Robeano

No - I have found it absolutely useless. Even on my local commercial it completely failed to invoke a response despite the fact that I can catch them on floating cork and foam. I'd stick with the real thing if I were you. Robin

Love the action shot Elton! Robin

I just had an e-mail from my Dad with some good results on a blazing day: "Hi Rob Popped down to the Abbey for an hour and a half this morning. Had 3 chub on floating crust 2-8,3-5,3-13. No pictures, didn't want to tempt fate by taking the camera. Two personal bests!! Dad" My advice is to get down the rivers and get those crusts going in - perfect for hot days when nothing else is going on. Robin

"works a treat with a big enough float. " Very true. I use mine with a 2 swan loafer and a Leeds pin and it works a treat. I can thoroughly recommend the JW Avon Quiver system - 11 or 13', avon or quiver top section. It's a whole lot of rod for £70. Robin

Hi Dave With regard to your second point (How does one decide the type of fly/lure/pattern to use?) I normally start out by "matching the hatch" if at all possible. If you've got insects coming off the water try to imitate the approximate size and colour. Of course matching the hatch could also mean using a tadpole or fry imitation at certain times of the year -it's not just about buzzers et al but any type of natural food that the fish are likely to be predating on. If you there isn't a hatch or you have nothing else to go on, either ask the fishery manager or tie on a big Cat's Whisker and get stripping! Robin

Hi Steve I've never fished sub-surface for them to be honest. I always assumed that it would be difficult as they don't have that predatory instinct that chub or trout do that would make them chase something. I might give it a whirl on Monday though. I would definitely recommend the cork balls though - light enough to cast without commotion and super boyant so you don't have to keep ginking them like yo do with a deer-hair mixer. Robin [ 22. June 2005, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: Robeano ]

First post - please be gentle... I have done a lot of fly fishing for carp on my local commercial (Chilham match Lake in Kent). My current setup is a 9' leader of 6lb mono, greased apart from the last 6 inches. The best hook I've found so far is the new Drennan barbel hook in size 12. They're super sharp, lightweight and a nice dull grey. They are quite pricey so I have also done well using a size 10 super specialist although I have doctored this with a permanent marker as I find them a bit too shiny in their natural state. Bait wise I use a 8mm cork ball (cheap from Ebay). The Enterprise mixers, while very good on a controller setup are too heavy to use with a fly rod as they land a bit like a depth charge! With the corkball you can lay it out on the water with barely a "plop". I have had a lot of funny looks when wandering with my fly rod but I have had an absolute hatful of fish up to 13lbs - and they go like stink! I'm taking one of my friends to Chilham on Monday evening. His biggest fish on a fly rod is a nice wild brownie of about a pound. Boy is he in for a suprise! If you want any more advice just let me know. Robin