poledark

Saw that happening Shaun couldn't be certain but lots of activity made me think they were lifting I managed to "lift" a few Doggies Den

Started to use a "mat", usually a coat laid on the ground, about 60 years ago. Mainly a carp angler and fishing gravel pits, some very newly dug, meant that very often there was nowhere safe to lay a large thrashing about fish. As no doubt most of you know, the use of UH mats is now compulsory on most waters, and rightly so. Just because you haven't seen eye damage, doesn't mean it hasn't happened, even an eyeful of dust or grit would probably go unnoticed by the angler. To me, it's a no brainer, once you have been made aware of the possibility of damage, then you have a duty to reduce the risks. What you think about it doesn't matter, just think of the fish. I've never seen someone who has gone through a windscreen, but it doesn't mean I won't wear a seat belt. Attempts to justify the non use (for large fish) are usually because the angler is just to damned lazy or ignorant to take one when fishing. And what's all this about landing an 8lb carp on a cane rod stuff? Landed dozens and dozens on cane before glass and carbon came about. Nice fish and VERY nice photo though Den

I think that most lure anglers in the UK would call that a "Desperate" rig..............desperate to catch anyway Den

It's a hard old life if you are a Fox....... Den

Funny this getting old thing The last few years I have had the itch to fish other places...the Thames in particular, especially the middle and upper reaches. Bit of a hike for me, so it got put off. Then I thought about some of the little rivers I fished as a young man, and realised they invoved a lot of walking, something I have a problem with, so that was put on the back burner. So many places and memories to be relived, but always the physical problem raised its head, so i stayed local and parked close to the swims I used to do a lot of beach fishing up till about 40 years ago, and suddenly the urge to get back on the beach became very strong. Thanks to Google earth I found a few places where parking was close and almost overnight I gave up my FW fishing (caught pretty much all I wanted) and for the last 18 months I have gradually spread my wings a bit and with the help of a newly found friend (who has turned out to be a real friend ) I have scratched a few of those itches I say a few I will always have one or two that niggle at me So I would say "go for it John" Den

Should we learn from match anglers? should we have ignored the method feeder? enough said I think. I used to fish with a guy who was an outstanding speciman hunter, proved himself so many times, that he was hated by most who fished the same places as him...................but................he was also an extremely competent match angler, and had that ruthless streak that makes many a man successful at whatever he undertakes. Den

Like it Just come back from a trip to Rome...........not many "tutti frutti's" there. Den

I shall be passing close by on Sat and Sunday nights, on my way to Sandwich for the Rays I will give you all a toot and wish you all a good session Den

Nice shots Judy. As said, focus is a bit in front of the bird, try zooming in to focus on bird only, and then zoom out to frame shot. Keep them coming Den

Fascinating....thanks for the link Den

Maybe they have given up it was flat calm yesterday and today, so perhaps it all went well? Or..................it is possible that they weren't actually anything to do with the lifting and what we have been watching over the weekend had nothing to do with that plane. Who knows?????????? Den

I think they may have lifted that plane. Saw the platform being towed away about 2pm today. Den

Saw the crane(?) being towed in to place today. A couple of miles off Deal/Sandwich. Den

I'm interested in the bubbling Rudd. My first 5 pounder was caught in a similar way...I thought (assumed) it was a carp bubbling, but it turned out to be an eel I dropped a bunch of maggots in and wallop Den

I didn't spend half my life working hard and saving for a pension with the idea that I would end up with a free TV licence and a couple of hundred quid at Xmas for fuel. I still pay the same rate of tax as everyone else, and so I am definitely entitled to any thing back from the treasury pot. I put enough in for 60 years (and still am). So I will happily take anything on offer thankyou very much. Yes, you are probably right about OAP's voting, most are responsible people, and know how to look after themselves...............don't mess with us matey..............or you will find yourself out of a nice cushy job Den

Aha! now I am going to complicate things a bit I tried small fish baits/slivers of herring etc to try to avoid tench and roach/rudd etc. Got loads of action, tug,tug followed by good steady (sometimes not so steady) runs, but rarely hooked them. Baits chewed to bits, chunks eaten out..V shaped like the eels mouth Strangely though, most of the ones I DID catch on fish baits, were smaller than the average, so I went back to the maggots. Not what some may want when targetting just Eels, but caught a lot of very fine specimans of other species whilst trying Great fun Den

:) I will give you odds of "a threepenny" bit on that. It must, of course, be a silver one. Den

I must admit to finding all this "tech talk" about eels all a bit over the top. If an eel wants to eat your bait then it will, the type of indicator will have no affect whatsoever Just give it the chance to get the bait in its mouth, and it will (if big enough) pull your rod in! Den

I would dispute some of those "facts" IOW is still in the '50's..................some of the holiday accomodation offered is still in the 30's Den

Ah yes, the fabled pot of gold In my teens. two of us were fishing at Farnham and saw the end of the rainbow travelling across the field. My mate (Arthur, how did I remember that? ) ran across and was bathed in the light as he tried to keep up with it. Lost touch with him maybe 55 years ago, I wonder if he ended up very rich? Den

For what it's worth, both my 6pounders were caught on method feeder laced with red maggots...during the day. Actually, all my 5+ eels were caught during daylight. As Tigs says, 3/4" hooklengths, never deep hooked. The ratio of 5+ to smaller ones was very low, maybe 1 in 20? Not from Wingham, but not to far away as the crow flies, and like Wingham, closely linked to the Stour. August Den

Solder? Looks like you won the same lamp I spent quite a long time researching lamps before buying the Coleman CPx 6. Every ad I looked at stated the same,,i.e. 115 lumens..85hrs runtime on high...115hours on low.....uses 4X d cells or their rechargeable pack. I think I will contact Amazon and see if I can return it (had it a couple of months now) Den

Thanks Dave, I am using what I have got which is a spare bulb for the kitchen downlights. I mistakenly thought that "it is only 20watts so should last for many hours"..but seems I am mistaken. Was hoping to take trolley to beach and then use halogen to light rod tops and then use trolley on return journey, but was a bit concerned the battery might go flat on me, and I end up pushing it Heigh ho, onwards and upwards, I may investigate led's. I have a cree headlamp which last well, starts to fade a bit after 6 hours but can live with that. Also bought a Coleman lantern...supposed to run for 85 hours on full, or 115hours on low............barely last 6hours............load of rubbish. Tried new Duracells and new rechargeable Duracells 2300mha......same result. Den

Cheers Phone I am still none the wiser though I have connected the bulb to the battery and will see how long it lasts and will report back.................... The battery is a 17Ah Deep cycle golf trolley battery and it will drive my tackle barrow for a couple of miles fully loaded (13 stone) The motor is rated 150watts. I was hoping to run a spotlight (12v halogen bulb) for a few hours. Can't seem to get a simple answer from Google. Den

Could any of you experts on here tell me how much a 20W halogen bulb will drain a 12v 17Ah battery in 12 hours? Ta in advance, Den