Robeano

I started to write that I'd had an average year but now I think about it it's been pretty good! None of the PB's were massive on a national (or even local!) scale but I was still pleased. January - New PB pike of 15 pounds and ounces May - A new PB tench of 5.10lb June - First Thames barbel just under 7 pounds July - Although I've stalked a lot of carp before I saw a 17lb common suck up my bunch of maggots in about 12" of crystal clear water 3 feet from the bank. Fantastic! August - New PB barbel - 9.09lb from the River Soar in Leicestershire (a good 'un for that river) October - Had my first proper attempt at pole fishing and landed a 13lb common after a 35 minute fight on 2.5lb hooklink. Roll on 2009! Robin

There are either 8 drams or 16 drams to the ounce depending on whether you are using the apothecaries weight system or avoirdupois. I believe fish are weighed using avoirdupois, 16 oz to the pound etc. rather than apothecaries, 12 troy ounces to the troy pound, therefore I believe the measure in question is 1/16 of an ounce. Have a look here if you desperately want to check it out. http://home.clara.net/brianp/weights.html This reply is from Robin's Dad, who is very old, and not from Robin. I remember all this stuff from the back of my exercise book in the Primary School. Anybody want to know about bushels and pecks and rods, poles and perches? I suppose most of you know a lot about rods, poles and perches anyway ( 5 1/2 yards if you didn't.) Hurrah for the metric system!!!!!

Rec is now day ticket I believe. You can get tickets from Sandy Balls and a couple of other places too. Beware the trout though! Last time I was there it was chock full of little rainbows (trout farm escapees I presume) Robin

I can highly recommend Longshaw farm. It's a good mixed fishery with tench, some clonking roach, a few bream and carp. It's certainly a good place to go and get bites and learn the basics. The owners are nice too and should be able to help you out with going swims, techniques etc. Day tickets are about £6. Phone number is 01227 710263. If you want to look up a map the postcode is CT3 4ND. Robin

My smile was so big I nearly swallowed my ears!!! It was a cracking day out and I must thank Singy for his help and guidance. My dad's old rod was certainly put to the test a number of times but it seems to have survived (only just). The take on the suspended egg fly was the most amazing thing I have seen while fly fishing - awesome power! Thorpe Lea is a crazy place but if you want to go for carp on the fly rod it is a must. Robin

I have some of those at home right now! Guess what I'll be doing tonight. I also found some hi density foam in the arts and crafts box at my daughter's nursery which somehow found it's way into my bag! I think some experimentation is in order. Thanks for all the input chaps. Robin

I made my rake a few weeks ago after a trip to my local bootfair - 2 rakes , a pack of cable ties (£1) and only 10 minutes work with a saw and some washing line. I've only used it once but it did perform with no problems at all and I didn't have to chat up my local welder. Robin PS - I tied a noose in the end of the washing line and hooked it round my ankle while I was chucking the rake out. Saves going in for a recovery mission!

In that case I'd love to take you up on the offer - I'll send you a PM to discuss if that's okay. Robin

A word of warning - don't try the plastic mixers! They weigh a ton and are sooooo hard to cast. I have a very sore ear after trying them as they are just so hrd to control. Sedge imitations or 10mm cork balls are the way to go in my experience. Robin

I read your article on the RMC site the other day and was very jealous! I'd like to give TL a crack but isn't it going to be rammed out with kids now the summer is here? Robin

Thanks for that Tony. I've had a look but I was actually thinking a bit more DIY - shaped cork or high density foam. Has anyone made truly DIY poppers? Robin

I'm going to tie some of my own poppers for chub fishing on the Kentish stour. I've had some swirls at muddlers and the like but I quite fancy the idea of some added commotion to really get them going. Has anyone tied poppers themselves? Any tips? Robin

I'd love to have a go for carp that size with the fly rod. I have quite a few trips each year to my local match lake and have had carp up to 13lb on the fly rod. It's great fun and they pull like stink but as it's a snake-lake arrangement you don't get the scorching 40 yard runs. Unfortunately all the other MKF waters are a bit too snaggy to attempt with my seven weight. Anyone got a bonefish rod they don't need anymore??!? Robin

I've got a Leeds classic and I really rate it as a beginner's pin. On the positive side, it runs as smoothly as you could ever want, takes very little to get the spool spinning. Negatives - it weighs quite a lot and doesn't look as cool as other pins. Cost was about £50. As for trotting with a pin, I wouldn't use anything else these days. I went to visit my Dad the other day and we went to the river with his gear, including a fixed spool. The lack of control both when trotting and when striking was frightening. Give me the pin every time. Robin

Only 10lbs? Perfect Livebait size!!! Well done Rabbit Robin

"I'm still in a bit of a time-warp Re. the Stour - thinking of it as primarily a roach water. " I think it is on the lower stretches (Plucks Gutter etc.) but the narrower, shallower areas around Canterbury have some good, chub, trout and even (ssshhhh!) barbel......

Some of the less public sections of the Stour around Canterbury are well worth a look too Jim. It depends what you're after though - no monsters but I have heard of 6 pounders but I'm not sure how reliable that info is. Fives are definitely there though. Robin

Not really I'm afraid - I've been fishing the rivers or chasing tincas this season so far. About the only advice I can offer is that either Premier or Mainline bait seems to be doing the do on most lakes and that keeping your eyes open and getting on the fish before you set up is the most consistant way of catching. Also, like I said before, the MKF forum or the office are the best sources of info. Robin

Hi Jon The Mill is "fishing hard" at the moment. If you haven't seen it before can I suggest visiting the MKF website & forum (www.midkentfisheries.co.uk). This has loads of info from the regulars and will give you everything you need. Alternatively, call Chris and the team in the office on 01227 730668 and they'll give you lots of up to date advice. Good luck Robin ECHO

Blimey! Thanks for that Hi-S! I wasn't expecting such an epic! That's very useful information about fishing for carp that are bubbling. I must give this a try next time out. Thanks again. Robin

Hi Dan In my experience it very much depends on the type of water you are fishing. I spend most of my time at the Chilham Match Lake which is a moat style lake which doesn't give the fish much opportunity to run, they just tend to dog it out under the rod tip. In this situation I have found the most basic of fly tackle is sufficient. If you're fishing more open water where the fish can really streak off, I'd get a reel lie the one you have shown i.e. adjustable drag etc. As for rods, I use an old 7 weight glass fibre effort that my dad hand built about 25 years ago and this still copes admirably. The 6/7 weights you are looking at should be fine for fish to mid doubles. For anything much bigger I'd beef it up a bit. Hope that helps. Robin

Hi Fin-S I've done a fair bit of fly fishing for carp on the top but have never used wet flies as you've described. Have you found this method successful? When casting to bubbling fish do you just leave the fly to sink to the bottom and fish it static or do you twitch it back? Any more info you have would be most welcome! Thanks Robin

Could you try raking the swim to stir up a bit of sediment? Not tried it myself but it might help. Robin

This is what you want.... www.moviemarket.co.uk Some great stuff on here including loads of Scarface bits and bobs.

Yes they are. I've found some on the Harris Angling site this morning - £3.50 for a pack of three. The blurb stated: BB Swivels have ten tiny ball bearings. They virtually eliminate line-twist, and are particularly valuable for use with spinning lures and in trolling where line twist can be a problem. Robin