 1.8m to at least 2.5m or longer. One last point, some of my pike fishing mates get their roach deads by walking the banks after a match, there are always a few dead fish on the surface.... Regards Jon

Is this the 1st ever recorded Siamese pike?

Is this the 1st ever recorded Siamese pike?

The picture is of Neville Fickling with a double figure pike. The picture is taken from his book 'Pike fishing in the 80's'. The signature could be Cannell referring to Brain Cannell who is/was a friend of famous angling author and artist Steve Harper. Chris Turnbull should know both of them as he lives in the same area. Hope that helps Jon

The picture is of Neville Fickling with a double figure pike. The picture is taken from his book 'Pike fishing in the 80's'. The signature could be Cannell referring to Brain Cannell who is/was a friend of famous angling author and artist Steve Harper. Chris Turnbull should know both of them as he lives in the same area. Hope that helps Jon

Cheers Gaffer, I must say for the price it does look pretty good! Tight Lines JB

Cheers Gaffer, I must say for the price it does look pretty good! Tight Lines JB