nifty

Hi Gareth, There are a few different places to launch around Bala. With the forecast South Wester's, then I reckon we could probably get out (without getting too wet). Regards the Lakes: Was thinking of having a ride up over the Christmas break, maybe for the tourney and have a meet up with SDD, if he's about Coniston is the only lake I've fished but am willing to try Grasmere or Windermere. Stu.

GB, Can't do Saturday but may go to Bala Sunday if you or anyone else fancies it I reckon Llangorse will be too badly affected by all the rain for this weekend

Sorry lads but this threads "Going Down-hill" fast.

Bala Martin, Bala I'll get the Sardines

Some brilliant pics there boys, a lasting reminder of another fantastic weekend meet with you all and I'd like to thank Martin for organising everything. The digs were perfect for 11 blokes to crash out in at the end of a soggy day in Wales Considering the weather we had to endure on Friday and Saturday and most of the lake turning the colour of drinking chocolate, It was great that most did have at least one fish. The Pike virgins led the way on Saturday after Fridays complete blank and I think they taught me more in a day about the place than I would have learned myself, by catching fish from areas of the lake that I had totally disregarded. Congratulations to Paul, Kev and Stu on breaking their ducks. I only wish I had been close by when most of the fish were caught as I seemed to be at the opposite end of the lake every time, and I would really like to have seen Marc's Pike, Well done mate, it looks a beauty. The highlights of the weekend for me aren't fishing related, as I only had two tiny jacks, but the laughs we had out in the smoking room and back at the digs, and sampling Richi's cordon bleu cooking, his Chicken, new potato and Broccol'eye' dinner is top notch much better than waiting 3 hours for the takeaway to sort it, and much easier on the digestion, eh Gareth? I'm glad that I didn't keep anyone awake "snoring" but I'll know next time to take earplugs myself. Dave for such a short arsed blanker, you can't half make a din nearly on a par with Simon Sorry, but no pics here as after pulling my camera phone out of an inch of water in my pocket on Friday, it spent the rest of the time taking cover Thanks all and looking forward to the next one already

Sorry mate, we don't get much telly in Royston Vasey Not a clue.

Camouflage gear

Is It? Oh Bo&*(^ks No wonder the daughter wasn't outside youth club Good Tea man

darnsarf Posted Today, 05:25 PM Forecast seems to be moderating. Think we should be able to find a resonably sheltered spot somewhere along the shore. Unfortunately Paul, there's only one place we can launch so will probably have to paddle through the chop to get to some sheltered water Martin, Will you thank your good lady for the cuppa tonight You'll know now not to answer the phone on a Tuesday night in future. Stu.

Great news Nick, When you get her, you know that there's some gulleys at the top end of a certain beach we've got to extract a Turbot from Don't forget to invite us along. Stu

Kev, Save your money and do as David says. Another £20-00 will get you a slo2h or a few quid more for an ABU. I mentioned it in the Llangorse post but Sportfish have their sale on this W/E and I know they had some of the smaller Abu's last time I was in there. It's only 25 minutes or so up the road from the meet. Stu

Hi Simon, I've got a few crosslocks with swivels if your stuck but if you plan your journey right, you'll pass the front door of Sportfish at Winforton, and guess what? they've got their Winter sale on this W/E Tom, Your right about the forecast, not looking good 35mph S/W, could be fun launching. The only place to launch catches it full on from that direction and reminiscent of Tywyn when it does blow If your sailing you'll need to be close hauled to get out Stu

Stu, Don't worry about the gear, I'm sure between us we'll get you sorted and there ain't no experts going as far as I know GB, Just use your normal anchor set up if you need to stay put, though you'll probably find that you won't use it and a mobile searching approach will get you more fish hopefully

Look at the size of them Tea pots Rich

I know, glad I went yesterday now

Cheers Martin, I dropped on a good supply of Sardines a few weeks back. A 1 kilo bag of medium for £5-50, frozen solid, which I reckon is the best way to get them. Split the bags at home into fives and back in the freezer before they have chance to go mushy like the "Astecmorsains" ones. I've got a couple of kilo in stock but can pick some more up if anyone wants some. Takes us back to the beginning of the thread now on how many we can ram in the freezer along with the Barbel and Richis Cod fillets? Perfect size

Of course Rich, and Pike! but that's the start of a whole new series to collect Would you say the bulk of your fish this year though have been caught whilst tied to pot buoys or just anchored? Just interested, as there does seem to be some advantage in tying up to them, especially if you know which end of the fleet is which, and if they've just been baited. Curious Stu

You're right Martin, it's lovely over this side of the common too. I should have gone today instead (Bl%^y met check)

Brilliant Again Richi Were you tied up to Pot buoys or anchored? Only the Flounder to go now and you'll have the full set Well Done, Stu

Had a bit of practice today and I only hope the weather is kinder to us next week. I think the wind came from every direction at some point and with the first snow of the winter ontop of the hills it was a bit chilly when the squally showers came over. I took a picture of it when I first got out and at different times during the day as the weather changed. Will it, won't it ? first thing this morning. That's better. Half an hour later Here it comes End result, getting hurled towards the shore whilst trying to do a nice slow troll As to the fishing, well the day couldn't have started much better. I baited up with a Sardine and when the finder showed 20ft, dropped it over and tied on my stopknot. It must have landed straight on his head, cos immediately it went away and this nice 7-8lber (guesstimate) popped up after a dour battle. First fish after 30 seconds on my new shimano baitrunner, "Yes, a lucky reel" I thought can't be bad. Six hours later, frozen and wind beaten I had number two, a 3lber'ish, on the Sardine again And that was it. Just keep your fingers crossed for better weather next weekend. It was that bad, I had the lake to myself for most of the day. Two chaps in a boat did have a go for an hour later on but didn't stay long. Stuart.

Enjoy it now, While you can mate

Just wait till they want you to insure their first car Gareth

Perfect I've got a couple of double figure fish in the freezer, they should do

Sounds delicious Martin I think under the circumstances though we'd better preserve "OUR LOCAL" fishing and make do with battered Barbel fillets

That's what I thought Paul. I can however see the reason maybe if you need to use lighter leads with grips to hold bottom, but if you are fishing fine enough line anyway, then big leads shouldn't be needed I wouldn't have thought I don't know really and am willing to be corrected.